The incomparable sounds of the unique rock band Queen ring out and a strange, colorful world beckons: Tonight you can experience the sci-fi adventure “Flash Gordon” on TV again – total cult!
The colorful, wonderfully crazy sci-fi production “Flash Gordon” performed mixedly in US cinemas – but since its theatrical release at the end of 1980, it has continuously expanded its fan base: with a catchy, rocking, groovy Queen soundtrack and an unforgettable… With its weird look, the candy-colored rock space opera became one of the greatest cult films in cinema history.
Regardless of whether you already know this extraordinary anomaly in the world of comic book films or would like to catch up: It’s worth turning on the television again. Because TELE 5 is showing “Flash Gordon” today, October 6, 2024, from 8:15 p.m. You can also get “Flash Gordon” as a VoD from providers like Amazon Prime Video relate:
“Flash Gordon” on Prime Video*
By the way: If you MOVIECULT* If you have subscribed to Prime Video Channel, you can even watch “Flash Gordon” at no additional cost.
“Flash Gordon”: That’s what the sci-fi gem is about
Thanks to a strange chain of coincidences, football player Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones) and tour guide Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) meet the manic and brilliant scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Chaim Topol). That’s exactly who made a horrifying discovery:
The ruthless dictator Ming (Max von Sydow), who rules over a distant planet, intends to destroy the earth. In order to stop him, the unlikely earthly trio must pin their hopes on Ming’s daughter Aura (Ornella Muti) – and on Ming’s home planet being able to defeat the feuding peoples of Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Hawkman Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed ) to unite…
Influenced and influencing
In some ways, “Flash Gordon” is the bizarro “Star Wars”: In the 1930s, the comics about “Flash Gordon” were a big hit, whereupon they were adapted into three cinema serials. George Lucas was part of the large fan base of these exuberant sci-fi adventures and decided to use modern means to bring them (back) into the cinema on a very large scale.
When Lucas failed to secure the “Flash Gordon” license, he quickly created his own space opera – the “Star Wars” cosmos. As a reaction to the immense success of the first “Star Wars” part, this “Flash Gordon” adaptation was created, which seems as if one had vague memories of the original comics, “Star Wars” impressions and a few hairstyles. Metal albums slapped together in a feverish frenzy.
This struck a chord with audiences in 1980 far less often than director Mike Hodges certainly imagined – but it demonstrated an enviable cult longevity. And it became a source of inspiration in itself. Not only does Seth MacFarlane’s “Ted” series pay extensive tribute to “Flash Gordon”, the directors behind various colorful, musical comic adaptations also regularly count the film among their sources of inspiration – such as Taika Waititi (“Thor 3-4”), James Gunn (“Guardians Of The Galaxy” trilogy) and Edgar Wright (“Scott Pilgrim vs. the Rest of the World”).
A wild, proudly crazy look and a sound that simply rocks
Of course, it’s not just worth watching “Flash Gordon” to go on a journey of discovery where you can recognize the influences on the film and glimpse the moments that served as a source of inspiration for later films. Because Hodges and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr. have one colorful, eccentric space fever dream created, full of clever, exaggerated characters and crazy situations.
Thanks to a fast-paced narrative style, “Flash Gordon” never becomes boring despite its accumulation of silly clichés and implausible developments – instead, its appeal increases through the number of playful, ironic follies. The designs dripping with creativity “Flash Gordon” also benefits from the cast, which always strikes a winning balance between amused tongue-in-cheek humor and honesty that never ridicules the material.
Not to mention the energetic, groovy Queen songs and the instrumental music by “The Duellists” composer Howard Blake, which really keeps up with them. Our following streaming tip doesn’t have that to offer, but it also has a big 80s cult factor:
Stream tonight: One of the best fantasy adventures of all time – with Arnold Schwarzenegger in absolute top form
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