Synopsis
A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.
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Cast
- Arnold SchwarzeneggerConan
- James Earl JonesThulsa Doom
- Max von SydowKing Osric
- Sandahl BergmanValeria
- Ben DavidsonRexor
- Cassandra GavaThe Witch
- Gerry LopezSubotai
- MakoThe Wizard / Narrator
- Valérie QuennessenThe Princess
- William SmithConan's Father
Recommendations
- 80
Empire
It's easy to criticise Conan. Cheesy. Dated. And ever-so-slightly fascist (Conan is the ultimate Aryan: punishing the weak and defending the strong, while looking great in thigh-high boots). But while all that's true, for Arnie fans, the film still rocks. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
I liked a lot of it myself, and with me, a few broadswords and leather jerkins go a long way. - 75
ReelViews
Those who have an inherent distaste for this sort of entertainment will appreciate Conan the Barbarian's impeccable production values without enjoying the story; most everyone else will be swept away by the film's spectacle. - 67
Austin Chronicle
Schwarzenegger has probably never been better-cast. - 50
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
An excessively brutal adventure comic book is exactly what it has set out to be - a medieval Heavy Metal. [14 May 1982] - 50
TV Guide Magazine
A series of meaningless adventures punctuated with a lot of clanky, very bloody swordplay, Conan the Barbarian is best remembered for a scene in which Schwarzenegger punches out a camel. - 40
Variety
Director John Milius does a nice job of setting up the initial story.... But for whatever reasons, [Schwarzenegger] has a minimum of dialog and fails to convey much about the character through his actions. - 30
Chicago Reader
Milius has nothing to say: this 1982 film only hints at the romantic heroics of "The Wind and the Lion" and has none of the personal quality of "Big Wednesday."
