Flash Gordon Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
He'll save every one of us!
Pathetic Earthlings... Who Can Save You Now?
Flash Gordon is an American football player who along with Dale Arden are returning to New York City after a long vacation, until the plane they are passengers on crashes into the laboratory of Russian scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov. Both Flash and Dale become unwilling passengers on-board Zarkov's rocket-ship as Zarkov sets a course for the planet Mongo. Arriving on Mongo, Flash and his companions find the planet is under the ruler-ship of the evil Emperor Ming the Merciless and Ming is attacking Earth with natural disasters as he bids to destroy Earth. Realising that Earth and the human race is in mortal danger, Flash decides to unite the kingdoms of Mongo and combine the forces of rivals Prince Baron and Prince Vultan to rescue Dale, who is to become Ming's wife and defeat Ming and save Earth from annihilation.
| Sam J. Jones | Flash Gordon |
| Melody Anderson | Dale Arden |
| Max von Sydow | The Emperor Ming, Ming's Floating Servant |
| Topol | Dr. Hans Zarkov |
| Ornella Muti | Princess Aura |
| Timothy Dalton | Prince Barin |
| Brian Blessed | Prince Vultan |
| Peter Wyngarde | Klytus |
| Mariangela Melato | Kala |
| John Osborne | Arborian Priest |
| Richard O'Brien | Fico |
| John Hallam | Luro |
| Philip Stone | Zogi, the High Priest |
| Suzanne Danielle | Serving Girl |
| Mike Hodges |
6.20 out of 10 (11705 votes)
Visitor Reviews
The greatest B movie ever!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Flash Gordon is an incredible film, the finest B movie ever made. A pounding soundtrack from Queen drives you through unique alien landscapes and the co-stars of this film deliver stunning performances (Max von Sydow, Topo, Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti and Brian Blessed). The only reason why this is a B movie instead of celebrated as much as Star Wars is s weak showing from Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson. Nevertheless Flash Gordon is even more fun to watch today than it was 20 years ago when it was released.
Good fun...OK I was only 15 when I saw it when it was released
posted on 30 Aug 2009Fantastic fun....obviously a tad tongue-in cheek! Plot more thin than the hair on my head....acting a trifle wooden at times....but WHO CARES ?! Ornella Muti seemed perfect as the purring minx...she can manipulate and 2-time me anyday ! Max Von Sydow actually IS Emperor Ming in real life !!! Queen doing the soundtrack made this unforgettable.....87 out of 10. CLASSIC
Aaaahhh!! (* giggle *)
posted on 30 Aug 2009The 1980 remake of "Flash Gordon" is another one of those polarizing movies: you either absolutely love it or absolutely hate it. You either enjoy it as a campy romp, or despise it as a horrible insult to a classic hero.Me, I'm in the first group. I love this movie more every time I see it.
It's loud, it's gaudy, it's campy, and it's exquisite. Because of this movie, and its theme song, every time I hear the word "flash," I want to sing "Aaaahhh!" (and I know I'm not the only one...)Does it compare with the 1936 original? Well... yes and no. It's an apples and oranges argument -- I love the color and outrageousness of the 1980 version, but I also love the quaintness and charm of the 1936 original. For the record, Buster Crabbe is a better Flash than Sam J. Jones, but Sam does a decent job in this movie (the rest of his career is a different story).
You don't have to choose between them, as far as I'm concerned.Anyhoo. "Flash Gordon" is an epic, exciting space opera, with a heavy emphasis on "opera" (thanks to the soundtrack from Queen). If you love outrageous, overblown camp, you'll love this. If you're a purist, best to leave this one alone.
It all works in this case
posted on 30 Aug 2009Some people aren't too fond of this version; it failed at the box office and many fans hate the camp, which, for me, works in this case. Unlike the Christopher Reeves SUPERMAN and others, the camp makes fun of the heroes, and not the villains (some of us like to take our villains seriously, and do not like them to made to look silly, thank you very much). The filmmakers were obviously aware of, and aimed to incorporate, everything attached to Flash Gordon---from Raymond's comic strip, to the old Universal serials, to the semi-pornographic parody "Flesh Gordon," to even the post-STAR WARS mythology that audiences in the eighties would expect. Surprisingly, for such a diverse melange, it actually works. Unlike the other space movies of the time, this film emphasized sets and costumes rather than visual effects, and as a result its overall look dates less than many spaceoperas of the late seventies/early eighties. For those who dismiss it--and there are many--be aware that there are also many of us who love it and have re-watched more than you. It's deligtfully rewatchable and nowadays is an indisputable example of what is termed a cult film.
Can it really be more tacky or is it second degree ?
posted on 30 Aug 2009Cake like metropolis, tacky hero, flashy colours and low quality special effects... What a SH..show ! and why did Max von Sidow and Ornella Mutti did put their name behind that ?Please watch this movie in a second degree state of mind... it might therefore come out as shiny as vinyl, as sweet as English jelly, as camp as a row of tents....
Not since "Barbarella!" Not since "King Kong!" Not since...
posted on 30 Aug 2009How to come up with the perfect metaphor for Dino DeLaurentis' remake of FLASH GORDON? Here: fix yourself a piece of french toast. Crispy, golden brown, maybe a little on the bland side, but perfectly good all by itself. Now let's add some melted butter. Okay, that's a little better. Now add some maple syrup. Pretty good, huh? Now add some powdered sugar. Now spoon on some honey. Now ladle on some strawberries. Now add some peanut butter. Now dump some chocolate syrup on it. Now--- WAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!Get the picture? The first mistake Dino made was trying to make this all things to all people, which it ain't. Either going the serious route OR strictly camp would've made it a much better film than it actually turned out to be, but by trying to go in two different directions at once, the end result was the most schizoid kind of film imaginable, where they threw everything at the screen to see what would stick, and ended up with mostly a runny mess instead.Another colossal blunder? The production design may have originally been conceived by the excellent Ferdinando Scarfiotti (CAT PEOPLE), but whatever his influence was is now completely drowned by the wacked-out visions of Danilo Donati, who is still stuck in the same time warp back when he designed BARBARELLA for Dino as well.As for the performances? Max Von Sydow, Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngarde, John Hallam and Topol seemed to be the only ones to "get" that this wasn't Shakespeare, and had as much fun with Lorenzo Semple Jr.'s WAAAY-overdone material as Mike Hodges allowed them to. Sam Jones and Melody Anderson were BLONDELY, blissfully oblivious to what was going on around them, and the international contingent of Ornella Muti and Mariangela Melato were naturally, purely camp just for being there! On the other hand, poor Timothy Dalton tries to put on a game face yet again in a situation that finds him playing the straight man in inherently gay or at least uber-camp surroundings.Ultimately, the score by Queen gets the mood just right even when the visuals don't, and Howard Blake's underscoring echoes the serial sensibility. Now with a better, surer-handed script and more charismatic leads, this could've transcended its legacy as a paragon of cinematic ineptitude and become one of the better comic strip knockoffs, ala BATMAN (the Tim Burton version.)As a time capsule of what one could expect from the debauched and decadent '80's, it's still a hoot worth watching at least once.
Dahhhhhhhvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee!
posted on 30 Aug 2009An utterly silly and extremely camp classic from 1980, fondly remembered now for its strikingly garish set designs, excellent, OTT score by Queen, and Brian Blessed, who invests every word he speaks with enough gusto to knock over an elephant. It has a peculiarly European sensibility to it as well - like 'The Fifth Element' it looks gorgeous, is camper than a room full of Pet Shop Boys, has a frivolous sense of fun, and (importantly for 47% of the population) is packed with semi-naked women, many of which are encased in oh-so-tight spandex, which must chafe terribly.It's very, very rum, and an excellent way of whiling away a bank holiday afternoon.The excellent, eclectic cast stands out as well - where else can you find Peter Duncan, Timothy Dalton, Peter Wyngarde, Richard O'Brien, Max Von Sydow *and* Brian Blessed, all wearing a variety of fetish-wear?On the downside, it all seems very slight, the action sequences are over too quickly, and with all the above packed into an hour-and-a-half it's all too similar to the extended cameo-fest of 'Dune'. Sam Jones (who was dubbed) is competent enough as Flash, although he's no Harrison Ford.Not many films are as light on their feet as this one, and it's a rare treasure.
One of the most imaginative films committed to celluloid
posted on 30 Aug 2009A truly visionary achievement. By all involved in this fastasy/sci-fi adventure. Great acting performances. Colourful set design. skilful direction. Topped of by a wonderful rock soundtrack by queen.Yet all the time giving the impression of a film that does not take itself seriously. It's camp entertainment at it's best and the film knows it.Pure entertainment in the tradition of star wars.A must see!
When will this legend get "A" grade treatment?
posted on 30 Aug 2009I like the idea of a FLASH GORDON project with a QUEEN soundtrack, however, this film was too campy for it's own good. I'd just once like to see this or BUCK ROGERS, get the treatment they deserve and not done as camp schlock. This movie does not suspend the disbelief at all but has some neat ideas in it. Think of what this movie could have been like if they'd played it straight, and had better production values!! Alas, Universal went for the quick buck and did it crappy. However, this isn't a bad film...just keep in mind it was done in a OVER THE TOP fashion on purpose and you'll be ok.
Pure Heaven...
posted on 30 Aug 2009After seeing Flash Gordon at the theater in 1980 I was back again within a week to see it once more. There began my 20 year love affair with this movie.I'm not sure if it's the sets, the style, the music, or Sam Jones' wonderfully firm rear end that makes this movie so great. Probably a mix of all of these but don't knock the movie until you have tried it.It's pure escapism... A movie that is solely for entertainment for you to enjoy - SO GO AND ENJOY IT - OK ?
The best written 'B' movie ever. A true 80's flick.
posted on 30 Aug 2009With a sick love of B movies and low budget horror flicks. I have to say that Flash Gordon takes the cake for the best written & acted 'B' movie of all time. Flash Gordon finds a happy middle ground between the ultra-cheesy movie and the box-office smash.And you can't help but get reminded of the 80's when you watch this movie either. The set designs, the costumes (even though they are 'futuristic') and even the special effects just scream EIGHTIES! This movie truly ushered the change from the exagurrated 70's to the wild and extravagant 80's back in 1980.Although you might not enjoy this movie, I would certainly recommend seeing it, it is sure to bring back a couple good memories or flash-backs to where you were in the early 80's.
The King of the Impossible!
posted on 30 Aug 2009What can I say about this wonderfully cheesy flick that hasn't been said before? It's pure over-the-top camp written by the writer of the campy Batman 60's series (big surprise). Alex Raymond (Flash's creator) would have been proud... can't wait until the NEW Flash movie in the Summer of 2001. :)
THIS IS WHAT I CALL MOVIE MAGIC!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Go, Flash, Go......Pathetic Earthings, hurling your bodies out into the void......Look, water is leaking from her eye's! Yes, these lines are corny and cheesy, but they are also a part of one of the GREATEST FILMS EVER MADE. While this movie may NEVER win an award, it will hold a special place in my heart FOREVER! This movie has ALL the comic-book hero elements that every young boy dreams about. This movie was VERY IMPORTANT to me as a child, and after watching it on video as an adult, IT STILL IS! This is what I call MOVIE MAGIC! Any critic can look at this film and find MANY reasons to laugh, but to me and many others, THIS IS WHAT MOVIES ARE SUPPOSE TO BE!
Sweet Nostalgia
posted on 30 Aug 20091980 brought us a few memorable movies, such as "Superman II" and "Caddyshack", but 1980 should be remembered for the sprawling epic, "Flash Gordon". The vision was astounding, the soundtrack by Queen phenomenal. Sure, Hollywood was still riding the crest of the wave started by "Star Wars", but so what? I think this film would have run into some difficulty getting made if George Lucas had not already opened the door.I used to watch reruns of the Flash Gordon 1936 serials, and I think that this rendition of one of America's original heros was a great tribute. Maybe this film didn't have a heavy social message to convey to the audience, but in 1980 we didn't need another moral message. We wanted/needed a movie that didn't make us think. We wanted escapism. Something to take us away for an hour and a half, or so. And "Flash Gordon" succeeded admirably. Besides, it's a DeLaurentis production. What's not to like?
One memory of a great picture
posted on 30 Aug 2009Just a few words about an old picture: It's one of the most important memories of my life. I remember this picture like a mark of my childhood, like a signal of my fantasy, of my imagination. I believe that everyone who seen this picture remember the music, the hawk-men, the girls, the city on the sky, the Flash Gordon-attack, and many more. We don´t must to forget this picture never.
The flick that made Sam Jones famous
posted on 30 Aug 2009Welcome to the awesome yet campy world of Flash Gordon, a big-time quarterback who beats up aliens and gets the girl. Sounds like a film Howie Long would probably take up! Anyway, "Flash Gordon" is played by the equally-buffed Sam Jones, who was an unknown before this flick was shown. He totally eats up his role in a fancy way. Melody Anderson plays Flash's love interest, while Max Von Sydow has a field day as the evil Mongo, who looks like something out of an episode of the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers!". This Sci-fi movie has all the trimmings of a typical galactic space adventure: laser guns, flying saucers, aliens (How Spielbergian!). And I'm very surprised to say that I liked this film. Even though his other films aren't that great, Sam Jones is exceptional in this one.
What went wrong?
posted on 30 Aug 2009After all these years it still amazes me how big a blunder this film is. The Buster Crabbe serials of the 30's were classics compared to this bust. Why did they camp it up? Why did the filmmakers forget that one of the pleasures of the serial was the cheap sets and effects? It's a big mistake trying to make this film funny but then spending millions in special effects that looked cheap but weren't meant to. Why not make it look cheap in a campy style? Have fun with it. Either do it one way or the other.The biggest problem with the film is the casting of the two leads. Sam J Jones and Melody Anderson as Flash and Dale Arden are both just awful. With all the money spent couldn't they have gotten two leads who could act? The only two performances worth noting are Topol as Dr. Zarkoff and Max Von Sydow, inspired casting, as Ming the Mercilles. Even the score by Queen is overdone. This film is a mess.
What is this thing you call "camp", Earthling?
posted on 30 Aug 2009I don't know what "camp" is. Nor do I approve of it, whatever it is. I expect it's another bit of postmoderne waffle-jargon designed to let one with-it film studies graduate know when he's met another with-it film studies graduate. So what follows is based on my guesses - pure guesses - as to what the word might mean."Flash Gordon" is gaudily colourful. The skies on Mongo in particular are worth seeing, swirling reds and yellows and oranges and whatever other colours they could wring out of the old chemistry set. Costumes are done in the superior comic book style. Have we hit "camp" yet? To me it just looks like consistent art direction - something we could do with more of.The acting could be described as hammy - is THIS camp? Who knows, but it's a moot point, since the acting isn't really hammy. The characters, rather, are all remarkably, supremely, perfectly, simple. Flash has only one thought in his head at a time. (If that.) Ming wants to rule the universe. Princess Aura undergoes some development, but her psychology is never complicated at any stage of it. The cast bring this simplicity to life rather than employ the kind of ambiguous understatement that suggests Byzantine mental states. When Dale Arden delivers the wonderful line, "That's what makes us better than you," she is just stating a simple truth about the relative moral character of Terrans and Mongans - she might just as well have said, "Our sky is bluer than yours." This is GOOD acting. At any rate, it's acting that effectively conveys character, and we ought to see more of it.Is the Queen soundtrack camp? Here we touch on musical questions I am not qualified to talk about. Those who have the sensory apparatus of a platypus and can detect the slightest quiver in the current of popular music - I certainly can't - will be able to pass critical judgement on Queen. All I know is that the music seems to fit, somehow. Make of this what you will.It all boils down to this: if "camp" is a feature of presentation rather than content, then "Flash Gordon" is no more camp than any other movie. It takes the world in which it is set seriously. The world is a ludicrous one, of course - but it is also, in its way, a beautiful world, and I'm damned if I'll sit still and allow it to be called "camp". I still don't know what the word means but I sense an insult."Flash Gordon" isn't perfect, of course. The world of Mongo is all very well, but Flash Gordon has to be somehow transported there from Earth, and the terrestrial scenes just don't work - and furthermore, the sour aftertaste they leave lingers for some way into the film. Even if this is set aside "Flash Gordon" can't be considered the prince of space operas. Mongo isn't THAT exciting a place. But it's a decent setting for a decent and, in its own way, sincere movie.
Go Flash Go! Go Flash Go!
posted on 30 Aug 2009Another movie that is soo good and yet soooo bad at the same time. The effects and cinematography are wonderful and terrible within seconds of each other. In one frame, the Bird Men have awesome wings.. the next, they are clearly cardboard...Cardboard!!! Overall though this movie is a lot of fun.
The people who wrote the script must have been laughing their asses of when they wrote some gems like in the fateful jail scene prior to the execution.
Or how about 'that's just one of the things that makes us earthlings better than you...' (Dale Arden to Ardala) Ming the Merciless was of course wonderful... Does anyone else wonder what purpose was served by cranking Zharkov up to level 6 or whatever? 'Gordon's alive?'what a film...
I don't get the joke...sue me.
posted on 30 Aug 2009I'm sorry, but I just don't get the joke behind the popularity of this film. I can concede that camp has its rightful place in cinema history. I know all about Ed Wood and Plan 9 and Roger Corman, ad infinitum. But this is a movie that is so splashy and gaudy and wooden that I couldn't believe I had let my friends talk me into seeing it. Were the filmmakers really trying to make this a serious movie? With a soundtrack by Queen??? Are you kidding me? And the visual effects...I've seen better FX in "The Absent-Minded Professor." Every time I saw Topol get excited I wanted him to break into song. ("Why is Ming trying to conquer the earth? I don't know...but it's TRADITION!")I should rightfully say that I do enjoy some camp. "Dune" is my favorite bad movie of all time, and it is truly awful. But "Flash Gordon" makes "Dune" look like "The Empire Strikes Back."