5 Awesome Performances...
5. Conan - Conan The Barbarian (1976)
After a number of false dawns during his early flirtations with cinema, when casting directors saw little beyond the incredible physique, Arnie's big break came after he impressed in Bob Rafelson's excellent Stay Hungry opposite Jeff Bridges, playing an Austrian bodybuilder. That role didn't exactly show off his range, but it did help land him the lead in Conan The Barbarian some five years later for John Milius, having been placed on retainer since 1976. Despite some misgivings about Arnie's imposing physique (he dropped 30 pounds to look more athletic for producer Dino De Laurentis,) he was perfectly cast as the barely vocal hulk in the hard-boiled fantasy created by Robert E. Howard. His presence, and the incredible condition of his body made him the ideal Conan for revivalist fans, and his willingness to do his own stunts adds another element to the character. It might not be nuanced or particularly complex, but Conan remains one of Arnie's greatest performances, which is precisely why it opened the door to his Hollywood career in real terms.