Flash Gordon (1980)

An updated version of the 1930s serials, riding on the back of the science fiction craze started by 'Star Wars'. American football hero Flash (Sam Jones) is dragged from Earth to the outer reaches of the Universe where he must battle the evil dictatorship of Ming the Merciless (Max von Sydow). He is helped by technical wizard Dr Hans Zarkov (Topol), the winged Prince Vultan (Brian Blessed) and the brooding Prince Barin (a pre-Bond Timothy Dalton). Ex-'Blue Peter' presenter Peter Duncan makes a cameo appearance, while the soundtrack is provided by Queen.