Why Big Amulet? Conan, that’s why
1. Intro
One of my favourite fantasy amulets, and an inspiration for the name of the blog, is the big amulet that Conan finds in the Tower of the Serpent in Conan the Barbarian (the 1982 film).
The big amulet is simply called an “object of bronze” in John Milius’ screenplay, which sounds unassuming, but in fact, it is central to the film’s narrative.
2. Conan the Barbarian
First, a quick general intro to the film. To be clear, I am referring to the 1982 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger. This is not to be confused with the childish Conan the Destroyer (1984) follow-up or the dull 2011 remake with Jason Momoa.
I first saw Conan the Barbarian by chance on TV when I was just a kid - way below the official 18+ recommended age rating, but the best age for watching fantasy. I remember being mesmerised by the mythic start to the film, then being gobsmacked by the speed and brutality of the following scene, and after that, I was hooked for the rest of the film and for the rest of my life.
I consider Conan the Barbarian a masterpiece and I can happily watch and watch it again. From the opening Nietzsche quote (how many blockbusters start with quotes from philosophers?) to the incredible soundtrack by Basil Poledouris, just about everything about the film is great. Even the special effects largely still hold up. Sure, the dialogue is minimal, but what is said is extremely memorable and quotable, and Arnie plays the strong and silent Conan perfectly.
Arnie’s Conan is earnest and sincere - he is no pantomime character, quipping his way through a genre film with a knowing wink and a nod to the audience. This Conan does not know that he is a fictional character. He does not know whether he has plot armour or not. He cares not for metaphysics, but is prepared to bargain with his deity (in his own way).
Deservedly, the film made a star our of Arnold. I actually read Be Useful, Arnie’s semi-autobiographical/semi-motivational book, and was pleased to learn that his film career was propelled by the success of Conan the Barbarian. It is pleasing that he still clearly loves and respects that role and the film, and indeed still has Conan’s sword in his office.
Frankly, if you have not seen Conan the Barbarian yet, stop reading and go watch it.
Once you’ve seen it, not only will you have enjoyed a fantastic film, but you will not need to heed the *SPOILERS* warning.
*SPOILERS* from here on!
3. The Big Amulet
The role of the big amulet in the film is as a reminder of Conan’s past and as a key to his future, allowing access to the further steps on his path of revenge, opening the way to both his setbacks and his ultimate victory.
After many years of slavery, gladiatorial combat and martial training, Conan discovers freedom. He has not forgotten the butchery of his parents and people, and is determined to find revenge, his only clue being the snake symbol he saw as a child.1 But finding Thulsa Doom after all those years is no easy task – the big bad has apparently moved on to other things, relocated to warmer climes and had a rebranding, such that his old logo is all but forgotten.
Perhaps Conan too would have ultimately forgotten the trauma of his past and just left it buried deep. But discovering the big amulet at the bottom of the Tower of the Serpent (aka Tower of Set) is a tangible confirmation to Conan that his past is not just childhood memories, but a very real wrong, still unavenged.
He is so distracted by the amulet that he gets ambushed by a giant snake. This foreshadows the fact that he will be unable to succeed on his mission alone, and will need help from his friends and lover. Also, the amulet will not bring Conan happiness, but it will give him purpose.
As Conan and his companions travel and discover the delights of civilization, stealing their way to riches and pleasures, his sense of mission becomes obscured by his success, lost in a haze of shisha smoke, black lotus, red wine and revelry. But having acquired the amulet as reminder, it weighs on his conscience and he knows he cannot ignore its call for revenge and go back to the simple life of a thief. He lets go of his companions and carefree life to seek out Thulsa Doom.
Here the amulet is again key, because it grants Conan access to Thulsa Doom, serving as his pass past the numerous cultists on his way up the Mountain of Power. Once there though, the amulet leads to Conan’s capture, since it is also recognised by Thulsa Doom and his henchmen. It is a link to their past too and therefore a link to the shared past of Conan and Thulsa Doom.
As plot device, the amulet leads to Conan’s capture and crucifixion. But not before appearing in the interrogation of Conan by Thulsa Doom, featuring a brutal meditation on the Riddle of Steel.
The amulet is like a memory lodestone – it triggers Conan’s memory, then later it triggers Thulsa Doom’s memories of his pet snake and then, during his conversation with Conan, about his own past as a warrior raider. It is telling that when Thulsa Doom later rides against Conan, his old standard is on display again.
After Conan’s crucifixion, the amulet plays no further part, having been returned to Thulsa Doom. It had given Conan purpose and led him to his lowest point, from which only friendship and love could bring him back. Reborn thanks to Valeria’s sacrifice and fueled by his own force of will, Conan goes on to kidnap the Princess, to stand against many and to finally overcome Thulsa Doom.
4. Conclusion
Ultimately, the amulet is essential in establishing Conan the Barbarian not just as a fantasy film, but as a revenge film. I think its success is due in part because it is not a pure “genre” fantasy film, but is a revenge film in a fantasy setting. It is easy with fantasy to put the setting and the trappings first. The best works focus instead on human passion and drama, which are timeless.
Two Snakes Conan GIF thanks to DarthRevan38: https://tenor.com/en-GB/view/two-snakes-conan-conan-the-barbarian-gif-378796896940314870