20 replies to this topic

[turko]

I think most people can agree that the Conan mythos as envisioned by R.E. Howard has never successfully been captured on the small or big screen.  But are there any other movies or TV shows that come closer to what Conan SHOULD be like?  What have you seen that made you think, "Oh, this could TOTALLY be the Hyborian age...." or "This could have been written by Howard himself!"  For example, and I'm just brainstorming here, Game of Thrones, Bakshi's Fire & Ice, etc....?

[thatericn]

Michael Mann's "Last of the Mohicans" comes to mind.

Also, a good bit of "Braveheart," at least the impression it gives on initial viewings before you start noticing the cheese...

And in a cross-genre riff, I'd love to explore the idea of Conan getting caught up in the defense of the village in "The Seven Samurai"! Ha!

[thedarkman]

Hmm... some scenes in The 13th Warrior were Conanish, especially the finale. Also, Centurian had its moments, but fits Bran Mak Morn better, for obvious reasons. And despite the general disgust from fans and critics alike, I liked some scenes in Pathfinder, with flashes of Conan-like barbarism.

Edited by thedarkman, 28 September 2012 - 05:59 PM.

[turko]

And despite the general disgust from fans and critics alike, I liked some scenes in Pathfinder, with flashes of Conan-like brabarism.

Yeah, I never understood all the Pathfinder hate, either.... Not a bad movie for what it was.

[Willy_Bravo]

I thought The Chronicles of Riddick was very Conan-like. Even though its Sci Fi, from the actions of the characters, how each world is set up, how the Furyans were protrayed, the look in general, to even when he takes the throne at the very end.

[thedarkman]

I thought The Chronicles of Riddick was very Conan-like. Even though its Sci Fi, from the actions of the characters, how each world is set up, how the Furyans were protrayed, the look in general, to even when he takes the throne at the very end.

Agreed. This flick had a very Conan feel to it, and Vin kicked a** in a very convincing manner!

[billofill]

Chronicles of Riddick was Conan the Barbarian 1982 IN SPACE that's why. But I still dig the Riddick Series.

[Officer Aggro]

Hmm... some scenes in The 13th Warrior were Conanish, especially the finale.

The 13th Warrior is the first movie that came to my mind. It could easily be placed in the Hyborian Age, having it take place in Vanaheim with the main character being from Iranistan or a nearby country.

[Brajah]

I would say Valhalla Rising is dark and brutal enough to qualify.

Outlander reminded me of 13th Warrior the first time I watched it.

Apocalypto is what I imagine the New World would look like if Conan ever made it there.

[turko]

Apocalypto is what I imagine the New World would look like if Conan ever made it there.

He did in the "expanded universe" material! Conan of the Isles by L. Sprague DeCamp and Lin Carter.

[thedarkman]

Chronicles of Riddick was Conan the Barbarian 1982 IN SPACE that's why. But I still dig the Riddick Series.

Maybe, but they deleted the scene where Riddick starts bawling like a baby, and cries "You killed my Mudder, you killed my Fadder..."

[1980conanfan]

No love for the original Beastmaster, or the first Deathstalker flick? As a kid, I loved these 2 films(not the horrible sequels) Heck I even liked the Dolph Lundgren He-man film because it was barbarian-ish, and it is a steaming pile of horse crap! And wasn't Red Steel a patrick swayze barbarian post-apocolypic movie?


And if anyone has never seen Deathstalker 2, do yourself a favor and watch it. It is a parody of low-budget "generic barbarian" films and a laugh riot from start to finish(if you like parodies)

[Amra_the_Lion]

13th Warrior for the look and feel, armor, and characters



Gladiator for the look, feel, grandeur, fighting, and characters



Braveheart look and feel



Beowulf and Grendel for the armor



Last of the Mohicans look and feel



Ladyhawke look, feel, and characters



Robin Hood Prince of Thieves Sean Connery



The Good, bad, and the Ugly characters

[Waldgeist]

Not to forget the "Russian Conan" called Wolfhound. I think it's a really well done movie, especially for the small budget they had.

Edited by Waldgeist, 30 September 2012 - 10:19 PM.

[turko]

And if anyone has never seen Deathstalker 2, do yourself a favor and watch it. It is a parody of low-budget "generic barbarian" films and a laugh riot from start to finish(if you like parodies)

I LOVE Deathstalker 2! One of the few (if not the only) Sword and Sorcery movies that doesn't take itself too seriously, and actually does a pretty good job at it. Honestly, the sword fight at the end is pretty well done, too.

[Haemogoblin]

I'll put in another vote for Beastmaster. Not because of the Beastmaster himself. The sacrifice scene is pretty striking.

Fire & Ice is pretty Conan-ish, just feel-wise. Frazetta's art makes adds even more of a Conan atmosphere to it.

[1980conanfan]

I have also felt that the 1st God of War video game(which is awesome) had a very "Conan-ish" feel to it, due to the mature subject matter, violence, badassery of the main character, ancient fantasy setting, the simple yet well-written pulp story of betrayal & revenge, and overall pacing and atmosphere. The later God of War games really get over the top and have this giant epic feel to them, but the 1st game was more low-key and had a Howardian vibe.

anyone else think so?

Edited by 1980conanfan, 03 October 2012 - 08:17 PM.

[Red Amra]

13th Warrior for the look and feel, armor, and characters







The Good, bad, and the Ugly characters

13th Warrior - A "great" bad film...well maybe a "good" mediocre film. Nevertheless, Buliwyf is very much a hyborian northerner.


TGBU - I agree on these, although Clint plays it maybe little too cool and layed back, yet his value set is very Conan. .

...and yes, Riddick is Conan in Space. I was like, "Can't they get that energy, feel, and polish done in Hyboria please?"

[deuce]

Chronicles of Riddick was Conan the Barbarian 1982 IN SPACE that's why. But I still dig the Riddick Series.

Maybe, but they deleted the scene where Riddick starts bawling like a baby, and cries "You killed my Mudder, you killed my Fadder..."

Get your facts straight. That'd be "kilt" and then, "maddah" and "faddah".

[1980conanfan]

"YOO KILT MAH PEAPOOL!" and after arnold is done trying to act, James Earl Jones gives one of the most amazing villian speaches of the 1980's with the "steel is weak/ flesh is stronger" dialogue. I don't think that any villian in any barbarian flick has ever been able to utterly decimate the hero with words like that. I recall playing dungeons and dragons in my youth and ripping that entire speach off. It was an amazing moment, and I suddenly had the most awesome evil wizard in D&D history(according to my middle school friends, anyway)

HOWEVER, I wanted to mention something for the thread! Does anyone remember the terrible fantasy/barbarian flick that David Carradine did back in the day? I had it on VHS back in the 90's (when I was a kid) and it was the EXACT opposite of what this thread is all about.

Edited by 1980conanfan, 04 October 2012 - 05:26 AM.