So...because George Lucas couldn't get the rights, we got Star Wars...because Kurt Russel passed on it, we got Escape From New York and Flash Gordon still ended up awesome!? That's a triple win right there. Oh AND Queen wrote the soundtrack...perfection.
I was eight years old the first time I saw Flash Gordon. It was the night it premiered on HBO. I was pumped! You see, two weeks earlier, my parents had taken me to a video store for the very first time and I cried when they refused to let me rent Flash. "It will be on HBO soon", I recall my mother saying! So I was more than ready to watch it on cable that night! I loved this film. Still do. It's a comic book come to life. The soundtrack was the first record I ever purchased.
Yes, I remember watching it on HBO too. Remember the intro theme music for HBO when it was about to premiere a movie? We also had our popcorn ready. Those were the days.😃
Same in the US. It was actually on random syndicated channels a decent amount in the 80s, which is how I think I first saw it. If you were the type of kid/teen who was into genre film and tv, you were a fan of this movie. You knew someone was cool if they were a fan.
@@MsTasha217 Me neither, thinking back I don't think it flopped in the UK, VHS recorders were starting to get more popular and my uncle part owned a rental shop and we got freebies so all my mates were often in my house watching movies. Flash Gordon was THE firm favorite of all followed by dawn of the dead and zombie flesh eaters :)
I had the privilege of meeting Sam Jones at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. He was a Super nice man. I also found out that he was a U.S. Marine. I did not know this. He was very kind and took a good bit of time to talk to me and everyone else that wanted to talk. Flash Gordon is a Great Film that I grew up watching. I enjoy it, still today. In fact, I just bought a VHS copy at a garage sale this summer. Fantastic!
I freaking LOVE this movie. I grew up watching it as a kid. I LOVE Queen, I love the costumes, the music, the atmosphere, everything. I own the soundtrack and the movie and watch it regularly.
This movie was so messed up in all the right ways. I still remember the cry of the Hawkman King; "Die!" or was it "Dive!" -- either way, appropriate for a very heavy set and hairy hawkman king who relished bloodshed. It figures it was created by the guy who created the Barbarella movie which I also think is a camp, twisted masterpiece.
The Dale Spider scene exists in "The Making of Flash Gordon" hour-long special that aired on ABC Television in the US around March 8, 1981, aired only once; though for some reason didn't make it on any home-releases. The Making-of TV special also showed how they made the cloud-effects by dropping colored oil into a fish-tank setup, and some costuming designs, and Hawkman City was filmed. She was shown dressed up in a sort of Arboria swamp-setting with a giant web and she was in the top-right with a green, pointy crown and extra makeup '80s style and green. I believe she had fake vampire teeth and bottom-left was Flash stuck in her web, squirming and shocked. He wakes up and shakes his head quickly to get the memory out of the nightmare he just had. Lion-Man was supposed to be Prince Thun as in the comics. Klytus was supposed to be a Ming clone-in-training, as there were several, apparently, according to the book. Peter recommended removing the white-costume scene when they capture Aura and prepare her for treason-interrogation. That one is a short, 1 minute scene. Some cuts exist. THere is an extended final-battle that was filmed with Ming on an island controlling monsters and the cave-entrance lined with Klytus-skulls (failed clone-Mings) but was unfinished and later scrapped.
Uber respect! Thanks for the additional info. Things like this enhance my love of an already fabulous movie and now I know what I'm doing this weekend ~ watching it for the zillionth time, but this time I have some new things to watch out for and appreciate. 👏 Bravo!
Also, if you want to hear a clip of Sam J Jones' original voice performance of Flash Gordon, watch the Siskel and Ebert review of FG. It plays a scene of Flash & Zarkov fighting in the rocketship with no music and Jones' original voice.
I ran a lemonade stand in front of my house most of the day to earn $1.00 to go watch _Flash Gordon_ that night where it was playing in the auditorium of the local high school. I loved it then and I still love it now. I am the happy owner of both the Blu-ray and the motion picture soundtrack. Legendary music, amazing cast, wild story, and such a unique look and set designs. So glad the fandom for this movie has continued to grow over the years. Great video!
Another thing. Back in the mid 70s, Alexandro Jodorowsky was pitching Dune to Hollywood and had produced a limited number of mindblowingly good presentation books with the storyboards and amazing production art by Moebious, Foss and Giger. Most of these books were never returned to the director, but were passed around Hollywood and plundered without shame or remorse. When De Laurentis got wind of the proposed project, he lobbied hard for studio execs to cancel the project. he wanted to film Dune himself (and eventually he did). He also no doubt looked over the concept art with ideas running through his mind... The Flash Gordon sets, costumes, certain sequences and the use of Pink Floyd (replaced ultimately with Queen) were all suspiciously familiar elements. They were "adapted" from Jodorowsky's Dune. The scene where Barin rips the visor from a controller and finds they were attached to his eye sockets? Dune. Look at all the costumes and even Ming's logo and compare to Moebius's designs? I can imagine de Laurentis walking around with a copy of Jodorowsky's book tucked under one arm at all times while producing Flash Gordon. Having said all that, i saw the movie many times and loved the multi-colored skies and art-deco spaceships. It also tickled me that princess aura called her pet lizard Fellini!
Three things: Regarding the idea of Ming and Aura being "intimate", during the scene when Ming is feeling up Dale with his magic ring, he asks Klytus "Have you ever seen such response?" to which Klytus replies "No, she even rivals your daughter". Second: If you WATCH the movie, you have everything in context; if you don't, there are some interesting sounds that sound like, um ... something else. When Dr. Zarkov is having his memory wiped all the way to his mother giving birth, the screams of labour sound more like his conception (if you take my meaning). The Initiation scene on Arboria where you just hear faster and faster thumping with multiple males hyperventilating sounds like ... well, you know. I think Bob Guccione Jr. had more of a hand in this movie than we're led to believe. Third: I ADORE THIS MOVIE!!! My 11 year old self saw it in the movies over and over again, had the record that I played over and over again, watched it on cable, bought the Video Cassette with Dale's escape put back in, bought the DVD, then the Blu-ray,... Put this movie on and I become a glowing 11 year old again. Hope you're doing well.
@TAPKAC LmAo @ "had more of a hand in making this movie". You weren't implying that because of all of the innuendo that perhaps his other hand was, um, er, uh, busy? LoL I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. However, those points are totally valid ~ especially if you really listen. 😮
@@tiffanypritts7767 Watching certain Behind the Scenes things in various "Special Features" along with just looking up the name with this movie, it is mentioned that Bob was consulted for .... something. I can almost swear his name was somewhere in the final credits of the Video Tape release. But given certain details seen and heard in this movie, .... Hmmmmm .....
FG _was_ a box office hit in much of Europe, notably Italy and UK. But since it proved to be a dud in the US film market the planned trilogy was unsurprisingly scrapped! Splendid video 📽👍
I first saw Flash Gordon one Saturday afternoon during a snow storm on a "local access " tv channels movie of the week in the late 90's. Although I missed the first 40ish minutes it just stuck with me. Nothing gets you blood pumping like the Theme song by Queen
Flash Gordon came out at the same time as Popeye with Robin Williams and saw them back to back. A great double feature! Flash Gordon had a ton of models of spaceships made, but the never used models showed up in Starlog Magazine. Example Dr Zarkov's failed inventions.
Back then, my mother worked for King Features Syndicate, which owned the comics for FG and Popeye. We used to get comics, toys and on opening day for both movies....had free tickets! My childhood was golden. Seems like yours was too!
The Woodsman that failed the trial is Peter Duncan. He went on to be one of the co-hosts of popular British TV show Blue Peter. (he wasn't blue in the slightest)
I remember seeing a number of of the old black and white Flash Gordon serials that aired on UK TV during the school summer holidays in the late 70's, early 80's. . Flash Gordon, Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe as well as the serialisation of Buck Rogers which also starred Buster Crabbe, (spelling of name checked on imdb). I still remember the humming sounds of the rocket ships and their slow circular descents to landing. (good times).
Good catch on the spelling of Buster's last name. I got to remember to check such things when I'm not sure. I first saw them in the 1960s. A TV personality hosted a local kids' show ran these and other serials through the years. Every Sunday we would tune in, to watch one chapter of Flash. Because the way they were broadcast, you got the same cliffhanger thrill as when they were initially broadcast in the theaters. I never questioned seeing the wires on the spaceships, or the fact the sound of the ships' motors was provided by an electric razor. We just sat back and enjoyed each one. I now have the three Flash Gordon serials, thanks to Turner Classic Movies, and watch them occasionally to relive my lost youth.@@MsOpportunity68
I saw the 1930's movie serial on TV in the 1950's as well as a lot of other movie serials like the Little Rascals and the Three Stooges. The stations had a lot of air time to fill and these did the job. When I was 7 or 8, the cheesy special effects looked just fine.
As a young teen in the early 80's I had a friend who had the soundtrack on vinyl. What was weird is that it included most (if not all) of the dialogue from the movie. I had never heard anything like that before. But yet again, another great job from Minty brining us interesting info on a classically cool film!
I really like the final film. Yes, some changes from the Buster Crabbe serial (which I love). Most of those, like Flash being a football rather than a polo star, were quite reasonable. Great final casting and Brian Blessed did an awesome job channeling the original actor! They kept just enough camp to keep the remake fun but not get silly to tedious. I rewatch the original serial more often but will occasionally toss in the remake for a color treat. Maybe it's the general craziness of movie making but for all the behind the scenes, a solid product came through!
Loved your opening comment about those that love Flash Gordon and those that are wrong.....grew up with this movie and still love the cheesiness of it. Keep up the great work that you do!
This movie is one of the greatest blocks of cheese of the modern era, it is so campy I just love it! I have watched this movie since the 80s and wish they had done a sequel. Unfortunately too much time has passed and a lot of the people involved with the film have died. It reminds me of the films Highlander. Where would you find another Freddie Mercury to sing? I love the energy and passion that Queen's music brought to the film.
While I would definitely think a sequel could work, done in the same style with lookalike actors...there are a surprising number of actors still alive: Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed, Ornella Muti. Max Von Sydow and Topol have notably passed, along with director Mike Hodges, producer Dino de Laurentiis and writer Lorenzo Semple Jr.
I bought this on bluray a few years ago because it was dirt cheap and I have to say, it is one of the BEST looking bluray transfers of all time. It looks like it was just filmed this year in full technicolor. Extremely colorful, which fits the campiness of the movie perfectly.
In the 80's I told my friend about this movie and how great I thought it was and highly recommended it. When he finally got to see it, he blasted me for liking "this piece of crap" as he put it. I really felt bad after he didn't like my recommendation. Fast forward a little to the 2,000's and this same friend was rushing out to buy Flash Gordon on DVD as soon as it came out. Not only that, but then he hid this fact from me, ashamed of how he had grown to love Flash Gordon over the years, and too embarrassed to admit I was right.
A long time classic . As a kid growing up Sci-fi and Star Wars it was a must see. My first exposure was the comic books and then the animated series . Then there was a story book. A bit later was the action figures. I seen the movie a couple of times and I loved it. In 1982 my stepfather gave me the cassette tape of the soundtrack . I used to play it while I was playing with my Flash Gordon action figures. Many great memories . Love Flash Gordon . Thanks Minty .
Just imagine what the Steven Spielberg Flash Gordon movie would’ve been like. Would it have been as popular as Star Wars? Would it have multiple sequels and prequels?
@@mrfrisky6501 that's exactly why I haven't seen it, lol. Time is going by way too fast and I have important things to do, and I'm almost 40... watching a goofy sci-fi movie all by myself isn't going to be a regret on my death bed, trust me! However; I'm glad you like it and I understand the appeal to it. And I guarantee it's infinitely better than anything that came out in the past 15 years.
@rogue-like4life choose your times, I've travelled to 32 countries, just this year alone,as I spend my life travelling and seeing the world - I watched this very film on a flight between Singapore and Vietnam- not wasted time - maximising my time son. Seems you have spent a lot of time watching this RUclips video the coming back to post comments on a film you say you haven't time to watch - seems like your not quite getting the balance right.
This movie has been a favorite of mine since it first played on television in the early to mid 80's. That was when certain movies were only shown once a year, and your family waited with near addiction-like anticipation for that one night in that year. My mom, my dad and I (and a bit later, my little brother) looked forward to movies such as "The Grinch that Stole Christmas", "The Ten Commandments", all of the Christmas staples (Rudolph, Frosty, etc), "The Wizard of Oz", John Carpenter's "The Fog" (the only movie that I'm still scared of to this day at 50 years old) and of course, FLASH AHH AHHHHH! LoL We would make sure none of us had plans for that night and that we had popcorn, snacks and drinks set to be ready only minutes before the opening scene started. It was a ritual that anyone who grew up with a VHS or DVD mentality will never know or appreciate. Now, along with streaming services, anything can be watched anytime instead of it being family time. While making it convenient, I believe that it killed family time too. It's so sad, but that's how the world is now. My mom loved Vultan with his quick wit, brash and bold ballsiness and "DIVEEEEEEE!" LoL My dad, who loved all things sci-fi and passed that love onto me, loved the action, fantasy and even the campiness. My parents fostered a love of 70's rock which featured heavily in Flash Gordon. I loved all of it, and as a young girl, I dreamed of growing up to look like Princess Aura in that outfit she's wearing when she's first introduced to the audience. I mean, WOW! I prayed I could pull that off someday. LmAo (Nope, didn't happen mainly because I didn't grow past 5 feet tall and even with a decent build and an ample gift of boobs, I would never look as good as she did). Even her accent was pure sexy ... "Look, water is leaking from her eyes," was a phrase not meant to sound beautifully seductive, but damn it if she didn't make it so. For days and days after watching it, my mom and I would walk around singing "Flash! AHHH AHHHHHH He'll save everyone of us"! I mean, the music added to the overall over-the-topness that IS this movie, but that's yet another reason I love it still so dang much. When your video said that they considered Pink Floyd first, I nearly choked. I love P.F., but I cannot in any universe imagine anyone being able to do this soundtrack justice other than Freddy and Queen. Pink Floyd were too laid back and mellow whereas Queen had that operatic lightning bolt energy that screams Flash Gordon. My Hubbee, who really didn't care for Flash because he's just not into campy stuff which is fine, couldn't believe how much I adore this movie as well as "Heavy Metal" and how I guarded my DVD when we moved. I was able to get a good laugh when it featured in the movie "Ted" and how they were so into it just like me. Then, South Park did kind of a tribute to "Heavy Metal" in the episode Major Boobage, and I felt vindicated by not 1 but 2 shows that appreciated these movies too. My Hubbee, who loved "Ted" and loves South Park right along with me, had no come backs nor did I say I told him so - but DAMN it felt good all the same. LmFaO What makes it even sweeter is that a whole new generation was introduced to both movies in a way that wasn't forced and made kids feel like it was cool to like "old, campy, cheesy, non CGI" stuff. That might actually be an interesting video idea ~ how filmmakers use the movies, TV shows, etc that they loved as youngsters and that influenced them in current media which not only enhances their movie or TV show, but also gives another generation a chance to appreciate things that they probably wouldn't have checked out on their own without that nudge in the right direction. Thank you for this fabulous video. So many things came together or were cut out or just not communicated in order for us to have ended up with the perfect version of "Flash Gordon". By the way, you're not alone in having thought it was Ming that picked up the ring at the end. I never even considered it to be anyone but Ming - although in hindsight, the laugh that plays over that part does sound more like Clytus now that I think about it even though my brain always automatically took it to be Ming's laugh. Oh, can I also add that I can in no way picture Flash as a polo player, sporting a Southern twang or portrayed by Kurt Russell (even though I love his acting) I mean, why not have Mingo played by Christopher Lloyd instead!! ("Great Scott I am Emperor Ming!") Or how about Olivia Newton John as Dale and John Travolta as Zarkov. OMG, I just threw up a little in my mouth. LmFaO I really want to check out that sex-crazed novelization because it sounds interesting, and also because, well let's face it, it's sex-crazed! LmFaO I mean, most of the costumes in Flash literally screamed S E X!! As I mentioned, I hoped and prayed that I'd grow up to have the looks and the body and even the accent of Princess Aura. Let's face it, at 68, Ornella Muti is STILL smoking hot. LoL I think I also loved that she got to make out with Barin. Don't get me wrong, Flash was sexy in his own right, but Barin was the man I would have faced that terrifying log creature just to kiss. Yeah, his accent didn't hurt either. I think certain accents add to a person or characters sex appeal as it did with Aura and Barin. I'm done rambling. I was just so thrilled to relive snippets of my childhood and to have learned new things about a movie that brought my family together through a mutual love of action, over-the-top campiness, sci-fi, superb music choices and all around fun. And if anyone challenges the fact that everything about the finished version is pure perfection, I would say, "Get me the bore worms!" Muah ha ha ha (you should be hearing Ming or Clytus laughing instead of me). Muah ha ha ha ha!
Great tribute Tiffany to our favorite campy movies from the 70's and 80s (Logan's Run was awesome too). Was 14 when this movie came out, so needless to say, right in my adolescent wheelhouse.
I don't care what anyone says. I loved that movie. As a Queen fan, it was required to go, of course, but shoot, this was 1981, post Star Wars. The costumes alone were worth the price of admission, let alone the immortal Max von Sydow as Ming. I have the DVD and still watch it happily. Don't care what anyone says. Oh, and the soundtrack is awesome, too. Just check out Dr. May's "Wedding March" and see if that isn't better than the original.
My favorite scene in the movie is when Dr. Zarkov is hooked up to the memory wiping machine, it's showing his memories, and you see him accidentally drowning his wife in the swimming pool. A wonderful bit of dark comedy that I somehow missed as a child. Honestly, I'm curious if this movie would be a cult classic if it didn't have Queen's wonderfully cheesy score. I kind of doubt it.
Hey, Minty! It would be awesome if you could do 10 things you didn't know about Akira, The Salton Sea, or The Serpent and the Rainbow. I'm JUST SAYIN, but also, thank you for your dedication to your art, Minty! ❤
B@@captainxit5573 "I want to hear you scream." I still have the occasional nightmare about that scene. To think that kind of thing has and continues to happen just makes it worse.
Salton sea, hmm maybe you like to party 😂 that movie has it all serious, funny, a love story, a revenge story and hits that lifestyle on the head. Right there with spun.
My friends and I loved this flick when we were little. We would even repeat the theme song for no reason like little kids do. One would yell out "FLASH!" and the other friend yelled out "AHHHH" lol
I was really disappointed with the front half of this video for not being about the version I haven't seen, and then the back half of the video came in super clutch out of nowhere. Good job on this one Minty, thank you. ❤️
I'm glad you made this video cause I totally enjoyed the 80s "FLASH GORDON" 🚀film here in the States. I still watch it when ever I can. I never knew about so many intricacies about this film. Thanks.
I saw this movie as a kid and loved it, and I love it now that I'm almost 50. I always considered it to be a colorful comic book come to life. Yes, it's a little cheesy, but it that's what makes it so much fun. And, c'mon, the Queen soundtrack is KILLER. I own the "Saviour of the Universe Edition" DVD.
My friend's dad was a huge sci-fi fan and bought the VHS of this the moment it came out in 1981. We then proceeded to wear it out with endless viewings. I love this film and still watch it a couple times a year.
Noooooooo! Anyone who even thinks of remaking Flash would have me saying, "Bring ... me ... the ... bore worms". Although, Wikipedia says that as of July 2021, a live remake is in the works. Ugh!
I LOVE this movie! I didn't think about looking for a novelization. Thanks for the idea! I need to find my disc. It is on Comet TV here in the states sometimes, but it is always a shorter edited version, which makes me a bit sad...it removes the whole scene with Flash & Ming talking alone together in the Hawkman city and a couple other shortened scenes. Sam Jones plays a bounty hunter in an episode of Stargate SG1 that I always try to watch when it's on. Love Pink Floyd, but couldn't imagine anyone but Queen doing the soundtrack. It is a perfect quirky movie!!!
I've always loved this movie! As you say, it's good, cheesy fun. And I think the costumes and sets are incredible. And that theme song! This was in constant rotation with me and my brothers at our house growing up in the 80's when in came out on cable.
It's funny that in the film itself, Blessed says that in a rather awed "whisper", yet in the years since, fans as well as Blessed himself quotes it with an authoritative "boom".
I was eight years old when Flash Gordon released in 1980, and I immediately became obsessed with it! I think my very religious and socially conservative parents allowed it because they remembered the old Flash Gordon from their childhoods. 1980 was pivotal for me because The Empire Strikes Back AND Flash Gordon released that year and both films inspired me to pursue a career as a filmmaker!
That poster that u think looks like He-Man is because Flash Gordon inspired the hair color for He-Man & George Lucas made Luke blonde too because of Flash Gordon. Both characters are blonde & we have to thank Flash Gordon for that! I was 6 years old when I saw this in theaters & loved every minute of it. This movie grabs your attention because the tone changes so much through out the movie which goes to a darker tone to a comical tone & as a viewer u don't know what to expect next! Which is what the TV show Dr. Who does too & it works! I love this style!
I was taken by school to see Flash at the cinema when it was released. I was 9 at the time. One of my overidding memories of my time at school. Still love the film and been a massive Queen fan for almost 40 years.
A few months ago our local Cinemaxx showed the movie and it was suuuuuch fun to watch it on a huge screen. The audience was having a blast all evening long. It was amazing! And can I just say: the costume design is absolutely breathtaking. It's excellent!
I was an adult and a mother when Flash Gordon came out. I loved its campiness. I have fond memories of watching the original Flash Gordon series made in the 1930s when I was a child. They were shown on Sunday mornings along with old classics like Popeye and Betty Boop.
Those original cartoons were great, the skill in those drawings. I loved the black and white flash that used to get shown on the bbc, the imagination in it was fantastic….just like the film many years later.
I saw this in the theater as a kid when it first came out I'm 52, it was awesome. I can still remember the entire night before during and after the movie.
Awesome story here! This movie certainly has a fantastic history and all of this extra information is quite fascinating. Truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I definitely love this movie the way it is but these alternative stories are quite fascinating and once again your deep dives into these topics are always fun to watch!
One of my favorite childhood films - saw it at the state Wayne theater in Wayne Michigan - theatre had a neon dragon on the wall - best movie experience ever
Look, I love your videos as a child of the 1970s and 1980s. That all ended for me as an emancipated minor in the military at 17, when life got weird, and I really enjoyed your video on Flash Gordon, right up until the end, when you defamed it by calling it a B movie. How dare you, sir! I saw that film in the summer of 1981 at age nine with a friend, and I must say that it was very much an A movie and my memories of that time, those times in general, and going to see that movie are all A star star. I also saw the movie Heavy Metal in the theater that same summer (yes, at 9, though my friend was 11), and undoubtedly almost everything about that movie would make the wokies head explode these days, as would so very much else from that time plus or minus a few years. Anyway...keep on keeping on. Your channel and narration is a treasure.
Fine job, thanks for researchingall this. It actually was fairly popular here in the states from its early years through the 90s, etc. Whenever I'd bring it up the person I was talking to would smile then sing the queen chorus "Flash! Ahhhhh ahhhh!"
So...because George Lucas couldn't get the rights, we got Star Wars...because Kurt Russel passed on it, we got Escape From New York and Flash Gordon still ended up awesome!? That's a triple win right there. Oh AND Queen wrote the soundtrack...perfection.
Kurt Russell was nearly Flash? Then his son Wyatt should be Flash if it's ever remade. Lord, make it happen.
Mr.russel, did a scene test to play han solo.
Awesome is not the word I would use.
@@toddgrogg8005That would have been wild. He certainly has the charisma for it. Would have been a sight to behold.
@@AHalevonEricThat could potentially be amazing!
How could anyone hate this movie? It's got Brian Blessed in it!
Indeed. They'd have to be unhappy that *_GORDON'S ALIVE._*
I can hear Brian through this comment lol.
VAROONIK!
DIVE!!!
SECOND WAVE!
I was eight years old the first time I saw Flash Gordon. It was the night it premiered on HBO. I was pumped! You see, two weeks earlier, my parents had taken me to a video store for the very first time and I cried when they refused to let me rent Flash. "It will be on HBO soon", I recall my mother saying! So I was more than ready to watch it on cable that night!
I loved this film. Still do. It's a comic book come to life. The soundtrack was the first record I ever purchased.
I'll do you one better. I saw this in the theater when I was a kid. What an experience!
Yes, I remember watching it on HBO too. Remember the intro theme music for HBO when it was about to premiere a movie? We also had our popcorn ready. Those were the days.😃
I saw it much later in life but man, that is one amazing first record to have! You'll remember that for the rest o f your life 😁
Same here I can still here the HBO tune in my head. This was in philadelphia
Battle Theme is excellent!👍
This movie was like flying blind on a rocket cycle 🚀. I love it to this day!
A "Hawkman" rocket cycle. I always wondered why they needed them since even old Byron Hawkman could fly.
The man who rid us of Klytus should not be deserted...
@@NanoBurger the rocket cycles were faster
It was too weird for adults in 1980 (UK) but was very popular with kids including me, those kids are now grown up and still love FLASH.
Same in the US. It was actually on random syndicated channels a decent amount in the 80s, which is how I think I first saw it. If you were the type of kid/teen who was into genre film and tv, you were a fan of this movie. You knew someone was cool if they were a fan.
I always loved it but my dad was a sci-fi fan and I don't even remember it being a flop lol
@@MsTasha217 Me neither, thinking back I don't think it flopped in the UK, VHS recorders were starting to get more popular and my uncle part owned a rental shop and we got freebies so all my mates were often in my house watching movies. Flash Gordon was THE firm favorite of all followed by dawn of the dead and zombie flesh eaters :)
Have you seen some of the shit from the 30s to the 80s. This wasn't too weird.
@@DouglasTaylor-ii4wx True, Forbidden Planet, Quatermass and the Pit and The Day the Earth Stood Still are my favorites from that era.
I had the privilege of meeting Sam Jones at San Diego Comic-Con 2023. He was a Super nice man. I also found out that he was a U.S. Marine. I did not know this. He was very kind and took a good bit of time to talk to me and everyone else that wanted to talk. Flash Gordon is a Great Film that I grew up watching. I enjoy it, still today. In fact, I just bought a VHS copy at a garage sale this summer. Fantastic!
I freaking LOVE this movie. I grew up watching it as a kid. I LOVE Queen, I love the costumes, the music, the atmosphere, everything. I own the soundtrack and the movie and watch it regularly.
God bless you.
This movie was so messed up in all the right ways. I still remember the cry of the Hawkman King; "Die!" or was it "Dive!" -- either way, appropriate for a very heavy set and hairy hawkman king who relished bloodshed. It figures it was created by the guy who created the Barbarella movie which I also think is a camp, twisted masterpiece.
QUEEN outdid themselves MAJORLY. The music hit the notes JUST RIGHT.
Klytus looked like Vader, See - Threepio, an IL - Cylon & maybe Victor Von Doom mixed together.
The Dale Spider scene exists in "The Making of Flash Gordon" hour-long special that aired on ABC Television in the US around March 8, 1981, aired only once; though for some reason didn't make it on any home-releases. The Making-of TV special also showed how they made the cloud-effects by dropping colored oil into a fish-tank setup, and some costuming designs, and Hawkman City was filmed. She was shown dressed up in a sort of Arboria swamp-setting with a giant web and she was in the top-right with a green, pointy crown and extra makeup '80s style and green. I believe she had fake vampire teeth and bottom-left was Flash stuck in her web, squirming and shocked. He wakes up and shakes his head quickly to get the memory out of the nightmare he just had.
Lion-Man was supposed to be Prince Thun as in the comics.
Klytus was supposed to be a Ming clone-in-training, as there were several, apparently, according to the book. Peter recommended removing the white-costume scene when they capture Aura and prepare her for treason-interrogation. That one is a short, 1 minute scene. Some cuts exist.
THere is an extended final-battle that was filmed with Ming on an island controlling monsters and the cave-entrance lined with Klytus-skulls (failed clone-Mings) but was unfinished and later scrapped.
Bro, you know your Flash Gordon, props to you. Not many people are fans on that level and I respect that. Game recognize game lol
Uber respect! Thanks for the additional info. Things like this enhance my love of an already fabulous movie and now I know what I'm doing this weekend ~ watching it for the zillionth time, but this time I have some new things to watch out for and appreciate. 👏 Bravo!
Answers the question of who picked up the ring at the end of the movie. It was a clone.
Thanks for the extra info!
Also, if you want to hear a clip of Sam J Jones' original voice performance of Flash Gordon, watch the Siskel and Ebert review of FG. It plays a scene of Flash & Zarkov fighting in the rocketship with no music and Jones' original voice.
I ran a lemonade stand in front of my house most of the day to earn $1.00 to go watch _Flash Gordon_ that night where it was playing in the auditorium of the local high school. I loved it then and I still love it now. I am the happy owner of both the Blu-ray and the motion picture soundtrack. Legendary music, amazing cast, wild story, and such a unique look and set designs. So glad the fandom for this movie has continued to grow over the years. Great video!
Another thing. Back in the mid 70s, Alexandro Jodorowsky was pitching Dune to Hollywood and had produced a limited number of mindblowingly good presentation books with the storyboards and amazing production art by Moebious, Foss and Giger.
Most of these books were never returned to the director, but were passed around Hollywood and plundered without shame or remorse.
When De Laurentis got wind of the proposed project, he lobbied hard for studio execs to cancel the project. he wanted to film Dune himself (and eventually he did). He also no doubt looked over the concept art with ideas running through his mind...
The Flash Gordon sets, costumes, certain sequences and the use of Pink Floyd (replaced ultimately with Queen) were all suspiciously familiar elements. They were "adapted" from Jodorowsky's Dune.
The scene where Barin rips the visor from a controller and finds they were attached to his eye sockets? Dune. Look at all the costumes and even Ming's logo and compare to Moebius's designs?
I can imagine de Laurentis walking around with a copy of Jodorowsky's book tucked under one arm at all times while producing Flash Gordon.
Having said all that, i saw the movie many times and loved the multi-colored skies and art-deco spaceships. It also tickled me that princess aura called her pet lizard Fellini!
LP
Three things:
Regarding the idea of Ming and Aura being "intimate", during the scene when Ming is feeling up Dale with his magic ring, he asks Klytus "Have you ever seen such response?" to which Klytus replies "No, she even rivals your daughter".
Second: If you WATCH the movie, you have everything in context; if you don't, there are some interesting sounds that sound like, um ... something else. When Dr. Zarkov is having his memory wiped all the way to his mother giving birth, the screams of labour sound more like his conception (if you take my meaning). The Initiation scene on Arboria where you just hear faster and faster thumping with multiple males hyperventilating sounds like ... well, you know.
I think Bob Guccione Jr. had more of a hand in this movie than we're led to believe.
Third: I ADORE THIS MOVIE!!!
My 11 year old self saw it in the movies over and over again, had the record that I played over and over again, watched it on cable, bought the Video Cassette with Dale's escape put back in, bought the DVD, then the Blu-ray,...
Put this movie on and I become a glowing 11 year old again.
Hope you're doing well.
Also, it was Aura who told Dale that her father took the potion before making love… 🤨
@TAPKAC LmAo @ "had more of a hand in making this movie". You weren't implying that because of all of the innuendo that perhaps his other hand was, um, er, uh, busy? LoL I'm sorry. I couldn't resist. However, those points are totally valid ~ especially if you really listen. 😮
@@tiffanypritts7767 Watching certain Behind the Scenes things in various "Special Features" along with just looking up the name with this movie, it is mentioned that Bob was consulted for .... something.
I can almost swear his name was somewhere in the final credits of the Video Tape release.
But given certain details seen and heard in this movie, .... Hmmmmm .....
Goddamn.......thank you, sir. I had never thought of any of that stuff....but reading it.....YUP.
It's a clandestinely perverted PG-rated movie marketed towards... -young people- _classic comic enthusiasts_
This movie made me a Brian Blessed fan. He was having SO much fun with the role!
I have just started reading Brian Blessed's autobiography.
I cant wait till i get to the Flash Gordon part of the book.
FG _was_ a box office hit in much of Europe, notably Italy and UK. But since it proved to be a dud in the US film market the planned trilogy was unsurprisingly scrapped!
Splendid video 📽👍
Actually, the reason they didn't make more is because Sam Jones and Dino DeLaurentis had a falling out over his salary.
@@Politano1955 Indeed, THAT too!
Was just thinking that. Went to the cinema to watch this and there was huge queues for this film
Freddie wearing that _Flash_ ⚡Tee is Iconic AF!! 👌
I first saw Flash Gordon one Saturday afternoon during a snow storm on a "local access " tv channels movie of the week in the late 90's. Although I missed the first 40ish minutes it just stuck with me.
Nothing gets you blood pumping like the Theme song by Queen
This film is a Christmas film for me as in Britain in the 80s it was shown around 11pm and took you into Christmas day.
Indeed. It received its TV premiere on BBC1 on Christmas Eve 1983. :)
I was very good at recognizing masterpieces as a kid growing up in the 90's. Flash Gordon was, and still is, simply EPIC piece of cinematography.
Flash Gordon came out at the same time as Popeye with Robin Williams and saw them back to back. A great double feature! Flash Gordon had a ton of models of spaceships made, but the never used models showed up in Starlog Magazine. Example Dr Zarkov's failed inventions.
Back then, my mother worked for King Features Syndicate, which owned the comics for FG and Popeye. We used to get comics, toys and on opening day for both movies....had free tickets! My childhood was golden. Seems like yours was too!
@BucketListBadass that is so cool. Now I'm jealous! Yes, it was a great time to be a kid.
The giggling cohorter!
Absolutely love this movie. As an adult I have a proper appreciation of Aura. She was stunning!
The Woodsman that failed the trial is Peter Duncan. He went on to be one of the co-hosts of popular British TV show Blue Peter. (he wasn't blue in the slightest)
Riff Raff (Rocky Horror) is a "Woodsman" too.
I was still watching when I posted that. Sorry.
Blue Peter did a bit explaining that Peter was in it and emphasising that he really wasn’t hurt by whatever was in the wooden stump.
When Peter left Blue Peter they actually gave him the creature out of the stump.
One of the best highlights of the movie for me was Timothy Dalton. Queen's soundtrack was awesome.
My favorite version of Flash Gordon is the 1936 serial starring Buster Crabb. Even though it's almost 90 years old, it holds an irresistible charm.
I remember seeing a number of of the old black and white Flash Gordon serials that aired on UK TV during the school summer holidays in the late 70's, early 80's. . Flash Gordon, Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars and Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe as well as the serialisation of Buck Rogers which also starred Buster Crabbe, (spelling of name checked on imdb). I still remember the humming sounds of the rocket ships and their slow circular descents to landing. (good times).
Good catch on the spelling of Buster's last name. I got to remember to check such things when I'm not sure. I first saw them in the 1960s. A TV personality hosted a local kids' show ran these and other serials through the years. Every Sunday we would tune in, to watch one chapter of Flash. Because the way they were broadcast, you got the same cliffhanger thrill as when they were initially broadcast in the theaters. I never questioned seeing the wires on the spaceships, or the fact the sound of the ships' motors was provided by an electric razor. We just sat back and enjoyed each one. I now have the three Flash Gordon serials, thanks to Turner Classic Movies, and watch them occasionally to relive my lost youth.@@MsOpportunity68
I saw the 1930's movie serial on TV in the 1950's as well as a lot of other movie serials like the Little Rascals and the Three Stooges. The stations had a lot of air time to fill and these did the job. When I was 7 or 8, the cheesy special effects looked just fine.
As a young teen in the early 80's I had a friend who had the soundtrack on vinyl. What was weird is that it included most (if not all) of the dialogue from the movie. I had never heard anything like that before.
But yet again, another great job from Minty brining us interesting info on a classically cool film!
When I saw it in the theater, back in the day, they played the soundtrack before the movie played, which included all those clips from the movie.
@@damonappel Oh man, that sounds super cool. You'd probably never see anyone do something like that for a movie release today.
I really like the final film. Yes, some changes from the Buster Crabbe serial (which I love). Most of those, like Flash being a football rather than a polo star, were quite reasonable. Great final casting and Brian Blessed did an awesome job channeling the original actor! They kept just enough camp to keep the remake fun but not get silly to tedious. I rewatch the original serial more often but will occasionally toss in the remake for a color treat. Maybe it's the general craziness of movie making but for all the behind the scenes, a solid product came through!
Very underrated movie in a wonderful decade of movies.
Loved your opening comment about those that love Flash Gordon and those that are wrong.....grew up with this movie and still love the cheesiness of it. Keep up the great work that you do!
me too! that was great!
@@MsTasha217any evidence to support such outlandish claims?
Here's a fun fact, Dino Delaurintes(sp) is the grandfather of Giada Delaurintes. She is a chef on the food network. Another great video, Minty.
De Laurentis
@@luiznogueira1579 thanks. I knew I was spelling it wrong. I was too lazy to Google. 🙊
@@luiznogueira1579
It’s Dino De Laurentiis. Two i’s at the end.
@@AntonXul You're right
Giada is a hottie.
Unfortunately her aunt, Raffaella, botched the movie Conan the Destroyer.
This movie is one of the greatest blocks of cheese of the modern era, it is so campy I just love it! I have watched this movie since the 80s and wish they had done a sequel. Unfortunately too much time has passed and a lot of the people involved with the film have died. It reminds me of the films Highlander. Where would you find another Freddie Mercury to sing? I love the energy and passion that Queen's music brought to the film.
While I would definitely think a sequel could work, done in the same style with lookalike actors...there are a surprising number of actors still alive: Sam Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed, Ornella Muti. Max Von Sydow and Topol have notably passed, along with director Mike Hodges, producer Dino de Laurentiis and writer Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Fun fact, this movie costed more to make than The Empire Strikes Back. Let that one sink in for a minute????
It's one of my all-time favourite movies. LONG LIVE FLASH!
I bought this on bluray a few years ago because it was dirt cheap and I have to say, it is one of the BEST looking bluray transfers of all time. It looks like it was just filmed this year in full technicolor. Extremely colorful, which fits the campiness of the movie perfectly.
The 4k is even better. Just watched it a few days ago.
@@damonappelyou one upped him. But why?
If Barbarella and Flash Gordon can be imagined to be in the same universe, I'm going to picture Zardoz there too!
"Klytus I'm bored, what play thing can you offer me today?"
i miss going to the local video store on friday and renting some movies and a playstaion game for the weekend.
Those were the days.
I remember when renting a VHS tape was literally $10.00 for ONE DAY, in the early 1980's when minimum wage was $3.35.
In the 80's I told my friend about this movie and how great I thought it was and highly recommended it. When he finally got to see it, he blasted me for liking "this piece of crap" as he put it. I really felt bad after he didn't like my recommendation. Fast forward a little to the 2,000's and this same friend was rushing out to buy Flash Gordon on DVD as soon as it came out. Not only that, but then he hid this fact from me, ashamed of how he had grown to love Flash Gordon over the years, and too embarrassed to admit I was right.
wow, he sounds like a true piece of sh/t
Met Sam Jones many times at celebrity shows. Truly one of the nicest and most genuine people you could meet.
Did you thank him for saving everyone of us?
A long time classic . As a kid growing up Sci-fi and Star Wars it was a must see. My first exposure was the comic books and then the animated series . Then there was a story book. A bit later was the action figures. I seen the movie a couple of times and I loved it. In 1982 my stepfather gave me the cassette tape of the soundtrack . I used to play it while I was playing with my Flash Gordon action figures. Many great memories . Love Flash Gordon . Thanks Minty .
I had the soundtrack, too! It had dialogue and was so fun to memorize.
Just imagine what the Steven Spielberg Flash Gordon movie would’ve been like.
Would it have been as popular as Star Wars? Would it have multiple sequels and prequels?
Spielberg making a Flash Gordon film,it would've been-GREAT !!! LOL. As popular as SW,don't know about that one. LOL. Multiple sequels ??? YES.
Great Movie.
Fun fact.. My friend's uncle was in this movie as one of the main characters
Which main character ?
This movie is perfect as is... Sam Jones is the only Flash Gordon... the entire cast is amazing... no sequel needed... I will always love it...💙
I love these deep dives! This has become one of my favorite movies in the past few years.
I've never seen the movie, read the comics, or even looked into the synopsis at any point in my life, but I loved this episode! Thx Minty
Never seen it! - come on man, you only live once
@@mrfrisky6501 that's exactly why I haven't seen it, lol. Time is going by way too fast and I have important things to do, and I'm almost 40... watching a goofy sci-fi movie all by myself isn't going to be a regret on my death bed, trust me!
However; I'm glad you like it and I understand the appeal to it. And I guarantee it's infinitely better than anything that came out in the past 15 years.
@rogue-like4life choose your times, I've travelled to 32 countries, just this year alone,as I spend my life travelling and seeing the world - I watched this very film on a flight between Singapore and Vietnam- not wasted time - maximising my time son.
Seems you have spent a lot of time watching this RUclips video the coming back to post comments on a film you say you haven't time to watch - seems like your not quite getting the balance right.
@@mrfrisky6501 I'm a dedicated Christian, my time is for the Lord, not for b movies
This movie has been a favorite of mine since it first played on television in the early to mid 80's. That was when certain movies were only shown once a year, and your family waited with near addiction-like anticipation for that one night in that year. My mom, my dad and I (and a bit later, my little brother) looked forward to movies such as "The Grinch that Stole Christmas", "The Ten Commandments", all of the Christmas staples (Rudolph, Frosty, etc), "The Wizard of Oz", John Carpenter's "The Fog" (the only movie that I'm still scared of to this day at 50 years old) and of course, FLASH AHH AHHHHH! LoL We would make sure none of us had plans for that night and that we had popcorn, snacks and drinks set to be ready only minutes before the opening scene started. It was a ritual that anyone who grew up with a VHS or DVD mentality will never know or appreciate. Now, along with streaming services, anything can be watched anytime instead of it being family time. While making it convenient, I believe that it killed family time too. It's so sad, but that's how the world is now.
My mom loved Vultan with his quick wit, brash and bold ballsiness and "DIVEEEEEEE!" LoL My dad, who loved all things sci-fi and passed that love onto me, loved the action, fantasy and even the campiness. My parents fostered a love of 70's rock which featured heavily in Flash Gordon. I loved all of it, and as a young girl, I dreamed of growing up to look like Princess Aura in that outfit she's wearing when she's first introduced to the audience. I mean, WOW! I prayed I could pull that off someday. LmAo (Nope, didn't happen mainly because I didn't grow past 5 feet tall and even with a decent build and an ample gift of boobs, I would never look as good as she did). Even her accent was pure sexy ... "Look, water is leaking from her eyes," was a phrase not meant to sound beautifully seductive, but damn it if she didn't make it so.
For days and days after watching it, my mom and I would walk around singing "Flash! AHHH AHHHHHH He'll save everyone of us"! I mean, the music added to the overall over-the-topness that IS this movie, but that's yet another reason I love it still so dang much. When your video said that they considered Pink Floyd first, I nearly choked. I love P.F., but I cannot in any universe imagine anyone being able to do this soundtrack justice other than Freddy and Queen. Pink Floyd were too laid back and mellow whereas Queen had that operatic lightning bolt energy that screams Flash Gordon.
My Hubbee, who really didn't care for Flash because he's just not into campy stuff which is fine, couldn't believe how much I adore this movie as well as "Heavy Metal" and how I guarded my DVD when we moved. I was able to get a good laugh when it featured in the movie "Ted" and how they were so into it just like me. Then, South Park did kind of a tribute to "Heavy Metal" in the episode Major Boobage, and I felt vindicated by not 1 but 2 shows that appreciated these movies too. My Hubbee, who loved "Ted" and loves South Park right along with me, had no come backs nor did I say I told him so - but DAMN it felt good all the same. LmFaO What makes it even sweeter is that a whole new generation was introduced to both movies in a way that wasn't forced and made kids feel like it was cool to like "old, campy, cheesy, non CGI" stuff.
That might actually be an interesting video idea ~ how filmmakers use the movies, TV shows, etc that they loved as youngsters and that influenced them in current media which not only enhances their movie or TV show, but also gives another generation a chance to appreciate things that they probably wouldn't have checked out on their own without that nudge in the right direction.
Thank you for this fabulous video. So many things came together or were cut out or just not communicated in order for us to have ended up with the perfect version of "Flash Gordon". By the way, you're not alone in having thought it was Ming that picked up the ring at the end. I never even considered it to be anyone but Ming - although in hindsight, the laugh that plays over that part does sound more like Clytus now that I think about it even though my brain always automatically took it to be Ming's laugh. Oh, can I also add that I can in no way picture Flash as a polo player, sporting a Southern twang or portrayed by Kurt Russell (even though I love his acting) I mean, why not have Mingo played by Christopher Lloyd instead!! ("Great Scott I am Emperor Ming!") Or how about Olivia Newton John as Dale and John Travolta as Zarkov. OMG, I just threw up a little in my mouth. LmFaO
I really want to check out that sex-crazed novelization because it sounds interesting, and also because, well let's face it, it's sex-crazed! LmFaO I mean, most of the costumes in Flash literally screamed S E X!! As I mentioned, I hoped and prayed that I'd grow up to have the looks and the body and even the accent of Princess Aura. Let's face it, at 68, Ornella Muti is STILL smoking hot. LoL I think I also loved that she got to make out with Barin. Don't get me wrong, Flash was sexy in his own right, but Barin was the man I would have faced that terrifying log creature just to kiss. Yeah, his accent didn't hurt either. I think certain accents add to a person or characters sex appeal as it did with Aura and Barin.
I'm done rambling. I was just so thrilled to relive snippets of my childhood and to have learned new things about a movie that brought my family together through a mutual love of action, over-the-top campiness, sci-fi, superb music choices and all around fun. And if anyone challenges the fact that everything about the finished version is pure perfection, I would say, "Get me the bore worms!" Muah ha ha ha (you should be hearing Ming or Clytus laughing instead of me). Muah ha ha ha ha!
Great tribute Tiffany to our favorite campy movies from the 70's and 80s (Logan's Run was awesome too). Was 14 when this movie came out, so needless to say, right in my adolescent wheelhouse.
I don't care what anyone says. I loved that movie. As a Queen fan, it was required to go, of course, but shoot, this was 1981, post Star Wars. The costumes alone were worth the price of admission, let alone the immortal Max von Sydow as Ming. I have the DVD and still watch it happily. Don't care what anyone says. Oh, and the soundtrack is awesome, too. Just check out Dr. May's "Wedding March" and see if that isn't better than the original.
Flash Gordon is so cultish because it has no sequels, one of those pearls like Buck Rogers, Star Crash, Supersonic Man, ...pure gold.
My favorite scene in the movie is when Dr. Zarkov is hooked up to the memory wiping machine, it's showing his memories, and you see him accidentally drowning his wife in the swimming pool. A wonderful bit of dark comedy that I somehow missed as a child.
Honestly, I'm curious if this movie would be a cult classic if it didn't have Queen's wonderfully cheesy score. I kind of doubt it.
Hey, Minty! It would be awesome if you could do 10 things you didn't know about Akira, The Salton Sea, or The Serpent and the Rainbow. I'm JUST SAYIN, but also, thank you for your dedication to your art, Minty! ❤
Love Serpent & The Rainbow!!
B@@captainxit5573 "I want to hear you scream." I still have the occasional nightmare about that scene. To think that kind of thing has and continues to happen just makes it worse.
Salton sea, hmm maybe you like to party 😂 that movie has it all serious, funny, a love story, a revenge story and hits that lifestyle on the head. Right there with spun.
"Strap in - things are about to get sticky!" I love it man, keep it up. Another great video and soundbyte to work into conversations...awkwardly.
My friends and I loved this flick when we were little. We would even repeat the theme song for no reason like little kids do. One would yell out "FLASH!" and the other friend yelled out "AHHHH" lol
I went to the theater and seen it. Loved Flash Gordon
I was 10 when I saw Flash Gordon. It was an epic experience. 💪
watching Aura is when i came out as heterosexual
@@zimriel Watching Aura being whipped made me realize that I'm a lesbian trapped in a man's body!
I was really disappointed with the front half of this video for not being about the version I haven't seen, and then the back half of the video came in super clutch out of nowhere. Good job on this one Minty, thank you. ❤️
I'm glad you made this video cause I totally enjoyed the 80s "FLASH GORDON" 🚀film here in the States. I still watch it when ever I can. I never knew about so many intricacies about this film. Thanks.
I saw this movie as a kid and loved it, and I love it now that I'm almost 50. I always considered it to be a colorful comic book come to life. Yes, it's a little cheesy, but it that's what makes it so much fun. And, c'mon, the Queen soundtrack is KILLER. I own the "Saviour of the Universe Edition" DVD.
Personally, I think that the two Queen movies: Flash Gordon and the original Highlander, were the greatest movies of the 1980s.
Remember seeing when it came out, loved it and still love it, thanks to your wonderful video, just ordered the blu-ray set
My friend's dad was a huge sci-fi fan and bought the VHS of this the moment it came out in 1981. We then proceeded to wear it out with endless viewings. I love this film and still watch it a couple times a year.
This was the coolest film when I was 7 and saw it in the theater. I remember watching over and over on HBO throughout the 80s
Loved this movie as a kid, thought we would see a serious remake by now
Noooooooo! Anyone who even thinks of remaking Flash would have me saying, "Bring ... me ... the ... bore worms". Although, Wikipedia says that as of July 2021, a live remake is in the works. Ugh!
You are aware of the (terrible) attempt by the SciFi channel to reboot Flash? It was a 1-season series in 2007.
No remake needed
I LOVE this movie! I didn't think about looking for a novelization. Thanks for the idea! I need to find my disc. It is on Comet TV here in the states sometimes, but it is always a shorter edited version, which makes me a bit sad...it removes the whole scene with Flash & Ming talking alone together in the Hawkman city and a couple other shortened scenes. Sam Jones plays a bounty hunter in an episode of Stargate SG1 that I always try to watch when it's on.
Love Pink Floyd, but couldn't imagine anyone but Queen doing the soundtrack.
It is a perfect quirky movie!!!
I've always loved this movie! As you say, it's good, cheesy fun. And I think the costumes and sets are incredible. And that theme song! This was in constant rotation with me and my brothers at our house growing up in the 80's when in came out on cable.
The soundtrack is awesome and the versions of the songs they played live were great performances.
"GORDON'S ALIVE?!"
Sam Jones is alive yes
It's funny that in the film itself, Blessed says that in a rather awed "whisper", yet in the years since, fans as well as Blessed himself quotes it with an authoritative "boom".
I was eight years old when Flash Gordon released in 1980, and I immediately became obsessed with it! I think my very religious and socially conservative parents allowed it because they remembered the old Flash Gordon from their childhoods. 1980 was pivotal for me because The Empire Strikes Back AND Flash Gordon released that year and both films inspired me to pursue a career as a filmmaker!
Love your piece on this! Such a trippy movie.
That poster that u think looks like He-Man is because Flash Gordon inspired the hair color for He-Man & George Lucas made Luke blonde too because of Flash Gordon. Both characters are blonde & we have to thank Flash Gordon for that! I was 6 years old when I saw this in theaters & loved every minute of it. This movie grabs your attention because the tone changes so much through out the movie which goes to a darker tone to a comical tone & as a viewer u don't know what to expect next! Which is what the TV show Dr. Who does too & it works! I love this style!
Born in 1972, and loved this movie. I would love to see a remake.
I was born in '74, and when I first saw this movie in the theaters, I was reminded that I was definitely a male upon seeing Princess Aura
Flash Gordon soundtrack is my number 1 pick of any Soundtrack for a film.
It's spot on in every way😊.
I was taken by school to see Flash at the cinema when it was released. I was 9 at the time. One of my overidding memories of my time at school. Still love the film and been a massive Queen fan for almost 40 years.
Seriously, I really gotta watch Flash Gordon someday!
Gordon's Alive. Who can resist Brian Blessed.
This film was on TV all the time in England when I was a kid in the 80"s 😊💜🐾👍😊
this film is PERFECT. everything was spot on. including the cheesiness
I Love Flash Gordon!!!!
The very definition of a guilty pleasure
My thought exactly.
Flash Gordon was very well known where I lived in Wales, and it was always being advertised on Swap Shop and Tiswas. I love this movie.
I met Sam Jones at a pinball event in Texas. The nicest guy! He had some great stories to share and was really happy to see his fans.
Great movie!
Great music!
I've lost track of how many times I've seen this!😂
Masterpiece football scene 💪
Even to this day when people ask me where I am at I always say " I'm flying blind on a rocket cycle!"
So happy to see so much love for this movie. I loved it as a kid in the 80s. Been at least 20 years since I've seen it. Now I gotta watch it soon.
If Flash Gordon was made today, he'd be played by a black woman who has five different PhDs, speaks twenty languages, and has super human strength.
Don't forget Black Girl Magic .
And that would drive you and all your fellow incels crazy.
@@fuzzmuscle69 You don't have to be an incel, just work on your personality.
@@fuzzmuscle69 It's odd that you suddenly got all quiet. 😆
@@ChadwickTheChad- Because I moved on to living my life. You might want to, too.
Love this film, campy, colourful and so 80’s. Oh and that Queen soundtrack….sublime!!!
"Who are the queens?" 😂
Reminds me of Patrick Stewart on the set of David Lynch's 1984 Dune movie asking if Sting was a police officer.
😊 This movie & Clash Of The Titans were my weekend watches on 📺 when I was a kid.
A few months ago our local Cinemaxx showed the movie and it was suuuuuch fun to watch it on a huge screen. The audience was having a blast all evening long. It was amazing!
And can I just say: the costume design is absolutely breathtaking. It's excellent!
"Those who love it and those who are wrong." is absolutely correct, Minty.
I was an adult and a mother when Flash Gordon came out. I loved its campiness. I have fond memories of watching the original Flash Gordon series made in the 1930s when I was a child. They were shown on Sunday mornings along with old classics like Popeye and Betty Boop.
Those original cartoons were great, the skill in those drawings.
I loved the black and white flash that used to get shown on the bbc, the imagination in it was fantastic….just like the film many years later.
GREATEST MOVIE EVER MADE.
I WORE OUT my copy on VHS back in 80's and I STILL have this playing in a loop in one room of my house right now
Finally. I’ve wanted this for a while now. Great stuff
I saw this in the theater as a kid when it first came out I'm 52, it was awesome. I can still remember the entire night before during and after the movie.
Hi Minty, I saw the film on it's original release & 10 year old me loved it. Watched it 40 years later...... still love it ⚡
Awesome story here! This movie certainly has a fantastic history and all of this extra information is quite fascinating. Truly amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I definitely love this movie the way it is but these alternative stories are quite fascinating and once again your deep dives into these topics are always fun to watch!
Loved this video, and loved your cat too!
One of my favorite childhood films - saw it at the state Wayne theater in Wayne Michigan - theatre had a neon dragon on the wall - best movie experience ever
This is been one of my favorite movies ever made since it came out!
Look, I love your videos as a child of the 1970s and 1980s. That all ended for me as an emancipated minor in the military at 17, when life got weird, and I really enjoyed your video on Flash Gordon, right up until the end, when you defamed it by calling it a B movie. How dare you, sir! I saw that film in the summer of 1981 at age nine with a friend, and I must say that it was very much an A movie and my memories of that time, those times in general, and going to see that movie are all A star star. I also saw the movie Heavy Metal in the theater that same summer (yes, at 9, though my friend was 11), and undoubtedly almost everything about that movie would make the wokies head explode these days, as would so very much else from that time plus or minus a few years. Anyway...keep on keeping on. Your channel and narration is a treasure.
Good Morning Minty, Cool Video As Always, You Take Care & Have A Nice Day Sir
Awesome video! Saw Flash in the movies when it first came out, always loved its campy fun. The Queen soundtrack is amazing!
Fine job, thanks for researchingall this. It actually was fairly popular here in the states from its early years through the 90s, etc. Whenever I'd bring it up the person I was talking to would smile then sing the queen chorus "Flash! Ahhhhh ahhhh!"
Hi Minty....I love Flash Gordon....it's still one of my favourite films...