Skip to content

LIFE AFTER FLASH

Written By:

Michael Coldwell
Life After Flash

Sam J Jones is one of the true enigmas of cult entertainment. The star of Dino De Laurentiis’ bizarrely wonky but much loved 1980 version of Flash Gordon, his image was everywhere at the time, including right here on the cover of STARBURST. Stuffed with memorable performances from the likes of Brian Blessed, Peter Wyngarde and Topol and propelled by an immortal Queen soundtrack, the film’s success gave rise to inevitable speculation over a sequel. Little did we realise at the time, but Jones was already yesterday’s man, having been fired from the production by Laurentiis prior to its completion, unable even to loop his dialogue (which was dubbed by another actor). So, what had happened to Jones – and what happened next?

These intriguing questions are entertainingly answered in Life After Flash, a new Indiegogo-funded feature documentary from director Lisa Downs which serves both a biography of Sam Jones and as a retrospective on the making of the movie. Jones – looking fighting fit – is at its centre, relating his life-story from boyhood to the present day. Turns out he got a little too big for his boots while making Flash Gordon and rubbed legendary mogul De Laurentiis up the wrong way, leading to his dismissal from the film. It was the beginning of a roller-coaster few decades for the actor before the cultural re-assessment of Flash Gordon found him an appreciative fanbase at conventions – an upturn in his fortunes that coincided with him finding peace and stability in his personal life. It’s a genuinely heart-warming story with a fascinating coda that reveals Jones’ current occupation (outside of fan convention appearances) as a gun-toting security officer escorting VIPs across the US-Mexican border!

Jones’ story is interspersed with interviews with the cast and crew of Flash Gordon, who look back on the film with a great deal of warmth. Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde, both gloriously at the stage in their lives when they are way past caring, provide a series of priceless, unguarded reminiscences that had the preview audience we saw the film with doubled up with laughter. Melody Anderson and Topol are just as delightful but much better behaved.

Life After Flash is a 90 minute excellent documentary about Sam Jones and the movie that made his name. Unfortunately, the film runs to 114 minutes and the bulk of this extra running time is padded out by interviews with various guests and fans at Comic Cons who talk about what it’s like to go to, well, go to Comic Cons. While the phenomenon of these events may be sort-of relevant to Jones current life, the connection made is too tenuous to merit the inclusion of these bolted-on talking heads.

A life-affirming tribute to a cult movie and its star who triumphed against the odds, Life After Flash could do without those unrelated interviews but, at its core is a fascinating tale that all fans of the 1980 movie should seek out.

LIFE AFTER FLASH / CERT: TBC / DIRECTOR: LISA DOWNS / STARRING: SAM J JONES, MELODY ANDERSON, TOPOL, BRIAN BLESSED, PETER WYNGARDE / RELEASE DATE: TBC

Expected Rating:  7 out of 10

Michael Coldwell

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More