Conan the Barbarian

If you do not grant me revenge, then to hell with you!

Granted, Arnold only says a FEW lines in the movie, it is among the best and famous in film history.

Conan the Barbarian is the reason why the fantasy/adventure movies of the 80s began! Although many have tried to capture the success and magic of Conan, none have come close. Not even the sequel, Destroyer, retained the freshness of the original.

Conan, based on the Robert E. Howard pulp novels, is the story of a Cimmerian warrior from the Hyboerian age. First, as a young boy, he learns the "Riddle of Steel" from his father, which every Cimmerian must try and answer when they meet Crom, their God, after they die, to enter Valhala. Enter now Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) and his Snake Cult.

They raid the village, kill the villagers, including Conan's father and mother, while capturing Conan's father's sword. The last thing Conan remembers is a standard of two snakes coming together over a black sun. They shackle all the children and send them to work as slaves in the WHEEL OF PAIN. This is where we meet Arnold as an adult Conan. Strong, muscular, powerful. This is also where his path to revenge begins.

First by being a pitfighter and becoming the best. Then being sent to the East to learn the secrets and discipline of the sword. Being set free, meeting an ally in Subotai (Lopez) who helps Conan become a theif. Then encountering Valeria (Bergman) where they steal the "Eye of the Serpant" from a Snake Cult Tower in a populated city. In the tower, the same standard he remembers as a child, rekindles his search for Doom. He is enlisted by King Osiric (Sydow) to bring back his daughter who is under Thulsa Doom's spell. Along the way, Conan meets the Wizard (Mako), gets crucified on the tree of woe, brought back to life, and has a GREAT, BLOODY, EPIC climactic battle with Doom and his followers.

Conan the Barbarian works on many levels, and is the best at what it is! One can even associate Conan the Barbarian with philosophical teachings, even a way of life. If you look deep enough, you can find it. Written by Oliver Stone (Scarface, Platoon) and John Milius (Apocalypse Now), who also directed, and produced by Dino De Laurentis, Conan the Barbarian is a film that is both 80's magic, cultish, a GREAT EPIC, and the ultimate guy movie!