Conan the Destroyer

This article is about the film. For other uses, seeConan the Destroyer (disambiguation).

Conan the Destroyeris a 1984 Americanepicsword and sorcery filmdirected byRichard Fleischerfrom a screenplay byStanley Mannand a story byRoy ThomasandGerry Conway.Based on the characterConan the Barbariancreated byRobert E. Howard,it is the sequel toConan the Barbarian(1982). The film starsArnold SchwarzeneggerandMakoreprising their roles as Conan and Akiro, the Wizard of the Mounds, respectively. The cast also includesGrace Jones,Wilt Chamberlain,Tracey Walter,andOlivia d'Abo.

Conan the Destroyer
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Richard Fleischer
Screenplay by	Stanley Mann
Story by	Roy Thomas Gerry Conway
Based on	Conan the Barbarian byRobert E. Howard
Produced by	Raffaella De Laurentiis
Starring	Arnold Schwarzenegger Grace Jones Wilt Chamberlain Mako Tracey Walter Olivia d'Abo Sarah Douglas
Cinematography	Jack Cardiff
Edited by	Frank J. Urioste
Music by	Basil Poledouris
Production company	Dino De Laurentiis Company
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date	June 29, 1984(1984-06-29)(United States)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$18 million
Box office	$26.4–31 million (US/Canada) $30.1 million (worldwide rentals)

Conan the Destroyerwas theatrically released in the United States on June 29, 1984, byUniversal Pictures.Upon release, the film received generally mixed reviews from critics. It grossed between $26.4 million and $31 million in the United States and Canada and earned theatrical rentals of $30 million worldwide.

Plot

Conan and his companion, the thief Malak, are confronted by Queen Taramis of Shadizar, who tests their combat ability with several of her guards. Satisfied, she tells Conan that she has a quest for him. He refuses her, but when she promises to resurrect his lost love, Valeria, Conan agrees to the quest. He is to escort the Queen's niece, Princess Jehnna, a virgin, who is destined to restore the jeweled horn of the dreaming god Dagoth. The magic gem Heart ofAhrimanmust first be retrieved, in order to locate the horn. Conan and Malak are joined by Bombaata, the captain of Taramis's guard. Bombaata has secret orders to kill Conan once the gem is obtained.

The gem is secured in the fortress of a powerful wizard, so Conan seeks the help of his friend Akiro, the Wizard of the Mounds, who must first be rescued from a tribe ofcannibalswho have captured him. The adventurers encounter Zula, a powerful bandit warrior being tortured by vengeful villagers. Freeing Zula at Jehnna's request, Conan accepts the indebted warrior's offer to join their quest.

The adventurers travel to the castle of Thoth-Amon, where the gem is located. As they sleep by the lake surrounding the castle, the wizard takes the form of a giant bird and kidnaps Jehnna. In the morning Akiro divines this and also divines a hidden entrance to the castle through awater gate.As they search for Jehnna, Conan is separated from the group, and the others are forced to watch him battle a fierce man-beast in a hall of mirrors. Conan's strikes uselessly pass through it without any harm, but he discovers that breaking the mirrors inflicts damage to the creature. By breaking all of them, Conan mortally wounds and reveals the creature as a polymorphed Thoth-Amon. With the wizard's death, the castle begins to collapse, forcing the group's hasty retreat. They are ambushed by Taramis's guards, but drive them off. Bombaata feigns ignorance about the attack. The gem reveals where the jeweled horn is. Later that night, Jehnna expresses romantic interest in Conan; but he rebuffs her and declares his devotion to Valeria.

They reach an ancient temple, where the horn is secured. Jehnna obtains it while Akiro deciphers engravings. He learns that Jehnna will be ritually sacrificed to awaken Dagoth. They are attacked by the priests guarding the horn. A secret exit is revealed, but Bombaata blocks the others' escape and seizes Jehnna. Despite this treachery, Conan and his allies escape from the priests and trek to Shadizar to rescue Jehnna.

Malak shows them a secret route to the throne room. Conan confronts Bombaata and kills him in combat. Zula impales the Grand Vizier before he can sacrifice Jehnna. Dagoth animates after the horn is set in his brow, but transforms into a vile behemoth. He kills Taramis, then attacks Conan. Zula and Malak join the fight, but Dagoth effortlessly sweeps them aside. Akiro tells Conan that the horn keeps the monster alive, so he rips it out, then finishes him off.

The newly crowned Queen Jehnna offers each of her companions a place in her new court: Zula will be the new captain of the guard, Akiro the queen's advisor, and Malak the court jester. Jehnna offers Conan marriage and the opportunity to rule the kingdom of Shadizar with her as king and queen, but he politely declines, saying "I will have my own kingdom, and my own queen", and departs after a simple kiss. A closing title card says that this quest "is another story."

Cast

• Arnold SchwarzeneggerasConan the Destroyer
• Grace Jonesas Zula
• Wilt Chamberlainas Bombaata
• Makoas Akiro
• Tracey Walteras Malak
• Sarah DouglasasQueen Taramis
• Olivia d'Aboas Princess Jehnna
• Pat RoachasThoth-Amon
• Jeff Coreyas Grand Vizier
• Sven-Ole Thorsenas Togra
• André the Giantas the Dagoth monster (uncredited)
• Ferdy Mayneas The Leader

Production

Toning down the violence

WhenJohn Milius,director ofConan the Barbarian,was unavailable,Dino De Laurentiissuggested Richard Fleischer to his daughter Raffaella De Laurentiis, who was producingConan the Destroyer.Fleischer had already madeBarabbas(1961) andMandingo(1975) for Dino De Laurentiis.

Conan the Barbarianmade about $40 million at the U.S. box office when it was released in 1982 with an R-rating, and an additional $50 million in other markets. BecauseUniversal Picturesand producer Dino De Laurentiis thought it would have been even more successful if it had been less violent, they wanted to tone down the violence in the sequel.Conan the Destroyeroriginally received an R-rating like its predecessor, but the film was recut to secure a PG-rating. Fleischer delivered a movie that was less violent (and somewhat more humorous) than the first, although some scenes of violence have bloody results (thePG-13rating did not exist until July 1 of that same year).Carlo Rambaldicreated the Dagoth monster.

Casting

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mako Iwamatsu, who played the Wizard of the Mound and narrator in the first film, return for the second film, while Mako's character is now named Akiro.Sven-Ole Thorsen,who played Thorgrim in the first film, also returned, but this time he had to partially cover his face with a mask, as he was playing a different character. SingerGrace Jonesplayed the warrior Zula, the last of her tribe. This was the basketball player Wilt Chamberlain's only film role and the debut ofOlivia d'Abo,who played the petulant teenaged princess.David Landerwas originally cast to play the foolish thief Malak, but due to his deteriorating health from the onset ofmultiple sclerosis,he was forced to quit the project, and the part was recast withTracey Walter.Professional wrestlerPat Roach,who memorably played the German Mechanic inRaiders of the Lost Arkand the Thuggee Overseer inIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,was cast as crystal palace Man Ape/sorcerer Toth-Amon.André the Gianthad an uncredited role as the Dagoth monster.

Photography

Conan the Destroyerwas the fourth film on which British director of photographyJack Cardiffworked with Fleischer. Cardiff had already photographedThe Vikings(1958),Crossed Swords(1977), andAmityville 3-D(1983) for the director. They worked together twice more onMillion Dollar Mystery(1987), and Fleischer's last film, the shortCall from Space(1989), which was shot in the 65-mm Showscan process. Cardiff's other notable films includeJohn Huston'sThe African Queen(1951),King Vidor'sWar and Peace(1956), andRambo: First Blood Part II(1985).

Filming

Shooting took place inMexico Cityfrom November 1, 1983, to February 10, 1984.

Deleted scenes

To secure a PG rating, Sarah Douglas said several scenes involving her character were cut, including a sex scene with Schwarzenegger, slapping Chamberlain, a virgin sacrifice, and the seduction of a statue.

Music

The musical score ofConan The Destroyerwas composed, conducted, and produced byBasil Poledouris,and it was performed by the orchestra Unione Musicisti Di Roma.Basil, who scored director John Milius's Big Wednesday, also scored Milius's first Conan, and the track “The Orgy” is used again, this time during the attempted virgin sacrifice at the end.

Reception

Box office

Conan the Destroyergrossed $31 million in the U.S.It earnedtheatrical rentalsof $30.1 million worldwide.Schwarzenegger, Fleischer, and De Laurentiis subsequently teamed up again to makeRed Sonjaa year later. The film, jointly withBolero,was nominated for twoRazzie Awards,including Worst Supporting Actress and won Worst New Star for D'Abo during the5th Golden Raspberry Awards.

Critical response

Roger Ebertrated the film 3 out of 4 stars and wrote thatConan the Destroyeris "sillier, funnier, and more entertaining" than the first film. In praising the film's use of character actors, Ebert singled out Jones, who he said brings rock star charisma to her role.Varietycalled it "the ideal sword and sorcery picture" and also praised Jones.Vincent CanbyofThe New York Timeswrote that Schwarzenegger struggles with the film's more comedic tone.

Colin GreenlandreviewedConan the DestroyerforImaginemagazine, and stated that "Apart from the fact that it is acted by real people,Conan the Destroyeris pure comicbook, which has the odd effect of making the actual animated comicbook largely superfluous. "

Rotten Tomatoes,which collects both contemporary and modern reviews, reports that 26% of 27 surveyed critics gave the film a positive review; the average rating is 4.4/10. The site's consensus states: "Conan the Destroyersoftens the edges that gave its predecessorgravitas,resulting in a campy sequel without the comparative thrills. "AtMetacriticthe film received a score of 53 out of 100, based on 12 reviews, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

Other media

Comic books and graphic novel

Marvel Comicspublished a comic-book adaptation of the film by writerMichael Fleisherand artistJohn BuscemainMarvel Super Special#35 (Dec. 1984).The adaptation was also available as a two-issuelimited series.

Roy ThomasandGerry Conwaywrote the original story treatment but were dissastified with the final screenplay byStanley Mannand the finished film.They made their story into the graphic novelConan the Barbarian: The Horn of Azoth,published in 1990, with art by Mike Docherty.The names of the characters were changed to distance the graphic novel from the movie: Dagoth became Azoth, Jehnna became Natari, Zula became Shumballa, Bombaata became Strabo, Thoth-Amon became Rammon, and the characters of Queen Taramis and The Leader were combined into sorcerer Karanthes, father of Natari.

Novelization

Robert Jordanwrote anovelizationof the film in 1984 forTor Books.

Sequel

The third film in theConantrilogy had been planned for a 1987 release with the titleConan the Conqueror.The director was to have been eitherGuy HamiltonorJohn Guillermin.Arnold Schwarzenegger was committed to the filmPredator,and De Laurentiis's contract with the star had expired after his obligation toRed Sonja(his role in which was originally intended to be Conan) andRaw Deal,and he was not keen to negotiate a new one. The thirdConanfilm fell intodevelopment hell,the script eventually being turned intoKull the Conqueror.

In October 2012,Universal Picturesannounced plans for Schwarzenegger to return to the role of Conan for the filmThe Legend of Conan.The planned story was a direct sequel to the original film, "bypassing"Conan the Destroyerand the2011 filmstarringJason Momoa.In the years following the announcement,Will Beall,Andrea Berloff,and producerChris Morganworked on the script, and Schwarzenegger expressed enthusiasm for the project, affirming plans to star in the film.However, in April 2017, Morgan stated that Universal had dropped the project, but that there remains a possibility of a television series.In October 2019, Arnold Schwarzenegger confirmed that the film was still in active development, now calledConan the King.

In popular culture

Kim Wayans' spoof portrayals of Grace Jones on the showIn Living Colorare based on Grace's performance of Zula inConan the Destroyer.In 1985, Australianheavy metal musicgroupProwlerchanged its name toTaramisafter the character from the film.

See also

• List of American films of 1984
• Arnold Schwarzenegger filmography

External links

• Conan the DestroyeratIMDb
• Conan the Destroyerat theTCM Movie Database
• Conan the DestroyeratLetterboxd
• Conan the DestroyeratAllMovie
• Conan the DestroyeratRotten Tomatoes
• Conan the DestroyeratBox Office Mojo