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 title screen, featuring (left to right, back to front) the characters Zzeben, Conan, Karella, Bayu, and Otli | |
| Created by | Max A. Keller Robert E. Howard (characters) |
| Starring | Ralf Möller Danny Woodburn Jeremy Kemp Robert McRay T. J. Storm Aly Dunne |
| Composer | Charles Fox |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 22 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Production companies | Balengica Productions Keller Entertainment Group |
| Release | |
| Original network | Syndication |
| Original release | September 22, 1997 – May 25, 1998 |
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
- Ralf Moeller as Conan
- Danny Woodburn as Otli
- Robert McRay as Zzeben
- T. J. Storm as Bayu
- Aly Dunne as Karella
- Andrew Craig as Vulkar
- Jeremy Kemp as Hissah Zul
- Arthur Burghardt as The Skull That Talks
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | "The Heart of the Elephant, Parts 1 & 2" | Gerard Hameline | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | September 22, 1997 |
| 3 | "Lair of the Beastmen" | Gerard Hameline | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | October 6, 1997 |
| 4 | "The Siege of Ahl Sohn-Bar" | Rob Stewart | Teagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian | October 13, 1997 |
| 5 | "A Friend in Need" | Frank Wayne | Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian | October 20, 1997 |
| 6 | "The Ruby Fruit Forest" | Frank Wayne | Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian | October 27, 1997 |
| 7 | "The Three Virgins" | Mark Roper | John Bull & Charles Henry Fabian | November 7, 1997 |
| 8 | "Ransom" | Rob Stewart | Molly Glenmore & Charles Henry Fabian | November 14, 1997 |
| 9 | "The Curse of Afka" | Frank Wayne | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | November 21, 1997 |
| 10 | "Impostor" | Mark Roper | Reagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian | November 28, 1997 |
| 11 | "Amazon Woman" | Mark Roper | Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian | December 7, 1997 |
| 12 | "Homecoming" | Rob Stewart | Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian | January 25, 1998 |
| 13 | "The Taming" | Rob Stewart | Molly Glenmore & Charles Henry Fabian | February 1, 1998 |
| 14 | "Red Sonja" | Mark Roper | Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian | February 8, 1998 |
| 15 | "Shadows of Death" | Martin Denning | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | February 15, 1998 |
| 16 | "The Child" | Frank Wayne | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | February 22, 1998 |
| 17 | "The Crystal Arrow" | Mark Roper | Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian | March 1, 1998 |
| 18 | "The Labyrinth" | Martin Denning | Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian | April 26, 1998 |
| 19 | "The Cavern" | Rob Stewart | Peter Collins & Charles Henry Fabian | May 3, 1998 |
| 20 | "Antidote" | Rob Stewart | Peter Collins & Charles Henry Fabian | May 10, 1998 |
| 21 | "Lethal Wizards" | Rob Stewart | Teagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian | May 17, 1998 |
| 22 | "Heir Apparent" | Rob Stewart | Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian | May 24, 1998 |
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. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Seeman | Charles Fox | 4:30 |
| 19. | "Main Title (Reprise)" | 1:04 | ||
| Total length: | 68:22 | |||
Source:[7]
References
- Hils, Miriam (1996-12-18). "ZDF TO PUMP 'CONAN'". Variety. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- "Ralf Moeller - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- "image-entertainment.com". www.image-entertainment.com. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- "Film Music Site - Conan: The Adventurer Soundtrack". www.filmmusicsite.com. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- Conan: Music by Charles Fox [Original Television Soundtrack] - Original TV Score | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic, retrieved 2020-10-26
- "Conan, television series score | Recording Details and Tracks". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- "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.
External links
- Conan: The Adventurer at IMDb
- Conan (1997) at epguides.com
- Martin Denning at IMDb Director
- Barbariankeep