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Information Exchange => Reader Comments => Topic started by: Andrew on June 19, 2000, 10:27:16 AM



Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Andrew on June 19, 2000, 10:27:16 AM
Earth is under attack by the evil ruler of the planet Mongo. Our only hope, besides the Queen theme song, is Flash Gordon.

Flash!  Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Click here to go to the Review (http://www.badmovies.org/movies/flashgordon/)


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Stefan Robak on June 19, 2000, 11:05:04 AM
Being a fan of comics, I have to point this out: Klytus looks like Dr. Doom (#1 comic book villain).  If he talks in the 3rd person and complains about that "accursed Richards" then I'll know he's a rip off.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Scaarge on June 19, 2000, 11:27:36 AM
This is a dumb, fun movie.  It's also got to be the most COLORFUL thing ever made, it makes the Kingdom of Oz look shabby and drab.  Glad this one got 4 slimes, it deserves it.  Also of note:  Richard O'Brien (Rocky Horror) is in there as Barin's best friend.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Paul Westbrook on June 20, 2000, 09:49:19 AM
As far as science fiction film are concerned, this was at least watchable. Still, I would much prefer to see the Buster Crabbe Flash Gordon serials of the 30s. Max Von Sydow does make a cunningly, evil Ming doesn't he?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Squishy on June 19, 2000, 12:37:18 PM
Sam J. Jones' utter inability to act was finally and undeniably exposed at this point, but he was still allowed to sully another great hero (in the unreleased TV pilot of "The Spirit") before fading completely out of the picture...

Klytus is actually my favorite character, with his (relatively) calm demeanor and restrained performance. Even with his entire head encased in gold-plated plastic, one can taste the withering sneer every time he says "Pathetic..."


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Chris on June 19, 2000, 10:27:16 AM
It's about time this got a review! A truly excellent example of a 'so bad it's good' movie, what with the lowest of the low-budget special effects, and to compensate, an excellent score by Queen (plus Brian Blessed with wings!).  Undiluted enjoyment. Surely this is what movies are all about?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: wezeldog on June 24, 2000, 03:59:17 PM
Ah...Flash Gordon. I need to revisit this one. I'm glad that the superior residents of Mongo have a place for tight-fitting spandex. Also, if I am not mistaken, Flash escapes certain death 7 times in a ten minute span. The pinball machine was outstanding, however.

Didn't Dino intend on making this as a serious film and was pretty upset when the screening audiences were howling with laughter?

The End ? (boing!)...heheh....


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Lord Levrion on August 09, 2000, 01:47:34 AM
Prince Vultan was in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves!
He was Robin Hood's father, at the beginning of the movie when the Sheriff of Nottingham was about to take over his castle, Prince Vultan was the one who got caught in a trap and killed, Robin's father!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Chris on August 15, 2000, 03:44:53 PM
Lord Levrion: I'm aware that Brian Blessed also featured in Star Wars the Phantom Menace as a fish diety. Also, if you want to hear more of that laugh, watch the first Blackadder series...(eighties uk comedy)


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Canadaphile on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I remember seeing this in the theater when I was thirteen and after Flash said "Flash Gordon, quarterback, New York Jets," some guy yelled out "JETS SUCK!"  Only in New York!  



Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: doctor paul on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Flash is like Jesus Christ Superstar in that it is one of the best three movies ever made.  (The other one being 'Hair').  Everything else is just pap.  Flash!  So much colour and sex.  Totally brilliant.  

I am not a sad movie buff: this is the ONLY film in the world where I know nearly all the words.  Death to Ming!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Thomas Hulstrøm on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I think i was 12 or 13 years old when i saw this... i didnt see it as a B-movie. I really thought it was great at very exciting. Would like to see it today... maybe i'd change my mind. I remember it as being very intense and colorful.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Georgiann on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Love the sheer chutzpah and campiness of this movie.  The  great music by Queen, the satin & spandex costumes, the bordello-like decor of Ming's castle, the plummy scene chewing of Topol, Brian Blessed and Max Von Sydow, the amazingly clunky special effects, and yes, even the  incredible wooden acting of Sam Jones all have their charm. Very loud, very colorful, and a lot of fun.  


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Joey on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Why people say this is a "bad" movie is totally beyond me! It isn't BAD... it's GOOD. In fact, the effects and the movie itself are far less "dated" in appearance than STAR WARS.

Doesn't anyone "get" that this is total "camp" and not meant to be taken seriously? The screenwriter is the same guy who worked on the old Adam West Batman series.... doesn't anyone GET it?

This movie has a fantastic soundtrack. It has some of the most incredible set designs and costumes ever to grace an SF movie.

The dialogue, the acting... it's all SUPPOSED to be the way it is. If you "got" the old Batman tv series, then take the same approach to watching this. Same writer... same approach to comic book heroes. I would not want it any other way! I cannot imagine a more perfect flash gordon movie.

I was a fan in 1980 and I will ALWAYS be a fan of this VERY enjoyable film. I would would watch it ANY day over Star Wars (a film that has not aged well).

-Joey


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Nova on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I agree with Joey, this movie was intentionally made in a "Camp" style, I saw it in 1980 in the the theatres when it was released and loved it, mind you I was 12 but still! It looks great, all those colors, plus it is very comic bookish in appearance which works well here. The acting is not good but acting is relative, I think for these one dimentional characters the bad acting here is just right. I don't really think this is a bad movie, it's enjoyable, much better than Spawn for example which had great effects. The effects for Flash work well because they look kind of fake just like the original Flash series from the 30's/40's. However I dissagree with the comment that StarWars has not aged well; sure, it looks dated but it's a better movie than Flash any day!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: General Veers on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
"Star Wars" has not aged well? Yeah, that's a good one! Aside from the lame script, bad acting and HORRIBLE effects, other than that, "Flash Gordon" is just fine....
 Although something tells me it's never getting any Oscar noms, several re-releases, two successful sequels and three prequels.
 Trashing one beloved classic in the defense of this campy heap is stupid so don't go any further.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Dano on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I notice a lot of comparisons with Star Wars here.  Does anyone know what these two movies have in common?  Check out Zarkoff's assistant...  That's Porkins!  You know, the morbidly obese X-wing fighter pilot who dies bravely in the Battle of Yavin at the end of Star Wars?  I saw Flash when I was 10 or 11 in the theater and walked out of there thinking to myself: "That was the most realistic movie I have ever seen in my entire life."  Viewing it now shows me just how dumb 10 or 11 year olds are.  Still, I'll watch this movie any time it comes on.  Being a Jet fan, I also know the obvious comparisons between Flash - the golden-boy fictional QB of the Jets - and Richard Todd - the golden-boy REAL QB of the Jets... Let's just say I would rather have had Flash.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: mr.noname on April 10, 2001, 12:45:28 PM
FLASH!AH-AH!SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE!Had one of those catchy soundtracks like Ghostbusters and Transformers.It had many well known actors (Who the hell is Sam Jones?Ive only seen him in this film and was his voiced dubbed?)The special effects were silly but movies arent about effects.Overall I think it was a fun movie.If you see it on Channel 5 tape it!(Channel 5 home of the cheesiest movies!)


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Brad Wilkinson on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This film was on TV in the UK yesterday so it's very fresh in my mind and I'm with those who think it's hugely enjoyable. It was obviously meant to cash on on the huge interest in Sci Fi post Star Wars but it's far better than stuff like Battlestar Galactica and the Black Hole which also tried to do the same.

It's a wonderful film for cameo spotting; in one scene alone you get a future James Bond, the creator of the Rocky Horror Show, a British children's TV presenter, and the playwright who wrote look back in Anger and played the villain in the original Get Carter. Klytus is played by Peter Wyngarde who was Jason King in the cult British TV series Department S (and its spin off). Brian Blessed is one of the World 's Great Overactors (although he can do subtle occasionally) and as well as the appearances noted above provided one of the voices for one of the aliens in the Phantom Menace. Reportedly back in the 70s George Lucas actually wanted to make a Flash Gordon movie but couldn't get the rights so decided to make up his own story.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: ChrisB on April 19, 2001, 04:50:14 AM
Despite appearances this is actually a big-budget effort. A lot of work went into some of the set designs, costumes and the action is relatively well-staged. The music is outstanding and helps to carry the film, which rarely slows its pace for a moment.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Josie on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
The first thing I want to say about this movie is that you have to see it to believe it... but that's not quite true.  I just saw the damn thing, and I <i>still</i> don't believe it.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Joan Stout on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
Brilliant film - the highlight of which was Peter Wyngarde as Klytus.

If you want to know more about this legendary actor, he has an Official Website at: www.hermes58.freeserve.co.uk


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: lostmissy on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
ohmygod so much budget, so little movie..give Mr Corman this
much money and we could have had 10 bad movies that would be better then this tripe. "camp" means an intent to overact (see rocky horror) not bad actors saying bad dialogue in a dead serious way(oh flash!) The only redeeming feature of this movie is that when you rewind the tape, it clearly states "paul is dead" . Or something to that affect, I was face down in the carpet and comatose by that time.  


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Gareth on June 24, 2002, 02:53:53 AM
Brian Blessed. A prince among men.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Val on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Flash Gordon was the first movie I ever saw with a date...Maybe that's not something to be proud of, but I was the chick who exists somewhere in EVERY school who likes sword and sorcery and bad movies.  Flash filled the bill!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: THe Congo Kid on August 17, 2003, 08:43:38 PM
I just saw this movie on WB for what has to be the 15th time.  I still laugh my ass off every time I hear the theme song by Queen.  Freddy Mercury probably wanted to shoot himself in the head after he made that one.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Peter Cooper on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
You missed the main quote:

FLASH!! FLASH I LOVE YOU, BUT WE'VE ONLY GOT 14 HOURS TO SAVE THE EARTH!!!

This makes the film!

Peter


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Elphie on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
My boyfriend loves this movie, so i watched it for his sake...all   I can say is OH GOD. Sections of this movie are so campy and goofy that they're great, others are interminable. it looks like they filmed what I saw when I was on nitrous oxide having my wisdom teeth out becasue it's
trippy and full of pain. I liked Dr.Zarkov's speech about recting Beatles lyrics to escape the memory drain and the theme song the best(Freddie Mercury 4 ever!) The hawkmen's flying sucks, and Dale's outfits make her look like a drag queen. the ending is....Jeez, it's not even an ending!

and what its "Hot Hail", exactly?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: RedFlare on January 07, 2002, 11:34:12 PM
An incredibly sexy movie for one that was rated PG!   Sam Jones is incredibly hot as Flash.  His nearly naked body hanging in the dungeon scene still gets me going!  


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Orion on January 08, 2002, 05:17:36 PM
It was a schlocky movie, but you got to admit the pinball game they made as a tie-in was pretty decent.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Neville on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
How I loved this one as a kid! I fell in love inmediately with the Evil Princess (who wouldn't! well, only Flash) and everything else rocked! That music, the ugly design production (looks like Dino deLaurentis had this new-rich problem: all his movies have this ugly-yes-but-so-esxpensive look) and the all-star cast... what a pity we all grow old.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: General Reaper on October 21, 2002, 02:29:14 PM
Got the DVD the other week. Best £9.99 I spent! At first when I was younger I wasnt to keen on watching the film but after hearing the soundtrack(Queen) I knew I had to see it. And I did! And I Loved it! The soundtrack, the action sequences (football fight) andthe dialogue (Gordons Alive?!) I may also point out that Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan) comes from my home town! A true yorkshireman! If you never seen this film see it as soon as it comes on tv! You wont be disapointed!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Swamprat on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Live action cartoon! I remember Siskel and Ebert's review of it...one of them explained that the guy who made it was told to "Cash In" on the Star Wars bandwagon that was rolling full force at the time, but they only gave him a fraction of the money needed to compete with the then state-of-the-art effects and techniques used by George Lucas. So the guy did what he could...a state of the art parody of the sci-fi craze shot in a blaze of over the top camp and good humor. It's a great little movie! Like the Wizard Of OZ, a total fantasy in bright color and fantastic charactures. I hate Wizard Of OZ, but I loved this little gem when it came out and I still enjoy it. Think of it as the original serial if they would've had a lot of 1930s money to spend on the filming. This is what Flash Gorden would have been like. One of the worst short comings in American film making is our tendecy to throw money at the story. Plot holes? Throw special effects($) in there! Character problems? Get a real star($)! Weak story? Get that guy($) who remade the Titanic boat picture last year!...American movie makers rarely ever put much real effort or faith in real story telling or construction. This was a small, but complete story. And there was no way to afford the Hollywood A-picture treatment for it. The guy who made it shot for pure parody and hit the bullseye. It went over a lot of people's heads...the general American movie fan doesn't recognize classical structures applied to film. Our movies are usually funny or they ain't. Pure parody or good satire is totally lost on the bulk of mainstream American ticket buyers...that's why so few films made within such classical structures are ever seen. Flash Gordon is a minor one...but never the less a fine example a good film maker making a fine parody of a good old fashioned type story. I'd buy a copy of this one, it's a fun film, and it's a fine example of "Doing your best with what you have."


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Jo on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I have to agree, this is the most fantastic "so bad it's good" movie ever made... in the history of the universe. I'm currently educating my slightly skeptical though willing to learn friend about its merits, though I am getting some rather strange looks and sarcastic comments. At least she's willing to learn!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: paul on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Flash Gordan is undeniably the best sci-fi film ever produced. The costumes, characters, and variety of worlds created are amazing! This movie is one big piece of eye-candy that deserves 5 slimes, I mean, 5 stars. Queen rocks the house in this flick like you fly blind on a rocket cycle. Its all about united clans that overthrow a tyrant who travels in falic spaceships. His daughter is smokin' hot I might add! If you have not seen Flash Gordan, buy it on DVD because you will anyway. hallucinagins optional.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Richard on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I love this movie, and anything else from the Delaurentis family. I was inspired enough to go out and buy the single (7 inch vinyl) of the Flash theme, backed by that energetic crowd pleaser, 'Football Fight'. Never did get around to buying the album though, which I regret.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: david on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Awwwww, this one is almost too good to be in the bad
pile. It's not quite Repo Man in status, but I argue for
an upgrade to five drips.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: AlphaWoolf on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
"Pathetic earthlings!  Who can save you now?!"

Ah, "Flash Gordon"!  The second pillar in my "Films other people hate, but I love, made in 1980" (see "Xanadu" for the other).  This was my birthday movie at the tender year of 14.  Unlike "Xanadu", I make no excuses for my love of this gem today.  It was great then, it is great now.

If you can buy the opening sequence where Ming toys with the Earth via a machine with "Tornado" and "Earthquake" buttons, you're set for the rest of the film.  If you think that's stupid, well, I pity you because you'll be wasting your time watching the rest of the movie.  Fall on your sword.

Simply put, this version of FG is awesome.  The art design and execution in this movie is second-to-none.  A variety of strong actors bring depth to other-wise two-dimensional characters, in particular Max Von Sydow as Ming.  Ming is *such* a bad@ass in this movie, not the stiff old Fu Manchu character from the original serials.  The bad guys in this movie *really* enjoy being bad guys.  Kudos to Brian Blessed (the part was *made* for him!) and the never-comfortable-looking Timothy Dalton, too.  The pace keeps you reeling from one death-defying situation to the next.  The optical effects are flawed by some blue-screen ghosting, but I forgive them because they work for the story.  Better these than some crappy CGI effects.  Oh, and the score by Queen.  Wow.  It completely fits the over-the-top energy of this film.  Dig the evil guitar version of the wedding march music (dig the vows too)!  That "football" sequence will really get you going, but my favorite melding of action, visuals, and sound is the Hawkmen's assault on Skycruiser Ajax.  Detonate the mine!  Great stuff!

Hats off to that crazy DeLaurentis family, because a movie like this could never have been done by Hollywood.  Sure, Sam Jones could've been better.  Yeah, the Hawkmen are wearing plastic wings.  So what?  "Flash Gordon" is one my favorite films, ever.  Period.  Fall on your sword.

The End?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: IIxVADERxII on March 27, 2004, 12:59:17 AM
I must have seen this movie 15-20 times as a kid. I used to watch it in our basement/den and just kick it by myself when I was bored. I guess I really liked this movie and still do. I mean come on, the part where he stuck his hand in that blob thing and all the 50 bagillion other things that happen in the story line. Flying swordsman (hawk-people) lasers, aircraft (weird ones). WORMS!!!!!!!!! No! NOT THE WORMMMMMSSS! Oh, oh, the flying jet skies, hot hail. OF coarse Ming the Merciless. One of my older brothers actually bought me the old record LP soundtrack for the movie too. I have a Virtual Fx 3D Converter and I think I am going to buy the DVD so I can watch it in 3D. You can get Virtual Fx 2D 3D Kits here: www.BuyPcMods.com


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Some old dude on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
Yes, this flick was so ridiculous it was great! Your review made me laugh so hard I had tears in my eyes! Honestly, the effort they put in to mimick the look of the old serials and comics gave it just the right appearance for the corny dialogue and action. The music by Queen was wonderful. I missed this when it was first released (I guess it was buried by The Empire Strikes Back that year), but I'm glad I saw it recently. Thanks for the website!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: tessai on January 30, 2003, 04:09:33 PM
FLASH!!!! aooooa saviour of the universe damdamdadamdam something. Hehehe i just have a sort of love/hate relatioship with that flick because its so corny and on the same time so cool . Just pure 50s science fiction gallore


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Easye on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
This is just a great, stupid movie. It had the lamest special effects, worst acting and yet you still love watching it. I have to go out and get the DVD. I saw this for the first time like 15 years ago and I still think the evil princess is the hottest babe I've ever seen.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Robert on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
Excellent soundtrack...actually has sound bites laced throughout so you can sorta/kinda place where the music goes.  No need, really.  Love the music anyway.

Cheesy? perhaps.  Fun? Absolutely.

A great lazy weekend afternoon movie.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: David on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
Excellent soundtrack, excellent plot, (mostly) good acting and a lot of fun. This is a classic movie that unfortunately has become a bit dated and unknown to younger audiences.
Has its cheesy and low-budget moments but all-in-all a truly great movie. 4/5


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Fionan on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I don't know if anyone else mentioned it but Baron's right hand man, the bald guy, was Richard Obrien.  Riff Raff from rocky Horror.

Fionan


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Tim on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I've seen this movie more times than I care to admit but I'm still puzzled by at least one thing.  Aura provides Dale with a vial of poison stating that Ming, "...always drinks a power potion before making love."  Am I the only one who finds it a bit odd that she would know about her father's bedroom habits?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Phil on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
 Loved this movie ever since I saw it in a theater with a pack of rabid SF nerds back in 1980. (I still remember the crowd cheering when Flash gets sucking into the quicksand)

 An amazing cast (except of course for Flash and Dale) really make this film a winner. I still consider it a crime against humanity that it never got an Oscar nod for set and costume design.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Hawkeye Pierce (again) on November 25, 2006, 04:09:03 PM
DAMN I LOVE THIS MOVIE
FLASH AHA SAVIOUR OF THE UNIVERSE


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: TOM SERVO on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Is'nt it sad that this movie has a better sense of fun than Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones combined? One of the best bad movies EVER!!  My favorite part is the end when all the hawkmen spell out "THANKS FLASH". That took a lot of flying skill on their part.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Hawkeye Pierce on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
MAN THIS MOVIE ROCKS
the first Bad Movie I saw and I hope not the last (dying to see Dracula vs Frankenstein)
I watched the movie because I'm a Queen fan and , well the music was good (so good i bought the album , FLASH AHA) and it was realy beareble. Prety cool movie exept for the ending. no big fight , no space battle , man I love this movie!!!


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: BoyScoutKevin on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
In the belief that everything that is made has to be remade, there is some talk in Hollywood of remaking "Flash Gordon" w/ Stephen Sommers as the director and Ashton Krutcher in the role of Flash Gordon. While it will not be hard to top Sam J. Jones (though, I don't think they could top Buster Crabbe) how are they going to top a cast that includees Melody Anderson, Max Von Sydow, Topol, Ornella Muti, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed, and Peter Wyngarde? And how are they ever going to top that wonderful film score by Queen?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: mike52t on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
So incredibly camp it requires tent pegs to hold it in place. Jones was perfectly awful, that is to say awful in a way perfect for this film. Just where DID they put the 'borer worms' anyway?


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: George on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
One of my all time favorite comic book movies since I was a kid! I remember watching Flash Gordon in the early 80's on HBO as young kid and I was so into this movie that I would watch it every time it was on! And I was so into Klytus that back then as a kid my mom bought me a cheap plastic shinny look a like Halloween mask and I would make believe I was him. And my other favorite characters were the Hawkmen,I just loved the way they attacked the space ship with the Queen soundtrack playing in the back ground awesome scene in the movie! I have to say Queen did an excellent job on the soundtrack which fits perfectly with the movie. Hell I even own the soundtrack! So this movie is right up their with Superman 1 & 2 and not to far behind is Swampthing hell even Howard The Duck as my favorite all time comic book movies! Finally I'm very happy to hear that a Special Edition DVD of Flash Gordon is in the making and set due out sometime later this year...


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Karim on January 06, 2005, 01:30:16 AM
When i was a boy, Flash was my idol, i saw that movie maybe 40 times, and now (as an adult) i can see some thing that are not good enough, (either way was one of my all time favorites)


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Stefano Pavone on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
This is one of my favourite films.

The most memorable lines for me are as follows:

VULTAN: "DIVE!"
MING: "Klytus, I'm BORED!"
BARIN: "Lying b***h!"
FLASH: "Forget it, Ming! Dale's with ME!"
KLYTUS: "Now - HE showed promise!"
ZARKOV: "It's no mistake - it's an ATTACK! I've been right all these years!"

I think that's enough.

"Flash Gordon" should get a gold medal for sci-fi films.
The only bad point is the film ends on a cliffhanger and the person who takes Ming's ring cannot be Klytus, as some suggest, as Klytus was spiked alive. No sequel was made.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: George on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
I saw this twice in December 1980 and, at the time, enjoyed it more than either of the "Star Wars" movies. I still really like this flick today, although, I now recognize the original "Star Wars" trilogy for the acheivement that it is. It's the 2nd best sci-fi/fantasy trilogy ever (the 1st being P. Jackson's "Lord Of The Rings"). Back to "Flash Gordon" (please forgive my digression), the SPFX are awesome in their cheesiness and the music score totally rocks! Sam J. Jones made a decent Flash and Max Von Sydow was the epitome of evil. Given that I was 13 at the time of its release, the amount of violence and (multicolored) gore in this PG rated flick was a real bonus! BTW, thank you for making me aware that this 80s gem is available on DVD.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Richard on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
One thing I learned from this movie: Bleach-blond men in briefs probably won't get laid.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Major giggles on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
All I can say is where was the sequel???

I own the original Buster Crabbe versions and I would of thought that a sequel or even a trilogy would of been made. On it's own it was a fantastic movie with a good cast and a great sound track.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: jmsynth on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Although it's (very) easy to just label as a bad film, this delivers everything this sort of film should deliver. Alot more fun than "Superman Returns" anyway.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Dee on November 25, 2006, 04:09:49 PM
I remember watching Flash Gordon on HBO at a neighbors when I was like 12-13. I fell in love with it & still enjoy seeing it to this day. Yes, it's cheesey & beyond B-rated, but the Queen soundtrack alone makes it a fun movie. I feel that there are some gaps in the film, but that goes without saying in many a Sci-Fi flick. It's one of those you either love or hate, but I will always have a place in my movie viewing to see it whenever I get a chance.


Title: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Ryan J. Kenner on November 25, 2006, 04:10:12 PM
Quite possibly the greatest movie ever made. How this one lost out to Ordinary People is beyond me.  I mean that movie was about  ordinary people Flash Gordon was about  ex-playgirl models/ex-marine (Sam J. Jones) saving the entire world from Ming The Merciless!  

Just the song "Flash, AHHHAAA!" Is alone worth the price of oscar glory.

Of course the Academy refuses to award movies that are stupid, although it never stopped them from awarding Gump.

As far as i'm concerned this was the oscar winner of the year!


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Justy on October 26, 2007, 08:45:03 PM
I loved this movie, clearly one of my favorites. The movie is total camp and was meant to be. The actors they got were great. Yeah, Sam Jones was a little wooden, but I don't see it as too distracting. Sidow as Ming was total gold, he nailed it. Same with the other actors, Blessed, Dalton, et al. they had a great crew. Aura was freaking hot. The sets were beautiful, I don't get the criticism, here. The only problem I did have was that it was too much like watching a play. You knew that they were just sets, you really did not see the majesty of Ming's Empire, just his palace. That could have been done better while keeping the camp feel. Finally, the freaking soundtrack is awesome. I used to have it on tape I wore that tape totally out. Awesome movie, yes it was "bad", but this should have been a five-star bad.


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Bitey on March 09, 2008, 05:05:44 AM
Max Von Sydow's portrayel of ming was the only redeeming factor of this film. the only other element that came close as the soundtrack.


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Brandi on March 10, 2008, 12:35:06 PM
Dredging up an old comment here...

Didn't Dino intend on making this as a serious film and was pretty upset when the screening audiences were howling with laughter?

De Laurentiis was lots of things, but I don't think he was stupid enough to expect that he'd get a serious film if he had the screenplay written by Lorenzo Semple Jr., who was a script consultant and screenwriter for the Adam West-era Batman series (and movie!).


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Megan on March 29, 2008, 06:31:40 PM
Just wanted ask if you've ever read Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Because if you haven't... well, do, and your comment about Queen making a deal with the devil will seem THAT. MUCH. FUNNIER.


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: David Radich on April 26, 2008, 03:47:15 AM
Perfect Casting for everyone, EXCEPT the Main Character!  Oh and Dale Arden too.  Don't know who would have been better, but those two just did not seem to fit at all.  Max Von Sydow as Ming.  GENIUS!  Brian Blessed as Valtan... Great.  Topol as Zarkov...Stupendous!  and Timothy Dalton was incredible as Prince Barron!  I Loved the scene where Zarkov and Barron are in Ming's dungeon chained to the wall and Barron simply says "Tell me more of this man...Hudini." 
And Don't get me started on Princess Aura.  Man this girl is turning me on! was my thought too.  Another puberty inducing moment in my youth.

Despite it's gaudiness, it sort of worked.  It would however been much better if the film was set in the 30s or 40s.  It would have just worked better.

Great tongue in cheek camp! 


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Giant Claw Jr on September 28, 2008, 10:16:03 PM
There used to be a saturday morning cartoon series FLASH GORDON just got it on DVD and MONGO has some serious wildlife HAWKS AS BIG AS AIRPLANES


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Thee Dr. on October 16, 2008, 08:58:52 AM
The soundtrack for this film was f**kin' sweeet!

'Flash!
Ahaaaaaaaaa
Savior of the Universe!!'

The Brian May guitar work was tight and you knew it was camp as soon as Freddy Mercury (R.I.P.) was involved-rememeber they did the 'Highlander' soundtrack too?  :thumbup:


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: zelmo73 on October 17, 2013, 01:32:47 AM
I was 7 years old and in the 1st grade (I started school late) in December 1980 when this movie came out. What a perfect age to be a young boy and introduced to Flash Gordon for the first time. As someone above me noted, there was also an excellent Flash Gordon cartoon series on Sunday mornings after the church shows on TV, but I never watched them until after I saw this movie. It was rather violent and gory for its PG rating at the time, and the overt sexuality and innuendo that throbbed throughout the movie was all but flashing boobies in our faces! My favorite part of the film even on my first viewing was Princess Aura strapped to a table in all of her sexiness screaming "NO! NOT THE BORE WORMS!" Yes, puberty had visited me early thanks to this movie!  :wink: :thumbup:

This film had an amazingly attractive color palette in its cinematography, which almost hid the fact that you were watching a gloriously bad movie. The soundtrack is legendary even to this day, and immortalized Queen forever in film as one of history's all-time greatest rock bands. Even the bad acting by the actors playing both the lead role and Dale Arden were forgiven by one of the most outstanding movie villain casts of all time. Truly the epitome of bad moviemaking; there should be a law that bad movies must follow this classic '80s cheesy formula!


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: FatFreddysCat on October 17, 2013, 07:58:28 AM
Oof, "Flash Gordon" ... haven't seen this one in dog years. Even as a kid, I always found it rather painful to watch. (The gaudiness! MY EYES! MY EYES!)

...however, I have actually been interested in re-visiting it ever since I saw Seth McFarlane's "Ted," in which the characters' mutual love of "Flash Gordon" is a major plot point and Sam Jones turns up playing a crazed parody of himself.


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: DeanM on October 20, 2013, 07:23:40 PM
I have Flash Gordon on Blu-ray Disc. Watching it on a 50" screen with that kind of resolution made me give up acid. Not because I had a bad trip, but because I realised that with such a picture to look at as I please, I no longer needed acid.

Some of the comments here worry me, though. No love for Brian Blessed? Sorry, I mean ¡¡¡¡¡BRIAN BLESSED!!!!!!.


Title: Re: Flash Gordon (1980)
Post by: Parralax view on May 16, 2016, 08:21:13 PM
I must say it is a colorful Film.  My favorite parts were the accents of Klytus and Ming.  Sneering, upper crust all the way. Max von Sydow has the best of the accents and most of the good lines in the movie.  The dismissing way he says "Fall on your Sword", I can only attribute to a upper crust ahole.  It was a movie of it's time, totally out of place and context today, but molded for the audiences of the time, satiated with star wars and others that came about.  Thoroughly enjoyable in an embarrassng way.