Fight Clip Club: Flash Gordon

Flash! Ah-ahhh…

I forget what other thing I was watching that remarked on (and showed a clip of) this insane fight scene from this famously unhinged sci fi cult classic, but I knew I had to delve into it. It reminds me so much of old ‘70s and ‘80s Doctor Who episodes: guys in weird costumes as monsters, complicated traps and glittering gals and overacting on a scale from merely hammy to BRIAN BLESSED all in one. It, like Excalibur but way sillier, is what can only be called A Joyful Romp.

Blessed himself has been frequently asked why he accepted this role as Vultan, when he was such a well-trained and high-level Shakespearian actor. His response? ‘If you offer [the part] to anyone else, I’ll strangle the bastard.’ Apparently Blessed was a fan of the old school Flash Gordon serial and comics as a kid, and would play as Vultan in his childhood games. So of course he was thrilled to be cast in the movie, which he calls not camp, but ‘a masterpiece.’¹

But I’m (regrettably) not talking about the Hawkmen in this scene; I’m talking about another one of the most entertaining arena duels ever composed for cinema, ever. Meet me behind the paywall, don your golden wings, and let’s talk.

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