Flash Gordon The Movie

In 1980 Dino De Laurentis produced the Flash Gordon feature film in 1980. This big budget spectacular was heavily influenced the classic cliffhanger serials both in style and the cheap nature of its special effects. Though that second element may not have been entirely deliberate.

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Flash Gordon (1980)

Director: Mike Hodges
Starring: Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Melody Anderson (Dale Arden), Max Von Sydow (Ming the Merciless), Ornella Muti (Princess Aura)
115 Minutes

The dialogue is wooden, much of the acting atrocious and the special effects are really cheesy. Yet strangely the movie is extremely enjoyable to watch. The film features an soundtrack by Queen which fits the atmosphere perfectly. Perhaps what makes it so entertaining is that its a parody of itself while at the same time parodying the orginal serials, but played completely straight by the actors.

And speaking of the actors there are some fine performances in there. Max Von Sydow does his best to mimic Charles Middleton's classic Ming. Brian Blessed overacts entirely suitably as Prince Vultan. Peter Wyngarde is a wonderfully evil Klytus and Ornella Muti is a lush Princess Aura. Unfortunately the weakest performance is by Sam J Jones as Flash. He doesn't hold a candle to Buster Crabbe.

The look of the film is very much like that of the earlier serials, although in colour. And the colour is not used sparingly. Everything is over the top. There's also a strain of kinkiness througout, with the strange bondage devices and Ornella Muti as Princess Aura positively oozing sex.

Some people absolutely loathe this film, personally I love it. You've got to approach it with the right attitude though. If you take things seriously you're going to hate it. Flash Gordon is just plain fun. It's campy as hell and in the case of Sam J. Jones terribly acted, but its a wonderful celebration of a pulp hero.

1) Flash Gordon, A History
2) Flash Gordon - The Comic Strip
3) Flash Gordon Movie Serials
4) Flash Gordon The Movie
5) Flash Gordon - The Future