FLASH! AH-AH! HE'LL SAVE EVERY ONE OF US!The 1980 Flash Gordon film from Universal is considered to be one of the most faithful movie adaptations ever made, an impressive feat considering the large gap between the classic Flash Gordon comics and film serials and this adaptation. The keys to its success in this was simple: high glorious camp and a soundtrack by Queen. It recognised the dubious quality of the originals and their cheap and cheerful approach to storytelling and took what they pretty much would have made in the 1930's if they had had the money and technology, placed tongue firmly in cheek and got high quality theatre actors to give deliciouslyhammy performances, and had a soundtrack by Queen.Its actual financial success was pants. The only country where it really made it big was the UK, the same country that invented pantomime, wry humour and the band Queen, who did the soundtrack. It will probably remain the most well remembered version of Flash Gordon due to its enduring cult classic status helped heartily by its sense of humour and the soundtrack by Queen.Herewith a rundown of the plot, courtesy of the dialogue sampled for the title track of the soundtrack album (by Queen):
"Seemingly there is no reason for these extraordinary intergalactic upsets. Only Dr Hans Zarkov, formerly at NASA, has provided any explanation... This morning's unprecedented solar eclipse is no cause for alarm." "What's happening, Flash?" "Strange object imaged in the Imperial Vortex." "General Kala — Flash Gordon approaching." "What do you mean, 'Flash Gordon approaching'?! ...Open fire! All weapons! ...Dispatch War Rocket Ajax to bring back his body!" "GORDON'S ALIVE?!!" (...ive...ive) "Flash! Flash, I love you, but we only have fourteen hours to save the Earth!"
Bond Villain Stupidity: A crowning example: Ming personally meets with Flash after he kills Klytus and, instead of dragging him off, offers him a Shiny New Australia as ruler of the Earth if he will serve Ming or else — death. Flash refuses and Ming proceeds to leave him on the floating castle and return to his ship to bomb the castle from orbit.
Camp: The film's scriptwriter was Lorenzo Semple, Jr., who wrote scripts and was Executive Script Director for the 1960's Batman TV series.
Flash: You'd call off the attack? ... Everyone would be saved?
Ming: Yes, and no. After the earthquakes and tidal waves, they won't be the same human beings. They'll be more tractable. Easier for you to rule, in the name of Ming.
The Dragon: Klytus to Ming, General Kala to Klytus.
And after Klytus is killed, one could argue Kala takes over as Ming's Dragon.
The End... Or Is It?: Played straight. The film ends with a close-up of Ming's ring, lying where it fell as he died — then a gloved hand picks it up, Ming's laughter is heard, and the words THE END? appear. HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Enemy Mine: Princes Barin and Vultan hate each other at first. Only Flash (he'll save every one of us!) is able to convince them to team up and fight Ming.
Their hatred was cultivated by Ming. As Vultan later admitted, Prince Barin was the rightful heir to the throne.
Future Spandex: Both General Kala and Princess Aura wear lycra/spandex costumes.
Galactic Conqueror: Ming the Merciless' reveal that he threatens whole star systems with destruction definitely places him on this level. He is also referred to as the Emperor of the Universe and the Galaxy.
James Bondage: Flash in little leather shorts strapped to a chair....
Join or Die: Emperor Ming offers to let Flash join him and rule the Earth under Ming's control. If he refuses, he will be killed.
Just in Time: To save the Earth — down to the second! Apparently a little impalement did the trick.
Labcoat Of Science And Medicine: Zarkov and Munson both have one of these. Given that the science they're engaged in mainly requires looking at radar screens and printouts, there can be no other reason for their labcoats than to visually label them "scientists."
Last Request: Klytus asks if Flash has "any final requests" before his execution.
Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Ming claims to only destroy planets that are advanced enough to realize his attacks aren't natural disasters...hence, it's Zarkov's own attempt to warn humanity that nearly dooms the Earth.
Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: General Kala orders Zarkov programmed with high-level information about Mongo's technology and security systems despite being warned that it's probably more than the human mind can take, thus equipping him with all the knowledge he'll need to assist the revolution.
Pop Star Composer: Just in case the movie itself wasn't campy enough for you, it's got a soundtrack by Queen.
Promoted Fanboy: BRIAN BLESSED has admitted in interviews that when he and his brother used to play a game based on the TV series he always wanted to be Vultan. Decades later he got to play the same childhood game on the big screen.
What Could Have Been: All actors were signed for three movies, but problems with star Sam J. Jones during post-production (which lead to Same Language Dub above) pretty much killed the trilogy.
What Is This Thing You Call Love?: Basic human emotions have been driven out of Mongo by Ming, where honor, justice, even crying have been forgotten and replaced by constant violent bickering and infighting, stirred up by Ming.
Aura: Look! Water is leaking from her eyes!
Ming: It's what they call "tears". It's a sign of their weakness.
and stand in awe.Queen.Important trivia. George Lucas wanted to direct this years before, but producer Dino DeLaurentiis turned him down. Thus Lucas decided to make his own space adventure series. Although some fans actually prefer the camp of this movie to Star Wars anyway. Star Wars didn't have Queen as it is.
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