| Flash Gordon | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:Flash_gordon_movie_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster by Richard Amsel | |
| Directed by | Mike Hodges |
| Screenplay by | Lorenzo Semple Jr. |
| Adaptation by |
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| Based on | Characters by Alex Raymond |
| Produced by | Dino De Laurentiis |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Gilbert Taylor |
| Edited by | Malcolm Cooke |
| Music by | |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by |
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Release dates |
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Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Countries |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $20–27 million[3][4] |
| Box office | $46.5 million (UK & US)[5] |
Flash Gordon is a 1980 space opera[6] superhero film[7][8] directed by Mike Hodges, based on the King Features comic strip of the same name created by Alex Raymond. The film stars Sam J. Jones in the title role, Melody Anderson, Ornella Muti, Max von Sydow and Topol, with Timothy Dalton, Mariangela Melato, Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde in supporting roles. The film follows star football quarterback Flash Gordon (Jones) and his allies Dale Arden (Anderson) and Hans Zarkov (Topol) as they unite the warring factions of the planet Mongo against the oppression of Ming the Merciless (von Sydow), who is intent on destroying Earth.
Producer Dino De Laurentiis, who had previously overseen two other comic book adaptations, Danger: Diabolik and Barbarella (both 1968), had held an interest in making a Flash Gordon film since the 1960s.[9] After a directorial offer from George Lucas was declined (resulting in the creation of Star Wars) and a version that was to be directed by Federico Fellini did not enter production, De Laurentiis hired director Nicolas Roeg and Enter the Dragon writer Michael Allin to lead development on the film in 1977, but replaced them with Hodges and Lorenzo Semple Jr., who had scripted De Laurentiis' remake of King Kong, due to his dissatisfaction with Roeg's vision for the film.
Flash Gordon was primarily filmed in Britain, including on several soundstages at Elstree and Shepperton Studios, and uses a camp style similar to the 1960s TV series Batman (which Semple developed).[10] Due to a dispute with De Laurentiis, Jones left the film prior to the end of principal photography, resulting in much of his dialogue being dubbed by actor Peter Marinker;[11] the circumstances of Jones' departure from the project and his career in the aftermath of its release serve as the key subjects of the documentary Life After Flash.[12] The film is notable for its musical score by the rock band Queen, featuring orchestral sections by Howard Blake.
Although a box office success in both the United Kingdom and Italy, Flash Gordon performed poorly in other markets.[13] Critical reception during and since the film's initial release has been generally favourable,[10] and it has since gained a significant cult following.[13]
- ^ "FLASH GORDON (A)". Columbia-Emi-Warner Dists Ltd. British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
- ^ "Flash Gordon". AFI.
- ^ "Flash Gordon". Variety. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
- ^ De Laurentiis PRODUCER'S PICTURE DARKENS KNOEDELSEDER, WILLIAM K, Jr. Los Angeles Times 30 Aug 1987: 1.
- ^ "Flash Gordon (1980)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Ebertwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Flash Gordon at 40: The greatest superhero film ever made? – The Irish Times
- ^ Flash Gordon review – bizarre expressionist superhero panto | Movies | The Guardian
- ^ Lucas, Tim (2007). Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark. Video Watchdog. p. 724. ISBN 978-0-9633756-1-2.
- ^ a b Smith, Adam (7 January 2016). "Gordon's alive! The untold story of Flash Gordon". Empire.
- ^ "FLASH GORDON SPEAKS!!!". YouTube. 14 August 2020. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
LAFwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Keith Phipps",After Star Wars, science fiction tried to reconnect with the past". The Dissolve, 22 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2016.