Camper than a field full of tents, this 1980 adventure is mainly remembered for the rock anthem ‘Flash’ by Queen that thunders across the soundtrack. Directed by Mike Hodges (better known for grittier films like Get Carter and Croupier), it’s a brightly coloured adventure as New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon (Jones) travels with his pals to the planet Mongo to face off against the evil Ming the Merciless (Von Sydow), who is going to destroy the earth.
Former set decorator Jones and ex-model Melody Anderson (as Flash’s pal Dale) are both pretty appalling, Von Sydow chews and spits out the kitsch scenery, while actors including Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed just look bemused at their outlandish costumes. It’s all terribly silly, but nonetheless an enjoyable romp for all ages, one of those films that’s so bad it’s actually pretty good.
Is Flash Gordon suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
It’s mainly too silly to be frightening, but there are a couple of scary moments, including one in which a character is impaled and his eyes pop out.
If you like this, why not try: The Phantom, The Rocketeer, Dick Tracy, Batman: The Movie, The Adventures Of Sharkboy And Lavagirl,