Rating: 
Summary: This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
Review: "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best of the Flash Gordon serials
Review: "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" was the third and best of the serials starring Buster Grabbe. This 12-part serial finds Alex Raymond's science-fiction hero battling Ming the Merciless (Charles Middleton). Flash has to save the earth from a mysterious plague known as the Purple Death. When Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) finds one a spaceship from planet Mongo seeding the atmosphere it is clear that Ming the Merciless is back to his old tricks. Flash is aided by old friend Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) as they head to Frigia, where our heroes will find polarite, the antidote to the plague, and some really interesting locking rock people. Of course, Ming is going to go out of his way to stop Flash and his friends. My only real complaints are that the costumes look like leftovers from "Robin Hood" and that Carol Hughes replaced Jean Rogers as Dale Arden. Oh, well, life is full of disappointments. This DVD not only includes an interview with Crabbe, but footage of him winning the 1932 Olympic Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim event and three of his later TV commercials. Ideally you want to watch the three Flash Gordon serials in order, but if you start with this one you will certainly be able to follow the fun without any problems.
Rating:
Summary: Relive your nostalgia with this classic serial
Review: Are you among those who sat and watched the matinee series like `Flash Gordon' or `Buck Rogers' on television growing up. Well I remember quite clearly sitting with my friends watching the faded, cheesy 1930s and `40s fare on British television and other instances when I would be home sick from school that I would find, flipping through the channels, some classic Saturday matinee fare playing on BBC2.
It's with the clouded judgement of long ago nostalgia that has me loving every minute of the `Flash Gordon' DVDs, they are a true guilty pleasure with their yogurt-carton-with-fins spaceships, actors hamming it up with terrible line delivery and preposterous plots.
Yet for all their faults, these shows are nicely packaged slices of fun that will still imbue wonder in kids for generations to come. Their appeal is timeless to the young and young at heart. It's revealing to their appeal that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg both envisioned the Indiana Jones franchise as a modern version of the Saturday matinee serials.
Of all the Flash Gordon serials this one - the third - is the one I remember the most from my childhood with Buster Brabbe being joined by Carol Hughes as Dale Arden (replacing Jean Rogers) and Charles Middleton as Ming the Merciless.
The serial begins with a spaceship from the planet Mongo spreading a lethal purple dust into the atmosphere of Earth. Its up to Buck Rogers along with Dale and Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) along with friend and ally Prince Barin of Arboria (Roland Drew) to travel to the frozen land of Frigia to recover the antidote for the Purple Death.
Coming short on the heels of Errol Flynn's `Adventures of Robin Hood' the influences of the successful classic are clearly evident in this serial. We have Drew portraying Barin with a Flynn-type air and the Mongo population wearing outfits that would not have looked out of place in the Sherwood Forest of Flynn's production.
This two-disc set also includes an interview with Buster Crabbe, Olympic footage of Crabbe winning the 1932 Gold Medal in the 400 meter swim, a photo gallery and three television commercials featuring the actor.
For such a low price it really is a steal, it's a lot cheaper to relive your childhood this way than to take a trip to DisneyWorld and to get the entire 12-episodes for under $20 is better value than the more current series also coming out on DVD.
The quality of the picture is middling at best, (no doubt as a result of age) but this strangely just enhances the nostalgic value of the set. For those who remember the serials from television presentations years ago the simple fact was that the serials were already old when we were young.
Rating: 
Summary: Ming Is The King !
Review: At the time of writing there are two versions of 'Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe' available on DVD. This review concerns Image Entertainment's version - a single sided, no frills DVD. I purchased Image Entertainment's version because I'd been very impressed by their previous two Flash Gordon serials and didn't want the hassle of this serial spread over two discs. Having bought the other two Image Entertainment DVDs, this one also nicely completes the set. Like 'Space Soldiers' and 'Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars' the sound and picture quality are superb. Whilst the storyline had taken a dip for 'Trip to Mars', Universal Pictures bounced right back to form with this serial and it certainly gives 'Space Soldiers' a run for its money for being the best of the trio. The story is full of good old-fashioned excitement and you can easily sit down to watch 4 or 5 episodes at a time. I was sorry to see Jean Rogers relinquish the part of Dale Arden, but her role is expertly filled by Carol Hughes and the rest of the cast are also on good form. Like I said, you have the choice of two DVDs for this serial. I am very happy with this version, but like they say, you pays your money and you takes your choice.
Rating:
Summary: Flash is the GREATEST!
Review: Don't listen to the other reviewers - this 2 disc set is the greatest! I understand what the others are saying about the serial being split up, but really - who watches serials all the way thru? They were MEANT to be watched in more than one sitting, so I feel that the point is moot. The quality of the prints are a bit scratchy at the beginnings, but after all, these serials weren't exactly preserved for posterity's sake, were they? The extra's are, alone, worth the price of admission! Sure they're spread accross two discs (three sides!) but so what! Just shut up and enjoy them! ESSENTIAL for any serial fan!
Rating:
Summary: Flash Gordon Comments on Society Would Be a Better Name!
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 get 'em Flash
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: good content, poor packaging
Review: i am a HUGE fan of the old time heroes and have been collecting Flash Gordon for some time so when i found out about this collection with bonus material on DVD i was thrilled! I was less than thrilled when it arrived tho. It has two discs (one double sided) and you have to constantly change or flip the discs in order to watch continueously. This would not be so bad but it is not broken up normally with the serial being on one disc and the extras on the other. Instead everything is spread across all three sides of the discs and really breaks up the flow. Added to this is the really cheesy 3D intro on each disc that runs WAY too long and you can't fast forward past it. If you love Flash Gordon, i heartily recommend this, but bring your patience with you.
Rating: 
Summary: Save your money!!
Review: I bought this on DVD and expected a professional package I expect of any DVD package. Here's the news...terrible packaging, no extra features, no cinemascope so you can't even read the credits, the poorest quality I have seen and overall unwatchable product. I feel as if I was robbed of my money. The people that made this product wanted to sell you something but you will never buy anything else. I say wait for someone who cares to release these great serials.
Rating:
Summary: Flash Gordon (1940) Classic Hollywood Serial comes to DVD!
Review: The 1930's & 40's Hollywood produced many action packed, cliff hanger Serials for the Movie crowds. Universal Studios was one of the top Chapter serial movie producers. These multi-chapter adventures provided weekly enterainment with 18 min startling installments!! The Flash Gordon series (3 Serials starring "The King of Serials", Buster Crabbe the 1932 Olympic gold medalist Swimmer)was the most popular series with; "Flash Gordon" (1936), "Flash Gordon Trip to Mars" (1938) & "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940) - considered to be the best of the series. VCI Home video has provided us an OUTSTANDING remastered 2 DVD set with the 12 chapter "Falsh Gordon Conquers the Universe" Serial. Plus an abundance of extra features to include; 1932 Olympic gold medal film of Buster Crabbe, background interviews & TV commercials with Buster Crabbe, Flash Gordon photo gallery, & old movie trailers. Over 240 minutes of entertainment!!! Summary: The entire earth is threatened with the "Purple Death". The evil-nemisis of Flash Gordon (Buster Crabbe), "Ming-the-Merciless" (brilliantly played villian, Charles Middleton-an encore performance) from the planet of Mongo! Flash & his trusted friend, scientist genius Dr. Zarkov (Frank Shannon) & fellow space traveler Dale Arden (Carol Hughes - who replaced Jean Rogers does a good job!). Their job is to go to Mongo, rid the earth & Universe from the "Purple Death" & "Ming the Merciless"! 12 Chapters of spine tingling adventure, with titles Chapter 4 "The Destroying Ray" & Chapter 10 The Death Mist" fills our curiousities. Will Flash, Zarkov & Arden defeat the Merciless Ming? The audiences of the 30's & 40's couldn't wait. Experience this wonderful 2 DVD package & escape to the magic of Hollywood before TV & space travel. These were the visions of the writers & the imagination of Hollywood special effects!! Enjoy.
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