Conan the Destroyer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Conan babysits a princess, a giant, and Grace Jones while fetching a magical macguffin to bring back his dead girlfriend, but ends up fighting a poorly rendered demon instead.

🍿 Conan the Destroyer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Queen Taramis’ Quest

Conan and his companion Malak are approached by Queen Taramis, who promises to resurrect Conan’s deceased love, Valeria, in exchange for his service. She tasks him with escorting her niece, Princess Jehnna, on a quest to retrieve a magical jewel and the Horn of Dagoth. Reluctantly, Conan agrees, setting the stage for a perilous journey filled with betrayal and danger. The lure of bringing back Valeria proves too strong for Conan to resist, despite the inherent risks.

Gathering the Companions

Conan and his party gather allies along the way, including the wizard Akiro and the fierce warrior Zula. Each member brings unique skills to the group, necessary for overcoming the obstacles ahead. However, Bombaata, Princess Jehnna’s bodyguard, harbors a secret mission to betray Conan, adding tension and uncertainty to their journey. The diverse skills of the group are continually tested, and their loyalty to each other is constantly in question.

The Horn of Dagoth

The group confronts the wizard Toth-Amon and navigates ancient traps to acquire the jewel and the Horn of Dagoth. It is revealed that Queen Taramis intends to sacrifice Princess Jehnna to awaken the dream god Dagoth, unleashing chaos upon the world. Conan and his companions must race against time to thwart her plans and prevent the rise of the malevolent deity. The stakes are raised as the true purpose of the quest is revealed, forcing Conan and his allies to confront their allegiances and fight for the greater good.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Conan (Arnold Schwarzenegger): A wandering barbarian tasked with escorting a princess on a dangerous quest, promised the resurrection of his lost love as reward.
• Princess Jehnna (Olivia d’Abo): The virgin niece of Queen Taramis, destined to retrieve a magical horn and faces being sacrificed to a dream god.
• Queen Taramis (Sarah Douglas): The deceitful queen who hires Conan to retrieve a magical artifact with the ulterior motive of sacrificing her niece.
• Zula (Grace Jones): A fierce female warrior and bandit who joins Conan’s group and becomes a loyal ally.
• Malak (Tracey Walter): Conan’s goofy rogue companion who provides comic relief and aids in their adventures.
• Akiro (Mako): A wise wizard and old friend of Conan’s, offering magical assistance and guidance during the quest.
• Bombaata (Wilt Chamberlain): Princess Jehnna’s bodyguard secretly ordered to betray and kill Conan after the horn is retrieved.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Conan: “Only pain.” – When Princess Jehnna asks Conan if nothing hurts him, he replies with this simple, stoic answer.
• Queen Taramis: “A jewel for a horn, and a horn for a god.” – Queen Taramis outlines the quest’s objectives, setting in motion Conan’s adventure.
• Malak: “Some wizard you are! Go back to juggling apples!” – Malak says this line to Akiro, expressing doubt and frustration with the wizard’s abilities.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $18,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $31,042,035
• Worldwide Gross: $31,042,035

💥 Conan the Destroyer Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, ‘Conan the Destroyer’ is nowhere near as good as the first one, but I still love it! It’s like a big, dumb, fun adventure. Grace Jones is amazing, even if her hissing is a bit much. The whole quest thing is kinda cheesy, but I always enjoy watching Arnold smash stuff. It’s a great movie to watch when I don’t want to think too hard and just want to see some sword fights.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of sword and sorcery films”
  • “Viewers interested in 1980s fantasy adventures”
  • “Those looking for a less serious take on Conan than the original”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild action violence”
  • “Some thematic elements that may not be suitable for very young children”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “While lacking the brooding intensity of its predecessor, ‘Conan the Destroyer’ delivers a fun, action-packed spectacle with impressive set pieces and a more lighthearted tone. It’s not high art, but it’s undeniably entertaining.
• Variety: “Richard Fleischer’s direction is competent, but the script lacks depth and the special effects are dated even for its time. However, Schwarzenegger’s charisma and the film’s relentless pacing keep it from being a complete bore. Grace Jones is memorable, but overall, it’s a disappointing sequel.

Audience Reactions

Grace Jones’ Zula steals the show with her fierce fighting and unique personality.: Viewers generally enjoy the film’s campy tone and over-the-top action sequences.

The special effects, while dated, still provide a sense of nostalgic charm for many fans.: Many find the movie to be a fun, if flawed, sword-and-sorcery adventure.

Overall Consensus: ‘Conan the Destroyer’ is a fun but flawed sequel that favors campy action over the original’s dark intensity. While not as critically acclaimed, it remains a guilty pleasure for many fans of the genre.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The production had difficulty finding a horse large enough for Wilt Chamberlain to ride, as his feet touched the ground on most horses. They eventually imported a suitable horse from Spain.”
• “Richard Fleischer, known for directing diverse genres, took the helm to create a more family-friendly Conan film compared to John Milius’s original.”
• “Comic book writers Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway, known for their work on the Conan comic series, wrote the screenplay, aiming for a more lighthearted tone.”
• “Andre the Giant played the Dagoth creature in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Conan the Destroyer?

Conan the Destroyer is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for potential streaming options, as availability may vary by region. Consider purchasing the film for offline viewing or renting for a one-time viewing experience.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Conan the Destroyer, you might like these similar films:

• Conan the Barbarian (1982): The original Conan film, exploring similar themes of heroism, savagery, and revenge in a brutal, sword-and-sorcery world.
• Red Sonja (1985): Another sword and sorcery film starring Brigitte Nielsen and featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, sharing similar themes and settings.
• The Scorpion King (2002): A modern take on the sword and sorcery genre, with a barbarian hero fighting against overwhelming odds.
• Krull (1983): Fantasy adventure film with a group of heroes on a quest to rescue a princess, featuring elements of science fiction and fantasy.
• Beastmaster (1982): Low budget Sword and Sorcery film with a barbarian-esque warrior that fights against the odds with a set of animal companions

🛒 Conan the Destroyer Related Products

• Conan the Destroyer (Limited Edition Blu-ray): Limited edition Blu-ray featuring exclusive artwork, behind-the-scenes footage, and a collectible booklet with essays and rare photos. The ultimate addition for any Conan fan’s collection.
• Conan: The Complete Chronicles – Comic Book Collection: A comprehensive digital collection of Conan comic books, including stories inspired by ‘Conan the Destroyer.’ Experience the full scope of Conan’s adventures in stunning digital format.
• Conan the Barbarian Board Game: A cooperative board game where players take on the roles of Conan and his companions, battling through scenarios inspired by the movie. Includes detailed miniatures and challenging gameplay.
• Grace Jones – Zula T-Shirt: Officially licensed t-shirt featuring Grace Jones as Zula from Conan the Destroyer. Perfect gift for 80s fans. Available in sizes Small – 5XL

🎧 Soundtrack

Conan the Destroyer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Basil Poledouris
• “The Kitchen/The Test” – performed by Basil Poledouris
• “Crystal Cave” – performed by Basil Poledouris
• “The Horn” – performed by Basil Poledouris

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Conan the Destroyer – Nostalgia Critic

Do you want to hear a funny and critical review of Conan the Destroyer? Well, the Nostalgia Critic has got you covered. He gives his brutally honest opinion on the movie, so if you’re curious about his thoughts, give this video a watch!

Arnold’s Conan The Destroyer Proved Masculinity’s The Greatest Thing Ever – Best Movie Ever

If you’re looking for a unique analysis of Conan the Destroyer, check out this video. It presents a thought-provoking argument about the movie’s themes, and it’s sure to spark some interesting discussions.

10 Things You Didn’t know About Conan The Barbarian

Did you know that Conan the Destroyer had a different ending? Or that Arnold Schwarzenegger almost didn’t star in the movie? Find out these and other fun facts in this informative video about the making of Conan the Destroyer!

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