Rewind This Month In Movie History: Flash Gordon

🎬 Rewind This Month In Movie History: Flash Gordon

🗓️ Date of Release: 8 October 1980 (UK premiere)

When this movie came out in 1980 I would have been 7 years old and it was one of the best movies I had ever seen, whats not to love you had flying hawkmen, lasers, spaceships, a whip fight on a floating disc with spikes and a footy match in a space castle. 

🔍 Quick Facts
Currently Streaming On: Prime Video Store, Apple TV, YouTube Store
Genre: Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi / Space Opera
Starring: Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon), Melody Anderson (Dale Arden), Max von Sydow (Ming the Merciless), Topol (Dr. Hans Zarkov), Ornella Muti (Princess Aura), Timothy Dalton (Prince Barin), Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan)
Director: Mike Hodges 
Producers: Dino De Laurentiis 
Production Company: Starling Films / Famous Films (via Universal) 
Distributor: Universal Pictures (USA) / Columbia-EMI-Warner Distributors (UK) 

💰 Box Office Performance
Budget: Approx. US $20–27 million. 
Worldwide Box Office: US $27.1 million 

Australia Box Office: US $1.2 million

Fun Fact: I think I have seen this move 25 times

⭐ Critical Reception
Review Highlights at the Time:

“Is it fun? Yeah, sort of, it is.”  Empire (on the film’s camp appeal) 
“The narrative is a little plodding, but … adult punters will soon slip back into a reverie for the lost visions of Saturday-morning cinema.” Time Out

Director on the film: Mike Hodges emphasised embracing the comic-strip roots and theatrical excess, rather than disguising them. (cult-scifi.com)

Fun fact in 1980 the cost to go to the movies in Australia were $4 

📝 Synopsis
When football star Flash Gordon and travel agent Dale Arden are swept into space via Dr Hans Zarkov’s rocket, they arrive on the war-torn planet Mongo, ruled by the ruthless Emperor Ming the Merciless.

Flash must unite the divided factions of Mongo, wielding courage and wit rather than brute force, to thwart Ming’s scheme to destroy Earth. 

“There’s nothing wrong with saving the Earth just make it look fun.”  Sam J. Jones reflecting on his role years later.

🎭 Performances
Sam J. Jones (Flash Gordon): Positive: Jones’ physicality and charisma sell the larger-than-life hero. Negative: His acting range is limited, which amplifies the film’s camp tone.

Melody Anderson (Dale Arden): Positive: Brings grounded presence and charm in the sci-fi extravaganza. Negative: Her character is underwritten and sometimes sidelined in favour of spectacle.

Max von Sydow (Ming the Merciless): Positive: Delivers one of the most memorable villains of the era, with gravitas and theatrical flair. Negative: The over-the-top nature of the role borders on parody, which some critics found jarring.

❤️ What Audiences Loved
Viewers responded to its bold aesthetic, vibrant colours, theatrical sets, thrilling soundtrack (by Queen), and whimsical tone everything felt like a throwback to serials of the 1930s, but with modern effects.

😒 What Divided
Some criticised the pacing as uneven, the story thin, and the tone inconsistent (oscillating between serious sci-fi and tongue-in-cheek camp).

🏆 Awards and Nominations
Now this is a surprise no awards or nominations 

🕰️ Legacy Score
Then vs. Now: At release, it was a modest box office performer and received mixed critical attention. Over time, it has become a beloved cult classic, especially among sci-fi and pop-culture fans, celebrated for its style, soundtrack and unabashed camp.

“It wasn’t made to blend in  it was made to shine.”  Mike Hodges, years later

🗣️ Memorable Quotes

• Death to Ming!
• "Go Flash GO"
  
• “Gordon’s alive?!”
  
• “No! I will not kiss you! I will not!” (Princess Aura)
• Would you let him drive the bus
• Flash I love you but we only have 14 hours to save the earth
• Thanks ..... Flash 

🎥 Behind the Scenes

Fun Facts – Making Of:

• The film’s soundtrack by Queen features the hit song Flash released in November 1980. 
  
• The budget soared due to elaborate sets and special effects which aimed to evoke the grandiose serials of earlier decades. 
• The film’s campy tone was intentional, with the producers and director leaning into theatricality rather than realism. 
• Despite being a US/UK production, much of the film was shot in the UK (Elstree Studios) and Italy for cost reasons. 

Fun Facts – Cast:

• Brian Blessed’s line “Gordon’s alive?!” became a pop-culture meme.
• Timothy Dalton (Prince Barin) later became famous as James Bond.
• Sam J. Jones was cast after starring in TV commercials and scientific minimal film roles; this became his defining film role.
• Ornella Muti (Princess Aura) was a major Italian star, contributing to the film’s international appeal.
• Max von Sydow, a respected dramatic actor, embraced the flamboyant villain role, giving Ming distinctive theatrical presence.

Seth MacFarlane Signed Ted 8x10 

🧠 Pop Culture Impact
Cultural References: The aesthetic of Flash Gordon – its colours, production design, and soundtrack  has influenced later sci-fi and adventure films. The Queen song Flash remains a favourite at retro screenings and fan events.

Sequels/Spin-offs/Reboots: While no direct theatrical sequel followed, plans for new adaptations have surfaced over the years (animated, live-action) but remain in development.

Franchise Influence: This has been paraded in just about every cartoon / animation you can thing of but nothing will beat TED!

👥 Where Are They Now?

• Sam J. Jones continued acting in genre and TV guest roles; his Flash Gordon role remains iconic.

• Max von Sydow went on to major roles in films like The Exorcist and Game of Thrones, and passed away in 2020.

• Timothy Dalton resumed prominent roles in the 1990s and 2000s, including Bond and later dramatic work.

• Brian Blessed remains active in voice work, stage, and conventions – often celebrated for his Flash Gordon role.
  

Happy 45th Birthday Flash!

🎟️ Join the Conversation
💬 What’s your favourite moment from Flash Gordon?
👀 Check out our Autograph section for signed memorabilia
🗓️ Stay tuned for more Rewind Movies posts.