10 Things You Didn’t Know About Conan the Barbarian

On this day in 1982 Conan the Barbarian was released and the world was introduced to the future Governator Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie would propel Arnie to stardom alongside other action stars of the 80’s like Sylvester Stallone, Patrick Swayze, and Chuck Norris. Arnold definitely had his own thing going as no other star could match his physicality on screen but it was the charisma of Schwarzenegger that really made him into the biggest action star on the planet. Therefore, I’ve combed through the action archives a bit and I’m pleased to share with you…

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Conan the Barbarian 

1. Arnold was being coached on set by two veteran actors Max Von Sydow and James Earl Jones. Talk about getting a lesson in your first starring role.

2. Arnie and Sandahl Bergman did all their own stunts because they couldn’t find stuntmen to fit their description.

3. The fake blood used in the film was made of a concentrate but would freeze due to the cold weather so they had to mix vodka with it. When a scene called for an actor so spit blood from their mouths it would normally have to be filmed several times as the actors kept swallowing the vodka.

4. Schwarzenegger had weapons training, martial arts training, and horse riding lessons from specialists in order to appear more comfortable. He trained with an 11 lb. broadsword for two hours each day for three months. He learned climbing techniques, falling techniques, and had to cut back on his bodybuilding workouts because his arms and chest were so big that he couldn’t hold a sword properly.

5. The quote from Conan about “what is best in life” is an abbreviated quote attributed to Genghis Khan: “The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters.”

6. The original script by Oliver Stone set the movie in the future after the world had been turned to shit. Director John Milius had re-written the script to place it in a somewhat medieval past.

7. Charles Bronson, Sylvester Stallone, and William Smith were all considered for the lead role.

8. During the crucifixion scene they used a real vulture to peck at the wounds of Conan but then brought in a dead vulture for when Conan bites it. They pulled Arnold away immediately after cutting and rinsed his mouth out to avoid disease.

9. Many of Arnold’s friends are used in the film. Arnold kills most of them. Sven Ole Thorsen and Franco Columbu being the most recognizable.

10. The Conan films were originally planned to be at least 4 different movies but after the poor reception of the second film the rest were axed. There still may be hope as Arnold is planning on taking up the Conan name again for a film titled King Conan.