Flash Gordon (US - DVD R1)
Universal has now revealed the artwork for the special edition of the 1980 movie
Title: Flash Gordon (IMDb)
Starring: Melody Anderson
Released: 7th August 2007
SRP: $26.98
Further Details:
Universal Home Video has announced a special edition of the Mike Hodges directed Flash Gordon which stars Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Sam J. Jones. The "Saviour of the Universe Edition" will be available to own from the 7th August, and should retail at around $26.98. The film itself will be presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. Extras will include a Alex Ross on Flash Gordon featurette in which world-renowned comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time, Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and work, a Writing a Classic featurette with screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr, and a Flash Gordon 1936 Serial Episode (chapter one of Planet of Peril). We've attached the official region one package artwork below:
News by Tom Woodward
Starring: Melody Anderson
Released: 7th August 2007
SRP: $26.98
Further Details:
Universal Home Video has announced a special edition of the Mike Hodges directed Flash Gordon which stars Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Sam J. Jones. The "Saviour of the Universe Edition" will be available to own from the 7th August, and should retail at around $26.98. The film itself will be presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen, along with an English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround track. Extras will include a Alex Ross on Flash Gordon featurette in which world-renowned comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time, Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and work, a Writing a Classic featurette with screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr, and a Flash Gordon 1936 Serial Episode (chapter one of Planet of Peril). We've attached the official region one package artwork below:
News by Tom Woodward
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Existing Posts
The commentaries
I ordered the region 2 version last week and watched it last night. Blessed's commentary is enjoyable, but his constant "Look at that shot, it's fantastic!!" exclamations do get a little tiresome after the 400th time. Hodges commentary has much more behind the scenes information, but he also takes several swipes at George Bush and American foreign policy throughout the recording, the first one not more than 1 minute into the film, so I bet that has a lot to do with them not being on the US release.
..and where is the Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson commentary? They recorded one, I went back and found the interviews from last year where they said they had just completed it, so where is it?
..and where is the Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson commentary? They recorded one, I went back and found the interviews from last year where they said they had just completed it, so where is it?
OmegaMan wrote: The extra features, imo were better on the R2 special edition: commentary with Brian Blessed and an interview with the director, plus a cool metal keep case. Anybody think this will get a HD release soon?
Well, it was one of the first DVD releases, so I daresay it'll see life on one of the HD formats, if not both.
Well, it was one of the first DVD releases, so I daresay it'll see life on one of the HD formats, if not both.
The extra features, imo were better on the R2 special edition: commentary with Brian Blessed and an interview with the director, plus a cool metal keep case. Anybody think this will get a HD release soon?
LOL...forgot to add any worthwhile extras, but damned if they didn't manage to get in a plug for the new show on the disc.
"Klytus, I'm bored..."
"Klytus, I'm bored..."
Prefer the R2 Special Edition menus. I know it's hard to tell, but these look like they're going to be pretty static menus. I can't see them having any animation from those shots. Background music at best.
Menus added...
Besides the Queen soundtrack, this movie stunk to high heaven.
Flesh Gordon, produced a few years earlier, was so much better.
Flesh Gordon, produced a few years earlier, was so much better.
This movies so cheesy, and I loved it. I may buy it due to that superb artwork.
To answer your question Worst Nightmare, I think that is what Uwe Bol is TRYING to do
Classic B-grade stuff - why don't they make them like these anymore?
Was interested in this until the uninspired extras were announced. Yes, the film is the ultimate reason to purchase the disk, but with a weak entry of extras, I'm smelling a Highlander quadruple dip here and will hold off.
This movie is so bad, it's actually a masterpiece of sci-fi camp.
Great, great Saturday afternoon stuff.
The type of funny, cool and not too serious sci-fi movie I could show my kid one day and introduce them to Flash Gordon.
And it features the classic Queen score...c'mon!
I buying this for sure!
Great, great Saturday afternoon stuff.
The type of funny, cool and not too serious sci-fi movie I could show my kid one day and introduce them to Flash Gordon.
And it features the classic Queen score...c'mon!
I buying this for sure!
Ardvark wrote: Indeed, the Region 2 version is a 2-disc silver anniversary edition. It comes in one of those tin "steelbooks", has Dolby 5.1 AND a DTS track.
The extra's consist of a booklet (duh), a half-hour interview with director Mike Hodges, and two audio commentaries: one by the same Mike Hodges, the other by Brian Blessed (probably designed to give your subwoofer a workout!). Also included is one episode of the old serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe". It's a different episode as in this new region 1, by the way. Trailer and photo gallery included.
And I bought it last year for an astronomical 12 USD.
So this R1 edition seems rather skinny, Alex Ross or not. Hence my comment on why a new version was needed.I didn't realise this silver anniversary thing was a Region 2 exclusive.
EDIT:
Just checked, and the Region 2 described above is still being sold here through several outlets, still for around 12 USD.
Just a note, the region 2 edition is only a single disc, not, 2-disc...although this movie does deserve a 2 disc edition with way more features than the region 2 edition even...well, maybe someday...
The extra's consist of a booklet (duh), a half-hour interview with director Mike Hodges, and two audio commentaries: one by the same Mike Hodges, the other by Brian Blessed (probably designed to give your subwoofer a workout!). Also included is one episode of the old serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe". It's a different episode as in this new region 1, by the way. Trailer and photo gallery included.
And I bought it last year for an astronomical 12 USD.
So this R1 edition seems rather skinny, Alex Ross or not. Hence my comment on why a new version was needed.I didn't realise this silver anniversary thing was a Region 2 exclusive.
EDIT:
Just checked, and the Region 2 described above is still being sold here through several outlets, still for around 12 USD.
Just a note, the region 2 edition is only a single disc, not, 2-disc...although this movie does deserve a 2 disc edition with way more features than the region 2 edition even...well, maybe someday...
No commentary? No interviews? Not even some behind-the-scenes pics? Lame.
Bruno Billion wrote: apart from the Alex Ross featurette, it's the same as the R2 release.
Then you seriously need to check the R2 specs again.
Then you seriously need to check the R2 specs again.
apart from the Alex Ross featurette, it's the same as the R2 release.
Those extras are c**p. We all know it, many have said it, but it's still true..
Wow, and to think I was excited about this until this royal shaft with the lack of features. Didnt the UK disc have two commentaries, and neither one of them are on this disc? And though this cover is nice and all, the Amsel cover art from the movie poster is still superiour. I assume that they fixed the audio from the orginal R1 Universal release, but also, wasnt there something from comicon or somewhere where Sam J Jones and Melody said they they had recorded a commentary or something for this release.
The heck with this release, I guess its time to order the UK version after all.
Very Dissapointing.
The heck with this release, I guess its time to order the UK version after all.
Very Dissapointing.
Fettastic wrote: Strangely, this was announced 2 years ago as a 2-disc 25th anniversary edition.
Indeed, the Region 2 version is a 2-disc silver anniversary edition. It comes in one of those tin "steelbooks", has Dolby 5.1 AND a DTS track.
The extra's consist of a booklet (duh), a half-hour interview with director Mike Hodges, and two audio commentaries: one by the same Mike Hodges, the other by Brian Blessed (probably designed to give your subwoofer a workout!). Also included is one episode of the old serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe". It's a different episode as in this new region 1, by the way. Trailer and photo gallery included.
And I bought it last year for an astronomical 12 USD.
So this R1 edition seems rather skinny, Alex Ross or not. Hence my comment on why a new version was needed.I didn't realise this silver anniversary thing was a Region 2 exclusive.
EDIT:
Just checked, and the Region 2 described above is still being sold here through several outlets, still for around 12 USD.
Indeed, the Region 2 version is a 2-disc silver anniversary edition. It comes in one of those tin "steelbooks", has Dolby 5.1 AND a DTS track.
The extra's consist of a booklet (duh), a half-hour interview with director Mike Hodges, and two audio commentaries: one by the same Mike Hodges, the other by Brian Blessed (probably designed to give your subwoofer a workout!). Also included is one episode of the old serial "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe". It's a different episode as in this new region 1, by the way. Trailer and photo gallery included.
And I bought it last year for an astronomical 12 USD.
So this R1 edition seems rather skinny, Alex Ross or not. Hence my comment on why a new version was needed.I didn't realise this silver anniversary thing was a Region 2 exclusive.
EDIT:
Just checked, and the Region 2 described above is still being sold here through several outlets, still for around 12 USD.
Strangely, this was announced 2 years ago as a 2-disc 25th anniversary edition. Now it's stripped down to 3 little featurettes? And where's the HD DVD version? Annoying.
Glad I watched this online rather than give these guys the satisfaction of my buying and them feeling gratifid over having held back its release for this long.
STICKIN TO THE MAN! WHOO!
Yeah....something like it.
STICKIN TO THE MAN! WHOO!
Yeah....something like it.
After all this time, they should have packaged this with a remastered soundtrack for $29.99 The movie is a true classic, but I would pay a penny over $20 for this edition. Alex Soss, Stan Lee, I don't give a squirt. I want a pimped edition of the movie, not another fans perspective.
After all these years, they dropped the ball big time!
After all these years, they dropped the ball big time!
Horribull extras. What's with people and Alex Ross? He's not that fabulous.
I absolutely love the film, but this may have just dropped off my to buy list. Those extras are a joke, and for a double-dip premium price I certainly would have expected more.
David Blackwell wrote: disappointing extras. no audio commentary- argh.
Yeah I was expecting more!
Although if they actually show Alex Ross working on his Flash Gordon artwork in the featurette I would have to pick it up just for that!
Yeah I was expecting more!
Although if they actually show Alex Ross working on his Flash Gordon artwork in the featurette I would have to pick it up just for that!
Love the artwork. I've never seen this all the way through, not sure I will buy this yet. I'm planning on buying the serials, so having one chapter on here is pointless to me.
Awesome artwork. I'll pick it up just for that.
disappointing extras. no audio commentary- argh.
Such a corny movie
I've never seen this, but am a fan of Timothy Dalton and was planning on picking this up, but those "special features" are far from special.
I don't know about anyone else, but I'm completely underwhelmed with those features. Guess that'll teach me to expect too much when something's called the "Saviour of the Universe Edition".
Here I was hoping for some new interviews, maybe a retrospective featurette, or a new commentary with some of the cast. Nope, we don't even get the extras from Momentum's region two disc. Were the rights to acquire these features just more than Universal were willing to spend? Did Hodges' occasional anti-Bush/American foreign policy remarks during his commentary track preclude that track from being incorporated? When is Universal going to get it right? We basically get an interview wit Alex Ross--who may be a great artist but has nothing to do with the movie itself--and an interview with Lorenzo Semple Jr. Yawn. Folks my age who make up the majority of the DVD buying market have waited and waited for this goofy, childhood favorite to get a proper region one release, and when it finally gets one it truly is nothing more than a token release to promote a current product, which in this case is Universal's new Flash Gordon series.
Here I was hoping for some new interviews, maybe a retrospective featurette, or a new commentary with some of the cast. Nope, we don't even get the extras from Momentum's region two disc. Were the rights to acquire these features just more than Universal were willing to spend? Did Hodges' occasional anti-Bush/American foreign policy remarks during his commentary track preclude that track from being incorporated? When is Universal going to get it right? We basically get an interview wit Alex Ross--who may be a great artist but has nothing to do with the movie itself--and an interview with Lorenzo Semple Jr. Yawn. Folks my age who make up the majority of the DVD buying market have waited and waited for this goofy, childhood favorite to get a proper region one release, and when it finally gets one it truly is nothing more than a token release to promote a current product, which in this case is Universal's new Flash Gordon series.
Press Release:
Quote: Universal City, April 26, 2007 – An All-American football player must foil an extraterrestrial plan to dominate the Earth in Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition, rocketing into stores August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Available on DVD for the first time, this rollicking sci-fi classic stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Academy Award® nominees Max von Sydow (Pelle the Conqueror) and Topol (Fiddler on the Roof) in the ultimate otherworldly adventure. An all-new digitally remastered picture and 5.1 Surround Sound brilliantly enhance the tongue-in-cheek dialogue, outrageous costumes and over the top sets, as well as the now legendary soundtrack by the celebrated rock group Queen. Directed by Mike Hodges (Croupier, Get Carter) and produced by Dino De Laurentiis (Barbarella, King Kong -1976), Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition brings to the screen all the action, romance and fun of the original 1930’s comic strip that inspired it. The special edition DVD includes exclusive bonus features, packaging art by renowned comic book artist, Alex Ross, and an “alternate” collectible postcard of the packaging art that make it a must-have addition to the collection of any sci-fi fan. The creation of cartoonist Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon is the original epic outer-space fantasy. The DVD is priced at $26.98 SRP. Pre-order close is July 3, 2007.
Bonus Features Blast Off to excitement
The Special Edition DVD includes special bonus features that will take your enjoyment into another galaxy:
ALEX ROSS, RENOWNED COMIC ARTIST, ON FLASH GORDON - World-renowned comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time, Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and work.
WRITING A CLASSIC: SCREENWRITER LORENZO SEMPLE, JR. - Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr. speaks about the deliberately campy script for Flash Gordon.
FLASH GORDON 1936 SERIAL EPISODE - Chapter One of Planet of Peril.
SYNOPSIS
In this wild and wacky update of the 1930's comic strip, maverick scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) believes that energy waves emanating from a far-away galaxy are pulling the moon out of its orbit and threatening to destroy the Earth. Along with Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones), quarterback for the New York Jets, and beautiful Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), Zarkov sets off on a rocket trip to the stars. They follow the energy waves to the distant planet Mongo, where they discover that evil despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow in a deliciously sinister performance) is planning to obliterate life on Earth. Ming decides to add lovely Dale to his harem of concubines and attempts to imprison Flash, who escapes and takes refuge with the planet’s rebel forces. He convinces rival Mongo princes Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Vultan (Brian Blessed) to unite their armies, and leads them in an all-out campaign to overthrow Ming and save humanity.
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Mike Hodges
Written By: Michael Allin, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Alex Raymond
Produced By: Dino De Laurentiis
Director of Photography: Gil Taylor
Production Designer: Danilo Donati
Film Editors: Malcolm Cook
Costume Designer: Danilo Donati
Music By: Howard Blake
Cast: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: August 7, 2007
Pre-Order Close: July 3, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98 SRP
Selection Number: 61032983
Running Time: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG
Technical Info:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Quote: Universal City, April 26, 2007 – An All-American football player must foil an extraterrestrial plan to dominate the Earth in Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition, rocketing into stores August 7, 2007 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Available on DVD for the first time, this rollicking sci-fi classic stars Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, and Academy Award® nominees Max von Sydow (Pelle the Conqueror) and Topol (Fiddler on the Roof) in the ultimate otherworldly adventure. An all-new digitally remastered picture and 5.1 Surround Sound brilliantly enhance the tongue-in-cheek dialogue, outrageous costumes and over the top sets, as well as the now legendary soundtrack by the celebrated rock group Queen. Directed by Mike Hodges (Croupier, Get Carter) and produced by Dino De Laurentiis (Barbarella, King Kong -1976), Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition brings to the screen all the action, romance and fun of the original 1930’s comic strip that inspired it. The special edition DVD includes exclusive bonus features, packaging art by renowned comic book artist, Alex Ross, and an “alternate” collectible postcard of the packaging art that make it a must-have addition to the collection of any sci-fi fan. The creation of cartoonist Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon is the original epic outer-space fantasy. The DVD is priced at $26.98 SRP. Pre-order close is July 3, 2007.
Bonus Features Blast Off to excitement
The Special Edition DVD includes special bonus features that will take your enjoyment into another galaxy:
ALEX ROSS, RENOWNED COMIC ARTIST, ON FLASH GORDON - World-renowned comic artist Alex Ross talks about his favorite movie of all time, Flash Gordon, and about how the film has inspired him in his life and work.
WRITING A CLASSIC: SCREENWRITER LORENZO SEMPLE, JR. - Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr. speaks about the deliberately campy script for Flash Gordon.
FLASH GORDON 1936 SERIAL EPISODE - Chapter One of Planet of Peril.
SYNOPSIS
In this wild and wacky update of the 1930's comic strip, maverick scientist Dr. Hans Zarkov (Topol) believes that energy waves emanating from a far-away galaxy are pulling the moon out of its orbit and threatening to destroy the Earth. Along with Flash Gordon (Sam J. Jones), quarterback for the New York Jets, and beautiful Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), Zarkov sets off on a rocket trip to the stars. They follow the energy waves to the distant planet Mongo, where they discover that evil despot Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow in a deliciously sinister performance) is planning to obliterate life on Earth. Ming decides to add lovely Dale to his harem of concubines and attempts to imprison Flash, who escapes and takes refuge with the planet’s rebel forces. He convinces rival Mongo princes Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Vultan (Brian Blessed) to unite their armies, and leads them in an all-out campaign to overthrow Ming and save humanity.
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Mike Hodges
Written By: Michael Allin, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Alex Raymond
Produced By: Dino De Laurentiis
Director of Photography: Gil Taylor
Production Designer: Danilo Donati
Film Editors: Malcolm Cook
Costume Designer: Danilo Donati
Music By: Howard Blake
Cast: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: August 7, 2007
Pre-Order Close: July 3, 2007
Copyright: 2007 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $26.98 SRP
Selection Number: 61032983
Running Time: 1 Hour 52 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Rating: PG
Technical Info:
English Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish, French
Bradavon wrote: What a dumb title.
Yeah I would have preferred. Aaaaaaahhhh Aaaaaaah! Edition
Yeah I would have preferred. Aaaaaaahhhh Aaaaaaah! Edition
Aha!
CPreischl (and everyone else who commented) you're right, I was referring to the R2 version.
Which is indeed good enough.
CPreischl (and everyone else who commented) you're right, I was referring to the R2 version.
Which is indeed good enough.
Alex Ross is certainly King Midas, that's for sure.
I could do without the gimmicky name (whatever happened to "Collector's Edition"?) but I'm loving the Alex Ross cover art!
I'm definitely looking forward to this. I've never seen it but it's been on my wish list for awhile, except that it can't be found anywhere for a reasonable price.
I love the artwork.
Call Commander Ajax.
Activate the Force Field.
Call Commander Ajax.
Activate the Force Field.
This is a definite buy. Didn't like the last editions transfer and the sound quality was inferior considering the awesome soundtrack composed by one the greatest bands ever, QUEEN! The artwork looks good and I would imagine they will toss in a bunch of extras, galleries and so forth. Hopefully they got the transfer right and punched up the colors. Even in the theater this movie seemed chalky in places.
Flash! AH Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Flash! AH Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
CPreischl wrote: 27 bucks?? This better be a 2 disc set.
Universal has it listed as a single, DVD-9 with 'Premium Packaging', whatever that means. I'd like to see a few more extras than what was found on the region two, Momentum Pictures Silver Anniversary Edition release (which itself was not a bad release at all) and some involvement from some of the rest of the cast besides Brian Blessed and director Mike Hodges on the disc myself. A commentary track with Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson would be neat, and a few retrospective interviews would be great too. The greatest thing Universal could do though, and it'll probably never happen, would be to include an isolated score featuring the music from the film by Queen and Howard Blake.
Universal has it listed as a single, DVD-9 with 'Premium Packaging', whatever that means. I'd like to see a few more extras than what was found on the region two, Momentum Pictures Silver Anniversary Edition release (which itself was not a bad release at all) and some involvement from some of the rest of the cast besides Brian Blessed and director Mike Hodges on the disc myself. A commentary track with Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson would be neat, and a few retrospective interviews would be great too. The greatest thing Universal could do though, and it'll probably never happen, would be to include an isolated score featuring the music from the film by Queen and Howard Blake.
wtf? people, the original R1 has been out of print and fetching ridiculous prices for years. It was not 'good enough'...or at least certainly isn't now.
I'm all over this.
I'm all over this.
Yeah, I just checked out the original DVD release I have, got it at a garage sale for $5. Non anamorphic, which sucks, since I ust got a new LCD tv. Doesn't lok bad on my panasonic dvd recorder zoomed in. The original transfer is pretty bad, lots of artifacs and looks aweful on my pillips upscaling hdmi dvd player, I heard the region 2 release is awesome. This is a great cheesey movie. Definitely be picking this up.
OK BEST ARTWORK I have seen for a comic book adapted movie(or any movie) in a LONGTIME. Amazing job Universal.
OK BEST ARTWORK I have seen for a comic book adapted movie(or any movie) in a LONGTIME. Amazing job Universal.
kenny wong wrote: the Alex Ross cover art is pretty enticing...
If you like that, he also had a hand in designing the upcoming line of action figures based on the 1980 movie.
Could this be the year of...Flash! Ah-Ahhh!? He is a miracle you know...
If you like that, he also had a hand in designing the upcoming line of action figures based on the 1980 movie.
Could this be the year of...Flash! Ah-Ahhh!? He is a miracle you know...
Never got the previous release. But if this contains some decent additional making-of content, then I'll open up the wallet for this! Although, the Alex Ross cover art is pretty enticing...
Artwork added...
About damn time!
If R1 haven't seen the special edition that R2 got, my guess is that it'll be something along those lines.
This release is probably to capitalize on the new Sci-Fi Channel series "Flash" coming out this summer.
Flash
Ardvark wrote: That is weird. The last edition was good enough as is.
Isn't that edition OOP?
Isn't that edition OOP?
What a dumb title.
FLASH! ARrrrr AHHhhhh!
27 bucks?? This better be a 2 disc set.
@Ardvark: I guess you're thinking about the R2 special edition. But this is an R1 release! The last R1 edition (out of print) was non-anamorphic widescreen.
@Ardvark: I guess you're thinking about the R2 special edition. But this is an R1 release! The last R1 edition (out of print) was non-anamorphic widescreen.
That is weird. The last edition was good enough as is.


