Review of Flash Gordon

Introduction

It`s amazing how much the modern blockbuster is derived from those early black and white serials of the 30`s. It all began with a certain George Lucas of course, who had an idea for a certain Space Opera. Another original character based on those matinee adventures was of course Indiana Jones, and it wasn`t long before the original properties were mined for their silver screen and small screen potential as well. Both Superman and Batman first appeared as half hour B&W serials, as did Buck Rogers. When I was growing up, the endless variety of television that we have to choose from today hadn`t yet appeared, and I remember Saturday mornings filled with monochrome mayhem. My particular favourites were the later swashbuckling Zorro and the daring Flash Gordon of course. Buster Crabbe would inevitably save the universe from the evil Ming, complete with rocket-ship literally on a shoestring, damsels in substantial distress and cliffhangers that would have you chewing your fingernails to their stubs. 1980`s Flash Gordon movie paid more homage than most other remakes did to their original inspirations, but with only the slightest updating and a classic Queen soundtrack, still came out as a fresh reinvention that certainly bears further examination.

The Emperor Ming The Merciless, Ruler of the Universe has found a new plaything to while away the hours. An insignificant planet by the name of Earth is just the thing to toy with, an earthquake here, a hurricane there, simply hours of fun for a cosmopolitan intergalactic despot. There`s only one man who realises that Earth is under attack from without, Dr Hans Zarkov formerly of NASA, who has been drummed out for his wild theories. Nevertheless he carries on undaunted, preparing a rocket ship to send him and his assistant hurtling into the void to face this threat from the heavens. Unfortunately his assistant isn`t too accommodating. Meanwhile, the famous American Football player Flash Gordon is returning from vacation when his airplane is caught in one of Ming`s meteor storms. The pilots are sucked out when the plane is struck, leaving just him and Dale Arden, another passenger to crash-land the plane. As luck would have it, they manage to bring the plane down close to where Zarkov is unsuccessfully trying to convince his assistant to board the rocket. Tricking Flash and Dale into the rocket instead, the three launch into space and hurtle into the vortex that leads to Ming`s domain.

But Ming the Merciless isn`t known as Merciless without reason, and he finds the pitiful humans` attempt at diplomacy laughable. Zarkov is sent to be reprogrammed, Flash is sentenced to death, and Dale is to be the next imperial bride, while Earth will be destroyed. But Ming hasn`t reckoned on his own duplicitous daughter Aura, who has fallen for the gallant Earthman, also neither the leader of the tree-people Prince Barin, nor Prince Vultan, leader of the Hawkmen appreciate Ming`s rule, and Flash Gordon`s arrival presents a golden opportunity.

Video

Flash Gordon is presented in a 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer. The image quality is very good indeed, with no signs of print damage and only a little grain. Up until now, I had only seen this film in its television pan and scan version, so seeing the glorious vistas in their widescreen splendour was a pleasant surprise. The blacks could have been a tad deeper, but the colours are very strong, which is essential with this film. There are occasional signs of artefacts around fine detail however.

The minute we enter the world of Mongo, we are presented with the most glorious worlds and sets as well as some intricate production design that deserve this presentation. A particular treat is the glorious cloudscapes that serve as backdrop to Mongo and its moons, which look absolutely stunning. The costumes too are lavish and elaborate, most of them draped around Ming`s harem.

The special effects are wonderfully low tech, and again pay homage to the original series. The worlds are presented in miniature, and on occasion betray their Blue Peter nature, and the ships look delightfully tacky and laughable, derived from their 1930`s counterparts. You end up not minding the occasional wire showing, though the seams are more obvious with the more contemporary bluescreen technology. In many ways this is similar to Barbarella, in that the film`s design is less to do with practicality and storytelling, than it is to do with sheer visual impact and the joy of design for its own sake.

Audio

Alas, there is no DVD magic performed on the soundtrack, though cinema purists would say that since the film was released in Stereo, the DD 2.0 Stereo soundtracks in English, German and Spanish would be acceptable. It`s just that with Queen providing the soundtrack, you want to have all the speakers engaged and the volume turned up to eleven. It`s a fine soundtrack too, there are moments early on in the film that once again pay homage to the 30s serials, but as soon as we get to Mongo, it`s Queen`s territory and the guitars sing. The dialogue is clear throughout, though poor Sam Jones has all his lines looped by another actor. I guess they didn`t want Flash Gordon to sound as if he had a forty a day habit.

Features

The disc is woefully extras light. There is the ubiquitous trailer of course, as well as subtitles in several languages for the film. The only other thing is a photo gallery with some 80 or so pictures in. As well as showing the cast in their movie regalia, there are a few production design sketches and some film posters.

Conclusion

I loved the Flash Gordon film as a child, and seeing it for the first time in its widescreen glory has allowed it too once again work its charms. When you consider the competition at the time, Star Wars, Raiders Of The Lost Ark and Superman, it`s understandable that it came a poor second. The effects are cheap, the story thin and the script doesn`t help, with quite a few gaping holes. Yet Flash Gordon is a camp classic, mostly down to some meaty performances from the supporting cast.

Both Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson typify wood, in their performances as Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, yet it`s a woodenness that is perfectly suited to the film, as they contrast well with the pantomime around them. Topol is perhaps a little subdued as the mad scientist Zarkov, but his role is to get our hero to Mongo, and little more. Then you get a wonderful scenery chewing performance from Max Von Sydow as the Emperor Ming as he imperiously gestures his way through the film. Peter Wyngarde is evil in his subservience as Klytus, with an opulent golden mask that works as the antithesis of Darth Vader`s darkness, yet is no less chilling. Brian Blessed is brilliant as Vultan, the leader of the Hawkmen and he bellows his way through the movie, devouring all in his path with his magnificent overacting. Timothy Dalton plays Barin as a sort of Errol Flynn gone wrong. He has the rakish grin and the effortless swashbuckling down pat, but it`s a thin veneer over a bubbling frustration that comes through with some wonderfully placed curses. It`s a general free for all, a barely contained mayhem as all the supporting cast compete to steal the movie that makes this film delicious to watch.

Flash Gordon works because it doesn`t go up against any other movie of the time, rather it happily does its own thing. It treads a fine line between campness and parody, the whole thing is done completely for fun with tongues lodged firmly in cheeks, but there is never a knowing wink, or any pretence to irony. It works because it`s fun to watch, and the cast look like they had an absolute hoot making it. It still looks tremendous, with an opulence and camp sensibility that fill the screen. It sounds fabulous, with Queen`s music sounding more and more timeless as the years pass. Flash Gordon is a total expression of breathtaking silliness, which is the best compliment I can pay it.