Okay. I'll admit it. I like the Dino de Laurantiss version of Flash Gordon better than his other venture into sci fi, Dune.

The plot centers around star quarterback Flash Gordon (the ultra buff Sam J. Jones), reporter Dale Arden (Melody Anderson), and eminent scientist Alexis Zarkov (Topol -- remember him in Fiddler on the Roof?) who get sucked into the Technicolor world of Mongo, a place as different from Earth as day is from night. Immediately our friends become fugitives from the evil emperor, Ming the Merciless (the versatile Max von Sydow).

The two hour tour the trio take in an effort to find allies in various Mongo realms is filled with danger, more than a few funny compromising situations, and an abundance of three dimensional and radically alien characters like Vultan the Hawkman (Brian Blessed), Prince Barin of Arbor (Timothy Dalton before he was Bond, James Bond), and Princess Aura (Ornella Muti). I love the distinguished international cast and appreciate how their talents aren't wasted in this smartly written and fun movie.

The settings and backdrops are richly opulent in that loud, rock-opera kind of way that marries well with the inherent camp of the story and the awesome soundtrack -- which I would pay real money to get on CD as the members of Queen are some of the most overpoweringly talented rock musicians ever to live.

The overall lightness counteracts the few gory scenes and countless shootouts and fistfights, not to mention saves the movie from overt preachiness while delivering the tried and true Good Versus Evil theme to the viewer.

Flash Gordon is not only fun to watch alone but even better when you play Mystery Science Theater 3000 with friends. It's not too serious, it's not too fluffy, and it's got great music. What more could you ask from a guilty pleasure?

Flash Gordon is currently available on video.

--Vivian E. Lee

We welcome your comments on The 11th Hour and this review. Please send letters to: letters@the11thhour.com