On January 30th, Conan The Barbarian, the award-winning epic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, arrives on 4K UHD and Blu-ray for the first time. John Milius directs Academy Award-winning writer Oliver Stone’s adaptation of the pulp novels by Robert E. Howard to the big screen. A global phenomenon ruling the box office upon its initial release in 1982, the fantasy forged Schwarzenegger’s status as a true cinematic icon.
Schwarzenegger stars as Conan – enslaved as a young boy after cult leader Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) murders his parents. Conan pushes himself from slave to gladiator to freed warrior in search of Thulsa Doom to exact his vengeance. Along the way Conan learns of love, friendship, wisdom, and loyalty. The film features electrifying star performances by Schwarzenegger and Jones, and an impressive supporting cast, including Max von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman, Gerry Lopez, and Mako.
The Limited Edition 4K UHD comes in a 2-Disc set, loaded with extras, including new interviews with cast and crew, rarely seen footage and archival materials. The Blu-ray and 4K UHD Limited Edition sets each include a double-sided fold-out poster, six double-sided collectors’ postcards, an illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon.
Also on the same day, Conan The Destroyer makes its debut on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. The sequel to the wildly successful Conan The Barbarian, Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as Robert E. Howard’s sword-wielding anti-hero. Conan is offered the opportunity to take a young princess (Olivia D’Abo) on a quest to retrieve the jeweled horn of the dreaming god Dagoth. In return, the love of his life Valeria will be brought back to life, though Conan and his fellowship get more than they bargained for as Dagoth may not be the benevolent demi-god they expected. Directed by Richard Fleischer, Conan The Destroyer features an international cast that includes supermodel/icon Grace Jones, Olivia D’Abo, NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain, Tracey Walter, and Sarah Douglas.
The Blu-ray and 4K UHD Limited Edition sets include a double-sided fold-out poster, six double-sided collectors’ postcards, an illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and an archive set report by Paul M. Sammon.
Bonus features include a brand new 4K restoration from the original negative, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible), newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio, archive feature commentary by director Richard Fleischer, actors Olivia d’Abo, Tracey Walter and Sarah Douglas, newly filmed interviews and commentary with cast and crew, theatrical trailers, and an image gallery.
The month ends with a bang in Murphy’s War, coming to Blu-ray on January 30. Peter O’Toole stars as Murphy, the sole survivor of a German U-boat attack off the coast of Venezuela at the end of WWII. Nursed back to health by a Quaker nurse (Siân Phillips), Murphy has one goal: to destroy the U-boat that killed his mates. Nothing will stop Murphy from exacting vengeance. Featured co-stars of O’Toole include Philippe Noiret (La Grande Bouffe, Cinema Paradiso), and Horst Janson (Captain Kronos – Vampire Hunter, Shout at the Devil),. The film is directed by Peter Yates (Bullitt) and beautifully shot by Indiana Jones cinematographer Douglas Slocombe, with a propulsive score from John Barry.
Special features across the release include Running Out of War, a new visual essay by film critic David Cairns, A Great Adventure, an archive interview with assistant director John Glen, Dougie, Chic and Me, an archive interview with focus puller Robin Vidgeon, One Man Army, an archive interview with film critic Sheldon Hall, the theatrical trailer, an image gallery, a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain, and an illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by film critic Philip Kemp.
