Arnold Schwarzenegger is an incredible figure who became an iconic face and body in some of the best action films of the 80s and 90s. The former bodybuilder shared some of the behind-the-scenes challenges he faced while filming some of his most memorable scenes. Schwarzenegger has opened up about his “brutal” experience filming the classic film Conan the Barbarian and his horrific near-drowning accident while filming The Sixth Day.
Conan the Barbarian was a turning point in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career. According to Insider, director John Milius required Schwarzenegger to put in a lot of effort during production. The main character underwent rigorous sword training with the late Kiyoshi Yamazaki. In his official newsletter, the Terminator actor described how intense filming the epic fantasy film was. He shared:
Conan was brutal because there weren’t stunt guys big enough yet, so I had to crawl until my knees and elbows bled, get attacked by those dogs, and bit that real dead vulture. Luckily, lifting weights became popular, and muscular stunt guys became available.
It seems like a harrowing experience, but the success of Conan, which became one of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s best films and helped the former Mr. Universe become one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world, has probably made it all worth it.
While Conan the Barbarian may have been difficult to produce, it probably wasn’t as dangerous as the stunt that nearly killed the actor. A former California governor says a swimming scene in The Sixth Day nearly caused him to drown. He described the situation on the brink, saying:
On Sixth Day, I probably had my most dangerous stunt. It was supposed to be simple, a scene where I am swimming. But there was a cover on the pool. I was supposed to come out the same place I went in, but I got turned around and started to run out of air. I couldn’t find my way back to the exit, and I tried to stay as calm as possible but knew I didn’t have long. Luckily, my stunt double Billy Lucas realized what was happening and came in to save me.
The 6th Day is one of the most 2000s (albeit not one of the 100 best of the new millennium) movies. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode and featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the sci-fi action film includes an ensemble cast that includes Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rapaport, Michael Rooker, Sarah Wynter and Robert Duvall. The plot revolves around a family man, who was cloned in a vast conspiracy involving a dubious billionaire, prompting a desperate struggle to clear his name and protect his loved ones.
You can also stream Conan the Barbarian on Tubi and The 6th Day on Pluto TV, with both being available for free.