History Film / BattleBeyondTheStars

* MsFanservice: Saint-Exmin, played by Sybil Danning, wears some very revealing outfits. One required glue. Another actually had to be edited for television.

* SexSells

* ThoseTwoGuys: Tembo and Kalo are left behind in a fighter to keep an eye on Akir.

* MakeMeWannaShout: The Sonic Tank, which emits a piercing tone that makes the Akiran soldiers bleed from the ears. [[spoiler:Fortunately the Kelvin have no ears as they communicate through waves of heat.]]

* UtilityBelt: Cowboy's belt dispenses a belt, e.g. Scotch, soda and ice. A practical man!

* MsFanservice: Saint-Exmin, played by SybilDanning, wears some very revealing outfits. One required glue. Another actually had to be edited for television.

* MsFanservice: Saint-Exmin, played by SybilDanning, wears some very revealing outfits. One required glue. Another actually had to be EditedForTelevision.

After ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for "ScienceFiction" with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king Creator/RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[Film/SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman [[IndustrialLightAndMagic took a leaf from]] Creator/GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of Creator/JamesCameron who got his "big break" with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- Creator/JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies; Horner's score was also [[RecycledSoundtrack used in other Corman productions]] (a case of HilariousInHindsight, given the composer's own recycling tendencies}.

After ''Franchise/StarWars: Film/ANewHope'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for "ScienceFiction" with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king Creator/RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[Film/SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman [[IndustrialLightAndMagic took a leaf from]] Creator/GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of Creator/JamesCameron who got his "big break" with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- Creator/JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies.

* EarthShatteringKaboom: Averted as the Steller Convertor can turn your entire planet into a sun, but not blow it up. You're still dead though.

--> Saint-Exmin: Live fast, fight well, and have a beautiful ending!

* EvilHand: [[spoiler:Sador finds out almost too late that a Nestor hand can be controlled by the HiveMind even after it's been cut off and implanted onto his own arm. The surgeon is able to stop Sador from cutting his own throat by quickly [[{{Squick}} chainsawing off the limb]].]]

'''''Battle Beyond the Stars''''' (1980): [[BigBad Sador of the Malmori]] and his crew of {{mutants}} roam the galaxy in a [[StarshipLuxurious huge spaceship]] armed with a Steller Convertor, the most powerful weapon [[SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale in the universe]]. When Sador claims the [[TechnicalPacifist peaceful farming planet]] of Akir as a colony, young Shad volunteers to take SapientShip Nell and seek out mercenaries who are willing fight him. They find Gelt (a ProfessionalKiller who just wants to live on a planet where [[ContractOnTheHitman no-one's trying to kill him]]), SpaceTrucker Cowboy of [[HumansAreWarriors Earth]], Nanelia (a MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter), Saint-Exmin of the [[ProudWarriorRace Valkyrie]] (a [[ActionGirl warrior woman]] looking to [[BloodKnight prove herself in battle]]), Nestor (a HiveMind seeking new experiences) and [[TheReptilians Caymen]] of the Lambda Zone, who'd like to [[{{revenge}} settle accounts with Sador]] for [[TheLastOfHisKind destroying his species]]. Counting Shad that makes seven. [[TheMagnificentSevenSamurai Sound familiar?]]

* ShoutOut: The planet under attack is named "Akir" after Akira Kurosawa, director of ''Film/TheSevenSamurai''.

* KickTheDog: Sador destroys an unarmed weather satellite orbiting Akir. After delivering his ultimatum Sador orders his snipers to gun down random citizens simply to show he means business.

[[BigBad Sador of the Malmori]] and his crew of {{mutants}} roam the galaxy in a [[StarshipLuxurious huge spaceship]] armed with a Steller Convertor, the most powerful weapon [[SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale in the universe]]. When Sador claims the [[TechnicalPacifist peaceful farming planet]] of Akir as a colony, young Shad volunteers to take SapientShip Nell and seek out mercenaries who are willing fight him. They find Gelt (a ProfessionalKiller who just wants to live on a planet where [[ContractOnTheHitman no-one's trying to kill him]]), SpaceTrucker Cowboy of [[HumansAreWarriors Earth]], Nanelia (a MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter), Saint-Exmin of the [[ProudWarriorRace Valkyrie]] (a [[ActionGirl warrior woman]] looking to [[BloodKnight prove herself in battle]]), Nestor (a HiveMind seeking new experiences) and [[TheReptilians Caymen]] of the Lambda Zone, who'd like to [[{{revenge}} settle accounts with Sador]] for [[TheLastOfHisKind destroying his species]]. Counting Shad that makes seven. [[TheMagnificentSevenSamurai Sound familiar?]]

After ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/ANewHope'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for 'ScienceFiction' with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king Creator/RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman [[IndustrialLightAndMagic took a leaf from]] Creator/GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of Creator/JamesCameron who got his 'big break' with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies.

!!The film provides examples of:

* AntagonistTitle: In Germany, the film was titled ''Sador: Ruler of Space''.

* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: Akir is saved but most of the mercenaries are killed.]]
* CastingGag: Robert Vaughn as Gelt, the counterpart of Lee from ''TheMagnificentSeven'', played by... Robert Vaughn.
** The other one is George Peppard who was the first actor considered to play Vin in, you guessed it, ''TheMagnificentSeven''.

* CompletelyDifferentTitle: a curiously GenreSavvy example: the film was released in Spain as [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin 'Los Siete Magníficos del Espacio']].
* CoolChair[=/=]PirateBooty: We're introduced to Gelt sitting in a luxurious throne surrounded by overflowing chests of jewels. The irony is that he's living in poverty, as Gelt can't risk going to a civilised planet to spend his wealth.
* CoolStarship: Plenty of them, thanks to the work of JamesCameron, who created a unique sound and appearance for each one.

* FanOfThePast: Cowboy enjoys watching old Western movies, and partakes of 20th century food and booze. Subverted when Nestor eats one of his 'hot dogs' and realises the meat is [[FutureFoodIsArtificial artificial]].

* InsignificantLittleBluePlanet: Cowboy proudly tells everyone he's from Earth but no one has ever heard of it.

* LastOfHisKind: Caymen.

* MagicCountdown: Averted [[spoiler:by having Nell suffer battle damage which confuses her as to what part of the countdown she's at. She pulls herself together in the end though.]]

* MarsNeedsWomen: Several different takes on this -- Shad finds himself being held captive by Nanelia's senile dad because he wants them to make babies. Later Caymen cheerfully admits he could sell Nanelia for a good price...but it turns out he's going to [[ToServeMan sell her as food instead]]. Tembo and Kalo kidnap a bride and rape her; this backfires badly when they need to concentrate on fleeing from Gelt and she runs into the control room and starts [[TheDogBitesBack pushing buttons at random]].
* MostCommonSuperpower: St Exmin. Just...St Exmin.
* RecycledInSpace: This film is clearly based on ''TheMagnificentSeven''. Also Cowboy as a SpaceTrucker and SpaceWestern cowboy.

* ShootTheMessenger
-->'''Yago:''' ''[carrying a small bag]'' Our emissary has returned from Umateal. They have replied to our ultimatum.
-->'''Sador:''' And? ...What's this?
-->'''Yago:''' It WAS our emissary, sir. That is their reply to our ultimatum. They've...powdered him!
-->''[Sador throws the bag in a rage. A {{squick}}ed Yago quickly brushes the powder off himself.]''
-->'''Yago:''' They are a proud form!
-->'''Sador:''' In an hour they'll be an EXTINCT one! There'll not be a trace of them left... Not even their dust.
* ShoutOut: The planet Akir is a reference to Creator/AkiraKurosawa, and the original ''SevenSamurai''.

* SurroundedByIdiots
-->'''Sador:''' What's WRONG is that I have an army full of GENETIC MISTAKES! Why can't my minions be sophisticated or intelligent, like... well, like ME?
-->'''Yago:''' [[ProfessionalButtKisser You can't expect all of us to measure up to *you*, Sir.]]
-->'''Sador:''' Oh, don't flatter me! [[ThoseTwoGuys Those two]] probably slammed their ship into an asteriod or something.
* TortureTechnician
-->'''Sador:''' This is Frojo, my Third Officer. Frojo is expert at inflicting pain...while keeping the victim alive.
-->'''Nestor 2:''' [[ComicallyMissingthePoint It's good to have skills.]]

-->"I could do wonders for that boy! I would [[IsThatWhatTheyreCallingItNow recharge his capacitators]], stimulate his solonoid; tingle, dingle, dangle, prangle his transistors! You know: Sex!"

After ''Franchise/StarWars:'' ''Film/ANewHope'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for 'ScienceFiction' with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king Creator/RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman [[IndustrialLightAndMagic took a leaf from]] GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of JamesCameron who got his 'big break' with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies.

After ''StarWars'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for 'ScienceFiction' with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman [[IndustrialLightAndMagic took a leaf from]] GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of JamesCameron who got his 'big break' with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies.

* ShoutOut: The planet Akir is a reference to AkiraKurosawa, and the original ''SevenSamurai''.

* BitterSweetEnding: [[spoiler: Akir is saved but most of the mercenaries are killed.]]

* CastingGag: Robert Vaughn as Gelt, the counterpart of Lee from ''TheMagnificentSeven'', played by ... Robert Vaughn.

* CoolChair / PirateBooty: We're introduced to Gelt sitting in a luxurious throne surrounded by overflowing chests of jewels. The irony is that he's living in poverty, as Gelt can't risk going to a civilised planet to spend his wealth.

* MadScientist: Weapons manufacturer [[HollywoodCyborg Dr. Hephaestus]], though he's senile rather than evil. He does however have a beautiful daughter.

[[BigBad Sador of the Malmori]] and his crew of {{mutants}} roam the galaxy in a [[StarshipLuxurious huge spaceship]] armed with a Steller Convertor, the most powerful weapon [[SciFiWritersHaveNoSenseOfScale in the universe]]. When Sador claims the [[TechnicalPacifist peaceful farming planet]] of Akir as a colony, young Shad volunteers to take SapientShip Nell and seek out mercenaries who are willing fight him. They find Gelt (a ProfessionalKiller who just wants to live on a planet where [[ContractOnTheHitman no-one's looking for him]]), SpaceTrucker Cowboy of [[HumansAreWarriors Earth]], Nanelia (a MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter), Saint-Exmin of the [[ProudWarriorRace Valkyrie]] (a [[ActionGirl warrior woman]] looking to [[BloodKnight prove herself in battle]]), Nestor (a HiveMind seeking new experiences) and [[TheReptilians Caymen]] of the Lambda Zone, who'd like to [[{{revenge}} settle accounts with Sador]] for [[TheLastOfHisKind destroying his species]]. Counting Shad that makes seven. [[TheMagnificentSevenSamurai Sound familiar?]]

After ''StarWars'' became a surprise hit, [[FollowTheLeader studios rushed to cash in on]] the public's sudden hunger for 'ScienceFiction' with a flood of bad SpaceOpera. Exploitation king RogerCorman had no intention of being left behind, but he showed more intelligence than most film executives by ripping off [[SevenSamurai a good plot]] as well. When SFX companies presented outrageous quotes for their work, Corman took a leaf from GeorgeLucas' book and created his own special effects (under the charge of JamesCameron who got his 'big break' with this film, along with producer Gale Anne Hurd, composer JamesHorner and screenwriter -- later independent filmmaker -- JohnSayles). Corman being Corman, he made sure to get his money's worth by recycling the StockFootage in countless other low-budget sci-fi movies.