On May 14, 1982, Conan the Barbarian was released to theaters in North America. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cinematic Arnold classic, Mezmaron's Lair helped host a private showing at the North Bend Theatre yesterday.
To me, this is Arnold’s best movie -- and it is still one of
my favorite movies of all time. Despite
limited dialog and dated special effects, the movie still holds up after forty
years -- the lack of CGI only adds to the
movie's authenticity and grit. I always
underestimate how important and effective Basil Poledouris’s legendary score is
to the film. The pacing is generally
good and Jon Milius' social commentary about the 1960s is... amusing.
In the beginning of the film, Conan's father tells a young Conan,
"for no one - no one in this world can you trust - not men, not women, not
beasts... [points to sword], this you can trust." Despite this advice, after Conan's final
victory, it is his father's broken sword that Conan holds aloft
- his triumph (at the Battle of the Mounds) only possible due to his reliance on his companions and the actions
of his (deceased) lover. The best stories and movies provide a character not just with a great challenge and adversary, but embark the character on a journey of growth and evolution.
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