Conan the Barbarian
Our Price: $15.29
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.41 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD releases
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD Cover Information
Actor: Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl JonesDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 129 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-02-24
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Conan the Barbarian
Movie Review: An impressive, respectful new lease on life for Conan the Barbarian
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm rather protective of the work of Robert E. Howard, a brilliant writer who died - by his own hand - far too young, and I was quite pleased by this cinematic treatment of his famed barbarian hero. Far too often, true fantasy seems to turn into comedy once Hollywood writers get their hands on it, but Conan the Barbarian is a dark, serious film that treats Conan as a man and not some mythical figure. By no means a big-budget production, the film features an impressive cast, some really nice special effects, and a wonderful musical score. I wasn't all that sure about James Earl Jones playing the bad guy, but the man's a great actor and never strays a bit out of character as the ominous Thulsa Doom.
Life wasn't easy back in Conan's day. As a child, he saw his village razed, his father killed, and his mother beheaded before his very eyes, then suffered the life of a slave until early adulthood. Obviously a supreme worker given his natural strength, you'd think his masters would want to keep him around, but eventually he's thrown into a mediaeval fight night challenge to kill or be killed. He wins, of course, then goes on to stomp mud holes in opponent after opponent; he is so good that he is sent to the east to get the best training available - including the ability to read, yet another skill you don't normally want your potentially dangerous slave to obtain. The big mystery, though, is his master's decision to grant him his freedom. As far as I can tell, the film offers no real explanation for that decision. Now a free man, though, Conan soon picks up a sidekick in Subotai (Gerry Lopez) and a love interest in the form of female warrior Valeria (Sandahl Bergman). They all live it up as daring thieves for awhile, but fate eventually leads Conan to the formidable temple of Thulsa Doom and his serpent cult, thereby pitting our hero against the man who had taken everything from him, including his freedom, all those years ago.
Barbarians, as you know, can't sleep unless they've killed at least one person that day, so expect plenty of violence over the course of the film's two hours. Sharpened steel blades tend to cut right through human flesh, especially when it's the powerful arm of Conan wielding the sword. Along with all the hack and slash, you get at least two decapitations and a couple of unique deaths by snake (that Thulsa Doom has a few dark tricks in his arsenal). A couple of gigantic snakes also put in an appearance, but they don't even try to swallow anybody, which is a little disappointing. All of the blood is realistic and never gratuitous, yet another reason why this is such an impressive film. Arnold Schwarzenegger deserves a lot of credit himself, turning in quite an impressive performance for a relatively unknown body builder. One can only wish that more great characters from the world of fiction were given as respectful a cinematic make-over as Conan the Barbarian received in this 1982 fantasy classic.
Summary of Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian [DVD] (1982) Arnold Schwarzenegger; James Earl JonesConan the Barbarian, the movie that turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into a global superstar, is a prime example of a match made in heaven. It's the movie that macho maverick writer-director John Milius was born to make, and Arnold was genetically engineered for his role as the muscle-bound, angst-ridden hero created in Robert E. Howard's pulp novels. Oliver Stone contributed to Milius's screenplay, and the production design by comic artist Ron Cobb represents a perfect cinematic realization of Howard's fantasy world. To avenge the murder of his parents, Conan tracks down the evil Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) with the help of Queen Valeria (played by buff B-movie vixen Sandahl Bergman) and Subotai the Mongol (Gerry Lopez). Aptly described by critic Roger Ebert as "the perfect fantasy for the alienated pre-adolescent," this blockbuster is just as enjoyable for adults who haven't lost their youthful imagination. --Jeff Shannon
Similar DVD Movies
Krull (Special Edition)MARSHALL,KEN; Release date: 2001-04-03; Published: 2001-04-01; DVD
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
AssassinsSTALLONE,SYLVESTER; Release date: 1997-10-01; DVD
Best price: $5.94
Price in other shops:
Red Heat (Special Edition)Lions Gate; Release date: 2004-09-07; Published: 2004-09-01; DVD
Best price: $4.14
Price in other shops:
CobraCobra; Release date: 2004-06-01; DVD
Best price: $1.95
Price in other shops:
Total RecallLions Gate; Release date: 2005-05-31; Published: 1990; DVD
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Predator (Widescreen Collector's Edition)Fox; Release date: 2004-08-10; DVD
Best price: $9.63
Price in other shops:
The Running Man (Special Edition)LIONS GATE HOME ENT.; Release date: 2004-03-16; Published: 2004-03-01; DVD
Best price: $6.47
Price in other shops:
Red SonjaWarner; Release date: 2004-07-06; Published: 2004-07-01; DVD
Best price: $3.09
Price in other shops:
Conan the DestroyerUniversal Studios; Release date: 1998-03-31; DVD
Best price: $5.28
Price in other shops:
Conan - The Complete QuestUNI DIST CORP. (MCA); Release date: 2004-01-20; DVD
Best price: $6.00
Price in other shops: