Under the direction of John Milius, “Conan the Barbarian” stands as a sword and sorcery fantasy epic set in the prehistoric “Hyborian Age” post-Atlantis. The plot revolves around Conan, a barbarian warrior seeking revenge against Thulsa Doom (played by James Earl Jones), a ruthless warrior responsible for his parents’ murder. Despite being sold into slavery as a child, Conan hones his combat skills in gladiatorial arenas, ultimately earning his freedom. This newfound freedom propels him to join a group of formidable warriors to avenge his parents’ death and confront Doom’s snake cult. Schwarzenegger, though relatively inexperienced in acting when cast, proved ideal for the physically demanding role due to his imposing physique.
Given the pivotal role of action sequences in the narrative, Schwarzenegger performed most of his stunts in “Conan the Barbarian.” Lacking stuntmen matching his physicality, he took on nearly all the film’s perilous scenes. From horseback riding to intense sword fights and scaling cliffs, Schwarzenegger embodied the animalistic rage of his character. While challenging, this experience equipped him with skills that later defined his portrayal of the titular character in James Cameron’s “The Terminator.”
The production’s realism came with risks, exemplified by an incident where Schwarzenegger was attacked by a wolf during a major stunt. A real wolf was used in a sequence where Conan flees onto a rock structure, but a premature release led to the wolf pursuing and catching up with Schwarzenegger. Falling into a rose bush, he sustained a significant back injury. Despite such incidents being common throughout filming, Schwarzenegger’s dedication paid off, making “Conan the Barbarian” one of the standout and commercially successful films of the competitive 1982 summer movie season.
