An All-American football player must foil an extraterrestrial plan to dominate the Earth in Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition. Available on DVD for the first time from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 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.

While this 1980 version doesn't quite have the cheesy feel of it's 1930's series, the story bears similar story lines and probably more Sci-fi fun. Believe it or not this Flash Gordon is a New York Jets quarterback - now that's a stretch from the original series. His main mission is to score a universal touchdown - hence the title Saviour Of The Universe - by pulling the moon back into orbit with Earth.

Flash (Sam J. Jones) gets help from the beautiful Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), but her beauty is blind to Emperor Ming (Max von Sydow) and he'll do anything to stop Flash dead in is tracks. The nice thing about this movie is there is a little something for everyone. There's the sci-fi elements with great visuals thanks to a wonderful remastered print, and lots of action in the many duals propelled by some moon-jumping music. With Melody Anderson and Ornella Muti as Princess Aura there's some romantic tension aboard this journey.

I wish I could recommend this for kids and that they would be as excited as the baby boomers who couldn't wait for each week of this series. Truthfully, I can hear my grandchildren now, "You've got to be kidding."

Cult fans will enjoy this DVD and Flash Gordon: Saviour of the Universe Edition has some good bonus features.

Special Features

• Alex Ross, Renowned Comic Artist, on Flash Gordon: Learn how Flash Gordon influenced this legendary artist, both personally and professionally!- Ross talks about his love of this classic and the black and white Flash Gordon postcard pencil sketches he created and that are included with the DVDs.
  
  

• Writing a Classic: Screenwriter Lorenzo Semple, Jr.: Meet the man who wrote the screenplay that would live on as a cult favorite! - Semple, Jr. talks about his intentions with the story; he wanted it to be campy.

Director: Mike Hodges

Writers: Characters - Alex Raymond, Adapted by Michael Allin, Screenplay by Lorenzo Semple Jr.

Cast Members: Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Max von Sydow, Topol, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton

Rating: PG

Run Time: 112 minutes

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

DVD Release Date: 8/07/2007

Studio: Universal Home Video

Widescreen

Photos and Press Release courtesy of Universal Home Enterainment