Crom! The classic 80’s fantasy epics have been released by Arrow Video, “The Conan Chronicles” collects both of Arnold’s Conan films, “Conan the Barbarian” and “Conan the Destroyer” in one amazing collection. The collection includes the following:

• Brand new 4K restorations of both films from the original negatives by Arrow Films
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of both films
• Three versions of Conan the Barbarian via seamless branching: Theatrical Cut (127 mins), International Cut (129 mins) and Extended Cut (130 mins)
• Newly restored original mono audio and remixed Dolby Atmos surround audio for both films
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing on both films
• Archive commentary for Conan the Barbarian by John Milius and Arnold Schwarzenegger
• Archive commentaries for Conan the Destroyer by Richard Fleischer and actors Olivia d’Abo, Tracey Walter and Sarah Douglas
• Brand new commentaries for both films by genre historian Paul M. Sammon
• Newly assembled isolated score tracks in lossless stereo for both films
• Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Barbarian with production artist William Stout, costume designer John Bloomfield, special effects crew members Colin Arthur and Ron Hone, actors Jorge Sanz and Jack Taylor, assistant editor Peck Prior, visual effects animators Peter Kuran and Katherine Kean, filmmaker Robert Eggers (The Northman) and authors John Walsh and Alfio Leotta
• Newly filmed interviews for Conan the Destroyer with Bloomfield and Walsh, casting director Johanna Ray, art director Kevin Phipps and stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong
• Conan Unchained: The Making of Conan, an archive documentary from 2000 featuring interviews with Schwarzenegger, Milius, Stone, Jones, Lopez, Bergman, Poledouris and several others
• Archive bonus features for both films, including interviews with sword master Kiyoshi Yamasaki, writers Roy Thomas & Gerry Conway and Poledouris, outtakes and more
• A Tribute to Basil Poledouris, a series of videos produced by the Úbeda Film Music Festival, including video of Poledouris conducting a concert of music from Conan the Barbarian in 2006 (remixed in 5.1 surround)
• Theatrical trailers and image galleries for both films
• Double-sided fold-out posters for both films
• Twelve double-sided collectors’ postcards
• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by Walter Chaw and John Walsh, and archive set reports for both films by Paul M. Sammon

I was sent a screener for review and it’s everything it says it is and more. The picture quality is stunning bringing the vibrant colors and dark shadows to life in all its bloody glory. The special features are exhaustive in the best way possible getting you to be almost tired of Conan. One highlight is the extremely entertaining audio commentary on the first film by Conan himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, which is a must listen. Of course nothing beats the films themselves, while I’m partial to the first, both do an excellent job capturing Robert E. Howard’s Hyborian Age on film. Both movies are probably the closest to bringing Frank Frazetta’s art to life in live action. The 80’s were a great time for high adventure films and “The Conan Chronicles” delivers in spades. While they are currently sold out on the 4K set, Arrow Video still has the Blu Ray edition that is high quality and available for purchase here. If you are a fan of these movies this is probably the best way to enjoy them, get yours today!