“What good is a sword against sorcery?”
From Barbarian to Family-Friendly Fantasy
After the success of Conan the Barbarian in 1982, producer Dino De Laurentiis wanted to create a more family-friendly sequel. He recruited director Richard Fleischer and turned to comic book writers Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway to craft a PG-rated story. With a screenplay by Stanley Mann, Universal Pictures aimed to broaden the franchise's appeal while maintaining its sword-and-sorcery roots. Join us—Pete Wright and Andy Nelson—as we continue the Conan series with a conversation about Fleischer’s 1984 film Conan the Destroyer.
Destroying Expectations with Comic Book Flair
The shift from the gritty, violent tone of the first film to a more lighthearted adventure creates interesting discussion points. While the comic book influence brings fresh energy to the franchise, the movie struggles to balance serious fantasy elements with comedic moments. The addition of characters like Tracey Walter's Malak as comic relief and Wilt Chamberlain's Bombaata as a double-crossing warrior presents both opportunities and challenges for the narrative.
A Journey Through Cast and Creative Choices
The film showcases notable performances and creative decisions that deserve attention:
- Grace Jones delivers an intense, committed performance as Zula
- André the Giant appears uncredited as the Dagoth monster
- Basil Poledouris returns with another masterful musical score
- The mirror room sequence features impressive practical effects despite questionable creature design
- Sarah Douglas brings regal menace to Queen Taramis
- Olivia d'Abo debuts as Princess Jehnna in an underwritten role
The Legend Continues
While Conan the Destroyer may not reach the dramatic heights of its predecessor, it represents an interesting experiment in broadening the appeal of the franchise. The lighter tone and increased emphasis on humor might disappoint hardcore fans, but the film maintains enough sword-and-sorcery spectacle to remain entertaining. We have a great time talking about it, so check it out then tune in. The Next Reel — when the movie ends, our conversation begins!
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