Conan the Adventurer (1997 TV series)

Conan the Adventurer was a weekly one hour American television live action-adventure series.[1] It was produced by Max A. Keller and Micheline Keller from 1997 to 1998 and was loosely based on the fantasy hero Conan the Barbarian.

Conan the Adventurer
Conan the Adventurer opening titles from first season
Conan the Adventurer title screen, featuring (left to right, back to front) the characters Zzeben, Conan, Karella, Bayu, and Otli
Created byMax A. Keller
Robert E. Howard (characters)
StarringRalf Möller
Danny Woodburn
Jeremy Kemp
Robert McRay
T. J. Storm
Aly Dunne
ComposerCharles Fox
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes22 (list of episodes)
Production
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesBalengica Productions
Keller Entertainment Group
Release
Original networkSyndication
Original releaseSeptember 22, 1997 (1997-09-22) 
May 25, 1998 (1998-05-25)

The show premiered on September 22, 1997, and comprised 22 episodes, filmed mainly in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. Keller Entertainment Group, the same production company responsible for the series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures and Acapulco H.E.A.T., continues to market and distribute the series worldwide. The role of Conan was played by Ralf Moeller, two time Mr. Universe, a native of Germany, and friend to Arnold Schwarzenegger.[2] The rest of the ensemble cast included Danny Woodburn (Otli), Robert McRay (Zzeben), T. J. Storm (Bayu), Aly Dunne (Karella), and briefly, Andrew Craig (Vulkar).

The script for the pilot was written by Steve Hayes, the head of project development for the series. The storyline deviated from the essence of the Conan character, as well as that of the Conan earlier depicted in the 1980s films and comic book series by Marvel Comics, because this adaptation was more peaceful and aimed at all age groups.

Plot

An all-powerful sorcerer, Hissah Zuhl (Jeremy Kemp) rules Conan's homeland of Cimmeria with an iron fist through magical arts, trickery, and threats. He is responsible for the death of Conan's parents, and he is recurrent as the always just barely thwarted mastermind enemy. Conan and an army of warriors rebel and fight to free Cimmeria from the demonic tyrant and his minions. In his travels, Conan battles mythical creatures that roam the land. The hero has been chosen by the gods to fight evil, and he has been informed by Crom that he is destined to be a king.

Conan wants revenge against Hissah Zuhl (in all episodes the enemy has a primary role and also has a servant, a skeleton with clairvoyant powers), that seeks to kill the hero. The weapons that the sorcerer uses are an endless horde of warriors, as well as vassal wizards and princes under Zuhl's control.

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1–2"The Heart of the Elephant, Parts 1 & 2"Gerard HamelineDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianSeptember 22, 1997 (1997-09-22)
3"Lair of the Beastmen"Gerard HamelineDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianOctober 6, 1997 (1997-10-06)
4"The Siege of Ahl Sohn-Bar"Rob StewartTeagan Clive & Charles Henry FabianOctober 13, 1997 (1997-10-13)
5"A Friend in Need"Frank WayneScott Thomas & Charles Henry FabianOctober 20, 1997 (1997-10-20)
6"The Ruby Fruit Forest"Frank WayneHarry Ackerman & Charles Henry FabianOctober 27, 1997 (1997-10-27)
7"The Three Virgins"Mark RoperJohn Bull & Charles Henry FabianNovember 7, 1997 (1997-11-07)
8"Ransom"Rob StewartMolly Glenmore & Charles Henry FabianNovember 14, 1997 (1997-11-14)
9"The Curse of Afka"Frank WayneDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianNovember 21, 1997 (1997-11-21)
10"Impostor"Mark RoperReagan Clive & Charles Henry FabianNovember 28, 1997 (1997-11-28)
11"Amazon Woman"Mark RoperHarry Ackerman & Charles Henry FabianDecember 7, 1997 (1997-12-07)
12"Homecoming"Rob StewartScott Thomas & Charles Henry FabianJanuary 25, 1998 (1998-01-25)
13"The Taming"Rob StewartMolly Glenmore & Charles Henry FabianFebruary 1, 1998 (1998-02-01)
14"Red Sonja"Mark RoperScott Thomas & Charles Henry FabianFebruary 8, 1998 (1998-02-08)
15"Shadows of Death"Martin DenningDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianFebruary 15, 1998 (1998-02-15)
16"The Child"Frank WayneDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianFebruary 22, 1998 (1998-02-22)
17"The Crystal Arrow"Mark RoperScott Thomas & Charles Henry FabianMarch 1, 1998 (1998-03-01)
18"The Labyrinth"Martin DenningDennis Richards & Charles Henry FabianApril 26, 1998 (1998-04-26)
19"The Cavern"Rob StewartPeter Collins & Charles Henry FabianMay 3, 1998 (1998-05-03)
20"Antidote"Rob StewartPeter Collins & Charles Henry FabianMay 10, 1998 (1998-05-10)
21"Lethal Wizards"Rob StewartTeagan Clive & Charles Henry FabianMay 17, 1998 (1998-05-17)
22"Heir Apparent"Rob StewartHarry Ackerman & Charles Henry FabianMay 24, 1998 (1998-05-24)

Home media

On September 21, 2004, Image Entertainment released Conan the Adventurer: Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.[3]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack, Conan the Adventurer, was released by Sonic Images US on March 24, 1998 on Audio CD.[4] The score was composed by Charles Fox.[5][6] The song "In Love And War" with music by Charles Fox and lyrics by Roxanne Seeman was written for the tv series episode "Antidote". Michael Bradford, along with Roxanne Seeman and Charles Fox, produced a record version for the soundtrack.  Both versions feature Terry Reid singing and are included on the soundtrack.

Track listing

All music is composed by Charles Fox

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Main Title (Warrior Theme)"  3:58
2."The Child"  4:52
3."Beastman"  5:10
4."Beastmen's Lair"  7:04
5."Fight and Escape"  2:02
6."A Strange Land"  3:43
7."Corella's Theme"  3:27
8."In Love and War (TV Version)"  3:12
9."The Magic Wand"  3:00
10."Ruby Fruit Forest"  3:00
11."Otli Enters the Village"  3:15
12."Noble Warrior"  3:30
13."Ahi Sohn Bar"  1:50
14."The Sword of Atlantis"  2:40
15."A Friend Falls"  2:02
16."The Emissaries"  6:02
17."Conan's Victory"  4:23
18."In Love and War (Record Version)" (Performed by Terry Reid)Roxanne SeemanCharles Fox4:30
19."Main Title (Reprise)"  1:04
Total length:68:22

Source:[7]

See also

References

  1. Hils, Miriam (1996-12-18). "ZDF TO PUMP 'CONAN'". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  2. "Ralf Moeller - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  3. "image-entertainment.com". www.image-entertainment.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  4. "Film Music Site - Conan: The Adventurer Soundtrack". www.filmmusicsite.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  5. Conan: Music by Charles Fox [Original Television Soundtrack] - Original TV Score | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2020-10-26
  6. "Conan, television series score | Recording Details and Tracks". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  7. "Film Music Site - Conan: The Adventurer Soundtrack". www.filmmusicsite.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.

Bibliography

  • Sammon, P. M., Conan the Phenomenon, Dark Horse Books, 2013.
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