Conan the Barbarian - Arrow Video's new 4K release finally fixes the audio issues

A close look and semi review of Arrow Video's lush new UHD release of Conan the Barbarian (1982), in regards to the oft-mistreated audio aspect of the film's physical releases. Is it a winner? (yes.)

[@HydefHyde]

Fun fact: This video had to be re-edited 10 times in order to stop getting blocked by copyright holders in several countries. Even so, this video may still not be visible to people in Germany or Austria, although I have contested this under "fair use", so we'll see what happens!

[@HydefHyde]

UPDATE : This video is now free to watch worldwide!

[@sonofacheron]

I salute you Hydef! The work you’ve put in to this is evident. Even Crom gave a nod of grudging respect for your labors. This is how reviews should be done. May your channel grow like Thulsa Doom’s Snake Cult!

[@FellVoice]

Thank you for this, I'd have never known without it.

[@panzercakes]

Awesome job! Doing my own comparisons with my copy, I agree that the mono track is the way to go between that and the Atmos mix. Basil Poledouris' score is so much more powerful in the original mix compared to the Atmos where they dial it back. It's important that comparison videos like these are made to show how necessary it is that companies include and restore the original audio tracks.

[@Scyzzles]

The theatrical version with the choir as the main driving element is classic and powerful, but I do also appreciate the way the 2024 Atmos mixes the choir in there to blend its emotion with that of the instrumental. It gives it a different feel.

[@bevshor1]

Thank you very much for the comparison between soundtracks - I saw this in a retro cinema last year and was extremely disappointed the DCP was evidently based on the 2011 release that omitted the choir from Riders of Doom etc.

[@austinwillcut4919]

The original theatrical mono is king! Crom is pleased.

[@tatysantos4448]

Esta es mi película favorita de todos los tiempos desde que la vi por primera vez en el cine en Girona (España) en el invierno de 1982 con mi padre, nunca olvidaré ese día Y no me había dado cuenta de lo del coro en el bluray normal yo tengo tambien la de Arrow y creo que es de lo mejor que a salido de esta compañía es una verdadera joya Gràcias por el vídeo te lo agradezco mucho que le dedicaras a la pelicula de Conan Un abrazo

[@jitrapornpha5104]

a lot of work went into this video by Crom

[@ariesroc]

I suspect that for the original multi-channel mix they still had not found all the soundtrack elements so used what they had. The year after the BD release the complete soundtrack with all elements came out from Intrada which they then used for the corrected disc. Nothing malicious...they just didn't have the choir material.

[@BdoUK21]

Nice video! The Atmos track needs a pretty healthy volume boost, feels like it's been mastered lower than normal and likely has some dialnorm applied. The only thing that bothered me about the Atmos audio was the choral arrangement during the mound charge was extremely low in the mix, more so than in other parts of the film. As you mentioned the mono track completely fixes this but I do like the overall spaciousness the Atmos track provides.

[@ItsTimePictures]

Bizarre. It’s terrible that a completely new mix cannot be created for such an iconic and influential film. It makes no sense. Obviously I am relieved the original mono mix is included but this is likely the last time the film will be released on physical media so it’s just sad.

[@victorbianquini3636]

Unrelated: I really miss your gaming streams, are you streaming in another channel?

[@HydefHyde]

Hey Victor, good to hear from you. No, I haven't been streaming at all for a while now. I might start doing it again sometime this year - if so, it will either be on this channel again, or on a new one that I would share via the community feature of this channel.

[@victorbianquini3636]

@@HydefHyde That's good to hear!

[@michael9877]

Nothing wrong with my 4K copies

[@davidpenn9396]

so is the newest one on 4k hd worth buying?

[@HydefHyde]

Absolutely, Arrow did a great job!