Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian

Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian

Conan the Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film by John Walsh is in stores today.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.
Start Slideshow
Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.

Sword and sorcery epic Conan the Barbarian has become a cult classic for many reasons, including Arnold Schwarzenegger’s breakthrough performance as Robert E. Howard’s musclebound warrior and the movie’s Ron Cobb-designed, Frank Frazetta-inspired sets. (It also has some killer quotable lines.)

Advertisement

Out today, John Walsh’s Conan the Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film takes a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the 1982 fantasy favorite, directed by John Milius, who also co-wrote the script with Oliver Stone. According to publisher Titan Books, it’s “a lush hardback volume celebrating the cult-classic film with exclusive interviews, official behind the scenes imagery, [and] concept art for the production.” io9 is thrilled to have eight exclusive images to share from the book, which hits shelves today (order a copy here).

Scroll through—crush your enemies, see them driven before you, hear the lamentations of their women; you know the drill—to see them all!

Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

2 / 10

Art by poster artist Renato Casaro

Art by poster artist Renato Casaro

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

3 / 10

The orgy scene

The orgy scene

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

4 / 10

“Mountain of power”

“Mountain of power”

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

5 / 10

Director and co-writer John Milius with star Arnold Schwarzenegger

Director and co-writer John Milius with star Arnold Schwarzenegger

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

6 / 10

Bladesmith Jody Samson

Bladesmith Jody Samson

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

7 / 10

Behind the scenes

Behind the scenes

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

8 / 10

Gerry Lopez (Subotai) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan)

Gerry Lopez (Subotai) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Conan)

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement
Previous Slide
Next Slide

9 / 10

Arnold with the camera

Arnold with the camera

Image for article titled Get a Look Behind the Scenes of Schwarzenegger's Fantasy Classic Conan the Barbarian
Image: Conan Properties International LLC (“CPI”) CONAN, CONAN THE BARBARIAN and all related logos, characters, names, and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks or registered trademarks of CPI. ROBERT E. HOWARD is a trademark or registered trademark of Robert E. Howard Properties LLC.
Advertisement