What is your favorite incarnation of Flash Gordon?

[MIB41]

There have been so many different approaches to Flash through the years. You had the classic serials with Buster Crabbe. The live television series in '54 with Steve Holland. Or the 2007 television show starring Eric Johnson. Then you had the 1980 theatrical version with Sam Jones and Max Von Sydow. And don't forget the cartoons - The new adventures of Flash Gordon ('79 to '80) or the Defenders of the Earth feature in 1986. Then we had the conceptual Flash as a "hoverboarding" teenager in a 1996 animated series.

Which is your favorite? For myself, I enjoy the 1979 cartoon which I thought captured the feeling of the original comic strip. I thought both Flash and Ming were well designed. I also thought Max Von Sydow played the role of Ming very well in the 1980 movie. I hear there are plans for a new movie. I hope they stick to the look of the original comic strip and stay away from all of the conceptual detours they have taken through the years. What is your favorite?

[kingdom warrior]

Hands down for me is the Buster Crabbe Version. I'm a huge fan of movie serials and I absolutely love them. close second is the 79 version by Filmation which was cool because I had the mego figures around the time they were airing. I have it now on DVD and they're still pretty good.

The 80's movie was alright for what it was....had a huge crush on Melody Anderson who i got to meet a few Years ago and I almost melted in front of her.....

I was in College when Defenders of the earth was on tv would catch it off and on but liked it a lot......

The syfy one that came out a while ago should have all copies burned.....that was horrible

[torgospizza]

I'd say the Al Williamson/Reed Crandall version for the comics, but for movies and television, probably Buster Crabbe and the Filmation version. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of the Sam Jones version, as well--just not nearly as much as Crabbe.

[Thor]

I really like the Buster Crabbe version followed by the Filmation version.

[bobws]

I really like the Buster Crabbe version followed by the Filmation version.

I'll go with this as well, and then the 80 movie, it was just so much fun to watch.

[Bruce Banner]

My favourite incarnation has always been the Filmation cartoon series. I just loved that as a kid, and rewatch it regularly.

The rarely seen feature length "pilot" of that cartoon series is also cool, showing the Word War 2 era prelude.

Then it's the 1980 Sam J. Jones movie and the classic Buster Crabbe serials.

I've always liked the 1980 movie... it has so many cool actors in it; Max Von Sydow, Brian Blessed, Timothy Dalton, Topol, Peter Wyngarde, etc.

[thunderbolt]

Buster Crabbe all the way.

[mirrorman]

Has to be Buster Crabbe.

Second would be the 1980's movie with Sam Jones ... Go Flash Go !!!

[kennermike]

There have been so many different approaches to Flash through the years. You had the classic serials with Buster Crabbe. The live television series in '54 with Steve Holland. Or the 2007 television show starring Eric Johnson. Then you had the 1980 theatrical version with Sam Jones and Max Von Sydow. And don't forget the cartoons - The new adventures of Flash Gordon ('79 to '80) or the Defenders of the Earth feature in 1986. Then we had the conceptual Flash as a "hoverboarding" teenager in a 1996 animated series.

Which is your favorite? For myself, I enjoy the 1979 cartoon which I thought captured the feeling of the original comic strip. I thought both Flash and Ming were well designed. I also thought Max Von Sydow played the role of Ming very well in the 1980 movie. I hear there are plans for a new movie. I hope they stick to the look of the original comic strip and stay away from all of the conceptual detours they have taken through the years. What is your favorite?

have respect for Buster Crabbe

but my alltime childhood and current still Sam J. Jones 1980 Film

followed by Bob Ridgley Filmation 1979 Cartoon series The New Adventures of Flash Gordon

[Dark Shadow]

1980 Version for me...still watch it about once a year. Love the performances by Max von Sydow, Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngard, Orenella Muti, Melody Anderson, Timothy Dalton, Richard O'brien as well as Jones in the lead. A well rounded & terrific cast in an all around fun flick, with the added bonus of a campy, yet inspired soundtrack by Queen ("The Hero" blazing through the credits is still an uplifting thrill).

Favorite scenes: The voyage; The football fight; The gas chamber; Aura's interrogation*; The battle between Barin & Flash; The defeats of Klytus & Kala.

*"Bring Me...the...Bore...Worms"..."NOOOOO!!!! NOT THE BOREWORMS!!!!"

[Megospidey]

The 80's version with Sam Jones IS Flash Gordon to me. I didn't grow up with Buster Crabbe, my father did.

I grew up with Sam Jones as Flash.

[palitoy]

I'm really found of all of them, recently been enjoying the Steve Holland series (it you haven't already seek it out, the principles are Americans but the rest of the cast are Germans barely managing their english). Special place in my heart for the Filmation series and of course, the 1980 movie.

The only stuff I don't like FG wise are the 90s cartoon and that crap "SyFy" laid on us recently.

[torgospizza]

I'm really found of all of them, recently been enjoying the Steve Holland series (it you haven't already seek it out, the principles are Americans but the rest of the cast are Germans barely managing their english).

I have two volumes of this and have never watched it out of fear of how bad it might be (I guess it's a prejudice against TV or something equally irrational), but now I think I'll check it out, based on your recommendation.

[madmarva]

The Filmation version is a noble effort, but is pretty boring to me, today.

I saw the first Buster Crabbe serial weekly on film at the local library of my hometown when I was around 7 or 8, but the 1980 movie was my favorite by a long shot as campy and hokey as the film may be.

Love the tree stump scene and the battle on platform with the spikes.

[johnnystorm]

What, no love for the SYFY series? LOL

Truthfully..I choose...


CRABBE! Ah-Ahhh! Savior of the Universe! CRABBE! Ah-Ahhh! He'll save everyone of us!