Conan the Barbarian 1982
"Thief. Warrior. Gladiator. King."
John Milius's 1982 sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian follows Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular warrior, a survivor who rises from childhood enslavement to unleash vengeance against the sorcerer-king Thulsa Doom.
Director: John Milius
Cast
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Conan
James Earl Jones
Thulsa Doom
Max von Sydow
King Osric
Sandahl Bergman
Valeria
Ben Davidson
Rexor
Cassandra Gava
The Witch
Gerry Lopez
Subotai
Mako
The Wizard / Narrator
Valérie Quennessen
The Princess
William Smith
Conan's Father
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Conan the Barbarian (1982) about?
Conan the Barbarian follows a young slave who transforms into a legendary warrior after his family is slaughtered by the sorcerer Thulsa Doom. Seeking vengeance across a brutal, mythic landscape, he teams with adventurers Valeria and Subotai to reclaim his destiny. The story pits him against Doom's dark dominion in a struggle that blurs power, faith, and survival.
Who directed Conan the Barbarian?
Conan the Barbarian was directed by John Milius, a filmmaker known for blending visceral action with mythic storytelling and philosophical depth.
Who stars in Conan the Barbarian?
The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan, alongside James Earl Jones as Thulsa Doom, Max von Sydow as King Osric, and Sandahl Bergman as Valeria.
Is Conan the Barbarian (1982) worth watching?
Absolutely—John Milius's Conan the Barbarian remains a defining entry in the sword-and-sorcery genre, praised for its ambitious world-building, muscular performances, and epic scale. It's a film that rewards fans of mythic fantasy and visceral action alike, with timeless themes wrapped in stunning visuals.
How long is Conan the Barbarian?
Conan the Barbarian runs for 130 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Conan the Barbarian (1982) — Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mythic Revenge Epic
John Milius's 1982 sword-and-sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian follows Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular warrior, a survivor who rises from childhood enslavement to unleash vengeance against the sorcerer-king Thulsa Doom. Set in a mythic Bronze Age world where brutality and destiny collide, the film blends explosive action with mythic grandeur. Joined by thief Valeria and horseman Subotai, Conan embarks on a quest that tests his strength, cunning, and will to reclaim his stolen future. With its towering landscapes, visceral combat, and resonant themes of resilience and retribution, this adventure fantasy remains a cornerstone of '80s genre filmmaking.
The movie immerses viewers in a world of ancient gods, treacherous warlords, and moral ambiguity, where every strike of Conan's sword echoes the pain of his past. Its iconic imagery—from the Wheel of Pain to the serpent-haired set-piece—cemented its status as cult cinema. Milius's direction fuses visceral thrills with philosophical undertones, crafting a tale that's as much about the cost of vengeance as it is about raw power.
