Flash Gordon (1980) 4K UHD 5 Disc Set Blu-ray Review

[@tomlanigan4308]

Timothy Dalton is at his "Hot Fuzz" best in this movie "FREEZE ! - you bluddy bast-ads !" Taking the big gun off the tripod, and then kicking the tripod over for effect - superb !

[@beeman2075]

You've got me thinking now of the Hot Fuzz scene where Nick Frost does the tomato sauce trick, pretending to stab himself in the eye with a fork, and imagining Frost enacting a similar scene with the Wood Beast trial, using spearmint yogurt instead. Absolutely love both films, Hot Fuzz and Flash Gordon.

[@tomlanigan4308]

@@beeman2075 - Hey, come on silly bollocks, get 'em in !

[@ninfilms]

Edgar Wright was influenced with Flash Gordon while making Scott Pilgrim.

[@CerberusDarkone]

These are my favourite moments in the the Film! He burst into a room where nobody is moving and then shouts Freeze. And kills a bunch of guys in a corridor and before leaving for no reason what so ever he kicks over their tripod.

[@Kennymacuk]

Brian blessed was magnificent in this classic⭐️⭐️

[@tentringer4065]

BRIAN BLESSED

[@tenaciousrodent6251]

Never have i seen a man deliver such bone crushing blows!

[@ninfilms]

All together now "Gordon's Alive!!" "Give me the remote control!" "Flying blind on a rocket cycle"? Mr Blessed is a genius.

[@davidjames579]

Blessed Brian is just magnificent

[@ninfilms]

@@davidjames579 Brian makes that film. His commentaries on this film is brilliant.

[@pennygadget7328]

I finally rewatched this movie a few years ago for the first time since I was a kid, remembering it as a hokey and cheesy movie. But when Lorenzo Semple's name popped up as writer in the opening, all my childhood memories suddenly snapped into focus. Lorenzo was the writer that shaped the '66 Batman series, an absolute favorite of mine and probably the best example of a show designed to read as an out and out comedy to adults but also as serious adventure to kids. To me, Flash Gordon being the spiritual successor to that show is as obvious and ultimately defining in its sensibilities as Starship Troopers being the true sequel to RoboCop. And I totally adore it.

[@terraspent]

"Gordons alive!?" hahaha i will always love this epic work of art

[@adampoll4977]

I recently forced my teenage son to watch Flash Gordon for a family movie night. It started with, "What's this shit?" and ended with, "That was awesome!" Parenting win :)

[@zacharyjochumsen9677]

Adam so you saw this movie as kid

[@Lumibear.]

Tbf they don’t make films like this anymore because they didn’t back then, like many 80s movies it was a one-off, it was as if after Star Wars the whole decade following just kept trying something new to see what might work. But for every big hit there were also tens of failures, the output back then was astonishing, only the best survived.

[@davidjames579]

We should be grateful George Lucas didn't get the rights to Flash Gordon. One, there never would have been Star Wars, and two there never would have been this delight.

[@ferociousmullet9287]

I honestly think it was the music that made this movie work. I was obsessed with the soundtrack when I left the cinema as a kid. I think the same perhaps applies to a lesser degree to highlander as well. Without that score it would have been a very different movie. Everything came together. The pomp of the score fitted so well with the camp nature of both movies. imho anyway.

[@davidjames579]

@@ferociousmullet9287 Have you noticed how the music when the rocket first lands on Mongo sounds like the score in Blade Runner when Deckard flies from the Noodle Bar to Police Headquarters? Of course FG came out two years before BR.

[@jessehilton1337]

YES! Give us more Flash Gordon content Ollie! We will take all we can get 🙏🏼

[@scatsandwich38]

Best battle music ever during the hawkmen attack. Few movies make me feel like this one at the end. Love it!

[@JasonVectrex_187]

We need Flash Gordon in 2020....He could save everyone of us.

[@davidjames579]

A remake has been in the works for a few years. Matthew Vaughan was going to do it, and now it's Julius Avery, dir of Overlord.

[@ronniejdio9411]

She Shell save everyone of us

[@ninfilms]

Flash Gordon is a classic film, Yes its campy a pantomime of cinema but it still a fun ride. Unlike Batman and Robin which it felt like an advert for toys which loss its focus of telling a story. Flash Gordon tells its story and tells it well. Another film you should do as a retrospective is Mike Hodges first film Get Carter which has got it's own cult following.

[@emiliolucca9224]

I realize it's kinda randomly asking but does anybody know a good site to stream newly released series online ?

[@beaujamie2661]

@Emilio Lucca I dunno I use flixportal. Just google for it :) -beau

[@emiliolucca9224]

@Beau Jamie Thanks, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D Appreciate it !!

[@beaujamie2661]

@Emilio Lucca happy to help xD

[@wstine79]

"GORDON'S ALIVE!"

[@hopelessent.1700]

“LIVE LIVE IVE IVE IVE”

[@rach5516]

We only have 14 hours to save the earth...I love this film!

[@stephenmalovski313]

Diiiiiiiiveeeeee

[@justoutofframemoviereviews656]

All Creatures Will Watch Blu-Ray Under Pain Of Death

[@gutz1981]

Damn, Melody still looks good.

[@danielherrin]

Yes she does

[@gutz1981]

@@danielherrin Always wondered why her career faded. She was not a bad actress so to speak. She was attractive. When of the last things I saw her in was Speed Zone (Cannonball Fever) in 1989. She was good in that. Shame really. Wish she had a better career.

[@danielherrin]

@@gutz1981 one could hope it was a choice on her part, maybe she found something she enjoyed more

[@scatsandwich38]

Big time!

[@the-real-Lovefist]

The princess was so hot

[@lennynero635]

Scorching hot. But I never cared when I watched the movie as child. Now however...that is a different story.

[@davidjames579]

@@lennynero635 I like how her character is a conqueror like her father, but of men. When she sees Flash, she has to have him. But still keeps Timothy Dalton as her Side-Bitch.

[@glentaker]

where?

[@KalleVilenius]

That cartoon is what I think when I hear "Flash Gordon".

[@nemz7505]

Loved this as kid, nearly as much as I do today ;)

[@silvervalleystudios2486]

This is a popcorn move. 4K UHD takes the fun out of that.

[@descheers2217]

Brian Blessed, an example of perfect casting!!! "Gordon's alive" nuff said👍

[@jonastiger1000]

No mention of the villain Ming the Merciless played by the stupendous Max von Sydow, how curious. Someone's slacking off...

[@GasheadSteve]

Loved and still love everything about Flash Gordon - it’s just cool from start to finish plus it’s made in 1980 the most perfect generation for films there has ever been.... Screams** Gordon’s ALIVE!!!

[@toonlover4612]

Went to see this at my local cinema 2 weeks ago. I loved it

[@Ytnzy250]

Where u live?

[@toonlover4612]

@@Ytnzy250 north West England

[@Zothaqqua]

The only later movie I can think of in a similar spirit is The Fifth Element -- again, more of a European hit.

[@jessehilton1337]

Good point. I can see several similarities with 5th Element.

[@davidjames579]

I really enjoyed Besson's Valerian, I think it has a similar craziness and colorfulness.

[@Zothaqqua]

@@davidjames579 I'm glad somebody did. ;)

[@davidjames579]

@@Zothaqqua I really don't get why people don't like it. For what it is it's great, a silly, colorful space opera.

[@Zothaqqua]

@@davidjames579 It is definitely silly and colourful, but I can barely remember it. Whereas I can tell you the story of the Fifth Element and quote you lines. I think it mainly comes down to a weak story and characters. I really wanted to like it, and that might be a problem too.

[@matthunter9562]

I hope Flash Gordon can be re-make again soon with Christ Hemsworth as Flash Gordon & Steven Seagal as Ming The Merciless.

[@kamdan2011]

The red in this transfer is BLINDING!

[@Emike-nc9ew]

Gotta say,i was expecting some art or interviews related to alex ross,he loves that movie..

[@michaelbooth2890]

I can't believe I live in a world where you can get Flash Gordon on UHD but can't get True Lies on blu ray.

[@the_9ent]

Absolutely love this film. Yes it’s crazy bonkers and camp but it still holds up in my eyes. Crazy to think this is now 40 years old! Totally agree they should make films like this nowadays.

[@iyona14granturismogt6gtspo7]

I own almost every format of this film!! I must own the 4K!!!

[@davidjames579]

That sounds like something Ming The Merciless would say.

[@iyona14granturismogt6gtspo7]

@@davidjames579 "Prepare the the 4k for our pleasure!"

[@ajsmovieplace]

This was the set I chose. The film looks fantastic.

[@Thecatdrums3]

3:42 I was at the convention! It takes place at where I went for my undergrad

[@Ytnzy250]

Which is where?

[@Thecatdrums3]

@@Ytnzy250 laredo Texas

[@abizzle100]

Great film & soundtrack. Wouldn’t mind owning that myself

[@KnightsLife]

Great review, I really liked it. Brian Blessed is a good friend of mine and I did a video at his house of a behind the scenes interview for yahoo movies for the 40th Anniversary. He also did my outro for my channel!! I'm actually watching Flash Gordon now on TV. Well done.

[@Kalaida]

I should point out that the US Arrow Release that has the 'Life After Flash' documentary comes with more features not present on the Studio Canal disk.

[@nigelcarren]

Nicely done Sir. If any Brian Blessed fans haven't seen the Richard Herring 'RHLSTP' podcast on here then you really are missing a treat! 🏆

[@danielwilliamson6180]

Flash Gordon is a great movie. I met Sam Jones in 2009.

[@fumaku9726]

I really like your reviews! They are very thoughtful. I am a big fan of this movie. Have been ever since I saw it in the theatre when I was 11. Bought the soundtrack a couple of years later on vinyl as a cutout for $1.67! I still have it, by the way.

[@mailjimmygalaxy]

We went to see this at the cinema this week. Was sooooo much fun

[@frankiehoskyn3948]

Max Von Sydow was great in the film 🎬🎥🙂

[@kingcurmudgeon8685]

Literally my favorite movie ever!

[@BronzeAgeBryon]

So sad that production squabbles, tempers, and grudges made Flash Gordon a one trick pony. This should have been a series that expanded in an era where sequels were the norm. You're right Sir, that don't make features like this anymore.

[@JJSPARROW1978]

It really should be called "Queen with Flash Gordon". I mean, come on. Queen gets you in to watch it every time. Then after you watch it, you think a B grade movie, but sing "Flash!........... Ah-ah Savior of the universe "Flash! Ah-ah He'll save every one of us"

[@eval7952]

This movie has the hottest girl cast, and all equally hot! Impossible to pick.

[@JeremyNoblitt]

I have always loved this movie. I quote it all the time.

[@shainewhite2781]

FLASH! AHH! SAVIOR OF THE UNIVERSE! HE'LL SAVE EVERYONE OF US!

[@bernardroth7200]

For me it was the set designs I believe it was Danilo dinardi same guy who did Caligula another beautiful movie

[@KokoRicky]

There's a very slight sag in the second act--for some reason the swamp monster section is a bit underwhelming--but this in many ways the ultimate popcorn movie. There's a fantastical, over-the-top quality to it that very few films have ever matched or surpassed.

[@vanmetschke]

Still love this movie.

[@benbrown4805]

Good review Oliver its a film I have always loved and i always find it rather there was never a sequel. in your review you talked about the Disk producer's seemed to be struggling for extras which is a point I agree with. one of the releases of the film they included the first episode of an old Black and white Buster Crabbe serial not sure which that would have made a good extra. the 5 disk version includes the Queen soundtrack for the film which makes you wonder why the Queen video for Flash's theme wasn't included on the Bluray. Also the Filmation Flash Gordon series is a good one but the producers picked 2 episodes from the poorer 2nd season of the show I would have loved to have seen the feature length filmation Flash Gordon Greatest adventure of them all used instead

[@psammiad]

GORDON IS ALIIIVE!

[@cjkalandek996]

Hey. For your next retrospective, could you please do a review of _Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl?_ I wanna know your thoughts on it.

[@blakeharris58]

This got a *FIVE DISC SPECIAL EDITION?!?!*

[@martingrey2231]

"Gor-don's A-live!!!"

[@phillipyao4260]

The wire seems to be part of the charm

[@KonElKent]

I'm glad the movie is getting some love, but is it enough to finally replace my old LaserDisc?

[@reinforcedpenisstem]

Why replace? Short on cash?

[@welshhibby]

Gordon’s alive !!!

[@leohaddad9225]

Do Beverly Hills cop retrospective please

[@kellinwinslow1988]

Nice review. What I'm really waiting for is the 4K disc of the 95' Ghost In the Shell coming out on September 8th. We'll see how they do with that film. The Blu Ray from a few years ago was not the best either.

[@robertadler4354]

Awesome! :) Would you be interested in reviewing Nicolas Roeg's "The Witches" (1990)? Since Warner Bros. just released an Ultimate Collector's Edition on Blu-Ray Disc (restored in 1080p HD from a 2k Scan, 30th Anniversary...) and a new film adaptation of Roald Dahl's book is coming out next year directed by Robert Zemeckis and produced Alfonso Cuarón and Guillermo del Toro (who also wrote the first drafts of the script/screenplay).

[@robertadler4354]

*by

[@ninfilms]

The Witches is a great film. Nicolas Roeg was a great filmmaker that influenced filmmakers like Danny Boyle and Christopher nolan.

[@DamnFoolIdealisticCrusader]

As a gigantic Flash fan I wanted to get the SC box but settled for the Arrow as it has more extras and features the same encode. The SC box would have cost nearly $75 USD. I’m really hoping the 2.0 track is the untouched original mix. For years I’ve adored the Laserdisc audio and since the old BD was so bad I always watch the letterbox LD edition.

[@andriygriffin4782]

If there's one screenwriter I'd love to share lunch with it'd be Michael Allin, also known for Enter the Dragon. He tells the funniest story of his involvement and clashing with Bruce Lee

[@IngoFilmfreak]

Nice - you got Chris Gore in there! What footage is that..?

[@reflexnight]

I wish they came out with the big one in the US, I know my family would have pounced on it.

[@txmoney]

“Flash Gordon approaching on a rocket cycle??”

[@Nergling]

DIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jhaus3000]

Impetuous boy! Ah well, who wants to live forever!?

[@ShaunSevon]

Gordon's Alliivveee?...#24Sev #Bosh 🤣 🦅

[@TheVonjunk]

Flash aahhhhh~!

[@AndyHugRetro]

'Gordon's ALIVE!?'

[@paulassi5734]

I bought the five discs set but the UHD disc stops playing the studio in UK should get replaced disc to those are effectived by the problem.

[@davidjames579]

I have a question which I hope someone can answer: with the 4K BR revealing effects work that wasn't seen before, does that mean it would have been as glaringly visible in the 35mm prints shown in cinemas? Someone was saying recently how 4K has a nasty habit of revealing the tricks of film-making, and making models look like models. But as I understand it 35mm has that clarity, if not more.

[@OliverHarper]

Yes the issues would've been clearly visible on 35mm prints.

[@davidjames579]

@@OliverHarper Thanks very much for answering, Oliver! I do find it odd that audiences and critics at the time would have seen the effects work enlarged on the big screen, and not found it off-putting. Were film-makers okay with putting out stuff like this, or not trying to hide it better, when they knew the cameras would pick it up? In a strange way we were spoilt by growing up with classic films on the small screen, shrouded by the quality levels of VHS, DVD, and to some extents Blu Ray. 4K can be stunning, but I do wonder if it's a good investment if things now look fake.

[@elbarto6668]

Nice

[@Omar-wq9dz]

As much as I like the 1980 Flash Gordon movie, I think the 1936 adventure serial, with Buster Crabbe, was better

[@VizionZine]

Love this movie but I'm in US so I'll probably just get the 2 Disc Arrow release. Plus I've already seen all the special features before.

[@harleynowland]

I'm in Adelaide, South Australia and am getting and guess from where Zavvi for about $97.50+ Delivery though it has not come yet and it's been a month but it's in Australia and should be coming either the end of this week or early next week.

[@lancelindqvist8848]

Love it

[@rikmills]

I've seen this movie about 5 times and I've just realised it doesn't have Dolph Lundgren in it.

[@ninfilms]

He was probably studying in university at the time.

[@phil8821]

Dolph didn't want to be saviour of the universe. He went on to become master of the universe.

[@inceptional]

Maybe some fan can take the 4K and touch up some of the effects that weren't given the attention they deserved.

[@stefanohlson7351]

Love this movie

[@unsolicited577]

You have to watch Filmation’s “Flash Gordon: The Greatest Story Ever Told” (you can find it on KZbin). It’s a two-hour version of the first season of the animated series and it takes a more serious tone. Please check it out!

[@ravenknight4876]

It's almost impossibel to find online.

[@kallepieters7180]

Oliver Harper can you please make a Retrospectieve/ Review of The Dark Knight

[@realizedvisions]

Anyone have any film recommendations for a fan of Flash Gordon and Barbarella?

[@danielherrin]

Is Flash Gordon getting re released in the USA????

[@Jay-kw9nh]

Limited Edition 4K: www.diabolikdvd.com/product/flash-gordon-uhd-limited-edition-arrow-us-uhd-all-region/ Standard Edition 4K: www.diabolikdvd.com/product/flash-gordon-standard-uhd-arrow-us-uhd-all-region/ Limited Edition Blu-ray: www.diabolikdvd.com/product/flash-gordon-blu-ray-limited-edition-arrow-us-blu-ray/ Standard Edition Blu-ray: www.diabolikdvd.com/product/flash-gordon-standard-blu-ray-arrow-us-blu-ray/

[@AlexGreat321]

Are you going to do the new Pitch Black blu ray release at all?

[@ianhope6429]

Brilliant 👍👍

[@ammosophobia]

FLASH ... Oh oooohhh ....

[@zacharyjochumsen9677]

How much does this box set cost for some t to get Oliver

[@Northernlightshow]

I bought the 2 disk blu-Ray for £14.99 from Zoom.co.uk and agree I was slightly disappointed with the extras.

[@dannyd464]

It's a shame they didn't tidy up the special effects I probably would have bought it, but I think I'll stick with me old DVD.

[@thefonzkiss]

Why do people get sucked in with dust gathering crap like this? You’re gonna look at the lame cards and comic once and then it sits on your shelf gathering dust.

[@journeyman1218]

Collectors like to collect...

[@MasterJediDude]

Like your Happy Days special edition set? AAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY. SIT ON IT.

[@jonastiger1000]

I guess you don't own a vase or such dust gathering crap like it....

[@therepublicofbob2700]

The irony of ‘Fonzy’ trashing nostalgia, only in 2020 would that make sense

[@ktoogood11]

Should have compared it to the remastered bluray

[@globehb7645]

Hey 👋 Oliver, done “Starman” 1984 ✅ ... yet? John Carpenter classic.

[@ninfilms]

Classic John Carpenter film. It is his love story. But great performances from Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen.

[@jimcameron1234]

Bad Carpenter movie with stupid funny acting Jeff Bridges as ALIEN

[@globehb7645]

“stupid / funny” ... 🤔 Starman 💫 was an 80s bona fide classic.

[@globehb7645]

Do I have start my own channel, now?

[@supermetroid009]

NEW VID NICE!

[@centrevezgaming4862]

the only way I can watch the 4k master is through my Xbox one s console due to my ps4 pro does not support it but the box set is great but a collectible statuette would have being great.

[@spookylemon4947]

They’re quite rare with Blu-ray releases.

[@makara80]

As someone who was looking forward to the special features of the U.K. 4K 5 disc release I’m also a little disappointed tbh. As Oliver alludes, a lot of elements feel half-arsed with a stills gallery containing barely a dozen photos (hundreds obviously exist), a random episode of the inferior second series of the Filmation Flash cartoon (first episode of series 1 would’ve been a far more logical choice), a discussion from some prop seller about deleted scenes that he clearly knows almost nothing about etc, etc. It’s by no means bad but it does smack of laziness. The box also omits all mention (at least from what I can see) of the fact the 4K disc is Dolby Vision compatible - a major selling point for many. Pretty good then but by no means definitive.

[@Domgo-d1w]

I bought this and thought the reds looked odd. Over saturated to the point of looking artificially added.

[@greenrabbit05]

FLASH!! Aaa...Aaaaa

[@davidmouser596]

Harper, I'm bored! What playthings can you offer me today?

[@screenplayhouse4932]

When you said it's a shame they don't make movies like this anymore, I disagree. I lived through that shitty period of movies and let's not do that again please. However -- -- you made me realize that in the age of Netflix and Amazon Prime someone should do a new variant of this FLASH GORDON. Just as crass, pathetic, sexy, and tacky. But here's what would make it interesting. 1. Like the original Flash Gordon, it would be an ongoing serial. 2. A new hour each week -- always. Like TV soaps that were an hour 5 times a week. Clever writing would allow characters to go away for a month at time (for a deserved time off). 3. This movie was meant to be sexier and frankly sleazier. But then they retreated. I'd make it the selling point of an ongoing space opera. I don't mean nudity as much as the series being described as 'definitely horny'. It would be such a break from everything else these days. 4. The right balance between cool effects and cheesy effects. Maybe stuff is on strings but no you don't get to see the strings. It can't be too silly, mind you. 5. Instead of Queen, each week a classic song would eat up some minutes during a fight or flight sequence.

[@NaumRusomarov]

It’s one of the rare films I’d love to see a remake of. I know they won’t make it because of the racist elements in it, but still Flash Gordon is great fun.

[@davidjames579]

I'd love to see Edgar Wright have a crack at it. It really seems in his wheelhouse. Scott Pilgrim also has a similar vibe, energy and colour palette. That and the large amount of Brit actors in the original would fit with Wright's use of Brits. You could even get David Walliams to reprise his role as Vulva from Spaced. Just to note, Universal have been developing a remake, so it could still be made.

[@MidLoafCrisis]

@@davidjames579 Puuuudddddinnnngggg!

[@davidjames579]

@@MidLoafCrisis Are you stillll painnnnting?

[@markstevenson621]

Hot my copy