A real treat from the 80s is soon to be released in a new home cinema version with plenty of bonus material. We’re talking about the cult comic adaptation Flash Gordon, without which Star Wars might never have existed
“There are good movies, there are bad movies and then there are good bad movies” – this is how the Hollywood Reporter describes Flash Gordon by director Mike Hodges. The science fiction classic does indeed enjoy cult status. Last year, Oliver Kalkhofe and Peter Rütten opened their KulFaz series – the most cult films of all time – with the 1980 comic adaptation.
Flash Gordon is also nothing but cult musically, as the soundtrack is by the legendary band Queen. On December 7, Flash Gordon will be released in a new version for home cinema
In addition to the new 4K + Blu-ray version, Flash Gordon will also be released on Blu-ray * and DVD *. The film is also available to stream * on Amazon Prime. The home cinema versions offer extensive bonus material, more on this later.
Flash Gordon: Star Wars almost didn’t exist
Producer Dino de Laurentiis had been interested in a comic book adaptation of Flash Gordon since the 1960s and secured the rights. But the mills of the film industry grind slowly, as we all know, and so it took de Laurentiis some time to find a director and a suitable script for his project.
(Flash Gordon opened the KulFaz series with Oliver Kalkhofe.)
In the meantime, George Lucas was at the door and tried to buy the film rights from de Laurentiis in the 70s, but the Italian producer wouldn’t let them out of his hands. Fortunately, George Lucas turned his attention to his Plan B and developed one of the greatest film series in movie history: Star Wars (via The Hollywood Reporter ).
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Nomination for the Golden Raspberry
Flash Gordon received several nominations for the British Academy Film Award and the Saturn Award. The latter is mainly awarded to science fiction, fantasy and horror films. Less praiseworthy is the nomination for Sam J. Jones as worst leading actor for the Golden Raspberry. However, the negative award has also been given to several Oscar winners, including Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Ben Affleck, Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Kevin Costner and Liza Minelli.
The extensive bonus material from Flash Gordon
Audio commentary by Mike Hodges and Brian Blessed
Interview with Renato Casar and Mike Hodges
Flash Gordon – The Animated Series (1979) – Episode 24
Featurettes: Sam Jones – The Actor; The Flash Gordon Merchandise; Bob Lindemayer on Cut Scenes; 35th Anniversary in the Green Room; Lost in Space: Nicolas Roeg’s Flash Gordon; The Reunion; Brian Blessed’s Anecdotes; Dreaming by Melody Anderson
Easter Eggs
About the soundtrack
Behind the scenes
Picture Gallery
Storyboard gallery
Original movie trailer
Flash Gordon on 4K + Blu-ray
This is what Flash Gordon is about
When planet Earth is attacked, there’s only one person who can save the world: Football player and superhero Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones). With the help of tour guide Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) and scientist Dr. Zarkov (Topol), the team travels to the planet Mongo in a rocket to stop the ruthless Emperor Ming (Max von Sydow)
