Conan the Adventurer (1997 TV series)

{{Infobox television

| image = Conanliveaction.jpg

| alt = Conan the Adventurer opening titles from first season

| caption = Conan the Adventurer title screen, featuring (left to right, back to front) the characters Zzeben, Conan, Karella, Bayu, and Otli

| runtime = 60 minutes

| creator = Max A. Keller
Robert E. Howard (characters)

| starring = Ralf Möller
Danny Woodburn
Jeremy Kemp
Robert McRay
T. J. Storm
Aly Dunne

| country = United States

| company = Balenciaga Productions
Keller Entertainment Group

| network = Syndication

| first_aired = {{start date|1997|9|22}}

| last_aired = {{end date|1998|5|25}}

| num_episodes = 22

| list_episodes =

| composer = Charles Fox

}}

Conan the Adventurer is an American television live-action-adventure series.{{Cite web|last1=Hils|first1=Miriam|date=1996-12-18|title=ZDF TO PUMP 'CONAN'|url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/zdf-to-pump-conan-1117466508/|access-date=2020-10-26|website=Variety|language=en-US}} 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.

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.{{Cite web|title=Ralf Moeller - Rotten Tomatoes|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/ralf_moeller|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.rottentomatoes.com|language=en}} 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, that seeks to kill the hero. In all episodes the enemy has a primary role and has a servant skeleton with clairvoyant powers. The sorcerer uses 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

Production

Episodes

{{Episode table |background=#feff76 |overall=5 |title=25 |director= |writer= |airdate=15 |episodes=

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 1–2

| Title = The Heart of the Elephant, Parts 1 & 2

| DirectedBy = Gerard Hameline

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 3

| Title = Lair of the Beastmen

| DirectedBy = Gerard Hameline

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|6}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 4

| Title = The Siege of Ahl Sohn-Bar

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Teagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|13}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 5

| Title = A Friend in Need

| DirectedBy = Frank Wayne

| WrittenBy = Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|20}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 6

| Title = The Ruby Fruit Forest

| DirectedBy = Frank Wayne

| WrittenBy = Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|27}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 7

| Title = The Three Virgins

| DirectedBy = Mark Roper

| WrittenBy = John Bull & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|7}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 8

| Title = Ransom

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Molly Glenmore & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|14}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 9

| Title = The Curse of Afka

| DirectedBy = Frank Wayne

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|21}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 10

| Title = Impostor

| DirectedBy = Mark Roper

| WrittenBy = Reagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|28}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 11

| Title = Amazon Woman

| DirectedBy = Mark Roper

| WrittenBy = Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|7}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 12

| Title = Homecoming

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|25}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 13

| Title = The Taming

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Molly Glenmore & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|1}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 14

| Title = Red Sonja

| DirectedBy = Mark Roper

| WrittenBy = Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|8}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 15

| Title = Shadows of Death

| DirectedBy = Martin Denning

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|15}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 16

| Title = The Child

| DirectedBy = Frank Wayne

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|22}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 17

| Title = The Crystal Arrow

| DirectedBy = Mark Roper

| WrittenBy = Scott Thomas & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|1}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 18

| Title = The Labyrinth

| DirectedBy = Martin Denning

| WrittenBy = Dennis Richards & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|4|26}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 19

| Title = The Cavern

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Peter Collins & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|3}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 20

| Title = Antidote

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Peter Collins & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|10}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 21

| Title = Lethal Wizards

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Teagan Clive & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|17}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

{{Episode list

| EpisodeNumber = 22

| Title = Heir Apparent

| DirectedBy = Rob Stewart

| WrittenBy = Harry Ackerman & Charles Henry Fabian

| OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|24}}

| ShortSummary =

| LineColor = feff76

}}

Home media

In September 2004, Image Entertainment released Conan the Adventurer: Complete Series on DVD in Region 1.{{cite web|url=http://www.image-entertainment.com/film.asp?ProjectID=%7B3E518895-8302-4EF0-8151-9C0200CC1CD4%7D&BusinessUnitID=%7B86E09B33-2863-432E-AFFA-D34EA992FEDF%7D&ProductID=%7BC6A4588F-D823-4269-BB5B-9C0200CD5A66%7D|title=image-entertainment.com|website=www.image-entertainment.com|access-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929014527/http://www.image-entertainment.com/film.asp?ProjectID=%7B3E518895-8302-4EF0-8151-9C0200CC1CD4%7D&BusinessUnitID=%7B86E09B33-2863-432E-AFFA-D34EA992FEDF%7D&ProductID=%7BC6A4588F-D823-4269-BB5B-9C0200CD5A66%7D|archive-date=29 September 2011}}

Soundtrack

The soundtrack, Conan the Adventurer, was released by Sonic Images US in March 1998 on Audio CD.{{Cite web|title=Film Music Site - Conan: The Adventurer Soundtrack|url=https://www.filmmusicsite.com/en/soundtracks.cgi?id=16890&view=|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.filmmusicsite.com|language=en}} The score was composed by Charles Fox.{{Citation|title=Conan: Music by Charles Fox [Original Television Soundtrack] - Original TV Score {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/conan-music-by-charles-fox-original-television-soundtrack-mw0000598022|language=en-us|access-date=2020-10-26}}{{Cite web|title=Conan, television series score {{!}} Recording Details and Tracks|url=https://www.allmusic.com/performance/in-love-and-war-song-record-version-mq0000549553|access-date=2020-10-26|website=AllMusic|language=en-us}} The song "In Love And War" with music by Charles Fox and lyrics by Roxanne Seeman was written for the tv series episode "Antidote" and performed by Terry Reid.

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 =

{{Track listing

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| length13 = 1:50

| length9 = 3:00

| title10 = Ruby Fruit Forest

| writer10 =

| length10 = 3:00

| title11 = Otli Enters the Village

| writer11 =

| length11 = 3:15

| title12 = Noble Warrior

| writer12 =

| extra12 =

| length12 = 3:30

| title13 = Ahi Sohn Bar

| writer13 =

| extra13 =

| title14 = The Sword of Atlantis

| writer9 =

| writer14 =

| extra14 =

| length14 = 2:40

| all_writing =

| title15 = A Friend Falls

| title16 = The Emissaries

| title17 = Conan's Victory

| title18 = In Love and War (Record Version)

| title19 = Main Title (Reprise)

| length15 = 2:02

| length16 = 6:02

| length17 = 4:23

| length18 = 4:30

| length19 = 1:04

| extra9 =

| title9 = The Magic Wand

| total_length = 68:22

| length4 = 7:04

| title1 = Main Title (Warrior Theme)

| writer1 =

| length1 = 3:58

| title2 = The Child

| writer2 =

| extra2 =

| length2 = 4:52

| title3 = Beastman

| writer3 =

| extra3 =

| length3 = 5:10

| title4 = Beastmen's Lair

| writer4 =

| extra4 =

| title5 = Fight and Escape

| length8 = 3:12

| writer5 =

| extra5 =

| length5 = 2:02

| title6 = A Strange Land

| writer6 =

| extra6 =

| length6 = 3:43

| title7 = Corella's Theme

| writer7 =

| extra7 =

| length7 = 3:27

| title8 = In Love and War (TV Version)

| writer8 = Roxanne Seeman

| extra8 =

| note18 = Performed by Terry Reid

| lyrics18 = Roxanne Seeman

| music18 = Charles Fox

| writer18 = Roxanne Seeman

| all_music = Charles Fox

}}

Source:{{Cite web|title=Film Music Site - Conan: The Adventurer Soundtrack|url=https://www.filmmusicsite.com/en/soundtracks.cgi?id=16890&view=|access-date=2020-10-26|website=www.filmmusicsite.com|language=en}}