Conan the Barbarian - Collector's Edition
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Ben Davidson, Franco Columbu, Leslie Foldvary, Luis Barboo, Sandahl BergmanBrand: UNI DIST CORP. (MCA)
Primary Contributor: James Earl Jones
Primary Contributor: Arnold Schwarzenegger
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.35:1
Running Time: 129 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-05-30
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Universal Studios
Movie Reviews of Conan the Barbarian - Collector's Edition
Movie Review: The best sword fantasy there is
Summary: 5 Stars
When Conan the Barbarian came out on video in 1981 I was one of the first to get it. The film has not lost the impact it had on me then as a 20 year old, and stands way out ahead of all those pitiable sword and sorcery films that came in its wake, including the appalling sequel Conan the Destroyer.
Why do I hold this so high in my esteem? Certainly not in the quality of acting; when you have two body builders, a surfer, a sports star and a dancer as five of the main actors in this film, then you're not going to get class acting - but there again this type of film doesn't need it. But having said that they did a fairly good job when the script required some emotion to be put in it. Bereavement, indecision, loyalty, friendship. It was all there. And revenge.
Revenge in fact is the thread that holds the story together. For that the co-writers John Milius (the director) and Oliver Stone must be applauded, for not only daring to depart from the path of the Robert E. Howard pulp books that gave the world Conan, but also to give us a coherent, tidy and enjoyable script that doesn't insult the intelligence (unlike the sequel). We have strong characters who you can sympathise with and bad guys you readily want to get their just deserts. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his film debut is perfect for the role, as is James Earl Jones as the main antagonist, the thoroughly evil Thulsa Doom who is so gripped with power he readily encourages a faithful follower to commit suicide just to prove a point to Conan.
And running along with the story throughout is a top quality score written by Basil Polidouris. From the moment the opening credits begin, there is a deep, throbbing percussive sound that can take the viewer to another time and place, and make them believe this is the music of this time. Mako's voiceover as the story is introduced is unforgettable and I recall when I first heard it it made my jaw drop. BANG! In came the theme tune. Gutsy, hard and a delight.
For me though, the one outstanding memory is the brilliant cinematography used when Conan is praying to his god, Crom, just before the final battle. He calls out for revenge, while the camera runs with the hard riding cohorts of Thulsa Doom, the music in the background. Fantastic cinema play, and one that can't be bettered.
This should never be remade because they could never do a better job. This has a great story, a great score, strong characters, unforgettable scenes, all of which sadly were missing from the sequel. I'm not bound by any loyalty to the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard so I don't care that this film strayed from the 'true' Conan world.
Summary of Conan the Barbarian - Collector's Edition
WHEN HIS PARENTS ARE SAVAGELY MURDERED, CONAN IS CAPTURED AS ACHILD AND AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGONY, FORGES A MAGNIFICENTBODY AND INDOMITABLE SPIRIT. ONCE FREE, HE EMBARKS UPON A QUEST FOR ULTIMATE POWER TO SLAY THE EVIL ARCH-VILLAIN THAT ENSLAVED HIM. FEATURES: SPECIAL EFFECTS AND MUCH MORE.Conan 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
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