Heroic
earthling Flash Gordon saves the world from the nefarious Ming the Merciless
in this lavish, intentionally campy adaptation of the famous sci-fi comic
strip. The story is as basic as space operas get: Ming (Max von Sydow) has
developed a plan to destroy the Earth, and Flash (Sam J. Jones) and his
attractive companion Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) are called upon to stop
him. Along the way, Flash must battle Ming's goons and the temptations of a
luscious space princess. Previously the basis for a more straight-faced
1930s adventure serial, Flash's story is here mined for exaggerated, cartoon
humor by screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., a central figure in the similarly
campy 1960s Batman television series. The simplistic plot mainly serves as
an excuse for spectacular sets and cartoonish action sequences, all set to
an appropriately over-the-top rock score by Queen. Certainly not a film to
turn to for serious excitement, fine performances, or character development,
Flash Gordon has nevertheless developed an appreciative cult of fans who
admire the film's humorous approach and the detailed, colorful production
design.| Sam Jones | Flash Gordon |
| Melody Anderson | Dale Arden |
| Topol | Dr. Hans Zarkov |
| Max von Sydow | Emperor Ming |
| Ornella Muti | Princess Aura |
| Timothy Dalton | Prince Barin |
| Brian Blessed | Prince Vultan |
| Peter Wyngarde | Klytus |
| Mariangela Melato | Kala |
| John Osborne | Priest |
| Richard O'Brien | Fico |
| John Hallam | Luro |
| Philip Stone | High Priest Zogi |
| Ken Roberson | |
| Terry Richards | Ming's Brute |
| Tiny Ross | |
| Anthony Olivier | Azurian Man |
| David Neal | Captain of Ming's Air Force |
| Racquel | |
| Michael Potter | |
| Eddie Powell | |
| Andrew Bradford | |
| Trevor Ward | |
| Kenny Baker | |
| Viva | Cytherian Girl |
| Frederick Warder | |
| Chris Webb | |
| Deep Roy | Princess Aura's Pet |
| Sophie | Sandmoon Girl |
| Roy Scammell | Hawkman |
| Burnell Tucker | Airline Pilot |
| Peter Brace | |
| Eddie Stacey | |
| John Sullivan | Hawkman |
| Celeste | |
| Suzanne Danielle | Serving Girl |
| Jim Carter | Azurdian Man |
| Graeme Crowther | Battle Room Controller |
| Malcolm Dixon | |
| Peter Duncan | Young Treeman |
| Michael Edmonds | |
| Imogen Claire | |
| Irene Champlin | |
| Leslie Crawford | |
| Robbie Coltrane | Man at Airport |
| Mike Cottrell | |
| John Morton | |
| Stanley Lebor | Mongon Doctor |
| Bobbie Brown | Hedonia |
| Richard Jones | |
| John Lees | |
| Oliver Macgreevy | |
| Terry Forrestal | |
| Leon Greene | Colonel in Battle Control Room |
| Marie Green | |
| Karen Johnson | Ming's Serving Girl |
| William Hootkins | Munson |
| George Harris | Prince of Ardentia |
| John Hollis | Klytus' Observer |
Genre/Type - Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Space Adventure, Sci-Fi Action, Comic-Book Superhero Film
Produced by - MCA Entertainment / Universal
Running time - 111 min.
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension! (1984, W.D. Richter)
Star Wars (1977, George Lucas)
The Rocketeer (1991, Joe Johnston)
X-Men 2 (2003, Bryan Singer)
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999, George Lucas)
Judge Dredd (1995, Danny Cannon)
Return of the Jedi (1983, Richard Marquand)
Spider-Man (2002, Sam Raimi)