Flash Gordon (1980) and the Comics

[Silver Nemesis]

The 1980 Flash Gordon movie is one of those polarising films that people either love or hate. It followed hot on the heels of Richard Donner's Superman (1978) as one of the first big budget comic book movies of the post-Star Wars era. It flopped in the US, but was a hit in the UK; perhaps because British audiences were more receptive the film's ironic sense of humour than their American cousins. Whatever the reason, the film is loathed and lauded with passion across the internet. But the critical consensus nowadays is general favourable: the film has an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, was nominated for 3 Baftas and 3 Saturns, and is the favourite movie of acclaimed comic book writer/artist Alex Ross. Over the years Ross has produced several pieces of art relating to the film, one of which was used for the 'Saviour of the Universe' DVD release.

The film is faithfully adapted from the original comic series by Flash Gordon creator Alex Raymond, which first appeared in print back in 1934. The screenplay for the film was penned by Lorenzo Semple Jr., better known to Batman fans as the writer of the 1966 Batman movie and numerous episodes of the Adam West TV show. Semple brought a similar camp tone to the project as he had with his earlier comic book movie. But like the 1966 Batman film, the 1980 Flash Gordon movie is a lot more accurate to the comics than many give it credit for. So without further ado, let's jump in and see just how faithful it really is.

The first story arc in the comics – 'On the Planet Mongo' – begins with prophecies of impending Armageddon. A mysterious power from an alien world threatens to destroy the Earth. The film begins on a similar note.

Notice how the headline on the newspaper calls for a "miracle" to "save us". According to the lyrics of the Queen song, Flash Gordon is indeed a miracle, and he will save everyone of us.

The opening title credits play against a montage of Raymond's original comic art. Many of the scenes depicted here are recreated throughout the movie.

Following the credits we are introduced to Flash Gordon and Dale Arden. They are both passengers aboard an airplane, oblivious of the alien menace that is about to strike. In the original comic Flash is a polo player. In the movie he's a football player.

The peaceful flight is soon disturbed by a deluge of flaming meteorites.

In the comic Flash and Dale parachute to safety. In the movie they stay aboard the plane as it crashes. While this is happening, Professor Hans Zarkov is toiling away in his lab trying to find a way to save the Earth from impending doom.

After surviving the plane crash, Flash and Dale stumble across Zarkov's lab. The scientist immediately captures them and forces them at gunpoint to board his homemade rocket ship, stating that all three of them are about to give their lives for the good of the Earth.

The rocket launches into space, heading straight for the source of the destructive alien power.

Inside the rocket, Flash and Zarkov engage in a frenzied struggle.

The rocket reaches its destination...

...flies over the surface of the planet Mongo...

...and crashes down near the capital city.

After emerging from the wrecked ship, Flash and his companions are soon captured by the inhuman servants of Ming the Merciless. Flash offers his hand in friendship, but the armoured aliens are far from welcoming.

Not long after they arrive in the city, Flash and his friends see a Lizardman being executed by one of Ming's robots. Flash first encountered the Lizardmen in the comic story 'Caverns of Mongo'. Several other Lizardmen can be seen later in the movie.

Flash and his fellow earthlings are taken before the Emperor Ming. Ming instantly takes a liking to Dale and pronounces that she will be his wife. But Flash defiantly steps forward to defend her honour. This echoes Flash and Ming's very first meeting in 'On the Planet Mongo'.

Flash then has to do battle with Ming's warriors while the evil emperor watches from atop the staircase.

Flash easily wins the fight in the comic. In the movie he wins to begin with, but is eventually subdued.

It is also during this scene that we are introduced to Ming's seductive daughter, the Princess Aura. She is impressed by Flash's fighting prowess and pleads for his life.

Her diminutive pet in the film is called Fellini; a likely reference to Italian film director Federico Fellini, who in his youth had written for the Italian language version of the Flash Gordon comics and had passed on the opportunity to direct this movie.

For his rebellious acts, Flash is sentenced to death. The execution sequence in the film is adapted from the comic story 'Outlaws of Mongo'. Our hero is bound and escorted to the place of execution.

A crowd assembles to watch as Flash is led to an execution chamber.

Within the chamber, Flash is strapped into a chair. When no one is looking, a doctor surreptitiously whispers in his ear and slips him a drug.

Dale swoons in Zarkov's arms as they watch their friend "die" in the chamber.

Ming then orders that Flash's remains be placed in a tomb.

But of course Flash is not really dead. The doctor shows up and administers an injection that revives him.

Returning to the 'On the Planet Mongo' storyline, Aura offers to help Flash escape the city so that he can rescue Dale. But the princess secretly plans to trap Flash so she can have him for herself.

When Ming learns of his daughter's treachery later in the comic he has her sent to the ice kingdom of Frigia as punishment. In the movie he contemplates doing this at one point, but instead has her chained up and tortured with bore worms.

Back at Ming's base, the evil emperor subjects one of Flash's companions to a special ray that will strip them of their humanity and render them susceptible to his command. In the comic this happens to Dale, while in the movie it happens to Zarkov.

Flash uses a thought projector device to contact Dale telepathically.

Aura then leads Flash to sanctuary within the arboreal kingdom of Prince Barin. Barin first appeared in the comics during the second story arc, 'Monsters of Mongo'. His distrust of his beloved Aura is evident in both the comic and the film.

His forest kingdom consists of structures built in the branches of lofty trees.

Flash first encounters Barin in the comics while he and Aura are fleeing Ming's men. They fall victim to a giant killer plant which manages to ensnare them both. A similar scene happens in the movie where Flash is almost devoured by a giant plant.

In both the comic and the film, Flash is saved thanks to the timely intervention of Barin.

In the film, Flash and Barin are captured by the Hawkmen and taken to their city in the sky. The Hawkmen first appeared in the comics during the 'Monsters of Mongo' storyline.

Flash, Barin and Dale are all taken before Vultan in the floating city of the Hawkmen.

The scene in the film where Flash and Barin are captured and forced to duel with whips while balancing on an unsteady platform is also adapted from 'Monsters of Mongo'. Only in the comic it is Ming who forces them to fight each other, whereas in the movie it is Vultan.

The scenario of Flash fighting a duel in an arena with spikes protruding from the ground is taken from another comic story, 'Tournaments of Mongo'.

In both 'Monsters of Mongo' and the film, Flash wins the fight and Barin loses his footing. But Flash displays heroic mercy and risks his own life to save his opponent. In both versions of the story Barin had tried to kill Flash because he was jealous of Aura's affection towards him. But eventually the two of them become friends and strike up an alliance.

In the comic the Hawkmen's floating city is threatened after Flash and his allies sabotage it. Zarkov then undoes the damage and Vultan makes peace with his captives. In the movie the city is threatened by Ming's attacking rocket ship. But again, Vultan ends up befriending Flash and his fellow earthmen.

In a later Flash Gordon comic story, 'The Skymen', Flash once again finds himself within a floating citadel. He escapes by riding off on a sky-sled. In the movie he escapes using a rocket cycle.

The popular line "Gordon's alive!" echoes a similar line spoken during the 'At War With Ming' storyline, where Barin says to Vultan: "Flash is still alive!" However it's not quite as impactful without Brian Blessed's delivery.

The villains torturing Flash's friends with whips is fairly typical of the comics.

The battle scene aboard the Ajax – where the Hawkmen go to war against Ming's forces to aid Flash – was perhaps inspired by the battle scene in 'Witch Queen of Mongo'. In this story the Hawkmen launch a large scale attack against the forces of Queen Azura in order to liberate the captive Flash. The image of the Hawkmen diving into battle in the movie is strongly reminiscent of this comic.

Both battles show the injured Hawkmen plummeting to their deaths with their wings on fire.

Ming's antiaircraft cannon in the movie is similar to his 'Destructoplane' in the comics. Both weapons are used to shoot down enemy ships.

Ming intends to force Dale to marry him in both the film and the original 'On the Planet Mongo' storyline. The wedding ceremony begins as Flash races to the rescue.

As the battle concludes, the sword-wielding Flash has the defeated Ming at his mercy. This recalls a similar scene from 'The Tyrant of Mongo'. In both stories Ming arrogantly refuses to surrender.

With Ming defeated, the people of Mongo celebrate their newfound freedom. This echoes the 'Fall of Ming' story in the comics, where Flash liberated Mongo from Ming's rule and turned it into a free republic. In the film, as in the comic, Flash installs Prince Barin as the president of Mongo since he is the rightful heir to the throne. Barin marries Princess Aura and the people of Mongo rejoice. And it's all thanks to Flash.

So there it is. Flash Gordon (1980) and the comics that inspired it.

[Azrael]

I know nothing about Flash Gordon except the obvious (one of Lucas' inspirations for Star Wars), but I always saw this film as a cult favourite. Maybe because I first saw it little on TV. Can't see why some people might hate it, it's the definition of a fun guilty pleasure with a great soundtrack.. Anyway, a fascinating read.

[gordonblu]

Very cool. I only know Flash Gordon from the serials, the Defenders of Earth series, and of course this movie. I need to find some collections of these stories.

I basically enjoy the movie, but I do think it could be done better. You can't get any better than Brian Blessed, Max Von Sydow, Topol, or Timothy Dalton though.

[Silver Nemesis]

Very cool. I only know Flash Gordon from the serials, the Defenders of Earth series, and of course this movie. I need to find some collections of these stories.

I used to love Defenders of the Earth. Apparently Stan Lee wrote the lyrics to the theme tune.

Classic 

Can't see why some people might hate it, it's the definition of a fun guilty pleasure with a great soundtrack.. Anyway, a fascinating read.

The soundtrack seems to be more popular than the actual movie these days. But it all helps keep the film's legacy alive.

[gordonblu]

I actually have a complaint with the soundtrack and that is all of the soundbytes and effects that are littered throughout. I know they were going for a concept album kind of thing, but I'm hoping some label (Intrada has a Universal deal in place) will release a full score/soundtrack of this film absolutely  and 100% clean of dialogue and laser blasts.