According to the Digital Bits, Universal has no plans to release this highly anticipated re-issue of the loveable and schmaltzy Dino DeLaurentis epic "Flash Gordon" on HD DVD when they release the standard DVD version this August. This is the dumbest news I have heard from the HD DVD camp yet. Universal unfortunately bears the weight of its exclusive status and this is one of those titles that is missing from so many DVD collections that it could motivate the purchase of an HD DVD player. Who in their infinite wisdom decided this title wasn't worthy of high definition? I was feeling the love for HD DVD again after the inexpensive Walmart players were announced. But when Universal isn't even willing to put its high-profile titles on the format you have to sit and wonder why. I am gonna e-mail Universal with my plea.

You know, I just picked up a FREE Spider-man 3 Blu-ray Bonus Disc at Best Buy today. It is a terrific high definition teaser for the upcoming release of Spider-man 3 and the Blu-ray releases of Spider-man and Spider-man 2. It is packaged like a normal Blu-ray release and really creates a sense of excitement. I may not love Sony and company but they sure continue to do a good job selling me. The titles coming from the BDA this summer are gonna require some impressive counter moves from the HD DVD group. As someone else stated so eloquently during the Walmart player hub bub... "What good is a cheap player if you don't have anything worthwhile to view on it?

Image courtesy of the Digital Bits:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-9/1071897/flashgordonsaviorlargedvd.jpg

FLASH! Aaaaaaaa!

Classic...

camp classic- atrocious mistake not to release this in High Definition

At the beginning of my HD DVD fetish, I bought a number of lousy movies just because they were in high definition. Now comes a title that I truly want in my collection and it's a no-show.

FLASH GORDON is a rather dreadful film. "Oh no, not the bore worms!"

The negative cost of SPIDERMAN 3 is $258 million...they need to spend zillions more to market the pic so that folks will flow to the cinemas to pay it off. Universal has no such issues regarding FLASH GORDON at this stage.

FLASH GORDON is a rather dreadful film...


Do you know what the term "camp" means? Flash Gordon harkens back to the old Batman television series. It is incredibly silly ...but I love it all the same. Not to mention that "Killer" Queen soundtrack featuring the vocals of the legendary Freddie Mercury.

Thats unfortunate there will be no HD version of Flash Gordon.
It was on one of the movie channels 2 or 3 years ago in HD and looked pretty good.
Too bad I didn't have a DVHS recorder back then.

http://www.coolcinematrash.com/images/movies/FlashGordon/flash01.jpg

Sorry, I lost you at "according to the Digital Bits..."

Sorry, I lost you at "according to the Digital Bits..."

Look, I have no love for the Blu-ray cheerleading at that website, but plenty of recent information posted at the Digital Bits including the Universal HD DVD release list was in fact, true. So you go right ahead and leave a meaningless smug remark and get lost, but I wanna take action to make sure this title makes it to HD DVD this year.

Come on Universal! Sort it out.
I want to hear Brian Blessed in Dolby TrueHD.
"Dyiiiiiiiiiiive!"

How can they put Flash Gordon on HD DVD theyre too busy with releasing American Me, The River The Watcher plus double dips of Unleashed and Army of Darkness.

This is definitely one of my guilty pleasures. I so would love to hear that Queen soundtrack in glorious lossless audio. Oh well! :(

FLASH! Aaaaaaaa!

Classic...

. But what made that move was the Laugh of Cletis (sic?).



HE SAVED EVERYONE OF US

guys you don`t need to worry that much maybe. I would love to see that edition of my favourite movie of all time on a universal hd dvd, don`t get me wrong please. but what if I tell you that flash gordon is in europe studio canal, would that cheer you up a bit? I don`t know if studio canal announced it yet, but they own it here as other dino de laurentiis movies like silver bullett, red sonja, raw deal, manhunter and some embassy pictures movies for which de laurentiis held rights for some time, like john carpenter`s escape from new york for example. don`t let digital bits put you down folks.

V

I smell a double-dip on HD-DVD for "FG" from Universal. Think about it, by not making an HD-DVD version available people that want to relive this schmaltzy camp of a movie will buy the DVD and upconvert it to their HDTV's. Then, after the DVD sales die down, Universal will announce an HD-DVD with maybe an extra feature or two (U-Control, etc.) and HD aficionados will flock to buy the movie again. People might sell their DVD copies of "FG" when HD upgrade time comes, but in the books Universal will have sold the same movie twice (for twice the profit) to a substantial number of hardcore movie fans. HD-DVD studios know that HD enthusiasts will double-dip if the movie/price is right, and Universal knows its got a substantial number of enthusiasts by the balls with "FG." Just sayin'. :rolleyes:

Greetings

If you see it on the Universal HD channel, then it might be coming soon. :) Boy, a lot of HD flicks on that channel seem to make it to disc fairly soon.

Dragonheart for instance ...

Regards

I just wanted to chime in that I am the proud owner of the cd.
That is all.

Weird they didn't put Harry and the Hendersons on HD DVD to go along with their new DVD.

Very dissapointing news about Flash, but they have to have something for next year I guess.

the HD transfer cinemax showed a couple of years ago looked amazing.

this is bad news if true.

this is a true camp classic.

Oh ****. I am really looking forward to this title. It alone would justify my HD-DVD A2 player and 60+ flicks if the format tanked. OK Ridick, Bourne or Ron Howard flicks already justify my investment but this title literaly rocks with the soundtrack, psychadelic special effects of the sky and that princess in red spandex..............

If Sam J Jones and Dino hadn't had the falling out they did and they hadn't redubbed about 95% or so of his dialog with some truly atrocious sounding, other actor with a higher pitched voice who was just TERRIBLE, maybe the film would've been received a bit better, (campiness aside...) Many complained of Jones "wooden delivery". Well, it wasn't Jones for virtually the whole film.

Yes, it's cheesy but it's still alot of fun and viusally spectacular and the sountrack rules.

C'mon Uni, you can do it. You have to make a new transfer for the new DVD anyway...

Not releasing Flash on HD-DVD spells doom for the format! Oh noees! What are we going to do without the release of this very high-profile and demanded film?! I'd rather slash my wrists than to bear the agony of not having FG in HD! We shall bombard the Universal email boxes everyday until they submit! Cmon, who's with me?




In case you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic.

This is coming from the guy who likes The Matrix: Revolutions...

;)

hey, some of us actually like the film...

when i archived this to DVHS a few years ago i fully expected it to be a piece of junk that I would only keep around solely because of my childhood memories - it turned out that nothing could be further from the truth.

it's definitely campy but it is fully aware of itself, and it's a pretty hilarious movie at times. the campy set and costume design is so over the top and sometimes grandiose that it's hard not to appreciate it; the photography is really nice, and the HD transfer was really really sharp and the colors were fantastic.

i think a lot of people who haven't seen this movie in 25 years would be surprised how entertaining it is.....

oleus

Very disappointed to hear this, Though I can't say I'm entirely surprised.
I actually thought a day and date release with the new SD would be a long shot, but then again, I think Universal is being a blind as this is a film that has several factors going for it that should make it a fairly worthwhile release on HD
- its colorful deco/pop art production design
- it's 'light' entertainment which makes it easily re-watchable
- it would be released at a time when there is still a good sized void of the traditional 70's/80's era space opera/sci-fi classics (like star wars, star trek, etc)
- most of its fans are adults now with the disposable income to spend on an impulse purchase

I think they are making a mistake here- but then again, when you see the video scan sales data and you see the way other good genre movies like American Werewolf have sold...it's not surprising they would get all they can from the release of the SD first, before they even consider an HD release.
we probably will see it in 2008 or 2009...but damn, this is the kind of title that a studio should be proud to trumpet as a catalog exclusive.

Huge missed opportunity here Universal...

For me this movie is very bad, only the soundtrack its ok!!!!!! (Queen)
In HD i will be skip it

For me this movie is very bad, only the soundtrack its ok!!!!!! (Queen)
In HD i will be skip it

i will be buy it.

Come on. Of all the titles in Universal's library. But maybe this is all tongue in cheek.

I love watching this film. I own the Momentum R2 Special Edition with a sweet DTS track. I'm definitely not going to pick up the new R1 release, but I'd have to consider the HD-DVD if it ever came out.

We may see an HD-DVD from France before we do in the U.S.

Studio Canal owns the film outside the U.S. so I'm hoping we won't have to wait that long IF Universal drops the ball as it seems they may be doing.

This title has been absent on DVD in Region 1 for years. The original DVD was released way back in 1998 in a non-anamorphic widescreen edition. It has been unavailable for years. I was curious about how desired those old copies might be, so I checked out Ebay. There is actually a copy currently bid up to $34.00. Whoever wins that bidding is gonna crap when Flash Gordon shows up in a glossy new edition in a few months. Please Universal, I want my Flash!

Evidentally, there is a new television series in the works from the folks at Sci-Fi Channel and the DVD release coincides with its premiere. This has got to be an error. Why would Universal be so stupid not to tie the HD DVD release to it as well? (Edited for clarification) Next time, just scroll up and read.

Eric Johnson Is Flash Gordon

Eric Johnson (Smallville) has landed the title role in SCI FI Channel's upcoming original series Flash Gordon, the network announced. The 22-hour series updates the comic-strip franchise and is slated for an August premiere. Johnson will play space-traveling adventurer Gordon, who is joined by companions Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov. Ordinary people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, they find themselves as Earth's last line of defense against the forces of the merciless dictator Ming.

Peter Hume wrote the first two episodes, which will be directed by Rick Rosenthal (Smallville). Production is to begin May 1 in Vancouver, Canada.

Flash is being produced by Reunion Pictures under an agreement with King Features Syndicate, which owns the franchise. RHI Entertainment's Robert Halmi Sr. and Robert Halmi Jr. (SCI FI 's Legend of Earthsea) are executive-producing, with Hume also expected to executive-produce. Matthew O'Connor and Tom Rowe produce.

Canadian actor Johnson is perhaps best known for his role as Whitney Fordman on Smallville, a character he portrayed from 2001 to 2004.

Casting is under way for the other roles. Flash Gordon was created in 1934 by Alex Raymond.

Evidentally, there is a new television series in the works from the folks at Sci-Fi Channel and the DVD release coincides with its premiere. This has got to be an error. Why would Universal be so stupid?

I'm missing the stupid part. :confused:

What is Uni doing (or not doing) that you object to?

Who wants to live forever!

I want flash in HD!

Who wants to live forever!

Interesting how that line became the title of the centerpiece song in Queen's next soundtrack effort: "Highlander." Funny how it could be Freddie's witty epitath.

I have a history of throwing this title out there in all of the "What HD DVD exclusive title do you most want to see released" threads. Partially tougue-in-cheek, partially sincere. This film is my greatest guilty pleasure.

I'm missing the stupid part. :confused:

What is Uni doing (or not doing) that you object to?

Me too. Aren't they doing the SMART thing by tying in the DVD re-issue with the new series?

I didn't know about the tv series, however I had seen the listing for the movie in the works. Flash Gordon (2008) (http://imdb.com/title/tt0421201/) They could be thinking of an HD DVD release around the time the movie comes out, or its HD DVD comes out. That way they could maximize their advertising revenue and try to get more of the older one sold with the push from the new one. Just my thoughts on this. Although I wouldn't complain and would gladly buy it the second they release it. :D I even have the Queen soundtrack LP.

Me too. Aren't they doing the SMART thing by tying in the DVD re-issue with the new series?

The above post was edited for clarification. Next time scroll up please. They ARE NOT doing the smart thing for the HD DVD format. Last time I checked, Universal wanted HD DVD to succeed.

If they are timing the re-release of Flash Gordon on standard DVD to the new television series' premiere then why not do the same with an HD DVD version? Sure, perhaps they are just trying to double dip as someone previously indicated. But if they don't come up with some marquee titles real soon, that double dip will have to be on a Blu-ray disc.

Maybe will get this one 1st :p http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V3FYGKCNL._SS500_.jpg

How can they put Flash Gordon on HD DVD theyre too busy with releasing American Me, The River The Watcher plus double dips of Unleashed and Army of Darkness.

Are there any plans for a new HDDVD release of Army of Darkness??

and who didn't love the hawk men's tinfoil wings?? we need this in HD!!!

Maybe will get this one 1st :p

All kidding aside, I'd totally buy Flesh Gordon on HD DVD. I've got the standard DVD and while the 'sexy' stuff is pretty bad/goofy, there's actually a few very funny scenes, a lot of fairly witty spoof of the old serials, and some *fantastic* stop motion work.

As with everyone else here, this movie is an absolute guilty pleasure for me. I wasn't born when this movie was released (I was in 1985), but I saw the movie when I was around 4 and I've loved it ever since.

I would absolutely snatch this up if it goes to HD-DVD. What's better than seeing the star quarterback of the NY Jets kick some Emperor Ming ass??

Later...I like to play with things a while, before annihilation...HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

I still have this on DVD back when Image did a release of it. I think it's out of print and worth a little money, but I'm keeping mine until the HD version comes out.

^

That's crazy, bud. That thing goes for up to $100 right now. Dump it and grab the new edition in August.

It's a pretty terrible transfer anyway.

I'd take the Perverted Wang from the Planet Porno in a heartbeat!

What a freaking funny film.

I would absolutely snatch this up if it goes to HD-DVD. What's better than seeing the star quarterback of the NY Jets kick some Emperor Ming ass??

yea, its the only way we will EVER get to see the jets kicking ass :D

I want this title on hddvd bad!!!!!!!!

The above post was edited for clarification. Next time scroll up please. They ARE NOT doing the smart thing for the HD DVD format. Last time I checked, Universal wanted HD DVD to succeed.

Your original phrasing made it seem like they were stupid to release it in lieu of the TV series coming out. But thanks for letting me know you edited it -- maybe if you PM me I'll edit my posts as soon as I receive word you've re-edited your comments. Whatever. :rolleyes:

I still have this on DVD back when Image did a release of it. I think it's out of print and worth a little money, but I'm keeping mine until the HD version comes out.

Dump it asap my friend. It's worth something now, and won't be worth anything when the new disc comes out.

Besides, it's a horrible non-anamorphic transfer. You can get better versions all over the world even if this new release, for whatever reason, never comes out.

Maybe will get this one 1st :p http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V3FYGKCNL._SS500_.jpg

I remember my parents taking me to see Flash Gordon when I was 4 (one of my earliest, most vivid memories) and one of the trailers was for this movie. I remember being intrigued and confused by the scantily clad girls and a massive eyeball(?) that filled the screen. :eek:
Imagine going to see Saving Private Ryan with a trailer for Shaving Ryan's Privates on before it, just wouldn't happen these days...

Do Hen's Tooth video do HD DVD? :D

I just dug up my FG DVD from distributed by Image. Is it really worth something? FG is my favorite movie of all time - huge Queen fan as well.

FG is one of my top 5 favorite films. It was the very first film I bought on VHS, and the film I have watched the most times by a fair margin. The 5th Element and Sky High are up there too. Guess I like colorful sci-fi films. I would pay big bucks for FG on HD DVD. There is a serious dearth of sci-fi on HD DVD.
Warren.

I got the UK version, decent transfer (annie) but the PAL speed up, perhaps due to Freddie Mercury's already stratospherically (is that a word..?!?!) high vocals is very noticeable.
I usually notice but am not bothered by PAL speed up but here it was very noticeable as I know the music so well.

And Queen fans? Check this out!

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/9363/davebrianrf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

While I enjoyed the FG movie and would definitely get the HD DVD of it, I'm even a bigger fan of the Flash serials. The movie was left open for a sequel. Why didn't it ever happen?? :confused:

Why didn't it ever happen?? :confused:

I don't have any box office stats available, but I'd assume the movie didn't do particularly well. I think the fact that they played it for camp, rather than relatively straight, hurt them. I'm sure De Laurentiis would have been first in line to get a sequel going if it made any financial sense.


As far as the serials go, do you have the Image box set? Quality is very sweet on that.

Universal if you're reading this.... I'd buy the movie on HD-DVD. So would a lot of other people.

In the USA, FG was actually a pretty big box office disappointment IIRC. I think it fared better overseas...

Do you know what the term "camp" means? Flash Gordon harkens back to the old Batman television series. It is incredibly silly ...but I love it all the same. Not to mention that "Killer" Queen soundtrack featuring the vocals of the legendary Freddie Mercury.


Yes, I do. I saw FLASH GORDON opening night in LA at the Century Plaza many years ago. And there is a rather fine line between clever "camp" and just plain bad....

Aw, c'mon...
Let the people who enjoy it have their fun...

:)

....I saw FLASH GORDON opening night in LA at the Century Plaza many years ago. And there is a rather fine line between clever "camp" and just plain bad....

You responded to my comment and made it clear you do not like the film. So at this point, the only reason for you to post in this thread is for confrontation.

That's too bad, and here's hoping they will reconsider.

This movie is still great fun, and has a simplicity and directness that most movies are afraid to have these days. All heroes today have to be misunderstood weirdos or whatever, but Flash is just your straight up all-American quarterback hero. :p

I won't buy this on DVD - I'm just not buying them anymore. But I would pick it up on HD-DVD

I won't buy this on DVD - I'm just not buying them anymore. But I would pick it up on HD-DVD

Same here