The Adventures of Conan: Sword & Sorcery Spectacular Universal Studios Hollywood Live Stage Show
31Construction of The Adventures of Conan: Sword & Sorcery Spectacular at Landmark began in 1982 and officially opened to widespread acclaim on June 18, 1983. With a total budget of $5 million, the production premiered in the Castle Theatre in the Upper Lot (Entertainment Center) at Universal Studios Hollywood. Before this show, the venue was home to Castle Dracula, which closed in January 1983.
The Conan spectacular continued to entertain guests until early 1994. It was then succeeded by Cinemystique: Illusions of the Night, featuring the Pendragons in celebration of Universal Studios Hollywood's 35th Anniversary during the Hollywood Nights event. This was subsequently followed by Beetlejuice’s Rockin' Graveyard Revue.
The stage is transformed to look like a shattered temple brimming with treasures. A slender young man and a woman resembling Red Sonja rappel down a rope onto the stage, aiming to loot the temple's riches. To their astonishment, they discover a "good wizard" already in the temple. As the man converses with the wizard, the woman becomes mesmerized by a large red gemstone embedded in a statue. She accidentally dislodges the gem, inadvertently freeing a malevolent wizard trapped inside. The evil wizard conjures his henchmen, who engage in sword fights with the man, the woman, and the good wizard. Although the protagonists initially triumph, the evil wizard resurrects the henchmen with enhanced strength and obliterates the good wizard with a fireball, casting a shadow over the situation.
When hope seems lost, the young man inadvertently grasps a magical sword that transforms him into the powerful, muscular Conan. Empowered by his newfound strength and the enchanted blade, Conan swiftly defeats the henchmen and hurls the evil wizard into a central pit on the stage. The wicked sorcerer emerges from the pit as a colossal, fire-breathing dragon. Conan and the woman battle the dragon, ultimately vanquishing it and forcing it back into the pit. Victorious, the duo fills their bags with the temple's treasures and climbs back up the rope, leaving the ruined temple behind.
Press Release 1983 - Universal Studios Tour, an exclusive behind-the-scenes journey through Hollywood’s most significant and busiest movie and television studio, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this July. What began as a humble operation offering daily tram tours to fewer than 200 visitors has become California’s third-most popular attraction.
The expansive 420-acre entertainment complex will welcome over 3.5 million guests in 1983. It proudly produces more prime-time television series, movies, and feature films than any other studio worldwide.
To commemorate the Tour’s two-decade milestone, Universal’s creative and special effects teams are developing the Tour’s most elaborate and thrilling attraction to date: “The Adventures of Conan,” a spectacular sword and sorcery performance.
Inspired by the successful 1982 Universal Pictures film Conan the Barbarian, the new Tour show is a $3.75 million production that features state-of-the-art, never-before-seen laser and pyrotechnic effects, computer-coordinated animated characters, and expert performances.
The “Adventures of Conan” production team, led by Tour Vice President Peter Alexander and supported by top Hollywood special effects and dramatic consultants, recently announced a debut date of June 18, 1983. They are currently fine-tuning and safety testing various intricate special effects, including an 18-foot-tall, fire-breathing dragon that emits twin lasers from its eyes.
This dragon, controlled by a series of sophisticated computers, appears during the show's climax. According to Alexander, the dragon’s special effects—combined with the show’s magical illusions, additional lasers, live actors, and animated characters—represent a first in live theatre anywhere in the world.
“The Adventures of Conan” is located in the heart of the Tour’s Visitors Entertainment Center, which also houses three other live shows, two museums, various exhibits, shops, food and beverage outlets, and areas designated for leisure and picnicking.
Conan Credits
An MCA Recreation Services Production
Jay Stein, President
Barry Upson, VP of Planning
Produced by: Peter Alexander
Project Manager: Larry Lester
Gary Goddard Productions - Gary Goddard, Tony Christopher
Astro Pyrotechnics - Gene Evans
Animation Designers - Bob Gurr, Dave Schwenniger
Magic Illusion Designer - John Gaughan
Lighting Designer - Daniel Flannery
Music - Basil Poledouris
VideoTours, Inc. Production - Order No 1005 - Adventures in Entertainment Collection
Richard Hart - Narrator
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