Flash Gordon | 4K UHD

Dino De Laurentiis’ love of pulp storytelling can be seen stretching all the way back to his earliest work in the 1940s, but that fascination really jumped to the forefront starting in the late 60s with comic book properties Danger Diabolik and Barbarella. Over the next several decades his name would be connected with even more notable, lavish sci-fi and fantasy works; Conan the Barbarian, Dune, and Army of Darkness, among his dozens of screen credits.

No other movie in his oeuvre, however, represents the visual flair and picture perfect comic book design that Flash Gordon provides. Directed by Mike Hodges (of Get Carter fame), and starring newcomer Sam J. Jones in a shameless attempt to capitalize on the Star Wars formula the movie is perhaps best known for its amazing original soundtrack from Queen, and a bevy of remarkable supporting cast members, including Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton, and Brian Blessed. There’s even a small role for Richard O’Brien of Rocky Horror fame.

End of the day, Flash Gordon is a camp spectacle. One of the purest attempts to bring golden age comic book style to the silver screen. Come for the visual flair, stay for Brian Blessed as a bellowing hawk-man fighting evil wizards in space.

Special Features (via arrowvideo.com)

• Brand new 4K restoration by Studiocanal from the original camera negative approved by director Mike Hodges
• 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Optional 5.1 and 2.0 stereo DTS-HD Master audio
• Archival audio commentary with Mike Hodges
• Archival audio commentary with Brian Blessed
• Interviews with actors Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Queen icon Brian May, composer Howard Blake, and poster designer Renato Casaro
• Behind the Scenes of Flash Gordon - an archival documentary on the making of the film
• Archival interviews with Mike Hodges, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., comic book artist Alex Ross
• Lost in Space: Nic Roeg's Flash Gordon - a new documentary program exploring the version Roeg (The Man Who Fell to Earth) had originally planned to make with producer Dino De Laurentiis
• Gremlin's Finest Hour - an episode from the animated Flash Gordon TV show written by J. Michael Reaves from November 1982
• Deleted scenes and original endings - prop collector Bob Lindenmayer discusses dropped sequences and sequel ideas
• 35th Anniversary Greenroom featurette - Mike Hodges meets the cast for the first time since filming at the 35th anniversary reunion
• 35th Anniversary Reunion featurette - the cast and crew discuss Flash Gordon
• Entertainment Earth on Flash Gordon merchandise
• Storyboards gallery
• Stills gallery
• Original Trailer
• Easter Eggs
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais