So first you may be saying, “Film classic? Conan the Destroyer? Ha!”
Hear me out.
This isn’t going to be a glowing review of why Conan the Destroyer is the best movie ever made. Nor will it be a review trashing a movie that is maligned by most fans of fantasy cinema. It will be “balanced.” Meaning I will give both points and counterpoints to why I love/hate different aspects of this movie.
Come along with me on a journey. Not a journey to slay Dagoth, but a journey nonetheless.
In the summer of 1982 I had a life changing experience. Although I was underage, I accompanied my father to see the new epic fantasy Conan the Barbarian, starring Mr. Universe Arnold Schwarzenegger. While the film itself was amazing (especially the score), I was particularly impressed by its charismatic villain, Thulsa Doom.
As portrayed by James Earl Jones, this Thulsa Doom wasn’t the grotesque necromancer from the Robert E. Howard stories. Instead, he was an appealing and persuasive speaker with the power to control the masses. When he spoke, people obeyed him – even eagerly jumping to their death at his command. He was, in short, a cult leader.