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| Flash Gordon |
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Genre:Science Fiction
Reviewed In Issue 30 Of Widescreen Review®
Stars:
Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Ornella Muti, Max Von Sydow, Topol, Timothy Dalton, Mariangela Melato, Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngarde |
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 DVD General Information |
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| (Studio/Distributor): |
MCA/Universal Home Video |
| (Catalog Number): |
41518 |
| (MPAA Rating): |
G |
| (Retail Price): |
$34.98 |
| (Running Time In Minutes): |
111 |
| (Color Type): |
Color |
| (Chaptered/Scene Access): |
Yes |
| (Closed Captioned): |
Yes |
| (Theatrical Release): |
1980 |
| (LD Release Date): |
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| (THX® Digitally Mastered): |
No |
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| Credits Information |
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| (Director): |
Mike Hodges |
| (Screenplay/Written By): |
Lorenzo Semple, Jr & Michael Allin |
| (Story): |
NA |
| (Music): |
Howard Blake & Queen |
| (Director Of Photography): |
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| (Production Designer): |
NA |
| (Visual Effects): |
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| (Costume Designer): |
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| (Editor): |
Malcolm Cooke |
| (Supervising Sound Editors): |
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| (Re-Recording Mixers): |
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| (Executive Producers): |
Bernard Williams |
| (Co-Producers): |
NA |
| (Producers): |
Dino De Laurentiis |
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| DVD Picture Information |
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| (Principal Photography): |
Todd-AO 35 |
| (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): |
2.35:1 |
| (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): |
2.15:1 |
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| DVD Sound Information |
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| (DVD Soundtrack): |
Dolby Surround |
| (Theatrical Sound): |
Dolby Stereo A |
| (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack): |
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| (Remastered Dolby Digital): |
No |
| (Remastered DTS Digital Surround): |
No |
| (Additional Languages): |
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| WSR Narrative Review |
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Story Synopsis:
Based on the characters created by Alex Raymond, Flash Gordon is a entertaining comic romp with Flash (Sam J. Jones) and Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) unwillingly traveling to the mysterious Planet Mongo. Ruled by the evil emperor, Mongo is the source of strange energy waves that have pulled the moon out of orbit, leaving the Earth in grave danger.
LaserDisc Picture:
LaserDisc Soundtrack:
| (Surround Bass Below 50Hz): |
No |
| (Aggressive System Surround): |
No |
| (Intense 25Hz Bass): |
No |
| (Deep Bass Challenging): |
No |
| (Aggressive 0.1 LFE): |
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| (Holosonic Soundfield): |
No |
| (Aggressive Split Surround): |
No |
| (Center Back Surround Imaging): |
No |
| (Directionalized Dialogue): |
No |
Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality: |
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Superb Music Score Recording Quality: |
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Superb Special Visual Effects Quality: |
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Superb Color Fidelity: |
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Superb Cinematography: |
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Reference LaserDisc: |
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Collector Edition: |
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DVD To LaserDisc Comparison:
The DVD picture looks very similar to the LaserDisc (previously released, but not reviewed). Color fidelity looks slightly dated and subdued on the DVD, with brownish fleshtones and deep, but undefined blacks. There is a slight dark haze that seems to distract from color fidelity that may otherwise look natural. The LaserDisc is more colorfully vivid but still darkly hazed with apparent chroma noise. Images on the DVD are generally sharp and detailed, but the picture appears to have been sourced from a composite master, due to apparent NTSC artifacts. Noise and minor artifacts are apparent on both versions, and contrast and shadow delineation are mediocre and wanting in detail for a mediocre visual experience. The LaserDisc and DVD aspect ratios are framed at 2.15:1. Both the DVD and LaserDisc have a Dolby® Surround soundtrack. The LaserDisc’s matrix PCM version sounds fuller with deeper bass overall, while the Dolby Digital encoded version is thinner sounding with less bass response. Surround ambience is better delineated and more aggressive sounding compared to the Dolby Digital rendering. Dialogue sounds natural though often ADR-produced and wanting in spatial integration. While surround envelopment is often aggressive, dynamic impact that makes for an exciting soundtrack, is wanting. Overall, the sound is dated and wanting in dynamics on both the DVD and LaserDisc.
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