Conan the Barbarian: Unchained

No pun intended - I have to admit, I had not idea that Conan comics also were released from Marvel. Goes to show you I am not an expert when it comes to things like that. So I am always happy to get some behind the scenes - and this is really well done, adding players that did not even make it to the final product. Like Oliver Stone - who wrote the original script/draft.

In the end they chose to make it something completely different. I really like Stone, but maybe it was the right thing to do. And maybe that puts new light on what QT said about Stone and what he thought of what he did with one of his scripts (or ideas).

Anyway, a lot of stuff that happened back then - considering the accidents (Arnold being bitten by dogs) ... using a real animal (even if it was dead) for brutal biting scene ... it sounds quite erratic ... quite out there ... and yet it happened! And here is the evidence (people telling us about it) ... it could have been longer I reckon, but it is a nice running time.

1st watched 3/22/2025 - (Dir-Laurent Bouzereau) Good documentary on the making of the original "Conan the Barbarian" with information given by many of the contributors including the director, the stars, writers of the screenplay, stunt men, special effects folks and more. It doesn't slow down and, in my opinion, it could have been longer without pulling away movie-interested folks like me. It is a good accompaniment to the film with enough background and specifics to keep you interest most of the way. There is nothing flashy or different than other making of's, but it does what it wants to do well and soon enough to have the original contributors put in their input.

This is a competent, fairly lengthy but hardly exhaustive documentary on the subject by renowned film-maker/historian Bouzereau. It should perhaps have dug deeper into the history of Conan – creator Robert E. Howard (and his personal demons) is only mentioned in passing; ditto for the influence maverick illustrator Frank Frazetta had on the mythology behind the character (and the fictionalized era which he inhabited) – not to mention the film’s sequel, or its own place within the whole sword-and-sorcery cycle prevalent during the early 1980s!

Still, several of the main contributors (both behind and in front of the camera) have their say about the film: at the forefront, of course, are John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger – but it also goes on to interview Oliver Stone and Max von Sydow (who, of his performance, recalls best his bloody death scene which remained on the cutting-room floor!). The documentary also deals with the painstaking production – from the film’s elaborate sets to its choreographed swordplay, and even touches upon the creation of CONAN THE BARBARIAN’s special effects (here the speakers felt the need to remind the audience that these were done in the days before CGI). However, some discussion on critical reaction to the film at the time of its release – and how it has worn the passage of time – should not have been amiss.

Quite frankly, I'm really surprised that Conan Unchained has a mere 5.2 rating on IMDb. It's far better than its average rating indicates. In fact, it was nominated for 'Best DVD Original Retrospective Documentary/Featurette' by Video Premiere Award in 2001.

As for the documentary's content, Arnold and Milius are engaging and charismatic as always in Unchained, and it was great to see the rest of cast and hear their comments after nearly 20 years. It was also great to see others such as Gerry Lopez and James Earl Jones. Lastly, I'm glad they discussed Robert E. Howard, Conan's creator, and gave some insight into how the barbarian came to be.

Now, if I had to offer some criticism, it would be how the documentary completely neglected William Smith (Conan's father) and Valérie Quennessen (the princess). I was really disappointed that they didn't interview William Smith and get his thoughts on the experiences he had making the film. Furthermore, I was saddened that they didn't mention how Valérie Quennessen died tragically in an automobile accident approximately 7 years after Conan the Barbarian in 1989.

Other than that, I found the documentary insightful and very entertaining. Don't miss it.

A great documentary with all kind of infos and facts concerning how the movie was made; filled with interviews, stories and memories of many of the cast and crew involved in the movie.

If you loved Conan you'll love this without a doubt

10/10.