Flash Gordon: Box Set (Space Soldiers/Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars/Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe) (3DVD)

Mint clean

Like many posters. I watched this as a child and haven't seen it since until I purchased this DVD. Even as a ten year old in the mid 70s, Flash rocked for me. I'm pleased to say that I still love it after not seeing it since the 3rd grade.First, Image has done well by presenting the full Flash trilogy in crisp detail (although I'm not a stickler for transfer quality). The pictures are absolutely flawless!Secondly, this made a major impression on my friends and I as a child as it did for my father and his generation when it first came out. We were enthralled as our man Buster Crabbe (who was an Olympic swimmer prior to the movies) flew with Dr. Zarkov in Outer space to the Planet Mongo to save the world and fought off the hawk men, the ape men (some really ugly fighters with fangs and little makeup),the clay people, a menagerie of monsters, and the Emperor of the Universe himself- Ming The Merciless (played to perfection by Charles Middleton). Upon seeing this again, you'll be amazed at how much this has remained in your ssubconscious and how it all comes back to you after a few minutes.Today, if you liked this as a child, you'll still love it today. Of course as an adult, you'll see through the cornball (but still impressive for it's time, such as the rubber Octopus that Flash fights and the cartoon rays from the guns) special effex, the appealingly hammy acting, and the sexual tension (especially between Flash, Princess Aura, and the fat sloppy King of the Hawk men who tries to molest Flash's heroine Dale Arden). I cannot speak on the impression it may make on the children of today who are unaccustomed to Black & White films from the 30s, but if you're game for it, it's LOADS of unintentional humor and leave-your brains at the door 1930s hokum that can be described in three letters: F-U-N!I recall seeing a then healthy Muhammad Ali embrace an older Buster Crabbe during a televsion special, gushing, "I used to watch you fight the Emperor Ming when I was a little bitty boy!" See why the "Greatest" was so excited and get this set!

Being too young for having caught the original movie serial, or even the reruns on TV in the 50s?, 60s?, I bought this set after watching the new SciFi's Flash Gordon and buying a couple of DVDs from the so-so 1954 series (50 cents each DVD, beat that).I'm in the middle of this set, but I'm greatly surprised. Forget about the special effects, we are talking about a movie filmed 70+ years ago. And being honest, this Flash Gordon has better effects than many SF movies I have rented that were filmed 20 or 30 years later.Buster Crabbe is perfect as Flash, always a gentleman, always able to escape at the very last moment and save the day. Ming (Charles Middleton) is evil incarnated, the kind of guy I would not like to meet or work for. Dale Arden (Jean Rogers) is the classic lady in distress and she is very pretty. In a time full of anorexic stars, it's a relieve to know there were better times and see some well-feed chicks like Princess Aura (Priscilla Lawson).I think the story is well paced, at least Space Soldiers and Trip to Mars. I have read some complaints about plot holes, but since I'm not very picky, I don't see any major problem. And the cliffhangers are well thought, I can only imagine the expectation of the original 30's viewers waiting another week to watch the next chapter.My only complaint would be with the package. There are no special features (maybe a documentary about movie serials?) and there is no close-caption (I'm not a native English speaker) even that it is advertised in the Amazon page.Overall, I'm very happy with this set. I would like to see a modern version of Flash in a movie, but I don't know who can fill these actors and actress shoes. After all, now I know that Buster Crabbe is Flash Gordon.

Universal was the "black sheep" of the major studios in the 1930s, with 'horror' classics like "Frankenstein", "Dracula", and "The Mummy" as their major claim to fame, but with the "Flash Gordon" trilogy, they turned low-budget serials into campy 'high art'!Who can forget blond Buster Crabbe, forever wide-eyed and stalwart, Charles Middleton's eminently hissable Ming the Merciless, bullet-shaped rockets on strings doing endless circles as smoke trailed behind them, the clunky costumes, Art Deco-inspired Imperial Palace, and a musical score frequently 'lifted' from Lizst's "Les Preludes" and Franz Waxman's "Bride of Frankenstein"? Creaky, to be sure, but great fun, if you don't take things seriously!While "Space Soldiers" has gotten the most attention over the years, as the first of the serials, the second and third, "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars", and "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe", offer better production values, and more confident performances by Crabbe. Universal, while surprised and pleased by the popularity of the serials, never utilized the actor to his fullest potential, but as Gordon, he achieved a kind of immortality many higher-paid stars could only dream of.I was first introduced to the series in the 1950s by a local TV station, airing chapters each Saturday morning, as a kid's show. What a joy it is, to finally see each episode, without commercial interruptions!If you are a fan of the 1980, Queen-scored big-screen version of "Flash Gordon", and HAVEN'T seen this collection, what a treat you have in store! Max von Sydow's Ming is a campy homage to Middleton, and even the rockets keep the quaint, 1930s 'look'. Sadly, the producers couldn't find a lead with Crabbe's stature and charisma, but he was one of a kind, to be sure.Do yourself a favor...buy the collection, pop one in your DVD, and let the kid in you come out to play!

Flash Gordon - what can I say? You either love him or you don't. I'm a big fan but I would still have a tough timetrying to sell the cheesy special effects, terrible costumes and bad acting as something good for anyone else tohave to see.That being said, there is still, undeniably, a certain mystique and charm about the stories and characters.Larry 'Buster' Crabbe was well cast for the role of Flash and Charles Middleton does a superb job as one of thegreatest villains of all time - Ming the Merciless. The rest of the cast does a fair portrayal in their various roles, butthere are some truly lame ducks in this supporting group. Of course this adds to the overall humor of the serials,quite unintentionally, I'm sure. The different races and cultures they encounter in their adventures on Mongo andthen Mars, are both interesting and ludicrous at the same time, providing for a good laugh at some points. And ofcourse, the 'cliff-hanger' endings to each of the chapters really adds to the nostalgia. This was 'old-time' cinemaat its best. Innocent, naive and entertaining. Just bring a little imagination with you to bridge the gaps and leave your skepticism at home and you will begin to appreciate and enjoy these movies.All three of the Flash Gordon serials are presented in the box set as they were originally released in their chapterby chapter format. The DVD quality is good and far exceeds any of the VHS tapes previously released. This is agood 'buy'. If you have ever wanted to own any of the Flash Gordon movies, I highly recommend this set.

une intégrale exceptionnelle, issue de l'age d'or du serial.Il s'agit en plus d'un copie de très grande qualité avec un très bon transfert

This package arrived as described complete and full of the over the top adventure of the serial cliffhangers. excellent quality and just fun to enjoy... childhood memories recreated and sharing these treasures with the next generations.. if you are a collector of the classics this is a definite set to add, making Saturday matinees come alive again...was extremely impressed with Rare movie finder. prompt professional service. Highly recommend any transactions with these people and looking forward to future dealings.

I've had various editions of these three serials over the years, on VHS and DVD, from numerous companies. For quality though this is easily the best and believe me there are some shockingly bad prints out there. (I guess because it's out of copyright so anyone can release it?)The only thing missing is any extras. If you can find the American 2004 edition by VCI Entertainment of 'Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe' however this situation can be rectified as it features interviews with Buster Crabbe from 1970 (20 minutes) and 1975 (30 minutes), Buster Crabbe TV commercials, 1932 Olympic Footage (which was how he gained the Flash Gordon role), Photo Gallery and Biography. It's another good print too.

Great box set