Rating: 
Summary: Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars
Review: "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars" is the second serial of theoriginal Flash Gordon films. The film picks up at the end of"Flash Gordon Space Solders." (Please note that each of the Flash Gordon films has been renamed and reedited numerous times.) The second series of chapters, 15 in all, are of a better quality then the first 12 chapters. The story picks up with the heroes returning from Mongo. The Earth is thrown into peril once again and Dr. Zarkoff. Flash and his friends must return to space once again to save the world. Ming is back as well. He some how managed to escape death at the end of the first serial and has moved his evil plans to Mars. I didn't really like the whole Mars thing. Knowing want we know about Mars today makes the whole story a little silly. But hay, this film was made at a time when the Red Planet still held a lot of mystery. So, we now know there are not any cities on Mars, you can still enjoy the movie. Buster Crabbe, who plays Flash, is much more secure in his acting. He speaks more, and is more proactive. I liked the character a lot better in this film. In the first serial Flash spent most of his him getting jumped on and being forced to defend himself. In this film, Flash plans attacks and fights when he know he has too. There is a lot of stock footage and a few flash backs to the first serial that pad out the film. This was a way to save money on the meager $175,000 budget, half of what they spent on the first serial. The return of all the same actors from the first film help the movie as well. For the third series the studio replaced Dale and Barin with new actors. The best part about this film and the previous one is the way that is displayed. This DVD has all 15 chapters just as they were shown in the theaters. Each as a title and introduction. They sum up the last chapter and then end with a cliffhanger. It is a lot of fun to watch a serial. The many other Flash Gordon titles are simply these same films recut as feature films. This DVD has all the footage as it was originally released. Larry "Buster" Crabbe played in many films, but really made the role of Flash Gordon special. He often can be found in westerns, and even played Tarzan in one film. He does a fine job on this film and pulls off the "All American Hero" better then anyone really should. I had not seen his work, but know I am a fan. Jean Rogers, who plays Dale, is a really cute girl next door. I have to say, I liked her blond hair in the first film, but the comic strip inspired hair change takes nothing away from her beauty. Dale does not have a lot to do in this serial, but she does manage to move a little away from the totally dependent Dale of the first films. Ming is even more evil as he should be. In the first film he sat around a lot and gave orders. In this film Ming is more active. He fights, shoots a ray gun, and even captures Flash Gordon by himself. Charles Middleton makes a great Ming and will have you plotting your own evil plans before the film is done. He makes the picture a lot of fun. You will notice a few bad spots in the film. The film is from 1938, so you have to chalk the flaws up to its age. Plus the flaws give the DVD character. The cheesy voice over will draw a laugh as well as the special effects. The "Bat Wings" are a great idea. The dolls that flew with them almost looked like.... well they looked like dolls. Buy this film and brush up on some film history as you enjoy some great science fiction!
Rating:
Summary: Flash Gordon, Mars and the 1930's
Review: A modern day approach to this classic from the past cannot do justice when compared to the attitude and actions of the American audience in the 1930's. I interviewed people who lived through the experience as teens when they went to the movies to see "Flash Gordon Goes to Mars". The response can only be compared to the excitement level generated by "Indiana Jones" or "Star Wars". People were looking for escape. Flash Gordon provided the vehicle to take them away. Despite special effects that look silly today, people were thrilled with them in the 30's. The monsters were scary and the idea of life on Mars with "Clay people" filled them with fear. One fact you should keep in mind. The largest money maker in the movies was not the best picture in 1938 or any other of that year,it was a re-hash of "FLASH GORDON". Audiences talked about the adventures of Flash as we would today of "Indy". This DVD is a nice piece of work and the copy lets you relax. It is typical stuff from the 30's and characters such as newsmen, scientists, government officials and butlers can be expected to behave like the idiots Hollywood portrayed them back then. This series of "Flash" was cheaply produced but made a fortune in the movies. The strangest of the three but perhaps the most interesting due to our familiarity with our neighbor, Mars as opposed to far off Mongo. Grab a Martian flying cape and try not to laugh, people did at one time think this was sci fi at it's artistic best!
Rating: 
Summary: The best Flash Gordon serial
Review: Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS."Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order. Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s. For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.
Rating:
Summary: GO FLASH GO
Review: Flash Gordon is certainly the true precursor to "Star Wars." Image Entertainment is distributing four feature length titles edited down to about 90 minutes from the original four hour serial length. Zippy plots, lots of action, clever sets and surprisingly strong scripts do justice to "THE PERIL FROM OUTER SPACE," "THE PURPLE DEATH FROM OUTER SPACE," "SPACE SHIP TO THE UNKNOWN" and "THE DEADLY RAY FROM MARS." Good stuff that looks even better when cut down to the central plot. The action does not let up. See the whole series in order. Larry "Buster" Crabbe is charismatic and strangely beautiful as the lead in this beguiling comic book space opera from the late 30s. For die hard fans of this series, the full length, uncut serial "FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE" is also available.
Rating:
Summary: Five Hours Of Pure Entertainment
Review: Following Flash Gordon's original adventures in 'Space Soldiers' (also available on DVD), 1930's cinema goers were treated to this sequel - 'Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars'. All the regulars are back in action for a mamoth 15-part extravaganza. There are slight changes for this serial; Jean Rogers is now a brunette not a blonde and the story takes place on Mars instead of Mongo (not that you'd notice the difference). But fortunately some things never change. If, like me, you remember watching these classic serials during the school holidays you'll know that the combination of 'Buster Crabbe' and 'Flash Gordon' guarantees excitement, adventure and fun - and on this DVD you get 5 hours worth! Although Image Entertainment have not added any special features, the picture quality is excellent. So if you're a Flash Gordon fan this is certainly one for your collection.
Rating:
Summary: This is ABFAB!!!
Review: I just received my copy of the uncut FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS in the mail yesterday, and was really impressed. I grew up with the Buster Crabbe serials, seeing a single episode each day, and looking forward to the following Monday, when the next exciting episode would play. How I loved the gilded, swashbuckling Flash, the kindly Dr. Zarkov and the exquisite Dale Arden. I was also extremely fond of the great MING THE MERCILOUS, played with relish by Charles Middleton. Knowing how he scared me as a child, I can only imagine how he spooked the kids on Saturday afternoons, when the serials played on the big screen. All that aside, this is FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS as it is meant to be seen: complete and uncut, and with a beautiful, clear print. True, it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" that people expect with DVDs, but it doesn't need them. This edition is gorgeous. I do have a warning for you, though. There are many "versions" out there, and a good many of them are butchered to fit a 90 minute time frame. If you want to see this classic as Universal meant it to be seen, get this COMPLETE AND UNCUT version. It's well worth the extra money.
Rating:
Summary: This is ABFAB!!!
Review: I just received my copy of the uncut FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS in the mail yesterday, and was really impressed. I grew up with the Buster Crabbe serials, seeing a single episode each day, and looking forward to the following Monday, when the next exciting episode would play. How I loved the gilded, swashbuckling Flash, the kindly Dr. Zarkov and the exquisite Dale Arden. I was also extremely fond of the great MING THE MERCILOUS, played with relish by Charles Middleton. Knowing how he scared me as a child, I can only imagine how he spooked the kids on Saturday afternoons, when the serials played on the big screen. All that aside, this is FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS as it is meant to be seen: complete and uncut, and with a beautiful, clear print. True, it doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" that people expect with DVDs, but it doesn't need them. This edition is gorgeous. I do have a warning for you, though. There are many "versions" out there, and a good many of them are butchered to fit a 90 minute time frame. If you want to see this classic as Universal meant it to be seen, get this COMPLETE AND UNCUT version. It's well worth the extra money.
Rating: 
Summary: aarrrgghh! Not what it says on the tin!
Review: I'm sure that the dvd is great...but I just received my copy and it has virtually RUINED my life!!! I specifically hunted down and bought this copy because it was advertised as an 'all regions' product. It's not, it's region 1. This is a real pain if you're from Europe, have a large region 2 dvd collection, and then the insertion of this region 1 dvd uses up the LAST region change function on your laptop. My laptop is now fixed on region 1 and I can no longer play any of my region 2 dvds. I have 1.5 grand's worth of laptop I can no longer watch my dvds on. Apart from this one, that is... Frustrating. This dvd is going to cost me a lot more than I bargained for. Just beware. It's region 1. Not Region 0. Amazon, you should sort out your deceptive descriptions...
Rating:
Summary: The best Flash Gordon serial
Review: In terms of of the combination of definition of character and action scenes, this second of the Flash Gordon trilogy is the best of the Flash Gordon series. It has good action scenes and commanding performances by Clarence Linden (Buster) Crabbe and Charles Middleton (Ming the Merciless). The very beautiful Jean Rogers (Dale Arden) also does more in this serial than be the helpless female as she was in the first excellent Flash Gordon serial, Space Soldiers. In this serial, Flash Gordon shows himself to be the tough, intelligent, world saving hero that the comic intends him to be. His heroics are well known; e.g., the clay people, and it gives me additional pleasure to see how people look up to him. Ming the Merciless is a great villian and Charles Middleton's performance ranks up there with Darth Vader (and Darth Vader needed three people to make him function). The cheap special effects not withstanding, This serial and serials in general are a superior form of entertainment for children to watch than television shows because all world's problems are not solved in half an hour or an hour, but, rather, take some time...
Rating: 
Summary: Get that and skip this.
Review: Note that the below reviews of this disc are for the complete, 15-chapter serial FLASH GORDON'S TRIP TO MARS. This disc, however, is an edited "feature" version and is a poor replacement for the full serial, available from Image Entertainment (along with the other two FLASH GORDON serials) in a beautifully restored edition. Get that and skip this.
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