Flash Gordon re-release

[Skanky Vamp]

I missed this but they've remaster Flash Gordon for it's 4K release and dropped a trailer.

However the British Board of Film Classification slapped it with a disclaimer warning viewers about offensive content related to the depiction of Ming the Merciless. I don't know what was really offensive about it. Max Von Sydow killed it. They said "Ming the Merciless is coded as an East Asian character due to his hair and make-up, but he’s played by a Swedish actor in the film, which I don’t think is something that would happen if this were a modern production, and is something that we’re also aware that viewers may find dubious if not outright offensive." They also increased the movie’s rating, bumping it up to the restricted 12A from the previous all-ages.


And now I must listen to

And now I have to watch

@HowiMetdaSlayer wrong again! the best part of it was the best part of it, the song was just one of the best parts of it.

 

[Mr Trick]

I got the Blu Ray when it was reissued in the summer and have watched it twice since. Its a blast! Sorry @HowiMetdaSlayer Spanky's right on this one! 😀

The BBFC thing is just standard nowadays as a way of relflecting that the depictation of the character is out of step with culture today and will be seen by some as a racial slur. Its basically saying, that was then, this is now. I don't have a problem with it either. I mean its based on a comic strip afterall.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

So, what if Babymetal does the new theme tune?

 

[white avenger]

The question that echoes in my mind, being a fan of the original comic strip (library reprint) the Buster Crabbe serials, and the short lived TV show, is "Why?" Next thing, they'll be re-releasing "Buckaroo Banzai" and "Bubba Ho-Tep"

 

[TriBel]

@HowiMetdaSlayer - I've got your back on this. I'd rather listen to the song (and it's not one of Queen's best) than watch the film.

 

[Dogs of Winter]

I loved the film and the Buster Crabbe serials as a kid but fear if I ever watch them again it might spoil the memory.

I can't understand why they need to put these disclaimers on old films. Most people are intelligent enough to realize that if you watch an old film standards will have been different then.

Didn't HBO do something similar to Gone with the Wind saying that hey slavery is a bad thing people. Even if slavery isn't actually judged in the film, I'm pretty sure anyone watching it will already know that

 

[Mr Trick]

@white avenger But its a re-issue of the original film. Its not that they've changed the film's content in anyway just that the quality has been upgraded to 4K.

 

[Priceless]

On UK tv nowadays they issue a warning before tv shows that were made pre 2000 saying that the show reflects the beliefs and attitudes of the times and may be offensive to some.

 

[thrasherpix]

They said "Ming the Merciless is coded as an East Asian character due to his hair and make-up, but he’s played by a Swedish actor in the film, which I don’t think is something that would happen if this were a modern production, and is something that we’re also aware that viewers may find dubious if not outright offensive." They also increased the movie’s rating, bumping it up to the restricted 12A from the previous all-ages

Ironically, those under 12 are the least likely to be offended, or to ascribe racist thinking to it ("Oh, Ming is from China, I hope I can grow up to discriminate against them!"). They should make it so that you're not allowed access unless UNDER 13. 😛 (Or maybe "This film prohibited to those between the ages 15 to 35." 😀 )

 

[white avenger]

But its a re-issue of the original film.

Exactly. They haven't changed the story line, the actors, the musical score, or the political incorrectness of portraying Ming the Merciless as an Oriental or Dr Zarcov as a mad Jewish scientist. They just made all the cliches prettier. Meantime REAL classics lihe "Band of Angels" and "Song Of The South" will never again see the light of day.

(Don't mind me, I'm just it bad mood today)

 

[ILLYRIAN]

Trying not to be potty mouthed but what would Flesh Gordon's re-release consist of - and that's a rhetorical question folk.