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Conan the Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film
Official retrospective hardback book telling the story of the making of Conan The Barbarian, including interviews with cast and crew and featuring behind-the-scenes photography from the shoot.
In 1982, Robert E. Howard's iconic literary anti-hero, Conan, slashed his way from page to screen after a perilous decades-long journey. With its potent mix of epic vistas and bloody battles, Conan the Barbarian thrilled moviegoers around the world and launched the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Forty years after its release, this cult-classic film is celebrated in Conan the Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film, a lush hardback volume that tells the full story of how the film was made. Brand new interviews with cast and crew, as well behind-the-scenes photography from the set and concept art created for the production, give fascinating insights into the development of one of the best-loved fantasy films of the 1980s.
In 1982, Robert E. Howard's iconic literary anti-hero, Conan, slashed his way from page to screen after a perilous decades-long journey. With its potent mix of epic vistas and bloody battles, Conan the Barbarian thrilled moviegoers around the world and launched the career of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Forty years after its release, this cult-classic film is celebrated in Conan the Barbarian: The Official Story of the Film, a lush hardback volume that tells the full story of how the film was made. Brand new interviews with cast and crew, as well behind-the-scenes photography from the set and concept art created for the production, give fascinating insights into the development of one of the best-loved fantasy films of the 1980s.
- GenresNonfictionFilmArt
176 pages, Hardcover
First published August 8, 2023
4 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
John Walsh
9 books46 followersJohn Walsh is a double BAFTA and double Grierson-nominated filmmaker, best-selling author and founder of Walsh Bros Ltd, one of the UK’s top 100 production companies.
John met Ray Harryhausen as a film student to make a documentary about his life and work. Today, John is a Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation and, in 2021, founded the Harryhausen Awards.
His books include Harryhausen The Lost Movies and his acclaimed non-fiction Official Story of the Film series with titles on Flash Gordon, Escape From New York and Dr Who & The Daleks. All four Rondo Award Nominees for “Book of the Year”. 2023 saw the release of Conan The Barbarian, and The Wicker Man. 2024 saw the publication of The Third Man: The Official Story of the Film, celebrating the 75th anniversary of “The best British film of all time.” New book in 2025, Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film.
John's notable film and television work includes the historical feature film Monarch, restored and remastered after John tracked down the original 35mm camera negative in a film vault and was the subject of a BBC News story about lost films and is now available on Prime Video.
ToryBoy The Movie was nominated for the Grierson Award for “Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme.” The film unlocked politics to a broad audience and is Britain’s most successful political documentary feature film. It is now available on Prime Video.
John’s landmark Grierson-nominated homeless series Headhunting The Homeless for BBC2 lifted the lid on the corporate world and today’s most vulnerable adults. Sofa Surfers for the BBC was television’s first homeless series for children and was Rose d'Or nominated. The BAFTA-nominated Don’t Make Me Angry brought clinical psychology into the home environment for the first time. All programmes can be viewed in full on the Walsh Bros YouTube Channel.
John met Ray Harryhausen as a film student to make a documentary about his life and work. Today, John is a Trustee of the Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation and, in 2021, founded the Harryhausen Awards.
His books include Harryhausen The Lost Movies and his acclaimed non-fiction Official Story of the Film series with titles on Flash Gordon, Escape From New York and Dr Who & The Daleks. All four Rondo Award Nominees for “Book of the Year”. 2023 saw the release of Conan The Barbarian, and The Wicker Man. 2024 saw the publication of The Third Man: The Official Story of the Film, celebrating the 75th anniversary of “The best British film of all time.” New book in 2025, Gladiator II: The Art and Making of the Ridley Scott Film.
John's notable film and television work includes the historical feature film Monarch, restored and remastered after John tracked down the original 35mm camera negative in a film vault and was the subject of a BBC News story about lost films and is now available on Prime Video.
ToryBoy The Movie was nominated for the Grierson Award for “Best Documentary on a Contemporary Theme.” The film unlocked politics to a broad audience and is Britain’s most successful political documentary feature film. It is now available on Prime Video.
John’s landmark Grierson-nominated homeless series Headhunting The Homeless for BBC2 lifted the lid on the corporate world and today’s most vulnerable adults. Sofa Surfers for the BBC was television’s first homeless series for children and was Rose d'Or nominated. The BAFTA-nominated Don’t Make Me Angry brought clinical psychology into the home environment for the first time. All programmes can be viewed in full on the Walsh Bros YouTube Channel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 27, 2024
Excellent look at what many consider the finest Sword and Sorcery movie of all time. Given the age of the film, a lot of the behind the scenes photography seems somewhat blurry, but this just lends to the atmosphere of the book. There is a fair amount of background material covering Robert E. Howard, the Frazetta book covers, and the Marvel comic books that all combined to bring together the film. Some interviews and a lot of information from the director and designers. The only negative about the book is I could have wished it to be longer.
January 9, 2025
ΔΕΝ ΕΙΜΑΙ ΑΝΤΙΚΕΙΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ! Και τώρα που το είπα, μπορώ να πω και την άποψή μου. Τι έπος είναι αυτό; Πόσο γαμάτη έκδοση! Έχοντας λιώσει την ταινία, τα director's cut αλλά και διαβάζοντας αμέτρητα αφιερώματα γι' αυτήν σε περιοδικά και internet, περίμενα να είναι απλά μια από τα ίδια (σε Α4 μέγεθος και με πολλές φωτογραφίες). Πόσο λίγα ήξερα! Σαν να έβλεπα ένα υπερπλήρες αφιέρωμα για την ταινία που περιέχει ΤΑ ΠΑΝΤΑ. Απαραίτητο για όποιον αγαπάει την ταινία, τον Arnold, τη μουσική, τα βιβλία, ο κινηματογράφος...ΟΤΙΔΗΠΟΤΕ όμως έχει να κάνει με όλα αυτά. Απλά θα το λατρέψετε...
May 12, 2024
Fascinating history and back story to the film. My only complaint? It was too short.
August 21, 2023
A nice attempt at a lavish making-of book that suffers a little due to the scarcity and relatively poor quality of the available behind-the-scenes material (the film was made 42 years ago, after all).
October 23, 2023
Extensive, in-depth and lavishly illustrated. If you're at all interested in the movie this is the one and literally only book to read. You might be surprised by how just many aspects it covers, such as the part played by particular stuntmen and model makers, as well as unused promotional material and concept art.
It's interesting but also aggravating to learn about how the production was hamstrung by the untimely intervention of Universal Studios and Dino de Laurentis, who beyond being the money man never understood the movie and was mainly responsible for cuts and budget restrictions. What was supposed to be a trilogy in the style of the 1982 movie crashed and burned with the more family-friendly approached forced on the sequel by the studio. What could have been...
For Arnold's perspective on the movie and the process of making it I recommend reading the relevant chapter of his autobiography Total Recall - My Unbelievably True Life Story as an accompanying text.
It's interesting but also aggravating to learn about how the production was hamstrung by the untimely intervention of Universal Studios and Dino de Laurentis, who beyond being the money man never understood the movie and was mainly responsible for cuts and budget restrictions. What was supposed to be a trilogy in the style of the 1982 movie crashed and burned with the more family-friendly approached forced on the sequel by the studio. What could have been...
For Arnold's perspective on the movie and the process of making it I recommend reading the relevant chapter of his autobiography Total Recall - My Unbelievably True Life Story as an accompanying text.
September 14, 2023
As someone who went to the cinema back in '82 and saw 'Conan the Barbarian' on the big screen, and loved it, this book is one iv'e always wanted to own.
Before '82, i was aware of 'Conan', having read many comic books after buying a few paperbacks upon seeing the incredible Frazetta cover art. To the best of my knowledge, there wasn't a 'Making of...' book back when the film came out, which was a shame.
Anyhoo, this book is a treasure trove for us lovers of R.E. Howard's immortal creation, containing much info' on Howard himself, the Barbarian's move into comics & rise in popularity, plus the many other novels. We get all the details a fan could want from the film's inception, development, production, right up to it's release and legacy.
Happily for me, there's a wealth of production photos from the archives, most of which I’ve never seen before and a great look at a few of the legendary Frank Frazetta paintings, which to this day, for me remain THE definitive 'Conan' depictions. Speaking of art, production designer Ron Cobb's awesome pics' are shown, including many not used in the finished film, and these too are great. There's also pages devoted to the swords, sets and that big snake!!
Author John Walsh really outdid himself, and this book is a real labour of love, as he did with a previous book on 'Escape from New York' which i also own!
I hope every fan of R.E. Howard's 'Conan' will seek out this book, and if they loved the movie too, they'll most certainly not be disappointed. If author Walsh is to do another on 'Conan the Destroyer' & perhaps the 2012 movie. I’d be very interested in getting these for my 'Conan' collection too. I used to love 'Making of...' books. My 1st was 'The 'Jaws' Log by Carl Gottlieb, but i guess their popularity waned with so many 'behind the scenes' docs' available on either dvd or Blu Ray extras. So yes, a worthwhile purchase by Crom, and one I’d urge all fellow followers of the barbarian's adventures to seek out!
It's 'what's best in Life!'
Before '82, i was aware of 'Conan', having read many comic books after buying a few paperbacks upon seeing the incredible Frazetta cover art. To the best of my knowledge, there wasn't a 'Making of...' book back when the film came out, which was a shame.
Anyhoo, this book is a treasure trove for us lovers of R.E. Howard's immortal creation, containing much info' on Howard himself, the Barbarian's move into comics & rise in popularity, plus the many other novels. We get all the details a fan could want from the film's inception, development, production, right up to it's release and legacy.
Happily for me, there's a wealth of production photos from the archives, most of which I’ve never seen before and a great look at a few of the legendary Frank Frazetta paintings, which to this day, for me remain THE definitive 'Conan' depictions. Speaking of art, production designer Ron Cobb's awesome pics' are shown, including many not used in the finished film, and these too are great. There's also pages devoted to the swords, sets and that big snake!!
Author John Walsh really outdid himself, and this book is a real labour of love, as he did with a previous book on 'Escape from New York' which i also own!
I hope every fan of R.E. Howard's 'Conan' will seek out this book, and if they loved the movie too, they'll most certainly not be disappointed. If author Walsh is to do another on 'Conan the Destroyer' & perhaps the 2012 movie. I’d be very interested in getting these for my 'Conan' collection too. I used to love 'Making of...' books. My 1st was 'The 'Jaws' Log by Carl Gottlieb, but i guess their popularity waned with so many 'behind the scenes' docs' available on either dvd or Blu Ray extras. So yes, a worthwhile purchase by Crom, and one I’d urge all fellow followers of the barbarian's adventures to seek out!
It's 'what's best in Life!'
August 26, 2023
Although a more than reasonable publication containing some content of great interest, this book falls disappointingly short of what I had hoped for. John Walsh’s text is often dry and repetitive, reading more like a basic summary that doesn’t attempt to delve too deeply into day-to-day filming, and the book’s large format is frequently filled with poor quality photos, many reproduced at a size that simply highlights their complete unsuitability for this usage.
I was very happy to see the included amount of concept art, character sketches, poster variants and behind the scenes images of miniatures and other props, however, it does appear that such material is a little scarce, or otherwise unavailable, as I expected to see more in a book of this type. True fans of Conan and this film would undoubtedly share my wish for greater written and visual content – an opportunity missed to tell the complete story of Conan the Barbarian.
I was very happy to see the included amount of concept art, character sketches, poster variants and behind the scenes images of miniatures and other props, however, it does appear that such material is a little scarce, or otherwise unavailable, as I expected to see more in a book of this type. True fans of Conan and this film would undoubtedly share my wish for greater written and visual content – an opportunity missed to tell the complete story of Conan the Barbarian.
February 9, 2024
Conan: Der Barbar - Die Entstehungsgeschichte des Kultfilms
Es ist eine Fundgrube für die Liebhaber von Howards Schöpfung, mit vielen Informationen über Howard selbst, den Einstieg des Barbaren in die Comics und seine steigende Popularität sowie vielen andere Romane. Wir erhalten alle Details, die sich ein Fan nur wünschen kann, von der Entstehung, Entwicklung und Produktion des Films bis hin zu seiner Veröffentlichung und seinem Vermächtnis. Auch sehr interessant sind die vielen Produktionsfotos aus den Archiven, von denen ich die meisten jetzt zum ersten Mal gesehen habe. Der Autor John Walsh hat sich wirklich selbst übertroffen, und dieses Buch ist eine echte Liebesarbeit, ich hoffe, dass jeder Fan von Howards Conan sich dieses Buch zu Herzen nehmen wird und wenn ihnen der Film auch gefallen hat, werden sie mit Sicherheit nicht enttäuscht sein. Umfangreich, ausführlich und toll bebildert, ein Muss für Fans.
Es ist eine Fundgrube für die Liebhaber von Howards Schöpfung, mit vielen Informationen über Howard selbst, den Einstieg des Barbaren in die Comics und seine steigende Popularität sowie vielen andere Romane. Wir erhalten alle Details, die sich ein Fan nur wünschen kann, von der Entstehung, Entwicklung und Produktion des Films bis hin zu seiner Veröffentlichung und seinem Vermächtnis. Auch sehr interessant sind die vielen Produktionsfotos aus den Archiven, von denen ich die meisten jetzt zum ersten Mal gesehen habe. Der Autor John Walsh hat sich wirklich selbst übertroffen, und dieses Buch ist eine echte Liebesarbeit, ich hoffe, dass jeder Fan von Howards Conan sich dieses Buch zu Herzen nehmen wird und wenn ihnen der Film auch gefallen hat, werden sie mit Sicherheit nicht enttäuscht sein. Umfangreich, ausführlich und toll bebildert, ein Muss für Fans.
September 7, 2023
Some bizarre nay-sayers here don’t like the film Conan The Barbarian and have taken it out on the author of this beautiful tome. I would controversially say that this book is better than the film it tells the official story of! From an exhaustive origins story of the Conan character from the original creator Robert E. Howard, through every twist and turn of the filmmaking process, John Walsh needs to be applauded as a modern-day Indian Jones with his efforts to track down the lost and forgotten. There are no spoilers here, but if you think you know the whole story, you have not read this book. The first print run sold out in its first week. Congratulations. How about a book on the sequel Conan The Destroyer, next?
September 1, 2023
I am a big fan of this film from 1982 and was thrilled it was finally getting a big coffee table art book treatment. New images, interviews and secrets uncovered ,make this a five star must read. I have followed author John Walsh's other work. His books are fascinating, and delve deep into both the technical and political machinations of making Hollywood blockbusters. Hope to see more from Walsh. I see his next one is in the classic British horror The Wicker Man. This is a great read and is as much of a page turner than any thriller.
August 31, 2023
What Daring! What Outrageousness! What Insolence! What Arrogance! I salute you.King Osric said it best, "What Daring! What Outrageousness! What Insolence! What Arrogance! I salute you." The book is sold out everywhere. Have a look, and you'll see why. Writer John Walsh has done it again. This is the fifth one. Check his others. I hope John Walsh has a long list of movie books to write. I have a list, what's yours?
August 31, 2023
Let Me Tell You of the Days of High Adventure!
To say this tells the story of the classic 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie is only part of the tale. This book digs deep, and the results of the hard work are precise for all to see. This is writer John Walsh's fifth movie book, and he has set the bar high. Most reviews here say it with great images, interviews and artwork. Many I had never seen before. I am looking forward to his next one on The Wicker Man!
To say this tells the story of the classic 1982 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie is only part of the tale. This book digs deep, and the results of the hard work are precise for all to see. This is writer John Walsh's fifth movie book, and he has set the bar high. Most reviews here say it with great images, interviews and artwork. Many I had never seen before. I am looking forward to his next one on The Wicker Man!
August 31, 2023
This excellent book is sold out of its first print run. Not that supposed when you see the great jewels on offer for a relatively low price. My jaw slowly opened ever more so as I learnt new information and saw new imagery. Perhaps waiting over 40 years for the right book to turn up was worth waiting. Easily five stars from me. Well done, author John Walsh. Please take the Cimmerian on his next journey as Conan The Destroyer.
October 5, 2023
As a lover of this great movie, really happy to have at least a book about the making of it.
Really big and well presented, its full of material about the making of the movie, including previous designs etc.
I would like more never seen before photos, but anyway, a must have for Conan lovers.
And translated to spanish (almost nothing from this movie in spanish).
John Walsh has make a great work with this, anxious to see future books!
Really big and well presented, its full of material about the making of the movie, including previous designs etc.
I would like more never seen before photos, but anyway, a must have for Conan lovers.
And translated to spanish (almost nothing from this movie in spanish).
John Walsh has make a great work with this, anxious to see future books!
December 21, 2023
Años muchos años esperando un libro como este ,un sueño hecho realidad ,John Walsh ha sabido plasmar la esencia de la gran película de "Conan el Barbaro". En este grandioso y maravilloso libro y ofrecernos todo lo que uno esperaba leer y ver .Una joya que se nota que está elaborada con cariño y maestría,capaz de transmitirnos el espíritu de la película en nuestra alma ,eternamente agradecido ....
September 1, 2023
Crom Be Praised! I was anxious opening this book only to find my fears were aleaved. This marvellous volume has photos and artwork galore. I have constantly been amazed by the high quality and rarity of the pictures. Plus, writer John Walsh has been like a modern-day Indiana Jones digging up "what is the best in life!" I bought two copies.
December 6, 2025
Although I am pleased this book was made, it was really disappointing. The narrative jumps around and repeats a lot of detail, sometimes in the very next paragraph! Various typos and mistakes in the text and a lot of really poor quality photos. I was shocked reading the credits page just how little work went into new interviews too. Feels rushed and under baked.
January 16, 2024
Absolutely fantastic coffee table book for fans of the movie and fans of Robert E. Howard. Goes into great detail with interesting interviews and informative biographies of the talent involved amongst the glossy photos. Highly recommended.
October 29, 2023
Good coffee table book. Weak text. Superficial notes of the production of the film. A blatant error referring to Sandahl Bergman's "Arrow radihica" sequence from "All That Jazz". It's Aerorotica.
January 16, 2024
Fantastic making of book with great artwork and concept designs. Actor and character bios are very well written and i've enjoyed this as my holiday read.
May 24, 2024
Amazing images throughout. Laid out nicely and full of behind the scenes info. If you loved the movie you would love this book.
November 26, 2024
Really enjoyed this.. I would have given it 5 stars but some of the other books in this series were amazing.
The story is quick and action packed.
The story is quick and action packed.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews