Rating: Summary: Classic Fantasy Review: Conan: The Barbarian is a classic fantasy film and probably the best fantasy film besides the LOTR series of movies. Sure the second Conan movie, Conan: The Destroyer, isn't as good as the first but who cares when you are getting both for only $15. Pick this DVD up just for the first one and you may be pleasantly surprised to find that you enjoy the second one too, after all it's not as bad as people make it out to be.
Rating: Summary: Contemplate this on the tree of woe! Review: Crucify him! These movies are great beyond belief. Arnolds best work by far. Real far. This takes Robert E. Howards classic tales of Conan the Barbarian to new hieghts. Both films take snidbits from different parts of the 12 original novels. Robert Jordan later wrote some Conan...but he sucked at it. The transalation from book to screen in this is amazing. I've never seen a more believable role than Arnold as Conan. Grace Jones is amazing in The Adventurer....I've read that she broke many of the extra's bones in the fights scenes. What an insane individual! The music in these movies is somewhat of a marvel itself. Incredible! I bought the soundtrack off of ebay and listen to it often! The DVD's have the missing scene where Conan hits it with it with the pseudo-manly chick. That's probably the only dispointment in this whole 4 hours of heaven....just like the squid scene in the goonies. I can't say enough good things about the Robert E. Howard hero Conan...or these movies based upon the idea. This is what dreams are made of.
Rating: Summary: We could live without destroyer Review: HOWEVER, this is still a good thing to have in the ol' DVD Collection. The Barbarian element has everything the special edition has that's sold seperately. So, why not throw in destroyer for basically the same price?
The special features are good. But as someone else mentioned here, the Arnold/Milius commentary is a hidden gem. I actually watched the barbarian a few times on this DVD before I got around to watching it with the commentary from these two. If there was a rating system for commentaries, the barabarian commentary from Arnold/Milius would be five stars all the way. Perhaps the best audio commentary I've ever heard on a DVD barring Glory. It is very witty, downright hilarious at times and kind of frightening how the discussion between the two leaves little doubt that they are both verrrrrrrrrry conservative politically and perhaps philosophically. Wagner, Nietzche, Reifenstahl... What's next? I was surprised at the lengths at which Milius unapologetically waxed nastalgically about his influences who include several early 20th century german directors, including Reifenstahl [Sp?]. But it is what it is. Arnold skillfully avoided mentioning anything german directly, although he did acknowledge Nieitzcheian perspectives several times. And Arnold was so funny. At the point where a snake-cult maiden is eating a human hand, Arnold said, "John [Milius], you're sick. But that's funny."
The two go on to spew a few well-spun yarns as well particularly about Arnold having to bite the neck of a vulture. I think the two were clearly telling their stories with tongues firmly planted in cheeks and winks exchanged off camera. It's a whole new experience to watching this film. Forever macho, don't expect any political correctness or softy sensative viewpoints. But nonetheless very entertaining and provides a good laugh... several times.
Rating: Summary: Destroyer No (Anamorphic)Widescreen! But Look At The Price! Review: I agree with the reviews that have been written here. I was very excited to see the two movies packaged together, and bought it immediately. But it was extremely disappointing to see that Destroyer was not in (anamorphic) widescreen format. At the same time, though, I cannot complain because for one low price I got two great movies. Barbarian has some good extras too, although Destroyer has none. Anyways I am still very happy with my purchase!
Rating: Summary: Both Conan's came in wide screen format.... Review: I almost did not buy the 2 movie package because I saw the reviews stating that conan the destroyer is not in 16:9 ratio.. Well for the price i bought it anyway since I wanted both movies. Both Conan's came in letter box wide screen format.. Someone is confused.. Both movies look pretty good on a 47" widescreen HDTV. Shading is a little off, but every outdoor movie is off do to sunlight.. My main point of this review is to tell people that do not waste your money on 2 seperate movies by the box set and you will be more then happy.
Rating: Summary: Seperate the two. Review: I don't believe this is a good buy. Even the best of fans should never own Conan the destroyer. Destroyer is a really bad movie. Barbarian is one of my favorite Arnold movies. The extended edition of Barbarian includes deleted scenes, A digital remaster of the decaying original. You get longer scenes of silence. Conan in the comics did contemplate in peace, a sharp juxtaposition to the man's violent side. The juxtaposition is balanced in the extended edition. I loved following along with the director and Arnold in the commentary. They pointed out the things I idly let pass. Each scene Arnold would try his hardest to remember how he had gone through the scenes. But it was a long time ago that he had done the movie. The director discribed the undertones of the movie. Even aside from all the trivia information, it was just fun listening to the two. They were very light hearted and sounded like great friends. Buy conan the Barbarian, not this collection of the two.
Rating: Summary: Barbaric and Destroyed Review: I have been a long time fan of these movies but this DVD release leaves much to be desired. The picture quality was OK, but the mono sound tracks come off as depressingly flat. The music in these movies originally was stirring and should have been again today.
The scenes added to "Barbarian" are out of place and undercut a main theme of the movie. Those scenes were cut for good reason; I liked it much better before it was "improved".
Stick with your old VHS if you have to.
Rating: Summary: Does it come with a booklet? Review: I have liked the movies since they came out, but I agree that the dvds could have been remastered with better sound and widescreening. I guess these will do for now given the decent bundled pricing. One quick question. Did anyone receive a booklet in the left sleeve of this set? There's an empty pocket in mine and it seemed weird. Is it just packaging or should I bother to return for a replacement? Thanks for any help from the Conan experts!
Rating: Summary: A great two for one deal Review: I love the Conan movies. Conan was the movie that put Arnold on the map as a Hollywood action actor. Conan-The Complete Quest is a great way to get both of these movies real cheap.
This DVD will cost you as much as either one will by itself. You basicly get just the movies. They are in widescreen format and everything is great.
Conan the Barbarian does have some specials. They talk about the making of the movie and there is commentary for the movie. The interviews on the making are great. The director, writers, producers, and Arnold are all there as they talk about it. I loved seeing Oliver Stone talk about it.
To see Conan the Destroyer you just flip the disk over. This contains just the movie and no extras. This one isn't as good as the first movie, but hey who cares it's Arnold and he's Conan.
If you want the Conan movies on DVD this is your best buy. The specials for the first one are good, but they aren't as good as the Special Edition versions of the other DVD's. Like I said this is a great deal because you get to great movies for the price of one. Don't miss out on a deal like that.
Rating: Summary: Conan The Complete Quest. Review: I was really chuffed to see both Conan Movies for a low price on DVD, the picture quality is great but the sound mmmmhhhhh not to good but who's complaining for this price. The only downside was that the manufacturers made a flap for the some sort of booklet but I did not recieve anything atall is this a Scam or is it a genuine mistake? if anyone knows I would be happy to know. All in all a great buy for this price and neat packaging, both movies on a double layered 1 disc.
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