Flash Gordon - Mike Hodges

Ahhh...the classic 1980 film Flash Gordon, directed by Mike Hodges, produced by the singular Dino De Laurentis, and with the incredible score by Queen. What more could you want in a film? Well, I'm sure some would argue that you need good acting, good special effects, and a decent storyline. And yes, all of those may be true in ways. I would argue that this perfectly fits into the 1936 serial episode style film...just updated to be more fitting with the time it was created in.

I saw it when it came out, and at the age I was I thought it was fantastic!! An exciting story that I didn't know what would happen, some really cool visuals (the Hawkmen - come on!!), plus to this burgeoning queer boy...some hot men. Sam J. Jones plays Flash Gordon, and often time plays him shirtless, or in short shorts, or in something tight and form fitting showing off his football musculature. Add to him a young Timothy Dalton, also in form fitting clothing, and all the shirtless Hawkmen... That is a lot of good, hero skin for a Jr. high queer boy to feast his eyes on, while also being able to talk about the female leads (also showing off skin), and the story and score to keep his straight friends at bay. This "Saviour of the Universe" edition includes the original 1936 serial episode named "Planet of Peril", as well as features with the screenwriter, and Alex Ross - a comic artist. Also, and this will mean more if you are of a certain age, the cast included Topol and Max von Sydow!