Conan the Barbarian (1982) - A brief soundtrack review

Not many people really equate Conan the Barbarian to class. But that is probably because they label it as a "Schwarzenegger vehicle", dismiss it as a movie "for guys who like movies" and move on. Oh, they don't know what they are missing! The outstanding soundtrack aside, it really is a very well-made movie.

I believe that the only movies I've watched with music composed by Basil Poledouris are Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer. I am not sure how much Schwarzenegger and the rest of the cast appreciated Basil's efforts after filming but the soundtrack is definitely one that even Crom, for once in his life, would bow to. For brevity, I have only listed the five tracks that I listen to most often.

5. Riddle of Steel/Riders of Doom

Watching the visuals when this track is played is sure to get the hair at the nape of your neck stand on end...and the prime reason why the opening sequences in Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Gladiator (2000) didn't impress me...as much as those two were very well-made movies indeed.



4. Theology/Civilization

I don't recall in which segment of the movie this track is played but many would feel that the sometimes cheerful nature of the track does not quite reflect the grit that is the rest of the movie.



3. The Atlantean Sword

I believe the pictures in this video are from Age of Conan, the PC game. This mostly brooding track conjures up visions of magic and sorcery more so than any other from the soundtrack. A third of the way into the track, there gathers a very strong feeling of melancholy. Overall there develops an impending sense of something significant in the air, a drastic change of sorts.



2. Theme (Anvil of Crom)

The theme is majestic, draws you in with gutsy, warmongering chords and winds down with a surprisingly serene sense of direction...reminiscent of a father who toils under the sun and, at the end of the day, comes home to play with his son. And the way the track switches back and forth between the booming bass of a horn and the feminine chorals of violins is simply fantastic!



1. The Orgy

In my opinion, the abolutely best piece of soundtrack ever recorded for a movie. 'nuff said!