Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Topol

When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, threatening destruction of the Earth, Dr. Hans Sarkov makes a desperate rocket flight with two unwilling passengers--Flash Gordon, quarterback of the New ...( read more  read more... )York Jets and lovely Dale Arden. Their destination is the planet Mongo, source of the strange energy waves.

Flixster Users

65% liked it

40,466 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

29 critics

PG, 111 min.

Directed by: Mike Hodges

Release Date: December 5, 1980

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DVD Release Date: October 10, 2000

Stats: 2,501 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,501)


  • May 21, 2009
    Why would I bash something I have enjoyed this much? no matter how ridiculous and bad it is I found it hysterical.
    who would have thought that Mr. Mike "Get Carter" Hodges would go for campy fun? and Queen in the soundtrack just adds more laughs and nostalgia to this quirky and d...( read more)eliriously kitsch production by megalomaniac producer Dino De Laurentiis.
  • April 21, 2009
    This movie still rock even coming up to its 30th anniversary.Ok some of the sfx are showing its aged but its also its strengh now.The set desgins to the costumes are 1st rate and the uses of rock band Queen was geniue to do, the now legendnary flash theme is 1st classic.
    Worth c...( read more)hecking out if you havent seen it yet or if u have check it again.This is no gulity pleasure..
  • January 29, 2008
    All Hail Dalton's mustache supremacy!
  • January 19, 2008
    Queen Rocks!
  • January 1, 2008
    Classic, Flash is awesome and the villian Ming the merciless played by Max Van Sydow is deliciousily camp yet evil.
  • November 18, 2009
    You pitiful fool! My life is not for any Earthling to give or take!-Ming The Merciless

    ...( read more)="0"/>
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    Director:Mike Hodges
    Cast:Sam J.Jones,Melody Anderson,Timolthy Dalton,Max Von Sydow
    Genre:Action,Science Fiction,Comic Book Adaptation
    Year of release:1980
    Running Time:111 minutes

    Plot:
    When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, threatening destruction of the Earth, Dr. Hans Sarkov makes a desperate rocket flight with two unwilling passengers--Flash Gordon, quarterback of the New York Jets and lovely Dale Arden. Their destination is the planet Mongo, source of the strange energy waves.

    Review:
    Flash Gordon is one of the most iconic characters of the history of comics,being a inspiration of future sci fi movies like George Lucas s Star Wars.I know Flash of the comics and cartoons and i loved the visual of the world of Flash Gordon created by legendary comic artist Alex Raymond.I first watched this film when i was a kid and i absolutely loved(unlike some people).Sure it s campy,sure the effects aren t that great but who cares man?Flash Gordon is one fun film and preety nostalgic aswell.It s a great adaptation of the savior of the universe,Flash Gordon.

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    Sam J.Jones is great as Flash Gordon and embodies the legendary character very well.Jones is perfect for Flash because he s good looking,he s tough,he s brave but at the same time vulnerable.Becoming savior of the universe is something he wasn t expect but Flash realizes that he s the unverse s only hope.If they make a remake of this film,i hope they choose Chris Pine for Flash Gordon.Melody Anderson was great as Dale Arden and she and Flash have a great chemistry.Dale maybe the typical lady in distress but she s preety tough too.Max Von Sydow dominates the movie as Ming the Merciless,the emperor of Mongo.Ming is so evil and dangerous and he won t let a puny human like Flash Gordon take him down.

    Mike Hodges s direction was decent and fun but the best thing of the movie is the spectacular soundtrack by the legendary Queen,giving a incredible energy to the film.I always get goosebumps when i hear the title song.It s so awesome.

    Flash Gordon is a classic of science fiction and a great representation of Alex Raymond s creation.If you like old sci fi movies,then watch Flash Gordon and i hope they make a good remake out of this.
  • November 11, 2009
    This movie is nuts! I'm not a comic bk guy and don't have an affinity for Dalton but this flic has a bad ass theme song and an appealing atmosphere about it.
  • September 29, 2009
    One of the best so bad it's good movies. Flash Gordan is good fun, with it's absolutely ridiculous story and bizarre characters. Max Von Sydow seemed to have a great time playing the evil Ming the Merciless, as did the rest of the cast in their respective roles.
  • September 4, 2009
    Of the two comic book-based movie series (Buck Rogers being the other) that were revamped as theatrical movies soon after the success of Star Wars, this one was not nearly as enjoyable. Flash Gordon battles Anton Levey. Extremely campy; too campy (I usually enjoy camp). A musical...( read more) score by Queen. A Playgirl centerfold as the star. And flair galore. This was not made for me.
  • August 28, 2009
    When I first saw this as a kid I enjoyed it. Later the campiness came out. It took more of a "Batman in the 60's" approach and has much more in common with the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century TV show than most of the Sci-Fi classics. I think it borders on parody. However, the...( read more) soundtrack by Queen is fun and there are some good moments and great visuals.

Critic Reviews


October 23, 2004
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Is it fun? Yeah, sort of, it is. full review

View more Flash Gordon reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • tintin312000
    February 9, 2008
    I watch this movie when i was little and I love it!!!
  • MrGrimlock
    December 22, 2007
    my wife got me the new "Saviour of the Universe" edition.I t is sweeeett!!!It has a kick ass cover by Alex Ross and a card of original art inside.the cover of the case flips out and has some cool pics from the movie.It's also been remastered.
  • rayman0071
    July 6, 2007
    Several reasons why this was one of the best that came out of that era.....

    1. You have former NFL great Sam Jones in the title character of Flash Gordon.

    2. Melody Anderson(as Dale)and Ornetta Muti(as the Queen)....where does it get any better than this,,two of the hottest babes of their era. All decked out in outlandish 70's fashions.

    3. Maximillian Schell(or was it Max Von Sydow)giving us one of the most diabolicalist villains ever as the evil Ming The Merciless.
    Also was listed as AFI's Top 100 villains of all time.

    4. The movie version came out in 1980. And just to let you know that the animated version of Flash Gordon too(produced by Filmation Productions)was shown to kids on Saturday mornings. The 1980 live-action version complete with some of the cheeiest special effects ever. Produced by none other than veteran producer Dino DeLaurentiis.

    5. The soundtrack to this film...WHAT A SOUNDTRACK!!! All songs composed and conducted by Freddie Mercury and Queen.
  • gcerny
    March 22, 2007
    There are many reasons to see Flash Gordon (the 1980 film). One needs not have grown up with the film. For example, the historical significance of the soundtrack by Queen, is marked.

    But to an adolescent boy in the early 1980s, there is nothing more permanent and persistent than Ornella Muti as Princess Aura.

    Dale be damned! Princess Aura was what it was all about.
  • reeshabh
    December 1, 2006
    Very kitsch! :) I remember seeing this movie as a kid and I simply freaked out! :) It was the age of Star Wars and the '80's brought in this ... I would like to add it to my DVD collection!

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