We hear the orchestra erupt with a fortissimo statement born boldly by horns and powerful percussion as we see Conan’s parents forge the mighty Atlantean sword, their legacy and ironically the instrument Conan will some day wield to avenge their deaths. At 1:02 “Anvil of Crom” introduces the first of the score’s four primary themes, the Hyborean Theme, meant to emote the essence of this primitive mythic age.

“Prologue” is a stark and portentous cue that opens darkly in the low register with bass drums and metallic strikes as the film’s narrative unfolds. Poledouris responded by writing a classical leitmotif based score for a massive full orchestra and chorale that both exceeded Milius’ expectations and nearly brought down the recording venue! He asked Poledouris to provide an “operatic” quality to support the epic nature of the film. Director John Milius however who had previous collaborated with Poledouris for “Big Wednesday” lobbied hard and succeeded in changing de Laurentiis’ mind. Producer Dino de Laurentiis initially wanted Ennio Morricone to score the film and even at one point contemplated a pop score. The film was a commercial success, which spawned a sequel and served to reinvigorate the fantasy genre. As such, this is a classic morality tale with an unambiguous hero and villain. He then sets out to solve the riddle of steel and avenge his parent’s death. Eventually after much suffering he gains his freedom and trains to become a mighty warrior.

The movie adaptation tells the story of a young Conan who lives in the mythic Hyborean Age and suffers grievously at the hands of an evil ruler of the Snake Cult, Thulsa Doom, who kills his parents and sells him into slavery. Conan The Barbarian is based on the Conan stories penned by author Robert E.

Conan the barbarian soundtrack review