Flash Gordon is one of those rare campy movies that is so cheesy you can't help but to love it and smirk every time it crosses your mind. Even in 2019 the opening credits to the movie are epic. Only Queen could perform this feat for such a movie and make it this way. Though I love the original movie and it's firmly a staple of my childhood, I do hope they take a chance and make another Flash Gordon movie. Except next time around make it a little more "serious" and give us an actual showdown one on one between Flash and Ming at the end! The original robbed us of that unfortunately.
Epic opening that sets the tone for the movie! It makes you feel like you’re about to embark on an adventure. Especially when freddy is soloing around the 2:55 mark
Never mind that - why is the "Earthquake" button labeled in English?? . And for that matter, why are there buttons in the first place - since Ming apparently doesn't _press_ buttons? (He uses his ring, plus a _"zzzzingggg!"_ sound effect that would make the laziest 1970s Hanna-Barbera sound editor hang his head in shame.) . But you know what? If this scene is in the script just like it is here, it might be the greatest scene Lorenzo Semple, Jr. ever wrote. Not _despite_ all the contradictions - _because_ of them. By piling illogic on top of cliché, it sets up perfectly the cockeyed, goofy parameters of this comic book world. . And just as importantly, it also sets up Klytus. Everyone knows who Ming the Merciless is - even people who aren't Flash Gordon fans. But Klytus isn't even in the Alex Raymond comic. So how do you establish such an important character? . Simple. First, you hire Peter Wyngarde to play him. He's got an incredibly distinctive, gravelly, dissipated voice - important, since we'll never see Klytus' face. (Plus, British fans over the age of thirty will go, "OMG- is that Jason King?") . Second, you put him in the very first scene; and in fact, you have Ming name-check him literally in the first _word_ - "Klytus, I'm bored. What new plaything do you have for me today?" . By the time Queen comes on the soundtrack, we already know everything we need to know. Brilliant. . Not to mention, you've got Max von Sydow - again, _Max_ _von_ _Sydow_ - doing his second-best opening voice-over ever. (Behind only Lars von Trier's _Europa_ - aka _Zentropa_ in the States.) So you've got the only actor to play both Jesus and Lucifer - and he's trading lines with Peter Wyngarde?? That's like buying a ticket to a Stones concert, and the opening act turns out to be a reunited Led Zeppelin, with Jim Keltner sitting at Bonzo's drum set. It's an embarrassment of talent, and a big part of why this is one of my favorite openings to any movie ever.
Abonanno24601 what opening credits? XD Nowadays, they do that thing where the movie just starts and they don’t show the credits OR the title until the very end. It’s stupid!
Love the cartoon seqencing and the song wording and its meaning,,,very classy,, our hero standing on the cliff wearing his cape,, taking a break between battles trying to save earth,,, goosebumps!!!
Went to a sold out show 1st week it opened back in 1980. Next Sunday ,The Rio theater in Vancouver is screening it. I am very excited to see it again on the big screen. Yes, the film is campy but check your brain at the door and have fun!!!
0:23 - 0:48 was sampled in 'Earth (Gaia)' by The Orb. Fantastic track on the grammy worthy 'Ultraworld' album (and on the Space Night Vol. 2 compilation as well) 🎶🌌🌍
That's the whole point. The movie, and the idea of "Flash Gordon" is INcredible. I mean, the whole notion of "Flash Gordon, Quarterback, New York Jets" establishes that very early on.....
![Queen - Flash [ extended retro anthem remix]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Y60ZLqqJhg0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Queen - Flash [ extended retro anthem remix]](/img/tr.png)
I remember watching this on the big screen almost 40 years ago like it was yesterday! Made my dad take me to see it again.. Twice!
2020 will be 40 years
I watched it in cinema 1st time round... just before Empire strikes back...
They just learned it is called "Earth" and already have a button labeled "Earthquake"
One of the best opening credit sequences ever.
Anyone more seeing this opening as a huge influence for every MARVEL movie opening?
I came for the Queen soundtrack...But I forgot about the original Alex Raymond art in this opening sequence. Absolutely killer!
3:19 probably the greatest film credit ever.
Especially when paired with 2:27
I love Queen!!!
Flash Gordon is one of those rare campy movies that is so cheesy you can't help but to love it and smirk every time it crosses your mind. Even in 2019 the opening credits to the movie are epic. Only Queen could perform this feat for such a movie and make it this way. Though I love the original movie and it's firmly a staple of my childhood, I do hope they take a chance and make another Flash Gordon movie. Except next time around make it a little more "serious" and give us an actual showdown one on one between Flash and Ming at the end! The original robbed us of that unfortunately.
Well you're in luck, cause there will be a chance for another Flash Gordon movie since it was announced at October 31st 2018
Thanks for saving every one of us
“The Inhabitants refer to it as Earth”.
That’s interesting, I have a button called Earthquake.
Head explodes.
[I moved this response to the thread under Rezo Greywords' similar comment.]
Lmao what a coincidence 😅
I like Peter Wyngarde in this film. He is kind of "poor man's Darth Vader".
Epic opening that sets the tone for the movie! It makes you feel like you’re about to embark on an adventure. Especially when freddy is soloing around the 2:55 mark
The build up to the song and the vocals are on point. This was before my time. Born in 87'. But this is marvelous!
FLASH.. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH YOU SAVED EVERYONE OF US
Pure camp, but what a soundtrack by Queen!
One of the few that worked.
Horribly trashie, but fun of our childhood :D
Better than every marvel movie today!!!
"earth" quake
thats a very specified button there
Quakes or tremors would have made more sense, than naming it after a planet he just heard the name of.. Or is his computer that clever?
Rezo Greywords came to the comments to make sure it was addressed haha
@@AlexAlcyone ...LOL, well done!
Never mind that - why is the "Earthquake" button labeled in English??
.
And for that matter, why are there buttons in the first place - since Ming apparently doesn't _press_ buttons? (He uses his ring, plus a _"zzzzingggg!"_ sound effect that would make the laziest 1970s Hanna-Barbera sound editor hang his head in shame.)
.
But you know what? If this scene is in the script just like it is here, it might be the greatest scene Lorenzo Semple, Jr. ever wrote. Not _despite_ all the contradictions - _because_ of them. By piling illogic on top of cliché, it sets up perfectly the cockeyed, goofy parameters of this comic book world.
.
And just as importantly, it also sets up Klytus. Everyone knows who Ming the Merciless is - even people who aren't Flash Gordon fans. But Klytus isn't even in the Alex Raymond comic. So how do you establish such an important character?
.
Simple. First, you hire Peter Wyngarde to play him. He's got an incredibly distinctive, gravelly, dissipated voice - important, since we'll never see Klytus' face. (Plus, British fans over the age of thirty will go, "OMG- is that Jason King?")
.
Second, you put him in the very first scene; and in fact, you have Ming name-check him literally in the first _word_ - "Klytus, I'm bored. What new plaything do you have for me today?"
.
By the time Queen comes on the soundtrack, we already know everything we need to know. Brilliant.
.
Not to mention, you've got Max von Sydow - again, _Max_ _von_ _Sydow_ - doing his second-best opening voice-over ever. (Behind only Lars von Trier's _Europa_ - aka _Zentropa_ in the States.) So you've got the only actor to play both Jesus and Lucifer - and he's trading lines with Peter Wyngarde?? That's like buying a ticket to a Stones concert, and the opening act turns out to be a reunited Led Zeppelin, with Jim Keltner sitting at Bonzo's drum set. It's an embarrassment of talent, and a big part of why this is one of my favorite openings to any movie ever.
So much better than any Marvel opening credits.
The music? obviously but the opening? No is too long and bored
Abonanno24601 what opening credits? XD
Nowadays, they do that thing where the movie just starts and they don’t show the credits OR the title until the very end.
It’s stupid!
Queen music alone made sure
What a pointless attack at one franchise. It's a better opening than most films, but Marvel's openings aren't especially bad.
@@PoissonVisageStudios I don't remember ANY of the opening credits from the last Marvel movies but I do remember Flash opening from my childhood!
Love the cartoon seqencing and the song wording and its meaning,,,very classy,, our hero standing on the cliff wearing his cape,, taking a break between battles trying to save earth,,, goosebumps!!!
I was 4 when this movie came out. So cheesy and fun! And Ornella Muti (Princess Aura)... so hot in this movie!
A beautiful classic that don't need to be remake.
I only came for Queen..
the greatest band EVER
*Scornful laughter* Pathetic earthlings! Who can save you now?!
That part of Ming's opening speech it's only available in the trailer.
Went to a sold out show 1st week it opened back in 1980. Next Sunday ,The Rio theater in Vancouver is screening it. I am very excited to see it again on the big screen. Yes, the film is campy but check your brain at the door and have fun!!!
Remember that is John Deacon playing The Bass guitar
One of the best movies ever made.
Actualy i came here for queen
A wonderful music video in its own right!
I wonder how many people saw this in 1980 and thought, with awe, "yep were in the 80s now"
Can be savior of the universe . Can save everyone of us . Cannot save the Jets.
when imagination still ment something...without a doubt one of the best movie theme songs of all time
The color drawings are from the newspaper comics. 1930s. and 1940s. ideas about the distant future.
Looks like they blew their entire budget on Queen, lol!
0:23 - 0:48 was sampled in 'Earth (Gaia)' by The Orb. Fantastic track on the grammy worthy 'Ultraworld' album (and on the Space Night Vol. 2 compilation as well) 🎶🌌🌍
2:40 is my favorite single guitar lick of all time
Crazy the alien Typhoon button is flashing away!
Yeah man!
Impresionante!!!
Me trajo muchos recuerdos, gracias.
Like y me suscribo.
The ..... Best ..... Movie.
as a kid i was so scared of this idk why
The electronic group Orb used some of the dialogue for their album, The Orb's Adventures Beyond the Ultraworld.
they dont really know what earth is, but they have a button called earyn qauke, genius! lol
FLASH! AAAAaaaaAAAAHHHHH!
I wonder why this isn't on some studio's list for a remake.
The planet.... "Euarrrghth."
Peter Wyngarde . . . lol . . . it took him decades of hard living to develop that voice. 🍸💊⚰️
Best.
Hot Hail. Love it! :)
Just got back from watching Bohemian Rhapsody.
Marvel may have really good movies but dc had queen
"How peaceful?" lol
Actually Queen music more credible then the movie 🤣
That's the whole point. The movie, and the idea of "Flash Gordon" is INcredible.
I mean, the whole notion of "Flash Gordon, Quarterback, New York Jets" establishes that very early on.....
the opening that marvel stole.
Remember...FLASH GORDON do it first Marvel ok?
And before Flash Gordon,Superman made it aswell.This opening credits is still unbeatable.
3:19 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
and I thought it was caused by climate change. Silly me.
Still better than Avatar