Flash Gordon (1980)

Flash Gordon is an American feature film of the science fiction and adventure genres. It is based on the 1934 Flash Gordon comic strip by cartoonist Alex Raymond as first published by King Features Syndicate. The film adaptation of the comic was directed by Mike Hodges and written by Michael Allin with screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr. The film was produced by the Dino De Laurentiis Company and distributed by Universal Pictures. It was released theatrically in the United States on December 5th, 1980. Flash Gordon stars Sam J. Jones in the titular role of football star turned space hero, Flash Gordon. Also starring in the movie is Melody Anderson as his cheerleading love-interest Dale Arden, as well as Topol in the role of Doctor Hans Zarkov. Playing the part of evil planetary demagogue Ming the Merciless is veteran actor Max von Sydow. The film also stars Ornella Muti as Princess Aura, Timothy Dalton as Prince Barin, Brian Blessed as Prince Vultan and Peter Wyngarde as Klytus.

Notes & Trivia

 * Flash Gordon was a favored film of characters John Bennett and his living teddy bear pal, Ted, in the 2012 comedy film Ted. Actor Sam J. Jones made a cameo appearance in the film as himself. His character married John to his girlfriend Lori Collins (played by Mila Kunis), and at the end of the film, John, Ted and Sam engaged in a "Flash jump" (which consists of the characters leaping upward towards the camera).