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Flash Gordon

  • 1980
  • PG
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
63K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,732
513
Brian Blessed, Max von Sydow, and Sam J. Jones in Flash Gordon (1980)
When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon unwittingly finds himself heading for the planet Mongo, where - with assistance from beautiful Dale Arden - he'll take on Ming the Merciless and rescue humankind.
Play trailer0:59
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Dystopian Sci-FiSpace Sci-FiSuperheroActionAdventureSci-Fi

A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.A football player and his friends travel to the planet Mongo and find themselves fighting the tyranny of Ming the Merciless to save Earth.

  • Director
    • Mike Hodges
  • Writers
    • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
    • Michael Allin
    • Alex Raymond
  • Stars
    • Sam J. Jones
    • Melody Anderson
    • Max von Sydow
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    63K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,732
    513
    • Director
      • Mike Hodges
    • Writers
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
      • Michael Allin
      • Alex Raymond
    • Stars
      • Sam J. Jones
      • Melody Anderson
      • Max von Sydow
    • 354User reviews
    • 169Critic reviews
    • 58Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 BAFTA Awards
      • 2 wins & 14 nominations total

    Videos2

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:59
    Trailer
    Flash Gordon
    Trailer 1:02
    Flash Gordon
    Flash Gordon
    Trailer 1:02
    Flash Gordon

    Photos282

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Sam J. Jones
    Sam J. Jones
    • Flash Gordon
    Melody Anderson
    Melody Anderson
    • Dale Arden
    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • The Emperor Ming
    • (as Max Von Sydow)
    Topol
    Topol
    • Dr. Hans Zarkov
    Ornella Muti
    Ornella Muti
    • Princess Aura
    Timothy Dalton
    Timothy Dalton
    • Prince Barin
    Brian Blessed
    Brian Blessed
    • Prince Vultan
    Peter Wyngarde
    Peter Wyngarde
    • Klytus
    Mariangela Melato
    Mariangela Melato
    • Kala
    John Osborne
    • Arborian Priest
    Richard O'Brien
    Richard O'Brien
    • Fico
    John Hallam
    John Hallam
    • Luro
    Philip Stone
    Philip Stone
    • Zogi, the High Priest
    Suzanne Danielle
    Suzanne Danielle
    • Serving Girl
    William Hootkins
    William Hootkins
    • Munson
    Bobbie Brown
    • Hedonia
    Ted Carroll
    Ted Carroll
    • Biro
    Adrienne Kronenberg
    • Vultan's Daughter
    • Director
      • Mike Hodges
    • Writers
      • Lorenzo Semple Jr.
      • Michael Allin
      • Alex Raymond
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Flash jumping towards the camera screaming "YEAH!" was improvised by Sam J. Jones. Nobody could figure out how to end the movie.
    • Goofs
      At the very beginning of the film, Ming and his henchman are discussing "an obscure body in the SK system", which the inhabitants refer to as the planet "Earth", pronounced as if the word is completely foreign to them. However, at that moment, Ming activates a button on his console labeled "Earth Quake".
    • Quotes

      Dale Arden: Ming's not unbeatable. With all his men, he couldn't even kill Flash.

      Prince Vultan: [incredulous] Gordon's alive?

    • Crazy credits
      When the ending title appears, a hand picks up Ming's ring and Ming is heard laughing. A "?" appears, making it "THE END?"
    • Alternate versions
      The Wide Screen VHS version released by BMG contains all the cut scenes in their complete and uncut version.
    • Connections
      Featured in Queen: Flash (1980)
    • Soundtracks
      Flash's Theme
      Written by Brian May
      Produced by Brian May and Mack (Reinhold Mack)
      Performed by Queen

    User reviews354

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    Crazy But Fun

    No other film is like this one, as Sam J. Jones plays the title character, based on the famous comic strip and early Saturday morning serials with Buster Crabbe. Max Von Sydow is the evil Ming the Merciless, ruler of Mongo, who is trying to destroy Earth because he is bored. Melody Anderson is Dale Arden, in love with Flash and coveted by Ming. Topol is Dr. Hans Zarkhov, whose rocket ship took the three of them to Mongo in the first place. Brian Blessed is extremely enthusiastic as Prince Vultan, Pre-James Bond Timothy Dalton is quite serious as Prince Barin, rival of Vultan, and in love with Ming's ultra sensuous daughter Princess Aura(Ornella Muti) All will converge in the exciting finale where Flash must save the day.

    Crazy film is nonetheless great fun, no point in taking this seriously, since everything about it is intentionally over the top, punctuated by a soaring score and incredible sets and costumes. Not to be over thought or have all kinds of subtext in it, just sit back and enjoy!
    • AaronCapenBanner
    • Sep 30, 2013
    • Permalink

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    FAQ1

    • Why do the Hawkmen use rocket cycles if they have wings and, therefore, can fly by themselves?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 5, 1980 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • Netherlands
      • Italy
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Флеш Ґордон
    • Filming locations
      • Airstrip, Breakish, Skye, Highland, Scotland, UK
    • Production companies
      • Starling Films
      • Famous Films (II)
      • Dino De Laurentiis Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $27,107,960
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,934,030
      • Dec 7, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $27,185,209
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 51 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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