Flash Gordon
U.K. - Italy / 1980
Directed by Mike Hodges
Starring
Sam J. Jones
Melody Anderson
Max Von Sydow
Color / 111 Minutes / PG
Format: DVD (R1 - NTSC)
Image Entertainment
Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan.
Hold your mouse pointer over an image for a pop-up caption
Ming with daughter Aura.
Flash to the rescue.
"Bring me... the Bore Worms."
Melody Anderson as Dale.
Assault on War Rocket Ajax.
Flash Gordon
Action-packed
 
Movie Rating  
7
  DVD Rating   3  
10 = Highest
Rating
 
Guest Review by Lucas Micromatis
BUM-BUM-BUM-BUM FLASH! AH-AHHHHHH!
    Alex Raymond's influential science-fiction comic-strip hero, previously visualized on film through a definitive trilogy of Universal serials, a mediocre 1950s TV series, and a late 1970s animated series from Filmmation, burst back on to the screen in the wake of Star Wars, thanks to producer Dino De Laurentiis. (George Lucas had apparently been interested in adapting Flash for the silver screen, but the rights fell through. Hence, Star Wars was born.) Spurned by most Flash purists, this 1980 adaptation nonetheless has built a cult following, thanks to outlandish costumes and sets, intentionally campy scripting courtesy of Lorenzo Semple Jr., known for his work on the Adam West Batman series and that unforgettable rock score by Queen.
    With the Earth under attack by forces from the planet Mongo, daffy doc Hans Zarkov (Topol) hijacks New York Jets quarterback "Flash" Gordon (Sam J. Jones) and Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) aboard a self-built space capsule to counterattack (wishful thinking, with only Zarkov's handgun on board) the invaders. Once on Mongo, Flash tries to unite the warring Prince Barin of Arborea (a dashing, Robin Hood-esque Timothy Dalton) and Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen (boisterous, scene-stealing Brain Blessed) to fight against the evil Emperor, Ming the Merciless (Max Von Sydow). After a series of serial-style adventures, spanning Mongo to Arborea to the floating palace of the Hawkmen, Flash and company race against time to prevent both the destruction of Earth and Dale's enforced marriage to the diabolical despot.
    Surprisingly, perhaps as a counterbalance to the film's garish pageantry, our heroes are flat. Jones certainly looks the part of Flash, but is far too limited to inspire two warring races to form an alliance. Anderson makes for a cute Dale but leaves little impression, and Topol just doesn't convince as Zarkov. The real meat can be found in the supporting cast, however. Von Sydow is wonderful as a sadistic, sexed-up Ming, oozing evil from every pore; Blessed's thunderous Vultan threatens to decimate every scene he's in, along with his fellow performers; Ornella Muti is a WOW in tight, revealing costumes as Ming's seductive daughter Aura (even in today's skin-tastic climate, she still gets our pulse racing); and Peter (Burn, Witch, Burn) Wyngarde, his deep British voice suggesting a decadent evil, impresses as Ming's right-hand man, the golden-masked Klytus.
    Some of the sets and costumes are marvelous; others are in danger of collapsing under their heavily imposed camp value. A fine line between decent and lousy effects is walked the Hawkmen's flying scenes are well-conceived and nicely evoke the original comic panels (which are used to good, nostalgic effect in the opening credit sequence), while some of the model work is just plain laughable. And then there's Queen. At times inappropriate, Queen's score nevertheless punctuates the material surprisingly well. Yes, I sing along with the theme, so sue me. I also happen to like Tangerine Dream's Legend score. While undeniably a mixed bag, Flash Gordon is nonetheless a highly entertaining campfest for the undiscerning sci-fi/fantasy fan.

The DVD, leased out to Image by Universal, is strictly no-frills. No trailer, featurette, Queen music videos, bios, nada. The print is okay for the most part, though there is some noticeable grain in spots and some speckling towards the beginning of the film. At least it's in widescreen (albeit non-anamorphic), allowing the viewer to finally experience the sheer breadth of the considerable eye candy on display.
    We are in dire need of a special edition! 8/13/01
UPDATE The Image disc reviewed here went OOP in 2001. In August 2007 Universal is releasing Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition, which boats a new anamorphic transfer, 5.1 Surround audio and bonus features.
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