REVIEW: Flash Gordon 40th Anniversary Boxsets

Flash Gordon (UK 4K Ultra HD)
Contents of the Studio Canal 40th Anniversary Boxset
  • A brand new 4K restoration by Studio Canal from the original camera negative approved by director Mike Hodges
  • 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
  • Optional 5.1 and 2.0 stereo DTS-HD Master audio
  • Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critics and film historians including Neil Snowdon, Dennis Cozzalio, John-Paul Checkett, A.K. Benedict, and Kat Ellinger illustrated with original stills
  • Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
  • Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions, alternative posters and promotional images
  • Limited Edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais

Extras on Disc One (Flash Gordon in 4K Ultra HD) will include:

  • Archival audio commentary with Mike Hodges
  • Archival audio commentary with Brian Blessed
  • Interviews with actors Sam J. Jones, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Queen icon Brian May, composer Howard Blake, and poster designer Renato Casaro
  • Behind the Scenes of Flash Gordon – an archival documentary on the making of the film
  • Archival interviews with Mike Hodges, screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr., comic book artist Alex Ross
  • Lost in Space: Nic Roeg’s Flash Gordon – a new documentary program exploring the version Roeg (The Man Who Fell to Earth) had originally planned to make with producer Dino De Laurentiis
  • Gremlin’s Finest Hour – an episode from the animated Flash Gordon TV show written by J. Michael Reaves from November 1982
  • Deleted scenes and original endings – prop collector Bob Lindenmayer discusses dropped sequences and sequel ideas
  • 35th Anniversary Greenroom featurette – Mike Hodges meets the cast for the first time since filming at the 35th anniversary reunion
  • 35th Anniversary Reunion featurette – the cast and crew discuss Flash Gordon
  • Entertainment Earth on Flash Gordon merchandise
  • Storyboards gallery
  • Stills gallery
  • Original Trailer
  • Easter Eggs

Extras on Disc Two (Life After Flash: Special Edition Blu-ray – Region A) will include:

  • 2017 feature length documentary by filmmaker Lisa Downs on the rollercoaster life of Sam J. Jones since his role in Flash Gordon, featuring the main cast and crew as well as a host of fans including Stan Lee, Robert Rodriguez, Mark Millar and more!
  • Sam J. Jones – a variety of interviews and featurettes including coverage of a script read from the Chattanooga Film Festival, Sam discussing his career in Mexico, his “prayer walk”,  and more
  • Melody Paintings Extended – actress Melody Anderson talks about her love of painting and talks about various pieces displayed in her home
  • Topol – a variety of interviews with the actor on his collections, awards and charity work
  • Brian Blessed – the actor recounts amusing stories about Flash Gordon
  • Late, Great Wyngarde – actor Peter Wyngarde discusses his experiences filming Flash Gordon and his relationship with Mike Hodges
  • Deep Roy – the actor raps about ambition and recounts an amusing story about Eastbound & Down
  • Alex Ross Talks Early Art – the artist talks about Flash Gordon and the many pieces of art he created for it from childhood to modern day
  • Tell Me More About the This Man Houdini – actor Rich Fuller and Jason Lenzi, founder of toy brand Bif Bang Pow, discuss a scene from Flash Gordon
  • Comic Con Early Draft – A featurette looking at the phenomenon that is Comic Con, featuring interviews with attendees and a host of regular talent including Sam J.  Jones, Rich Fulton, Jason Mewes, Michael Rooker, Claudia Wells, and more
  • Interview with Lisa Downs – the director of Life After Flash explores her motivation to make the film and experiences during the production
  • Life After Flash on the Road – a variety of featurettes on the film travelling to various festivals and production including Q&A excerpts with the Flash Gordon cast, behind-the-scenes footage, Kickstarter funding video
  • Trailer

Flash Gordon 40th Anniversary Boxset from Arrow (USA):

Flash Gordon (US Arrow Video 4K Ultra HD)
The Arrow 40th Anniversary Box Set

The Arrow version of Flash Gordon in 4K includes some items that the Studio Canal deluxe edition doesn’t, it looks like the extras on the 4K disc itself and the Blu-ray Bonus disc will be the same. BUT… you don’t get the film in Blu-ray, you don’t get the soundtrack CD, and the copy of Life After Flash is basically the documentary only (without the special edition content). Also, some of the additional items are also very different (you don’t get the Titan mini book, the original comic page, the booklet may be different, etc).

But what does the Arrow version have that the Studio Canal version doesn’t? All of the special edition content dedicated to the Life After Flash documentary—that’s a special edition in the Arrow set, and basically just movie-only in the Studio Canal set.

It’s also worth noting that the Arrow Limited Edition will cost around $40 in the US, while the Studio Canal version, which retails in the UK for £49.99, costs around $60.00 in America as an import via Amazon. Though in both versions, the Blu-rays are Region A compatible.

Click below for more about ‘Flash Gordon’…


The Hellfire Club: The OFFICIAL PETER WYNGARDE Appreciation Society: https://www.facebook.com/groups/813997125389790/

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