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(Redirected from Conan the Destroyer (film)) 1984 film by Richard Fleischer This article is about the film. For other uses, see Conan the Destroyer (disambiguation).

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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 by Robert 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 Destroyer is a 1984 American epic sword and sorcery film directed by Richard Fleischer from a screenplay by Stanley Mann and a story by Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. Based on the character Conan the Barbarian created by Robert E. Howard, it is the sequel to Conan the Barbarian (1982). The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mako reprising their roles as Conan and Akiro, the Wizard of the Mounds, respectively. The cast also includes Grace Jones, Wilt Chamberlain, Tracey Walter, and Olivia d'Abo.

Conan the Destroyer was theatrically released in the United States on June 29, 1984, by Universal 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 of Ahriman must 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 of cannibals who 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 a water 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 Schwarzenegger as Conan the Destroyer
Grace Jones as Zula
Wilt Chamberlain as Bombaata
Mako as Akiro
Tracey Walter as Malak
Sarah Douglas as Queen Taramis
Olivia d'Abo as Princess Jehnna
Pat Roach as Thoth-Amon
Jeff Corey as Grand Vizier
Sven-Ole Thorsen as Togra
André the Giant as the Dagoth monster (uncredited)
Ferdy Mayne as The Leader

Production

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Toning down the violence

When John Milius, director of Conan the Barbarian, was unavailable, Dino De Laurentiis suggested Richard Fleischer to his daughter Raffaella De Laurentiis, who was producing Conan the Destroyer. Fleischer had already made Barabbas (1961) and Mandingo (1975) for Dino De Laurentiis.

Conan the Barbarian made 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. Because Universal Pictures and 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 Destroyer originally 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 (the PG-13 rating did not exist until July 1 of that same year). Carlo Rambaldi created 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. Singer Grace Jones played the warrior Zula, the last of her tribe. This was the basketball player Wilt Chamberlain's only film role and the debut of Olivia d'Abo, who played the petulant teenaged princess. David Lander was originally cast to play the foolish thief Malak, but due to his deteriorating health from the onset of multiple sclerosis, he was forced to quit the project, and the part was recast with Tracey Walter. Professional wrestler Pat Roach, who memorably played the German Mechanic in Raiders of the Lost Ark and the Thuggee Overseer in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, was cast as crystal palace Man Ape/sorcerer Toth-Amon. André the Giant had an uncredited role as the Dagoth monster.

Photography

Conan the Destroyer was the fourth film on which British director of photography Jack Cardiff worked with Fleischer. Cardiff had already photographed The Vikings (1958), Crossed Swords (1977), and Amityville 3-D (1983) for the director. They worked together twice more on Million Dollar Mystery (1987), and Fleischer's last film, the short Call from Space (1989), which was shot in the 65-mm Showscan process. Cardiff's other notable films include John Huston's The African Queen (1951), King Vidor's War and Peace (1956), and Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985).

Filming

Shooting took place in Mexico City from 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 of Conan The Destroyer was composed, conducted, and produced by Basil 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 Destroyer grossed $31 million in the U.S. It earned theatrical rentals of $30.1 million worldwide. Schwarzenegger, Fleischer, and De Laurentiis subsequently teamed up again to make Red Sonja a year later. The film, jointly with Bolero, was nominated for two Razzie Awards, including Worst Supporting Actress and won Worst New Star for D'Abo during the 5th Golden Raspberry Awards.

Critical response

Roger Ebert rated the film 3 out of 4 stars and wrote that Conan the Destroyer is "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. Variety called it "the ideal sword and sorcery picture" and also praised Jones. Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote that Schwarzenegger struggles with the film's more comedic tone.

Colin Greenland reviewed Conan the Destroyer for Imagine magazine, and stated that "Apart from the fact that it is acted by real people, Conan the Destroyer is 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 Destroyer softens the edges that gave its predecessor gravitas, resulting in a campy sequel without the comparative thrills." At Metacritic the 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 Comics published a comic-book adaptation of the film by writer Michael Fleisher and artist John Buscema in Marvel Super Special #35 (Dec. 1984). The adaptation was also available as a two-issue limited series.

Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway wrote the original story treatment but were dissastified with the final screenplay by Stanley Mann and the finished film. They made their story into the graphic novel Conan 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 Jordan wrote a novelization of the film in 1984 for Tor Books.

Sequel

The third film in the Conan trilogy had been planned for a 1987 release with the title Conan the Conqueror. The director was to have been either Guy Hamilton or John Guillermin. Arnold Schwarzenegger was committed to the film Predator, and De Laurentiis's contract with the star had expired after his obligation to Red Sonja (his role in which was originally intended to be Conan) and Raw Deal, and he was not keen to negotiate a new one. The third Conan film fell into development hell, the script eventually being turned into Kull the Conqueror.

In October 2012, Universal Pictures announced plans for Schwarzenegger to return to the role of Conan for the film The Legend of Conan. The planned story was a direct sequel to the original film, "bypassing" Conan the Destroyer and the 2011 film starring Jason Momoa. In the years following the announcement, Will Beall, Andrea Berloff, and producer Chris Morgan worked 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 called Conan the King.

In popular culture

Kim Wayans' spoof portrayals of Grace Jones on the show In Living Color are based on Grace's performance of Zula in Conan the Destroyer. In 1985, Australian heavy metal music group Prowler changed its name to Taramis after the character from the film.

References

^ "Conan the Destroyer - Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
^ "Conan the Destroyer". Box Office Mojo.
^ Knoeldelseder Jr., William K. (August 30, 1987). "De Laurentiis PRODUCER'S PICTURE DARKENS". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 of Part IV.
^ "Conan the Destroyer". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
Kearns, Michelle (June 15, 2004). "'SQUIGGY' UPBEAT AFTER MS STORMS INTO HIS LIFE". The Buffalo News. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
Krugman, Michael (2009). Andre the Giant: A Legendary Life. Simon & Schuster. p. 79. ISBN 9781439188132.
Bricker, Rebecca (July 9, 1984). "Take One". People. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
Wilson, John (2005). The Official Razzie Movie Guide: Enjoying the Best of Hollywood's Worst. Grand Central Publishing. ISBN 0-446-69334-0.
Ebert, Roger (1984). "Conan the Destroyer". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
"Conan the Destroyer". Variety. 1984. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
Canby, Vincent (June 29, 1984). "FILM:SCHWARZENEGGER IN NEW 'CONAN'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
Greenland, Colin (November 1984). "Fantasy Media". Imagine (review) (20). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 47.
"Conan the Destroyer (1984)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
"Conan The Destroyer". metacritic.com. Metacritic. June 26, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
Marvel Super Special #35 at the Grand Comics Database
Conan the Destroyer at the Grand Comics Database
Conan the Barbarian: The Horn of Azoth at the Grand Comics Database
Jamie Lovett (20 May 2007). "Arnold Schwarzenegger Updates Status Of Next Conan Movie". Pop Culture Media.
Eric Snider (27 November 2008). "Eric's Bad Movies: Kull the Conqueror (1997)". MTV. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016.
"Schwarzenegger returns to 'Conan' role, films 'Ten'". CNN.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2012. According to Deadline, the 65-year-old actor/politician/author will be back as Conan the Barbarian, the role that he first portrayed in the 1982 film.
Cornet, Roth (January 29, 2014). "The Legend of Conan Producer Chris Morgan Says Arnold Schwarzenegger's Return to the Role is Going to be Their Unforgiven." Archived February 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine IGN.com. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
Schaefer 2016.
Barton, Steve (June 13, 2013). "Arnold Schwarzenegger Confirms Terminator Role; Talks King Conan and Twins 2 - No Really, Twins 2". DreadCentral.com. Archived from the original on June 16, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 1, 2013). "'Legend Of Conan' Lands Andrea Berloff To Script Arnold Schwarzenegger Epic Reprise". Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
Schaefer, Susan (August 16, 2016). "Legend of Conan Writer Teases Opening Shot & 'Worthy' Conan Sequel". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016.
"What's Happening With The Legend of Conan?". IGN. February 7, 2015. Archived from the original on February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
"Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'The Legend of Conan' May Not Happen After All". slashfilm.com. April 6, 2017. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
"I'm on it". 21 October 2019.
McFarlane, 'Taramis' entry. Archived from the original on 3 August 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2013.

External links

Conan the Destroyer at IMDb
Conan the Destroyer at the TCM Movie Database
Conan the Destroyer at Letterboxd
Conan the Destroyer at Rotten Tomatoes
Conan the Destroyer at Box Office Mojo

Conan the Barbarian

Stories, books

Books	Conan (books)
Original works by Robert E. Howard	"Beyond the Black River" "Black Colossus" "The Black Stranger" "The Devil in Iron" "Drums of Tombalku" "The Frost-Giant's Daughter" "The God in the Bowl" "The Hall of the Dead" "The Hand of Nergal" The Hour of the Dragon "Jewels of Gwahlur" "The People of the Black Circle" "The Phoenix on the Sword" "The Pool of the Black One" "Queen of the Black Coast" "Red Nails" "Rogues in the House" "The Scarlet Citadel" "Shadows in the Moonlight" "Shadows in Zamboula" "The Slithering Shadow" "The Snout in the Dark" "The Tower of the Elephant" "The Vale of Lost Women" "A Witch Shall be Born" "Wolves Beyond the Border"
Non-Howard works (some based on non- Conan Howard works)	"Black Sphinx of Nebthu" "Black Tears" The Blood-Stained God "The Castle of Terror" "The City of Skulls" Conan and the Amazon Conan and the Death Lord of Thanza Conan and the Emerald Lotus Conan and the Gods of the Mountain Conan and the Grim Grey God Conan and the Manhunters Conan and the Mists of Doom Conan and the Shaman's Curse Conan and the Sorcerer Conan and the Spider God Conan and the Treasure of Python Conan at the Demon's Gate Conan, Lord of the Black River Conan of the Isles Conan of the Red Brotherhood Conan of Venarium Conan, Scourge of the Bloody Coast Conan the Barbarian (1982) Conan the Barbarian (2011) Conan the Bold Conan the Buccaneer Conan the Champion Conan the Defender Conan the Defiant Conan the Destroyer Conan the Fearless Conan the Formidable Conan the Free Lance Conan the Gladiator Conan the Great Conan the Guardian Conan the Hero Conan the Hunter Conan the Indomitable Conan the Invincible Conan the Liberator Conan the Magnificent Conan the Marauder Conan the Mercenary Conan the Outcast Conan the Raider Conan the Rebel Conan the Relentless Conan the Renegade Conan the Rogue Conan the Savage Conan the Triumphant Conan the Unconquered Conan the Valiant Conan the Valorous Conan the Victorious Conan the Warlord "The Curse of the Monolith" "Death-Song of Conan the Cimmerian" The Flame Knife "The Gem in the Tower" "Hawks over Shem" "The Ivory Goddess" "The Lair of the Ice Worm" "Legions of the Dead" "Moon of Blood" "The People of the Summit" "Red Moon of Zembabwei" The Return of Conan The Road of Kings "The Road of the Eagles" "Shadows in the Dark" "Shadows in the Skull" "The Star of Khorala" The Sword of Skelos "The Thing in the Crypt" "The Witch of the Mists"
Collections	Black Colossus The Bloody Crown of Conan The Coming of Conan The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian The Complete Chronicles of Conan Conan The Conan Chronicles (Howard, et al) The Conan Chronicles (Jordan) The Conan Chronicles, 1 The Conan Chronicles 2 The Conan Chronicles, 2 The Conan Chronicles II Conan of Aquilonia Conan of Cimmeria Conan the Adventurer Conan the Avenger Conan the Barbarian (1954) Conan the Barbarian (2011) Conan the Freebooter Conan the Swordsman Conan the Usurper Conan the Wanderer Conan the Warrior The Conquering Sword of Conan The Devil in Iron The Essential Conan The Further Chronicles of Conan Jewels of Gwahlur King Conan The People of the Black Circle The Pool of the Black One Queen of the Black Coast Red Nails Rogues in the House Sagas of Conan The Sword of Conan Tales of Conan The Tower of the Elephant The Treasure of Tranicos
Scholarship	The Blade of Conan The Conan Grimoire The Conan Reader The Conan Swordbook The Spell of Conan

Authors

Creator	Robert E. Howard
Later authors	Poul Anderson Leonard Carpenter Lin Carter L. Sprague de Camp Roland J. Green John C. Hocking Robert Jordan Sean A. Moore Björn Nyberg Andrew J. Offutt Steve Perry John Maddox Roberts Michael A. Stackpole Roy Thomas Harry Turtledove Karl Edward Wagner

Other media

Films

Related films	Red Sonja (1985) Kull the Conqueror (1997) Red Sonja (TBA)

Television

Comics

Games

Tabletop	Unchained! Against Darkness! Role-Playing Game (1985) GURPS The Roleplaying Game (2004) Collectible Card Game Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of
Video	Hall of Volta The Mysteries of Time The Cimmerian Conan (2004) Conan (2007) Age of Conan Rise of the Godslayer Exiles Mortal Kombat 1
Other	Hyborian War

Setting

Characters	Bêlit Conan the Barbarian Kulan Gath Red Sonja Serpent Men Thulsa Doom Valeria
Chronology	Hyborian Age
The Hyborian Age Conan chronologies

Related articles
"The Shadow of the Vulture" Red Sonja Cerebus the Aardvark Conan the Librarian The Adventures of Conan: A Sword and Sorcery Spectacular She Is Conann

v t e Films directed by Richard Fleischer
Child of Divorce (1946) Banjo (1947) Design for Death (1947) So This Is New York (1948) Bodyguard (1948) The Clay Pigeon (1949) Follow Me Quietly (1949) Make Mine Laughs (1949) Trapped (1949) Armored Car Robbery (1950) The Narrow Margin (1952) The Happy Time (1952) Arena (1953) 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) Violent Saturday (1955) The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing (1955) Bandido (1956) Between Heaven and Hell (1956) The Vikings (1958) Compulsion (1959) These Thousand Hills (1959) Crack in the Mirror (1960) The Big Gamble (1961) Barabbas (1961) Fantastic Voyage (1966) Doctor Dolittle (1967) The Boston Strangler (1968) Che! (1969) Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) 10 Rillington Place (1971) The Last Run (1971) See No Evil (1971) The New Centurions (1972) Soylent Green (1973) The Don Is Dead (1973) The Spikes Gang (1974) Mr. Majestyk (1974) Mandingo (1975) The Incredible Sarah (1976) The Prince and the Pauper (1977) Ashanti (1979) The Jazz Singer (1980) Tough Enough (1983) Amityville 3-D (1983) Conan the Destroyer (1984) Red Sonja (1985) Million Dollar Mystery (1987)

Films directed by Richard Fleischer