Conan the Barbarian
A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.
Despite a moderate budget of $20.0M, Conan the Barbarian became a solid performer, earning $74.0M worldwide—a 270% return.
2 wins & 10 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Conan the Barbarian (1982) showcases strategically placed dramatic framework, characteristic of John Milius's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 10 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Conan
Thulsa Doom
Valeria
Subotai
King Osric
The Wizard
Princess Yasimina
Main Cast & Characters
Conan
Played by Arnold Schwarzenegger
A Cimmerian warrior seeking revenge against Thulsa Doom for massacring his village and enslaving him as a child. Grows from gladiator to legendary hero.
Thulsa Doom
Played by James Earl Jones
A powerful sorcerer and cult leader who murdered Conan's parents and destroyed his village. Commands snake cult followers through charisma and dark magic.
Valeria
Played by Sandahl Bergman
A skilled thief and warrior who becomes Conan's lover and ally. Fierce, independent, and loyal to those she trusts.
Subotai
Played by Gerry Lopez
A Hyrkanian archer and thief who befriends Conan. Witty, resourceful, and provides comic relief while being a capable warrior.
King Osric
Played by Max von Sydow
A desperate king who hires Conan to rescue his daughter from Thulsa Doom's cult. Represents the old order threatened by the snake cult.
The Wizard
Played by Mako
An ancient wizard who resurrects Valeria and provides mystical guidance. Serves as narrator and supernatural mentor figure.
Princess Yasimina
Played by Valérie Quennessen
King Osric's daughter, brainwashed by Thulsa Doom's cult. Represents innocence corrupted by false promises of power.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Young Conan lives peacefully with his Cimmerian village and family, learning the riddle of steel from his father at the forge.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Thulsa Doom and his raiders massacre Conan's village, kill his mother before his eyes, and enslave him. His entire world is destroyed.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 32 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Conan is freed by his master and chooses to survive on his own. He enters the world as a free man, no longer a slave, beginning his journey of self-determination., moving from reaction to action.
At 66 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Conan infiltrates the Temple of Set and comes face-to-face with Thulsa Doom for the first time since childhood. Doom's hypnotic power over his followers is revealed, showing the true scope of the enemy., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 97 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Valeria is mortally wounded by a snake arrow while defending Conan during the battle at the mounds. The woman he loves dies for him, and he must confront the cost of his vengeance., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 105 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 81% of the runtime. Conan realizes he must finish what he started, but now understands the riddle of steel: true strength comes from his own will and the flesh that wields the weapon, not the weapon itself., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Conan the Barbarian's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Conan the Barbarian against these established plot points, we can identify how John Milius utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Conan the Barbarian within the adventure genre.
John Milius's Structural Approach
Among the 4 John Milius films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.6, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Conan the Barbarian represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete John Milius filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional adventure films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots. For more John Milius analyses, see Red Dawn, The Wind and the Lion and Flight of the Intruder.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Young Conan lives peacefully with his Cimmerian village and family, learning the riddle of steel from his father at the forge.
Theme
Conan's father explains the riddle of steel: "Steel isn't strong, boy. Flesh is stronger. What is steel compared to the hand that wields it?" The central question of whether strength comes from steel or will.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the Hyborian Age, Conan's peaceful village life, his father's teachings, and the world of tribes and sorcery. Introduction of Thulsa Doom's army approaching.
Disruption
Thulsa Doom and his raiders massacre Conan's village, kill his mother before his eyes, and enslave him. His entire world is destroyed.
Resistance
Conan grows up enslaved, pushing the Wheel of Pain for years, becoming incredibly strong. He is trained as a gladiator and educated in philosophy and combat, becoming a valuable fighter.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Conan is freed by his master and chooses to survive on his own. He enters the world as a free man, no longer a slave, beginning his journey of self-determination.
Mirror World
Conan meets Valeria, a skilled thief and warrior who becomes his lover and partner. She represents human connection and what it means to fight for something beyond revenge.
Premise
Conan adventures as a thief with Subotai and Valeria, stealing treasure and enjoying freedom. King Osric hires them to rescue his daughter from Thulsa Doom's snake cult, setting Conan on a collision course with his past.
Midpoint
Conan infiltrates the Temple of Set and comes face-to-face with Thulsa Doom for the first time since childhood. Doom's hypnotic power over his followers is revealed, showing the true scope of the enemy.
Opposition
Conan and his companions rescue the princess but are pursued. Conan becomes obsessed with killing Doom. The group faces Doom's supernatural forces and Conan is captured and crucified on the Tree of Woe.
Collapse
Valeria is mortally wounded by a snake arrow while defending Conan during the battle at the mounds. The woman he loves dies for him, and he must confront the cost of his vengeance.
Crisis
Conan mourns Valeria's death and struggles with grief. He performs her funeral rites and wrestles with whether revenge is worth the price he's paid.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Conan realizes he must finish what he started, but now understands the riddle of steel: true strength comes from his own will and the flesh that wields the weapon, not the weapon itself.
Synthesis
Conan storms Thulsa Doom's mountain temple, battles his guards and priest, and confronts Doom directly. He decapitates his enemy, finally avenging his family and freeing himself from the past.
Transformation
Conan sits crowned on a throne, transformed from enslaved child to king. He has learned the riddle of steel and become the master of his own destiny through will, not just strength.