Flash Gordon Review

Flash Gordon

Release Date: 16th April 1981 - Australia

Production Companies

Starling Films (made by)

Dino De Laurentiis Company (Uncredited)

Famous Films (copyright)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: PG

Runtime: 114 minutes

Budget: $20,000,000

Box Office Gross: $27,115,571 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)

Plot Summary 

When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, threatening destruction of the Earth, Dr. Hans Zarkov makes a desperate rocket flight with two unwilling passengers - Flash Gordon, a quarterback for the NY Jets and lovely Dale Arden. Their destination is planet Mongo, the source of the strange energy waves. Ruling over Mongo with primeval brutality is Ming the Merciless, who must be destroyed. Only one person can do it. He is Flash Gordon..

Cast

Sam J. Jones - Flash Gordon

Melody Anderson - Dale Arden

Max von Sydow - The Emperor Ming

Topol - Dr. Hans Zarkov

Ornella Muti - Princess Aura

Timothy Dalton - Prince Barin

Brian Blessed - Prince Vultan 

Peter Wyngarde - Klytus

Mariangela Melato - Kala

Richard O’Brien - Fico

John Hallam - Luro

Philip Stone - Zogi, the High Priest

Suzanne Danielle - Serving Girl

William Hootkins - Munson

Bobbie Brown - Hedonia

Ted Carroll - Biro

Adrienne Kronenberg - Vultan’s Daughter

Stanley Lebor - Mongo Doctor
John Morton - Airline Pilot 
Burnell Tucket - Airline Co-Pilot

Robbie Coltrane - Man at Airfield

Oliver MacGreevy - Klytus Observer No. 1

John Hollis - Klytus Observer No. 2

Leon Greene - Colonel of Battle Control Room

George Harris - Prince of Ardentia

Deep Roy - Princess Aura’s Pet

Crew

Director - Mike Hodges

Based on Characters - Alex Raymond

Adaptation - Michael Allin

Screenplay - Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Executive Producer - Bernard Williams

Producer - Dino De Laurentiis 

Production, Set and Costume Designer -
Danoli Donati
Supervising Art Director - John Graysmark

Director of Photography - Gilbert Taylor

Co-ordinator of Action and Movement -
William Hobbs

Special Effects Supervisor - George Gibbs
Special Effects Consultant - Glen Robinson

Supervisor: Special Photographic Effects -
Frank Van Der Veer
Special Effects: Models and Skies - Richard Conway

Film Editor - Malcolm Cooke

Original Score - Howard Blake

Music - Queen

Review

For those of you modern science-fiction fans who were probably too young to remember 'FLASH GORDON' when it was a newspaper comic strip in the mid 1930s, this 1980 version is the one you best recall. It went on to spawn a series of famous movie serials as well as two television shows. George Lucas was a huge fan of the serials and comics that he had envisioned his own take of the titular character. Unfortunately, much of that was changed when Italian film producer Dino De Laurentiis beat him to the rights for the characters. Ironically, Lucas ended up making his own science-fiction franchise of 'Star Wars' by taking some of his inspirations. In the wake of its success, 'FLASH GORDON' didn’t get made until 1980 and flopped overseas (except in U.K. where the film was shot). However, the film was reinforced into cult status after its initial release and since then, many people have warmed up to the campy tone and silliness.

While some parts of the movie haven’t aged well, the writing contributions by Lorenzo Semple Jr. do owe a lot to the humour and the cheesiness. I felt it wasn't the biggest science-fiction movie of all time, but still, stands out for its comic value, remarkable set design and lavish costumes. The cast were genuinely terrific and too good for their respective roles, particularly Max Von Sydow who was impressive as Ming the Merciless. While everyone is following the pantomime, over-the-top direction, he really seemed to be the only actor who relishes his sinister side. The standout feature was the amazing music provided by Queen whom were probably the first rock band to compose a movie soundtrack.

'FLASH GORDON' is worth seeing after all these years, even though it's nearly impossible to find the movie when you may stumble across it on DVD, Blu-ray and YouTube. While the whole movie is far from being a flop, I'd still recommend you watch 'FLASH GORDON' for its fun factor without taking it too seriously.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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