Chosen by Dave and Directed by Mike Hodges and produced by Dino De Laurentiis, Flash Gordon arrived in 1980 as a gloriously extravagant attempt to bring Alex Raymond’s classic comic-strip hero back to the big screen. With a budget reported at around $20–27 million, the production went all-in on enormous studio sets, lavish costumes and deliberately colourful, old-school effects. Sam J. Jones took the title role alongside Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Ornella Muti, Topol, Timothy Dalton and a magnificently enthusiastic Brian Blessed.
And then, of course, there’s Queen. The band supplied the film’s unmistakable rock soundtrack, accompanied by Howard Blake’s orchestral arrangements, giving Flash Gordon one of the most recognisable scores of the era. The film performed strongly in the UK but struggled in some international markets, putting an end to plans for sequels. Over the decades, however, its combination of camp spectacle, huge performances and unapologetic excess has turned it into a genuine cult favourite.
TRAILER GUY PLOT SYNOPSIS
When Earth finds itself at the mercy of a mysterious cosmic threat, one man is about to discover that saving the world requires courage, determination... and apparently being quite good at American football.
Transported to the strange world of Mongo, Flash Gordon must face the merciless Emperor Ming, survive bizarre kingdoms, forge unlikely alliances and somehow convince everyone that a bloke called Flash really might be humanity’s best hope.
Prepare for spaceships, Hawkmen, ray guns, royal treachery and enough gold lamé to bankrupt an entire galaxy.
FUN FACTS
Producer Dino De Laurentiis originally considered Federico Fellini to direct the film.
Mike Hodges later described the troubled production as essentially an improvised $27 million movie.
Max von Sydow's elaborate Ming costume reportedly weighed more than 70 pounds, making it difficult for him to remain standing for long periods.
Sam J. Jones had his naturally dark hair bleached blonde to play Flash, while Melody Anderson's blonde hair was dyed brown for Dale Arden.
Jones was also supposed to wear blue contact lenses, but couldn't tolerate them.
Dino De Laurentiis reportedly didn't know who Queen were when the band was first suggested for the soundtrack.
Queen's Flash Gordon soundtrack album reached number 10 in the UK album chart.
Brian May wrote the immortal “Flash's Theme”, while Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and John Deacon also contributed individual pieces to the score.
Kenny Baker, best known as the man inside R2-D2, makes a small appearance as a dwarf in the torture chamber.
The cast were originally signed for multiple Flash Gordon films, but the planned sequels never materialised.
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