SF & Fantasy Sunday: Conan the Barbarian
When I first saw Conan the Barbarian I was disappointed, I was a big fan of the character and the film failed to match my vision of him. My image of Conan was one made up as much by Marvel’s Savage Sword of Conan and Conan the Barbarian comics as by Robert E. Howard’s stories and John Milius’ film felt too ponderous, it lacked that pulpish fun that made the books and comics so enjoyable.
Yet I’ve come back to the film time and again over the years, owning it on VHS and two different DVD releases, and each time I think I’ve enjoyed it more. The reason for that is simple; it no longer bears the weight of having to match my image of Conan. It is what it is, and while that isn’t my ideal vision, there is still much to enjoy about the film.
One thing it doesn’t have though is great performances, Arnie would improve as his career progressed, but he’d always be closer to winning a Razzie than an Oscar. What amazed me while doing a little research before writing this, was that Sandahl Bergman, who played Conan’s love interest Valeria, wasn’t just nominated for the Golden Globe’s New Star of the Year but actually won the award! Was 1982 a particularly lean year for new talent in Hollywood? Surely it must have been as she manages to make Mr Schwarzenegger look good, giving a flat lifeless performance. Thankfully her career nosedived after winning the award.
