Kull the Conqueror (1997)

An barbarian warrior becomes a king when he defeats a king in armed combat and the king's heir conspire to overthrow him and reclaim the throne by resurrecting an evil sorceress.

Director:

John Nicolella

Writers:

Robert E. Howard (worlds and characters), Charles Edward Pogue (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Sorbo, Tia Carrere, Thomas Ian Griffith

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Sorbo	...	Kull
Tia Carrere	...	Akivasha
Thomas Ian Griffith	...	General Taligaro
Litefoot	...	Ascalante
Roy Brocksmith	...	Tu
Harvey Fierstein	...	Juba
Karina Lombard	...	Zareta
Edward Tudor-Pole	...	Enaros
Douglas Henshall	...	Ducalon
Joe Shaw	...	Dalgar
Sven-Ole Thorsen	...	King Borna (as Sven Ole Thorsen)
Terry O'Neill	...	Ship Captain
Pat Roach	...	Zulcki
John Hallam	...	Mandara
Peter Petruna	...	Slave

Storyline

A barbarian named Kull unexpectedly becomes a king after an old king (whom Kull has just killed in a battle) gives his crown to him. But direct heirs of a killed king, trying to topple Kull and regain the throne, bring an old witch-queen Akivasha back to life. Their plan backfires, however, as Akivasha is going to allow their lords - demons - to rule the kingdom. The only thing that can stop her now is a breath of the god Volka.

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Plot Keywords:

king | barbarian | battle | wedding | combat | 

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Taglines:

Kull reigns. Kull rules. Kull rocks.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Action | Adventure

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for fantasy action violence and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 August 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Conan the Conqueror

Filming Locations:

Bratislava, Slovakia

Box Office

Gross:

$6,086,891 (USA) (3 October 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Raffaella De Laurentiis Productions, Korsala Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While practicing for the fight scenes, Kevin Sorbo nicked himself with a dull-bladed prop sword. At his request, producers gave him a rubber sword.

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Goofs

The amount (and position) of white in Zareta's hair changes several times.

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Quotes

[a bunch of dead corpses lay around King Borna's throne]
King Borna: My elders challenged me for the throne. So I've spared all my children any future dissapointment!

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Connections

Referenced in The Benchwarmers (2006)

User Reviews

Much confusion it would seem.

Let me get one thing straight. Kull never is, never was, and never will be a relation of Conan's. He "existed" way before Conan. The Cimmerean's (Conan was Cimmerean) were descendants of the Atlanteans, but there does not appear to be a direct link between Kull and Conan.*phew* Glad to get that out of the way! So much for anyone who knows anything...*raises eyebrow*

Anyway, Sorba is pretty much what I imagined Kull to be; not as muscled as Conan, much more wiry, and a little less "Me hit thing hard with big sword" (OK, Conan not think but...you get the general idea...). The film itself is done in that Hercules style, typical of American S&S at the moment, but it doesn't lose the idea of the originals. OK not as much sex involved, and certainly a lot less violence and misogyny (to a certain extent), but it stil makes for a great brainless piece of fun, much like Conan The Barbarian (I try and forget Destroyer and Red Sonja...definitely not up to scratch).

The soundtrack wasn't as inspired as the Conan films (I mean metal in the Hyborian age? Please?!), and kinda took away from the flick in a way. Then again, it did come across as an extended Xena program...no bad thing.

I suppose it depends on what you want out of the film. If you want to relive the early 80's S&S stuff...maybe this isn't for you. If you just want some brainless fun...sweet. Give it a try. For those, wanting a bit more, keep your eye out. Arnie has confirmed he has signed on for King Conan (or Conan 3 effectively)...could be a good return to form here!

7 out of 10