I initially felt let down by "Conan the Barbarian" (1982) because it strayed too far from Robert E. Howard’s original vision. While there were aspects they handled well, those departures ultimately disappointed me. However, my opinion has softened over time as I've recognized the film’s positive qualities. If you’re familiar with the books and comics that closely follow the source material, it’s important to understand this is a different take on Conan—similar in some ways to Howard’s work, but not a direct adaptation. The main issues stem from John Milius and Oliver Stone's choices diverging from Howard's writing. For example, the opening scene where young Conan receives advice about swordsmanship from his father doesn’t quite ring true; he looks like an average suburban boy rather than a tough kid raised in the harsh lands of Cimmeria. I also found the "wheel of pain" sequence to be silly. I appreciate it more now as a metaphor for repetitive schoolwork, but honestly, the real Conan wouldn't have endured that much captivity—he would’ve escaped and defeated his captors long before. It’s possible they borrowed elements from Howard’s other stories, like Kull, who experienced a period of slavery. The initial meeting between Conan and Valeria while robbing Set’s temple felt overly theatrical. Although Sandahl Bergman is excellent throughout the rest of the film, that first encounter is awkward to watch; it was when I really lost interest during my first viewing. Similarly, Conan's emotional plea, "You killed my father; you killed my mother!" feels out of character for Howard’s Conan. On the other hand, it does portray him as more human and relatable. Fortunately, the film boasts several strengths, starting with Basil Poledouris’ incredible score—the movie is worth watching just to hear that music. Despite some differences (Conan has brown hair, not black), the casting is generally good; though Schwarzenegger doesn’t fully capture the essence of REH's character – Jason Momoa would have been a better fit. Milius and Stone also cleverly incorporated a famous quote from Genghis Khan into Conan's response to "What is best in life?"—"To crush enemies, see them driven before you and to hear the lamentation of their women." The film’s visuals are outstanding; they nailed Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age aesthetic. As long as you accept that this isn’t a faithful adaptation, the story remains engaging. Sandahl Bergman is also captivating—she embodies the essential barbaric beauty of the role, and it’s hard not to admire her physique on screen. The overall tone of the film is serious and somber, despite Valeria's earlier campy scene and a few amusing moments with Mako; unlike the 1984 sequel, it avoids becoming overly silly. There are several memorable scenes: the love scene between Conan and Valeria, as well as the subsequent death and funeral pyre sequences, are beautiful and moving, accompanied by emotionally powerful music. Conan’s evolution regarding love and sexuality is also noteworthy—from his initial exposure to women as a slave to his later rejection of prostitutes before finally finding true love with Valeria in those aforementioned scenes. The battles within the mountain fortress and the final showdown at the mounds are exciting, heightened by the score. Before that last battle, Conan and Subotai brace themselves as the 'riders of doom' approach; you can see their determination—they have no other choice but to stand and fight. (Eventually, all men must face this challenge, and we risk something if we avoid it). After their victory, Conan raises his arms in salute at Valeria’s cremation altar—a genuinely goosebump-inducing moment. The "Making Of" documentary, included on both the "Complete Quest" and "Collector's Edition," is excellent, featuring interviews with the actors and creators, as well as a commentary track by Milius and Schwarzenegger. Ultimately, I’ve come to appreciate “Conan the Barbarian,” but it required me to put aside my concerns about its deviations from Howard’s work. As an alternative interpretation, it's nearly a masterpiece of cinema. One last thing: Don't try using that first line of dialogue ("Sit here... SIT HERE") with your wife or girlfriend; I tried it and it didn't go well! The film runs 2 hours and 9 minutes and was filmed in Spain. GRADE: A-

Source on TMDB