Taglines: Pathetic earthlings… Who can save you now?
Flash Gordon is an American football hero who is skyjacked aboard Dr. Hans Zarkov’s rocketship along with his beautiful girlfriend Dale Arden. The threesome are drawn into the influence of the planet Mongo, ruled by Emperor Ming the Merciless. The evil Ming has been testing Earth with unnatural disasters, and deeming our world a threat to his rule.
He also intends to take Dale as his concubine, attempts to execute Flash and intends to destroy Earth. Flash must avoid the amorous attentions of Ming’s daughter, and unite the warring kingdoms of Mongo to rescue Dale and save our world.
Flash Gordon is a 1980 British space opera action film filmed in Technicolor and Todd-AO, based on the King Features comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. The film was directed by Mike Hodges, and produced by Dino De Laurentiis. It stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed, and Ornella Muti. The screenplay was written by Lorenzo Semple, Jr., with a story adaptation by Michael Allin.
It intentionally uses a camp style similar to the 1960s TV series Batman (for which Semple had developed and written many episodes) in an attempt to appeal to fans of the original comics and serial films. Although a box office success in the UK, it performed poorly overseas. The film is notable for its soundtrack composed, performed and produced by the rock band Queen, with the orchestral sections by Howard Blake. The film has since gained a significant cult following.
Flash Gordon (1980)
Directed by: Mike Hodges
Starring: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Ornella Muti, Mariangela Melato, Timothy Dalton, Suzanne Danielle
Screenplay by: Lorenzo Semple Jr.
Production Design by: Danilo Donati
Cinematography by: Gilbert Taylor
Film Editing by: Malcolm Cooke
Costume Design by: Danilo Donati
Art Direction by: John Graysmark
Music by: Howard Blake, Queen
Distributed by: Universal Pictures
Release Date: December 5, 1980
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