Why (re) see Conan the Barbarian?

Between Blade Runner, The Thing, Rambo, Tootsie, Dark Crystal or E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the year 1982 was a great year for American cinema. At the beginning of April 1982, we are witnessing the arrival of a cinema license which will change industry forever: Conan the Barbarian.

Why (re) see Conan the Barbarian?

Revelation Arnold

If today, the name of Schwarzenegger, is engraved in the marble of the 7th art, it must be remembered that before Conan the Barbarian his incursions in the cinema have proven to be supporting roles (the private) or dubious experiences (Hercules in New York). Two years after Conan, Arnold will work on another film that changed the face of cinema: Terminator.

John Milius X Oliver Stone

Just out of "Midnight Express", Oliver Stone (Wall Street, JFK, Platoon) writes a first scenario under the influence of many substances. Taking up in a post-apocalyptic future, the script is on the verge of being carried out by Stone himself, then arrives in the hands of Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator), to finally be modified by John Milius so as to lower the stratospheric costs of the project. It is Milius himself, an ambivalent character on his relationship to violence, who will make the project and will make it the cult film that we know today.

An artistic success

A film is a team work, and, if we have to salute the realization of John Milius, let's not forget that other big names in the profession have worked on the project. Ron COBB (Aliens, Indiana Jones, Abyss) for the sets, Renato Casaro (Dune, Army of Darkness, My Name is Nobody) for the poster and of course Basil Poledouris (Robocop, The Hunt for Red Octuber, Starship Troopers) to the writing of the extraordinary soundtrack. An alignment of planets and talents which gives a magnificent result.

An abundant universe

In addition to the stories of Robert E. Howard, the universe of Conan was available in comics (Marvel, Dark Horse), in role -playing, board game, cartoon or even video game.

Where is it?

If you are French (or equipped with a good VPN), the film is available for free on the website of France.tv, in the United States, it is available via a subscription Netflix. For any other country, I send you back to Justwatch which will point you to the different streaming/SVOD platforms.