Flash Gordon (1980)

Director: Mike Hodges

Starring: Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Timothy Dalton, Ornella Muti, Brian Blessed

More info: IMDB

Tagline: He'll save every one of us!

Plot: In this update of the 1930's comic strip, Flash is a football hero who is skyjacked aboard Dr. Zarkov's rocketship along with beautiful Dale Arden. The threesome are drawn into the influence of the planet Mongo, controlled by Ming the Merciless. Ming has been testing the Earth with unnatural disasters, and deeming it a threat to his rule, he plans to destroy it. He also intends to take Dale as his concubine. Flash must avoid the amorous attentions of Ming's daughter and unite the warring kingdoms of Mongo to rescue Dale and save our world.

My rating: 8/10

Will I watch it again? Yes! Ahhhhhh!

"Get your toothbrush!"

Jeebus this movie's fun. They took their influences from the comic strip and the serials of the 1930s and brought it to life on the big screen, keeping the spirit of all that's come before intact. The cast is spot on, everyone's having a blast, the music is fun, the sets are huge and outrageous, the action scenes are silly, over the top and highly entertaining. It's the epitome of a popcorn movie. They're clearly in on the joke so the camp factor plays heavily in its favor. It's not too unlike an earlier film of Dino De Laurentiis, BARBARELLA (1968) except that FLASH is a hell of a lot more fun and re-watchable.


Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan is a laugh riot. Everything he does is a stitch. What that man can do with his eyes and mouthful of teeth is amazing. Jones is great as Flash, Dale's cheerleader bit ("Go, Flash, Go!) is hilarious as is her somersault/fight scene. Sydow is perfect as Ming and on and on and on.

"Chub nub"

A bunch of us watched it outside on the big screen last night on a double bill with FLESH GORDON (1974) and it was great fun. We discovered a great drinking game while watching FLASH. Every time someone says his name, sing right after it, "Ah-ahhhhh" and take a drink. It won't take long before you're tanked and laughing your ass off. It's not necessary but it makes for great audience participation.