"Conan the Barbarian (1982) for the win!" Topic

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Most Faithful Robert E Howard Film Adaptation?

42% said "Conan the Barbarian (1982)"
6% said "Solomon Kane (2009)"
5% said "Red Sonja (1985)"

"I have never prayed to you before. I have no tongue for it. No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad. Why we fought, or why we died. All that matters is that two stood against many. That's what's important! Valor pleases you, Crom… so grant me one request. Grant me revenge! And if you do not listen, then to hell with you!"

youtu.be/5ZY2mRG5mzg

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"Between the time when the oceans drank Atlantis, and the rise of the sons of Aryas, there was an age undreamed of. And onto this, Conan, destined to wear the jeweled crown of Aquilonia upon a troubled brow. It is I, his chronicler, who alone can tell thee of his saga. Let me tell you of the days of high adventure!"

Saw this as a young impressionable lad and loved it. Unfortunately, not enough to start pressing iron.

I never cared for it, even at the age of 16, when I first saw it. I thought it was long, dull and boring, that the acting was subpar from nearly everyone except James Earl Jones— indeed Schwarzenegger was probably the better of the principle three, and that's not saying much. To me, the only memorable scene was when Arnie punched the camel. (I heard a rumor at the time that this scene was an accident— the camel did bite Arnie and he impulsively punched, knocking it out, the camera catching the whole thing. Probably apocryphal, but amusing.)
A few years ago I watched again to see if my early impression was off kilter, as we had in fact missed the opening massacre the first time I saw it.
Nope. I still found it to be dreary and dull.

But then, I'm not a big fan of REH's writing either, so it's entirely possible that no Conan movie will appeal to me.
I've never bothered with any of the others.

It isn't Faithful to Robert E Howard's books, which were based on the French and Indian wars, but I love both the films!

"which were based on the French and Indian wars"

Huh? Howard read and stole much more widely than that. (So did Shakespeare.) If you're thinking of his Picts and "Wolves Beyond the Border" take a look at Fennimore Cooper's "The Spy: a Tale of the Neutral Ground" which we know was in Howard's personal library. He barely changed the names. AWI, Herkybird.

I really enjoy Arny's two Conan films. They're not award-winning material, period! They're just fun, mindless, D&D-type movies.

The first one has an incredible truth in it: The Power of Flesh. They demonstrated that point, incredibly well. We have seen "the Power of Flesh", played out too many times, in the real world: self-annihilating cults. One of my RPG players understands this point, perfectly well. His character is quite skilled at influencing people by doing them favors, which puts them into his debt -- and he always collects what is owed him.

Say what you will, but the "Power of Flesh" lesson is superbly illustrated and demonstrated. For that reason, alone, I consider that movie a must watch, for pretty much everyone. Everyone needs to understand the dangers of being caught up in cults, and charismatic leaders, as well as how they can become indebted to others who perform favors for them… It is actually quite easy to become influenced, and misled. YMMV.

The second movie is just a fun romping comedy, with semi-serious moments of drama. The best line, repeated over, and over? "Bombaata! Bombaata?!?!" I laugh out loud, every time the girl shouts his name… I suspect there is a drinking game in there, somewhere! Cheers!

I've read most of Howard's work and don't remember any about the French and Indian War. Most of his stories center around highly charismatic hero type characters. Conan, Bran Mac Morn, Kull, Red Sonja are all based on a forgotten (fantasy) past. Soloman Kane is a 16th century Puritan. Francis Xavier Gordon is early 20th century Texan adventurer. He also wrote a series of stories on the Crusades as well as some horror fiction. (I'm a big fan; can you tell?)

I read about Howard using other stories as basis for his own (Admittedly a long time ago) – where it was stated about the French and Indian war. Can't remember where though!

Not a lot of Frost Giants – or their daughters – in the French and Indian wars….

None of the Conan movies (or that awful tv series) were faithful to the books, but I enjoyed the hell out of the Arnie conan movies and he will always be the film version of Conan for me. I had high hopes for the Jason Momoa film but it was just a horrible mess from beginning to end.

Arnie IS Conan! Sandahl Bergman certainly 'did the Biz' too. And THE SOUNDTRACK was Epic! The Da*n thing sometimes 'switches on' when walking or doing jobs! lol!

Jason Momoa IS Khal Drogo… and never the twain… NOW, THERE is a thought…

(I did try a couple of the books after the Conan movie came out… SO long ago… but just couldn't 'get into' them.) :(

Maybe, should re-visit? Sometimes, it is worth doing! As a kid, I could not be bothered with 'Sherlock Holmes'. MUCH later, from a different 'perspective', the 'period' 'Feel' became enthralling… and loved the U.K TV series!

I didn't like Conan becoming strong by spending his youth pushing a wheel around. He shouldn't just be strong, but fast. I don't think anybody who was a human mill engine would be set up for the adventure life. And it isn't that I expect fantasy to be real, I want fantasy to appeal to a sense of the real.

I read a series of Howard stories about a mountain man and his village. They were really funny, but I don't remember the name now.

andy

Of Course Conan learned to be Fast! Ever tried to 'run to 'The Gent's', eat your lunch and have a smoke'… (all at the same time)… and get back to 'The Mill'…while the 'overseer', 'fielded' a phone call from his wife?

…but those were the 'Days of High Adventure'… long ago!

LOL!

Andy Skinner, the mountain man was Breckenridge Elkins. I liked those stories too. I've read a lot of Howard's stories and liked most of them.

Arnie's Conan isn't really that similar to Howard's for me but it's stillthe best adaptation I've seen. Love the soundtrack and like parts of it a lot. Still a lot of room for improvement though.

Rather think that Arnie 'might' go back to some sort of 'Aged Conan'sequel if 'asked nicely'!
Now there is a thought, Hollywood writers! Best 'get a move on, though'!