Flash Gordon (1980): 20 Things You Never Knew!

Get ready to blast off into a world of mind-blowing trivia with our deep dive into the iconic 1980 film, Flash Gordon! From shocking behind-the-scenes secrets to hidden details you never noticed, we're uncovering the ultimate truth about this campy sci-fi classic.
#flashgordon #80smovies #trivia #didyouknow #classicmovies #scifi #queen

[@raulcaferata7239]

Ornella Muti justifies every single frame of that movie...

[@thingsbeginningwithj]

I once had the pleasure of working with Brian Blessed. He's everything you'd want him to be! As he walked onto set for the first time, before any introductions he just bellowed "Gordon's alive?!" at the top of his lungs. Everyone was thrilled, obviously. He followed it up by explaining, "Someone always asks me to say it on every job I do, so I like to get it out of the way early!" Great bloke.

[@rockywatchesmovies]

That's great, I would love to meet him

[@user-zy5eb1sc5q]

I went to play school with his daughter and remember him rocking up!

[@kingneutron1]

I would have asked for " DIVE!!! "

[@dukecraig2402]

That's so cool

[@scottmitchell1974]

​@@kingneutron1Yes!

[@davebewshey1549]

I don't need to know 20 things... The one thing I do know is he saved every damn one of us.

[@trishmorton2035]

Ahahhhhhhhhh

[@PaulMaher-f3j]

👏👏👏👏👏😂

[@SPARTANSIX-1]

He a miracle!

[@casadeserena355]

King of Impossible

[@jeffwilson3527]

Hero of the universe

[@edwardbianchi192]

You failed to mention something that no one probably picked up. Ornella Muti was fine AF especially in the red body suit. I saw this in theaters when I was a kid and all I remember was how good she looked! Lol

[@rockywatchesmovies]

🤣🤣 She was a very, very good looking woman. Especially in this movie.

[@MikeTheIdeaGuy]

I never saw the movie as a kid but saw a picture of Ornella in an Electric Company magazine, and was in love with her for years! Then when I finally saw the movie as an adult…I just fell deeper in love 😂🥰

[@lornenoland8098]

I was pre-adolescent when I saw this, and even then she gave me “feelings”

[@ronniebattle6756]

That's all I wanted to say 😂

[@ronniebattle6756]

​@@lornenoland8098yup😊

[@scottshep8978]

I couldn't imagine this movie without queen doing the music.

[@jamesmerritt5562]

It never would have been the same....another reason it deserves more credit than it ever got.

[@kennethrussell1158]

On my opinion, the music was better than the movie

[@scottshep8978]

@kennethrussell1158 it was better. But the movie was campy in a good way. Plus the music helped it.

[@deefrash9806]

One of my all time favs! I remember watching it on HBO as a kid at my buddies house. The soundtrack alone is worth watching it for!!!

[@shawnhuff3920]

This is one of my favorite childhood memories and movies 😅

[@princevultan6589]

“Oh well, who wants to live forever? DIVE!!!”

[@deefrash9806]

He says "Die" not "Dive".

[@princevultan6589]

@@deefrash9806 according to IMDb, I say Dive.

[@Mjmjmj66]

Baaaarrrrooonn!?

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

@@deefrash9806 No, its famously "DIVE!" How could anyone misunderstand anything said by BRIAN BLESSED? The lack of mention of Peter Duncan of Blue Peter and Duncan Dares is a glaring ommision, lol. For shame!

[@scottmitchell1974]

​@@deefrash9806Dive!!!

[@SSmith-fm9kg]

I have slept soundly ever since seeing this film when it came out, knowing that Flash, King of the Impossible, is out there somewhere protecting the universe, having dispatched the evil Ming. It's a fun movie.

[@TheGamerZapocalypse]

"FORGET IT MING...DALE'S WITH ME!" Then Queen's outrageous music kicks in...and the scene erupts into raw action... ...at that moment you just know you're all in for one of the best movies you'll ever see

[@genghisken0181]

I'm just here for the shots of Princess Aura.

[@pr9062]

Ornella in that pink Satin dress 💕

[@scoldeddogproduction]

I saw Flash Gordon when I was 6 in 1981. Living overseas we had limited movies to watch and this was one of them. I watch it many many times and while it wasn't as good as Star Wars I still loved watching it. It's good to see it getting recognition.

[@jamesmerritt5562]

To say that this film has become "Somewhat of a cult classic", blows me away. I saw this movie in the theater upon release, as a kid, but I still rate it as one of my all time favorite movies....up there with Raiders of the Lost Ark. That said, some of the other top features I saw as a kid and still cherish are Xanadu and Warlords of the 21st Century.

[@Fallen_Angel_79]

I love this movie since i was a kid - I used to rent it very often from my local VHS store. Recently i got it on Blu-Ray and it looks amazing :) It's a matter of time till Hollywood resurect this franchise !! No matter how good or not the new movies will be .. THIS ONE will always be my FAVORITE :)

[@jamesmerritt5562]

I couldn't agree more! It a matter of time before some new producer decides to make a new version. None can ever top this, however; it deserves it's place in history. This movie will always be on the top of my "favorite movies of all time" list.

[@johnheartstone7]

Just a great movie

[@cgatlanta]

Years ago I let my 10 year old daughter go to DragonCon. She came back with Sam J Jones autograph for me. Proud dad!

[@thegeekeasy1]

He came to the first comic con herein Anchorage. I have a professional photo taken with him that he autographed.

[@stephenfwadsworth9565]

I met Mr Jones in 1988. He had come all the way to 'Christchurch Armageddon'. I bought the DVD (Remember those), whilst I could. It now sits in my collection. The Music is worth mentioning. And the famous line, "Flash I love you. But we only have 14 hours to save the earth". Not sure it would cut it these days. When you see the other things Mr Delaurentis was involved in. It shows here again. :) Just a unique kind of charm to these old movies. :)

[@duartesimoes508]

One of the most entertaining and amusing movies I ever saw. I specially recall the Birdmen being shot down, which left us all in tears! 😂😂😂

[@daymja_fitness_and_style-zj2yx]

Star Wars/Flash crossover was actor William Hootkins. He played Munsun, Dr Zarkov's assistant in Flash Gordon and Porkins, X-Wing Pilot in Star Wars

[@AndreaBiagini-x8d]

Hootkins worked in Raiders of the lost ark too. He's one of the two secret agents talking to Indiana Jones and Marcus Brody quite at the beginning and at the end of that very nice film.

[@daymja_fitness_and_style-zj2yx]

@@AndreaBiagini-x8d And Max Eckhardt in Batman 1989. An actor that appeared in many of my favourite movies.

[@susancooper6200]

One of the best cult classic movies ever! Best costumes

[@BruceWalther-s2l]

I like Flash Gordon as much now as I did when I saw it back in the early 1980's when we first got cable TV (HBO). Actually, lines like "I love you Flash ... but we only have 24 hrs to save earth ...!" are funnier now than they were when I was 14. Flash Gordon is a camp action comic gem. Italian actress Orletta Muti is just about too sexy for PG. Max Von Sydow is perfect as Ming. Brian Blessed and Timothy Dalton. It never gets get old. I just popped in my 30th anniversary edition because of Rocky Watches Movies vid. Topol as Zarkov: "I've been right all these years ... we are being attacked." We are not 10 minutes in and for some reason Ming has taken out the pilots of Flash and Dale Arden's (already falling in love ...?) plane. gotta luv it. Flash is a fitting watch for the Halloween season, too. There are at least 2 good costume possibilities from the main characters --- and that does not include Flash himself.

[@slappyjones2136]

Great story abotu Brian Blessed. He definitely seems like he is having a blast the entire movie. He steals every scene he is in. Timothy Dalton was also great in this role

[@hakonsoreide]

I agree. The movie is worth seeing just for the charisma of the three actors in it with backgrounds in doing Shakespeare on stage: Timothy Dalton, Brian Blessed and Max von Sydow. All three have an amazing presence.

[@jaybones614]

The Queen had good taste in movies.

[@gtf5392]

‘Look! Water is leaking from her eyes’

[@scottyk_cdvi5650]

"They call them tears, it's a sign of weakness "

[@jeffreywhitlock4882]

Thoroughly enjoyed the film as a kid

[@ronfehr7899]

Having already seen this movie, it was a pleasant surprise to see Brian Blessed in one of the Doctor Who stories. His portrayal immediately reminded me of his role on Flash Gordon.

[@Hobbypayday]

They need to make a miniseries about this. Not the same story line as this gem, but revisiting all the old comics and doing those instead.

[@neilhartigan7456]

The movie, Ted and the rock band Queen that’s what put this back to life 🧐

[@afwalker1921]

I am a filmmaker. Were I directing action scenes in which the indomitable Brian Blessed was making spontaneous "pew-pew!" noises while shooting his prop gun, I would have left it in. So schiessen wie Flash Gordon! Kuku-koo! It's just too funny! I deeply love this crazy movie!!!

[@THEBEARDEDTOOLGUY]

My PARENTS took me and my Younger sister to see it back 1980 this movie was great

[@ivanfiorani1363]

I do t understand….this was and still is an awesome movie…. Just the best

[@richardbrayshaw570]

Well, that was a bit of fun! Great movie.

[@rockywatchesmovies]

It was very enjoyable to watch it again. I hadn't seen it for ages.

[@mothafraker]

In my opinion Flash Gordon is just as cool at 51 yrs old, as it was when I was 7.

[@amateurantix1865]

loved this movie as a kid and still has a special place in my heart. Still rock the theme song all the time.

[@battlestarmarc]

This film was fun and flashy. Klytus was a cool bad guy.

[@samuelbroad11]

the original 1930s Flash is on youtube, we've watched about half; blown away by how faithful this 1980 version is. Worth a watch for how they could cobble so many different back drops together during the depression: Egyptian sepulchers, random 'caves' a few beaut secret doors and a real bear painted in white stripes. Delightfully budget with all the requisite cliffhangers.

[@butterbean3462]

Great Channel. Always something of interest.

[@rockywatchesmovies]

Thank you so much, i really appreciate it

[@scarletharlot69]

Long Live Flash!

[@julieabraham3566]

"Flying blind on a rocketcycle?!?"

[@RobertSchroeder-f9c]

I was in high school when Flash Gordon came out. After I’d seen it I asked my friends if they had seen it yet. This was followed by some comments that made me laugh because they thought I was talking about Buck Rogers. I corrected them and told them about the movie. They thanked me for recommending it to them after they finally saw it. We all laughed about the fact that they confused it with Buck Rogers

[@Deuteromis]

Here is a nice FunFact: If you ever watched the anime Big O and wondered why the theme sounded like Flash Gordon's theme it was because the composer was a huge fan of Queen and his theme song was paying homage to the band.

[@Classicgamer73]

This film to me matched, if not bettered Star Wars for fun, action, special effects, amazing characters and of course my favourite band Queen for the music, the Americans missed out on this classic film back in the day. Loved it as a kid, seen it with my brother and father at our local cinema. And I didn't forget the princess too of course...

[@zooropa04]

The BDSM awakening of many a viewer, lol.

[@christownsend7552]

Sam J Jones did a spread for Playgirl. Holy Shit 🔥🔥🔥

[@daverage4729]

Hah! Brian Blessed....an absolute legend...PEW PEW!!!!!!!!

[@kratibnoi10310]

The video is amazing!

[@rockywatchesmovies]

Thank you so much

[@MagikFingers420]

My dad had this in a VHS aka VCR movie, and I tried watching it once when I found it hidden in his room(snooping around) and it was recorded over with you can guess what, it was rather alarming as a pre teen.

[@Adrian-bt4nf]

The guy who plays Jack reacher would be a good flash

[@jamesmerritt5562]

I assume you mean Alan Ritchson, star of the latest "Reacher" series. Now that you mention it I couldn't agree more, however, it would require a good director to ensure it didn't turn into a cult classic and ruin Alan's career.

[@deletebilderberg]

Sure but why remake a classic?

[@WillMuny]

"Semi Pro Football Player" then shows him in a Jets uniform. Ouch!!

[@karlepaul6632]

Yeah...but to be fair, that was the team he was playing for in the movie... probably a promotion still

[@Mjmjmj66]

Not the bore worms!!

[@scottysmediaproductions]

I had no idea SJ didn't finish the movie!

[@GordonRupe]

Pink Floyd or Queen? How about Pink Floyd AND Queen ! THAT would've been a soundtrack for the ages !

[@heidifedor]

Sam J. Jones admitted that he bad advice from his agent.

[@cpuuk]

Things you didn't know 21. Flash Ah-ah Saviour of the universe...

[@alexp8764]

Flash Ah-ah King of the impossible

[@enriquehernandez8993]

Flash Ah-ah He'll say everyone on of us

[@JeremyTurpen-s7h]

Flying blind on a rocket cycle

[@maxpiemuse9584]

I'm convinced the scene where Ornella Muti was being whipped was the entire reason they made this movie.

[@Buster_Piles]

I end up in the Big Top every time I watch that.

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

The Queen sound track

[@guyh.4553]

One of my most favorites. Watched it numerous times. Yes, cheesy as h**l but still fun to watch!😊😊😊

[@lamartruth6601]

Awesome soundtrack

[@muddfoot69]

As a kid I was scared of that part where they stuck their arms in the tree stump

[@hakonsoreide]

I'm surprised there was no mention of naked women extras sneaking into Von Sydow's dressing room because they fancied Ming the Merciless, and Max asking for help from Brian Blessed to get them out as he didn't know how to handle it. Also from Brian Blessed's autobiography.

[@bradscruggs5020]

Great movie

[@TimJCOOL-ng8pu]

Love this 1.

[@djjess9553]

We need a solid flash universe going!!!!

[@thegeekeasy1]

There's no such thing as a "former" Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine.

[@mrpickles3479]

Great movie, needs to be remade 🙏

[@Buster_Piles]

With a black trans lesbian as Flash.

[@Texscripter]

Loved this movie as a kid and love it even more now. It's easily the best WORST movie of all time! So cheesy, but damn it's awesome. Glad you included that last point - I'd heard the Queen showed it every single Christmas. Legend!

[@tzeffsmainchannel]

The women (even the evil ones) are really beautiful and attractive! 🥰🤗💖

[@MartinSmith-qt3cc]

The evil ones usually are

[@bariantmanci2125]

Mings opening line was sampled by the Orb.

[@gregorycotter6461]

Dude how old are you?? Did you even see this film at the cinema in 1980?? This movie is a classic.

[@jeffn6739]

Dale or Princess Aura? I’ll go first Princess Aura ❤😍

[@joeysantos3978]

Was ahead of its time shame egos got in the way would have loved part 2-3

[@darrenporter1850]

Nobody ever mentions the final song (The Hero), Queen sing about a Sequel in the Words.

[@jase0910]

Imagine a Lucas/Spielberg production of Flash Gordon with a Raiders of the Lost Ark feel

[@richterkennedy2101]

You fools! He’s playing some barbaric game. Now match him… Like this! 😂

[@haggismuncher429]

The aeroplane bit was filmed in Skye!

[@jamesmerritt5562]

"Sorry, Munson, you had your chance."

[@beccawilson1368]

Flash Gordon is still one of my favorite films. I have 2 copies of the soundtrack (on 8 track, lol) because its the best soundtrack ever !! if any idiot remakes this film, they better be damned good at it.

[@dinomonzon7493]

This was a good video. There's also a double tie in to the James Bond films- Prince Barin of the Arborian Tree People was played by then future James Bond 007, Timothy Dalton. Greek actor Topol, who played Dr. Hans Zarkov, would play smuggler Milos Columbo in 1981's For Your Eyes Only, the only time Sir Roger Moore played 007 seriously.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Great movie. 15 years ago, I met Sam J. Jones.

[@kungfudiscoelf]

Greatest movie ever

[@phosmana666]

Robbie Coltrane from Harry Potter is one of airport crew at the start of the film.

[@Captain_Sarcastic]

This is not my favorite film, but I would have been thrilled to have seen subsequent films, making up a trilogy. I really feel like this film was exceptionally well cast, especially, Ornella Muti. Now I have go to and watch the film After Flash, which keeps popping up in my streaming queue.

[@rockywatchesmovies]

It was a shame no more were made. The cast was great, with Muti the cherry on top.

[@iansands8607]

PRINCESS AURA ❤❤❤❤

[@kirkhensley5870]

Some idiot that I knew ages ago told me that General Klytus was played by Jeremy Irons. Convincing, but untrue. Whoever Peter Wyngarde was, he took those Darth Vader vibes and rolled hard with them. Props!

[@mubirshu]

Peter Wyngarde was a British actor who was very popular in the 1960s in his TV show "Jason King". That character, and his wardrobe, was a big inspiration for Austin Powers.

[@kirkhensley5870]

@@mubirshu F*k!ng double cool. 😎

[@VictorMaxol]

The guy who played R2 D2 was in Flash. Robbie Coltraine was the airport staff at the start. Brian Blessed was in it too.

[@andiparker3733]

Oola's pet wasn't played by Kenny Baker.. (if that's who you're thinking of) he was played by Deep Roy. He also played The Oompa Loompa's in Depp's version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Scotty's partner in the remade Star Trek films. If Kenny played someone else that I missed, let me know 😁

[@VictorMaxol]

@@andiparker3733 In the credits KB played a dwarf, I presume one of those brightly coloured guys who poke Ming's guards during the football fight.

[@scottyk_cdvi5650]

If there is a remake..... GERARD BUTLER as Prince Vultan would be perfect IMO

[@Paumanokcom]

"Who are the Queens? Which one is Pink?"

[@mrdynamic8678]

The costumes of the goons look like Las Vegas knights

[@djdksf1]

Someone must now take up the challenge of recreating a Pink Floyd Flash Gordon soundtrack. It's a moral imperative.

[@lurkerrekrul]

As was standard practice back then, there was a novelization of the movie, complete with a few pages of color photos in the center. Often, the authors would take liberties with the story to add extra details not present in the movie, or their novelization might be based on an earlier script that included scenes that didn't end up in the film. I'm not sure which applies in this case, but there's a passage burned into my memory where Ming and Aura are talking, and Ming says that once Flash has been dealt with, maybe he should tie Aura to his bed and whip her bottom, as they did in "more innocent times", a suggestion that Aura is pretty enthusiastic about. I don't know exactly where that came from, but it certainly sheds new light on the scene where Klytus says he thinks Aura enjoyed being tortured. The book also implied that the "bore worms" would be applied anally, and would then eat the victim's colon.

[@Derpy1969]

Brian Blessed is Flash’s Gimli.

[@trishmorton2035]

Waititi would be the kiss of death to a Flash Gordon remake.

[@goodrich06]

Klytus I'm bored...I always liked the beginning when it showed all the destruction buttons for the Earth and one button said Hot Hail. 😂😂

[@scottyk_cdvi5650]

"What play thing can u offer me today?"

[@goodrich06]

@@scottyk_cdvi5650 Klytus lived!

[@stephenfwadsworth9565]

Brian Blessed. He was great in 'Black Adder'.

[@BruceWalther-s2l]

I just started watching Black Adder on DVD (2024 I didn't realize how old the Rowan Atkinson show was/is: 1985-89). Brian Blessed bellows very well. Sometimes very Shakespearean. 😂

[@drmusic3641]

I'm surprised Jones found work again after pulling that stunt

[@timmellor2599]

The world will be a quieter and sadder place when Brian Blessed is no more. He is unusually extrovert for a Brit!

[@rockywatchesmovies]

A true legend

[@stuartburns8657]

Going to see him soon on his last 'an evening with Brian Blessed' Really looking fwd to it

[@timmellor2599]

@@stuartburns8657 Not that I have any doubts, but have a wonderful evening. I'm in Italy, so I can't enjoy it with you in the same theatre

[@stuartburns8657]

@@timmellor2599 Thank you 🙏 My family snd I was in Jesolo a month ago. You have a very beautiful Country 👍

[@timmellor2599]

@@stuartburns8657 I live at the foot of the mountains that you could see, but slightly further west (Jesolo is about 70km away). I have lived here in Italy for 20 years, and it still amazes me

[@JamesMcCLaren-ri7js]

You rule me bird!

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

The series was a pretty good

[@chrissullivan4496]

I like that movie

[@Soldmysoulforablurayplayer]

No, please keep Taika Waititi far far awat from Flash Gordon. 2 people I would cast as Flash is Chris Evans or Alan Richardson.