How Over-the-Top Is FLASH GORDON? - First-Time Watching!

[@Tyburn_Lil]

THE LEGEND that is Brian 'Gordon's alive?' Blessed. He has attempted Everest WITHOUT oxygen three times, helped a woman in a park deliver a baby, survived a plane crash in a jungle, is the oldest man to walk to the North pole. Has voice credits that include Boss Has in Starwars, and uncredited in Gladiator ' Maximus, Maximus the merciful!' Loves animals and comes across as one if the most interesting people you'd ever be lucky enough to meet.

[@Serai3]

I think he should have played Gimli's dad Gloin.

[@njzynj]

He also played Augustus in the PBS miniseries"I Claudius" That's a mini series that should be reacted to!

[@richardreviewstv]

He’s the uks Chuck Norris we should have more jokes about him like Norris jokes

[@swanchamp5136]

He's also punched a polar bear

[@yermatedave4930]

His name is spelled "BRIAN BLESSED!!!"

[@stevenr6397]

its really important to tell people that this movie is INTENTIONALY CAMP, if you watch the original black and white versions you realising this is a homage to the old ways they used to make scifi serials. God I love this movie

[@SirHilaryManfat]

For the majority of us Gen X 80's kids, Princess Aura was definitely an "awakening". Oh yeah, great film also.

[@realmorgan3075]

She was gorgeous

[@Serai3]

She was known in Italy for her sexpot roles. Very gorgeous.

[@axspike]

I was 9 when this came out and she was incredible! 😍

[@scottredding7357]

Movies with a Queen soundtrack - this and Highlander. There can be only two.

[@wesleymarsh263]

I'm old enough to say I watched this in the theater. And I LOVED IT. Every frickin' minute of it. I'm pumped you're reacting to this. Every few years I get a strong urge to get it out and enjoy the ride. B-grade movie at its best.

[@kvoltti]

My parents took me to see it at the drive in.... now that was the perfect venue for it

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

Hawkman is played by the great Brian Blessed. Not many can do loud and boistrous like him. LOL

[@DanielR-ug9sl]

Gordon's Alive!!!!

[@paulflux5892]

That this movie got completed at all was a minor miracle. It was filmed in England with a British director and crew working for an Italian producer who employed Italian set and costume designers who spoke no English. The director and cast often had to add lib scenes based on whatever sets were presented on the day.

[@toomanyaccounts]

George Lucas actually was looking to direct this since he was a fan of the serials

[@MJE-riffs]

If you think Brian Blessed is over the top as Vultan, maybe one day you'll see his performance in the classic Doctor Who episode Mindwarp. Makes Vultan look like a mime act by comparison.

[@cyberleadr]

Dude had rizz tho...

[@jmboyd65]

Watch him in the first Blackadder series if you want scene chewing 😂

[@rnw2739]

But Peri's death ensures his hamming up is soon forgotten.

[@sorewahimitsudesu]

You should see him in Blakes 7. He actually said he went a little over the top.

[@blueroninstudios]

This is the single most HILARIOUS RIFFED REACTION IVE EVER SEEN TO THIS MOVIE!

[@swanchamp5136]

Isn't Richard O'Brien in this as the bald forest guy in the cape? He's in Rocky Horror Picture Show and became a household name in the UK presenting Crystal Maze in the 90s

[@sorewahimitsudesu]

And Klytus is Peter Wyngarde, super spy Jason King and the inspiration for both Austin Powers and "Jason Wyngarde" from the X-Men comics, the guy who got Jean Grey into the Hellfire Club and we can probably blame for being a terrible influence on Dark Phoenix.

[@DanielR-ug9sl]

Theme tune is still banging

[@awall1701]

I did see Flash Gordon in the cinema in 1980. Even had the sticker album.

[@stevenr6397]

i wasnt even born yet, so i envy you, I do however console myself with the fact I have a special edition steelbook copy of the movie signed by Brian Blessed (Prince Vultan)😁

[@awall1701]

@@stevenr6397 Oh cool. Did you get it at a book signing that Brian Blessed was at?

[@Shoomer88]

Yeah, me too, in the UK. It wasn't a huge film (it had some strong competition at the time) but it was far from a flop.

[@stevenr6397]

@@awall1701 he did a signing event in Worcester UK when that edition was released, it was an independant video shop that paid him to do it (they still existed back then) sadly i wasnt able to make the event myself but they got him to sign every copy they had in stock so when I got there they had about five copies left, its takes a prime position in my limited collection next to my Patrick Stewart Signed phaser!!!! to my inner 10year old they are equally valuable

[@dngillikin]

"She has an Oompa-Loompa!" She has the Oompa-Loompa from the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie.

[@jcthorpe69]

I'm 58 and I saw this in the theatre with my dad, who loved Flash Gordon movies and comics when he was growing up. I was 13 and I loved it. Pops....not so much. :)

[@geraldvance7925]

The two short characters you guys called oompa loompas actually played oompa loompas in the original Willy Wonka and a chocolate factory. They were the same actors. Voltan's theme music was also used in the old arcade game Vanguard.

[@JeshuaSquirrel]

I love these 80s movies with a talented actor playing an arch villain where they have all the fun eating the scenery. Max von Sydow here as Ming. Frank Langello as Skeletor in Masters of the Universe. Raul Julia in Street Fighter. Watching these actors is so much fun.

[@njzynj]

Did you catch Riff Raff from Rocky horror picture show? He was Baron's second. The bald guy they put in the swamp trap with Flash.

[@Rutabega_NG]

Wait what? I totally missed that!

[@benedenfield3486]

I saw this with my mom when I was 10 on Christmas Eve in my little home town in Georgia. Seeing a movie on Christmas Even was going to be our thing. Unfortunately, Ming's Pleasure Palace kind or put a stop to future movie going. I just remember being enthralled by this movie!

[@njzynj]

Topol's greatest character is Tevya in the movie version of "Fiddler on the Roof" You might like him better in that role. Also, I always felt this Flash Gordon was sort of a tribute to the TV show Flash Gordon which was notoriously bad. You could actually see the strings on the spaceships.

[@les4767]

He also played Columbo in the James Bond film "For Your Eyes Only."

[@sorewahimitsudesu]

At least Topol knew he was doing pantomime. Legend has it that Dino De Laurentiis thought he was making a serious film to compete with Star Wars.

[@radicaladz]

Funnily enough, I actually have had the privilege and pleasure of meeting Brian Blessed at a Q&A/screening of Flash Gordon back in my uni days, and he launched, apropos of nothing, into an hour+ set of him doing his various routines, explaining his life and career and various crazy adventures; the man required no microphone nor additional means of amplification - just a stage, a captive audience, and for the host to get out of his way and let the man work the crowd. I even composed an ode to the occasion, in the style of Spike Milligan and William McGonagall. *OooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooyezoyezoyez! Gather round, folks, for the Ballad of Brian Blessed...* T'was in the spring of 2014, son, When Lord Sir Brian Blessed struck the town of Lincoln without rhyme or rea-son. Late that night, without any warning, He blew out the venue's entire PA system, simply by yawning!

[@mekonta]

Did you spot ‘Hagrid’ actor Robbie Coltrane at the very beginning loading the luggage and closing the door hatch of the private plane?

[@tan5taafl]

Loving you guys for this. Iconic sci fi camp

[@denysmace3874]

Well, that was a lot of fun. Thanks guys, though I'm not 100% sure you were talking it seriously😂 And, semi-seriously, as someone of a certain age, i think I can say that even when this came out, it was really cheesy. I think they were trying to do a throwback to the 1930s adventure series, including dodgy effects. You should do a follow-up with Barbarella.

[@Rutabega_NG]

OMG, Barbarella! That movie was something else!

[@jmboyd65]

I ❤ you guys so much. Out of all the reactions I've seen of this flick, I've never seen anyone have this much fun. I'm 💀 over here

[@billwoods9302]

The art direction for Flash Gordon is its own character. The low budget required cheap, practical special effects, but they perfectly match the vibe of the movie. It's tough not to admire this movie because it doesn't take itself seriously. It's over the top, silly and just plain fun. Along with Big Trouble in Little China, Flash Gordon also secures its place among the greatest 'bad' movies ever made. In other words, it's a bonafide cult classic. Great reaction!

[@RETNASCANZ]

I saw this in the theaters when I was 11 years old, 55 now and enjoying all the reactions.

[@stuartarmstrong5190]

The leader of the Hawkmen is Brian Blessed - he's an absolute legend and national treasure in Britain. I can't believe you didn't include his "Gordon's alive!!!!!!!" line which is iconic. He is mainly known for sheer volume but he can actually act - he is in quite a few Shakespearean films by Kenneth Branagh. Well worth looking out for clips of him on KZbin as he is a v funny guy. He has also climbed Mount Everest!

[@rnw2739]

National Treasure in England.

[@DanielR-ug9sl]

Ming the merciless scared the &$&^ out of me when I was a kid. Nightmares I still remember now.

[@dngillikin]

Yes, my little brother and I saw this in the theater upon initial release, then saw it again on HBO a year later, and then my chemistry teacher showed it on VHS on the last day before Christmas break in '82.

[@robertcringle4865]

Saw this movie in the theaters 45 years ago. At the time it was one of thebest Sci fi movies. Loved Brian Blessed (Hawkman) and the special effects which were very different from Star Wars. A unique experience that was under appreciated by the audience.

[@IsiahBradley]

"Temu Deathstroke." "Milky Dee Williams." :) "Spirit Airlines." :)

[@neonsuntan]

The producer didn’t realise he was making a camp comedy sci-fi movie. The cast and crew realised. Love to see you laughing and enjoying the wild ride of this film.

[@brycehiigel235]

Yes we saw this in the theater. Next movie you all need to react to is Caveman with Ringo Starr, Dennis Quaid, And Shelly Long.

[@FeaturingRob]

Chaim Topol, who played Dr. Hans Zarkov, was Israeli and was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for the classic movie musical Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye (a role he played onstage for a few years in London and later did on Broadway in a revival in the 1990s). Look up "If I Were A Rich Man" from that musical...he is fantastic in the film. He passed in 2023. Two actors in the movie later appeared in the Harry Potter movies. The extra who closed the door to the airplane at the beginning of the film was Robbie Coltrane, aka Rubeus Hagrid, in his first screen appearance. Prince Thun, who got stuck by Ming after he was told to fall on his sword, was George Harris, who played Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, "You've got to admit...Dumbledore's got style!" Munson, who tried to get away from Zarkov and got squished by the plane, was played by William Hootkins. Hootkins was Jek Porkins in Star Wars - Episode IV - A New Hope, Major Eaton in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Lt. Eckhart in Tim Burton's Batman. Melody Anderson, who played Dale Arden, retired from acting many years ago and works as a social worker specializing in addiction in families. She still attends conventions occasionally, but she's not a part of the Hollywood world anymore.

[@stephenb5jones476]

I'm still alive. I saw this movie in the theaters, three times. Once to see it, twice to watch other people see it for the first time. It was too much fun.

[@teddennison344]

Saw it in the theater at a friend's birthday party. A few years back, I was watching Wonder Woman in the same theater, and noticed on the closing credits that the head writer (Alan Heinburg) was one of the other guys at that birthday party. Direct evidence that this movie influenced Wonder Woman? You be the judge...

[@DanielR-ug9sl]

Made me laugh when you said 1980's Geordie LaForge - Geordie was 1980's lol amazing how effects changed in a few years.

[@terryconnelly484]

I couldn't wait to watch It in the theater When I was 12

[@coderdenewbie]

A movie you should watch is Starship Troopers

[@goyhoipolloi]

This movie is awesome precisely because it was goofy, campy, and off the wall. It was never to be taken seriously. It was always a fun ridiculously good time. "Highly Entertained" was exactly the goal. The soundtrack IS the best! Can't go wrong with Queen, but you are right, the soundtrack single-handedly has kept this movie from disappearing into obscurity. I watched this at 8 years old and loved it. I've watched it periodically since from a nostalgic standpoint and still to this day love it. When I want something light-hearted, funny, and just pure entertainment this is one of me go-to films. It really was so bad that it's good, but at the end of the day, it's good.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

When you started singing my dogs attacked me. Thanks for that 😂

[@dianedavid3052]

This used to be on every Christmas when I was little. We looked forward to it! It’s ridiculously cheesy but so much fun! I love it 😂😂

[@denysmace3874]

Oh no! Throw away David Lynch line on the day his death was announced!

[@JAYWALKER1000]

"I didn't know you could grow that much hair in your brows?" Have you seen Tom Selleck????

[@egbah428]

Brilliant film and sound track. And brian

[@JAYWALKER1000]

I saw it in the theater. Not deceased yet. If they hadn't gone the route of Batman Forever and Batman and Robin it had the potential to rival Star Wars. The comic strip was a great sci-fi adventure. It's what George Lucas wanted to do but he couldn't get the rights (these people had them) - so he made Star Wars.

[@alanbeaumont4848]

A lot of veterans of 60s and 70s British camp TV, most notably Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde (hidden behind his black mask). Note that the baddies are playing it pretty straight rather than milking it for laughs, which is why it is such glorious fun. I particularly like the officers of the rocket Ajax taking it all very seriously as the pantomime mayhem breaks out all around.

[@rnw2739]

As other actors of the 60s and 70s like Anthony Hopkins and Gordon Jackson are always cited as Welsh actors and Scottish actors of the 60s and 70s respectively, please do not erase Englands identity by claiming Peter Wyngarde and Brian Blessed were/are 'British'. If that were true, than Hopkins and Jackson would also be identified as such.

[@alanbeaumont4848]

@@rnw2739 I'm English born with a French surname, my first name is Welsh, my middle one Scottish, my mother having had a Scottish surname and have Irish great grandparents. I can't take this nationalism stuff seriously, so... whatever.

[@dianedavid3052]

This used to be on every Christmas when I was little. We looked forward to it! It’s ridiculously cheesy but so much fun 😂😂

[@judithturner1593]

Have you reacted to 1992's 'TED' yet, cause that's a great hilarious follow-up to FLASH! !!

[@denysmace3874]

Is it possible to say Flash without an automatic ah-ah! ?!

[@kerry-j4m]

No,it isn't. LOL. LOVE this film,a lot. Quite entertaining too.

[@juliorivera5785]

The movie was purposefully made in the vein of the original Flash Gordon from the 50's. Remember, this movie came out after Star Wars. Special effects were now Star Wars level.

[@judithturner1593]

Recommend 'Mom and Dad Save the World' (PG, 1992) for a similar goofy experience!

[@EdSigma]

I once got to see a Q&A with the director Mike Hodges; one thing we said was that they were constantly running interference to stop producer Dino De Laurentiis (who REALLY wanted his answer to Star Wars) from realising that this wasn't a serious SF epic, but a tongue firmly in cheek comedy. Right call with the material; I mean, this was also written by the mind behind the 60s Batman TV show.

[@elmerkilred159]

The set design, and costume designs were over the top. In the early 80s, large art productions were a thing. (IE; the Rocky Horror Picture Show). Another comic book/cartoon adapted movie was Popeye, in the 1980s, it's a bad movie, but the actors, set design, make up, and costumes are great. What makes Flash Gordon a great bad movie is that is a throwback to the 1930s/40s matinees, and comic book. Kind of like thee TV show Buck Rogers in the 1980s where Twiki replaced the living sidekick of Buck, "Buddy." (IE; Beedy Beedy Beedy). The 80s were a great time for TV and movie experimentation.

[@Auth0R_M0RGaN]

4:50 “Flash Gordon” was the 2nd film I saw as a youngin at the cinema in 1980, my very 1st movie was “Battle Beyond The Stars” a few months earlier, it’s a b movie space version of “The Magnificent Seven”, both of these starred Robert Vaughn, highly recommended to add to your bad movie list lol.

[@JamesAHirons_]

I was 5 when I first saw this. The first film I ever saw at the cinema. It was epic, although Klytus' death freaked me out a bit.

[@Brokephi316]

I was 13 when I saw this in the theaters, and I met Sam J Jones at Hero Con 2 years ago!

[@desmoove]

If I was a pimp I would be wearing all those Ming outfits at the Playa's Ball.

[@Serai3]

Max von Sydow, who usually acted in serious adult films, said he did this one for his grandchildren. Fun fact: Sam Jones's dialogue was all dubbed by a different actor. It seems his performance was, shall we say, less than satisfactory. I saw this in the theater when it came out. It was only underrated in the US, which has never had much of a sense of humor about camp. I thought it was marvelous. You can't take Flash Gordon seriously, for gods' sakes; it only works when you view the comic with a skewed eye.

[@johnnyrandolph01]

Flash Gordon is a definitive classic

[@cutthr0atjake]

This was great cheesy fun in the 80's and its great cheesy fun now! 😁

[@13dronid]

Just caught the beginning... I'm not quite in the Walking Frame yet! I saw it in the cinema. And Sam J Jones in little shorts was a bit of an awakening.

[@derekramsaroup3883]

I absolutely adore this movie ,and it remains great fun ...

[@MiLikesVids]

The film's vibe is a great recreation and jazzing up of the orignal 1930s film serial with Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon. It follows the story of that serial pretty well.

[@jonathanbsmith5178]

I did see this movie theater. My brother saw Queen rock this live on stage 💪🏽😁

[@YourBeingParanoid]

Thank you for giving this Gen X white guy in the UK a good shake and bake experience this Saturday morning - class!

[@kerrissedai6857]

This movie was such a big part of my childhood 😂

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

This movie is camp AF. Play spot the Doctor Who actor! PS You need to check out the Sam Jones/Flash Gordon fantasy scene in "Ted".

[@dngillikin]

Let's see, we have Timanov from "Planet of Fire," King Yrcanos from "Mindwarp," Light from "Ghost Light," a Rassilon from the post 2005 revival, and possibly the Peking Homunculus from "The Talons of Weng-Chiang,"

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

@@dngillikin Approved!

[@Keffinated]

I may not have seen Flash Gordon in the theaters, but that's where I watched "Flesh Gordon" (1974). I recommend you check it out. Better than this movie.

[@BriMakesComments]

pmsl no way was Flesh Gordon in theatres ya tease

[@John_Locke_108]

​@@BriMakesCommentsBack in the 70s that was the only way to see those movies. Home video didn't exist yet.

[@Keffinated]

@@BriMakesComments There were many X-rated films shown in theaters during this time

[@BriMakesComments]

@@Keffinated true I just remember my 14 year old self having to rent on VHS or betamax. Never seen a Penisaurus ever since :)

[@emilmlodnicki3835]

General Kala and Princess Aura were Italian. Max von Sydow is Finnish Vultan, Barin and Klytus were English Zharkov was Isreali And poor Flash Gordon was American but they used someone else's voice because he didn't come back for the audio re-recordings because he had a big falling out with Dino de Laurentis. His real voice is much deeper.

[@MyHazey]

If this is a "D movie," then the D stands for Delightful! My parents took us to see this in the drive-in. It was a double feature. Against All Odds was the second film. I checked out of that one.

[@crustychris2]

I came to you for the doctor who reactions, but this is brilliant ❤

[@ernestineful]

AHHHH!! AHHHHH!!!! Love it! Love you guys! Happy New Year! #QueenRocks

[@skleefeld]

If Bad Movie Night is a thing now, you've got to spend time with the *ultimate* in bad movies: Plan 9 From Outer Space!

[@Rutabega_NG]

I could not get through that one. It was _too_ bad. I tried.

[@skleefeld]

@@Rutabega_NG It helps if you're able to turn off your brain while you watch! 😆

[@manueldeabreu1980]

I saw this in the theaters with my mom. It has always been a guilty favorite. If you consider this a 'D' movie then you have to watch Condorman with Michael Crawford in the lead. That movie may be a 'Z' movie. I enjoyed it as a kid. Went to revisit it as an adult. THAT was a mistake. Michael Crawford later went on to be the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.

[@sorewahimitsudesu]

Lol, the novelisation by Arthur Byron Cover explained the shirt by stating that a fan had made it and gifted it to Flash anonymously, and he was wearing it in the hope that they would identify themselves so he could thank them. The book really went a long way to make Flash seem a little less... Ken?

[@nathanedwards4728]

Launching a rocket with no notice in 1980’s America the nukes would start flying as soon as Russia picked it up 😂

[@corpusD]

I did see it in a theater when this first came out. The theater was mostly empty.

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

My wife hates this movie. I was about 10ish when this came out. Is it dumb? Yes. Do I love it still and do I have a poster of it in me ManCave? Also yes.

[@cyberleadr]

The 60s Dr. Who movies might be good ones. Dr. Who and the Daleks (1965) and Daleks' Invasion Earth (1966). Both starring Peter Cushing as Dr. Who! If you want truly bad movies, I can recommend Manos: The Hands of Fate (1966), Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2010) or Overdrawn at the Memory Bank (1984) starring Raul Julia. Lastly, if the music doesn't cause copyright strikes (I doubt Troma bothers with that) I highly recommend Cannibal! The Musical (1993) with Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

[@sorewahimitsudesu]

Sam Jones showed up in Ted 2, and Mark Wahlberg fangirls over him shamelessly.

[@siangoodwin867]

Baron AKA chin game AKA Timothy Dalton was 80's James Bond.

[@walther007]

You have to see "Ted" now. You'll love it.

[@mistknights4675]

Don't ever read the novelisation of the film...the phrase "top shelf" is not an unsuitable one for referencing that book! Also "If the movie is as good as the intro, we are in for a treeeaaat!" might be the best thing I've heard all week ❤ Funny Fact: All Sam Jones lines were read over by a different actor, Peter Marinker, as there was a falling out which saw Jones leave the project early with uncompleted audio. Orignially, Flash Gordan was not a football player, but a Polo player..guess they figured a Polo match in the palace would have looked a tad weird...

[@richardreviewstv]

I was about to go do something productive then I saw you uploaded this. Be productive later 😂

[@dngillikin]

Munson is, of course, Porkins from Star Wars.

[@MJE-riffs]

Bad Movie Night? Promise me that you will watch Samurai Cop!

[@paulflux5892]

I saw this in the theatre! This was pretty popular here in the UK, and in Italy, I believe, right from the start. Says something about Europe sense of humour I suppose,

[@rcormie]

Always love these reactions. Could you do a review of Highlander the first film, Sean Connery, Christopher lambert and the best movie score ever - by Queen.

[@John_Locke_108]

Now you need to watch Flesh Gordon.

[@nupefromdaville]

Bwahahahahahaha

[@cammygram1]

Hated the movie but loved watching me some Sam Jones back in the day.

[@BriMakesComments]

Over the top ? You should check out " Flesh Gordon" pmsl

[@axspike]

Earth... Quakes, Mars..... Quakes, Jupiter... Quakes, Uranus..... Never mind🙄😂

[@jeffwalkerbooks]

I saw it as a kid in the theatre…

[@ripsnort8194]

Dope ass film man ❤😂

[@acebongboy]

I saw it in the theater! I was 13.

[@rittherugger160]

Oh, I get it now. Now we finally know who "THEY" are when MTG is talking about the weather. This is her proof. Actual video evidence.

[@garyburley1960]

How can you diss this movie. It was meant to be over the top. It was meant to be tongue in cheek. Queen loved the movie. This isn't a BAD movie. Not every movie is meant to be critically analysed. It was meant to be an action movie that poked fun. Many people across the world love this movie. BAD? no

[@judithturner1593]

👏👏👏👏😂💝💯🎉 BEST 'FG' REACTION EVAH!! Thanks, 🚀