This was another attempt at cashing in on the success of "Star Wars."  I just watched it last night on cable, and it's still a lot of fun.

Flesh Gordon (1974) was better and didn't have #$%@# Queen on the soundtrack.

1980's FLASH GORDON is on the Free Movies section of ON DEMAND through XFINITY at the moment so I should probably watch it again.

Buck Rogers also proceeded the Flash Gordon comic strip by about 5 years but got surpassed in popularity due to the Flash Gordon serials.  A Buck Rogers serial with Buster Crabbe didn't really do anything for the character but is still a fun watch.

 THAT'S TRUE , BUT , I THINK WHAT THANE MEANT WAS , THE FLASH GORDON MOVIE ('80) WAS PROBABLY MORE INFLUENCED BY THE BUCK ROGERS MOVIE AND TV SHOW OF , WHAT? A YEAR OR TWO EARLIER? IT'S TRUE , BUCK ROGERS WAS BOTH , WITH THE SAME MATERIAL ! HOLY BATTLESTAR GALACTICA , BATMAN !  I SAW "FLASH GORDON" ABOUT A YEAR AGO. TO ME , IT'S SO BAD , IT'S GREAT.   LUCAS DREW INSPIRATION FROM THE FLASH GORDON AND/OR BUCK ROGERS SERIALS WITH BUSTER CRABBE.....BUT , OF COURSE , THE INNOCENCE IS LACKING.    

I  have'nt seen "Star Wars" since the early 80's* , the lustre wore off for me , but I still enjoy the 30's and 40's serials - Batman , Purple Monster Strikes , Captain America , Captain Marvel , Superman , Spy Smasher , etc.

* I did see the TURKISH "Star Wars " , recently.
Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Flash Gordon had been around for ages and the original serials are what partly inspired Lucas to come up with Star Wars.

I still like "Star Wars," mainly the first trilogy (The second trilogy left something to be desired).  However, I'm with you on Erin Grey on "Buck Rogers":)  She was HOT as Wilma Deering in those skin tight uniforms.

Thane Cesar said:

I think Lucas got lucky with technology, and was smart enough to steal from some a fairly obscure movie (The Fortress). Sci-Fi has always been popular in the States, but you can't deny after Star Wars it increased budgets.

I love Flash Gordon, because it takes the piss, same with Buck Rogers (tho' Erin Grey and Pam Hensley also played a part).

And Star Wars sucks, mostly because Lucas revised it. Han shot first kids, remember that.

When I watch it now, I still keep thinking Vultan is saying "DIIIIIIIEEEEEE!", as if he's loudly admitting to his men that their attack is a suicide mission.

Thane Cesar said:

More cashing in on the success of Buck Rogers. Saw this in the cinema when I was a kid. Max Von Sydow played Jesus in TGSET. I'd rather some kid got nerdy about this film, than Star Wars, which is a terible set of films.

 

"Ah well, who wants to live forever? DDDEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE"

I think Lucas got lucky with technology, and was smart enough to steal from some a fairly obscure movie (The Fortress). Sci-Fi has always been popular in the States, but you can't deny after Star Wars it increased budgets.

I love Flash Gordon, because it takes the piss, same with Buck Rogers (tho' Erin Grey and Pam Hensley also played a part).

And Star Wars sucks, mostly because Lucas revised it. Han shot first kids, remember that.

Funny how it all feeds a loop.  Lucas was influenced by Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers, and his franchise led to a revival of those franchises, not to mention the "Star Trek" franchise, along with a new franchise, "Battlestar Galactica."

Rockin Rod Strychnine said:

Flash Gordon had been around for ages and the original serials are what partly inspired Lucas to come up with Star Wars.

Flash Gordon had been around for ages and the original serials are what partly inspired Lucas to come up with Star Wars.

More cashing in on the success of Buck Rogers. Saw this in the cinema when I was a kid. Max Von Sydow played Jesus in TGSET. I'd rather some kid got nerdy about this film, than Star Wars, which is a terible set of films.

"Ah well, who wants to live forever? DDDEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEE"