Flash Gordon Serial DVDs--WHICH ONES??? (1 Viewer)

[Derek U]

I am interested in the old Flash Gordon Saturday Morning serials and am pleased that they are on DVD, but THERE ARE SO MANY VERSIONS! In terms of a/v quality, which are the best ones to buy? Any help would be most appreciated.

Derek

 

[Jeffrey Gray]

In terms of A/V quality, I would have to say that the Image ones are the best. They're the only ones officially licensed by Hearst Entertainment, and, in this case, that means that they use the best prints of all the releases.

 

[Patrick McCart]

Anything with Hearst's logo are the official DVDs.

Space Soldiers, Trip To Mars, and Conquers The Universe are the three DVDs with the original serial forms. I think Image also released the movie versions.

 

[TheBat]

I have the image version of both the first and second serial.. however there is a flash gordon conquors the universe from vci that has some extra features including some old interview with buster crabbe.. if you are interested in extras then go for it.. www.thedigitalbits.com has a review of them.

JACOB

 

[John Sparks]

Go with all 3 of the Image serials of Flash Gordon and the VCI serial of Buck Rogers...can't beat that!

 

[Paul Arnette]

Alright, I freely admit to being completely new to the Flash Gordon serials, so I will go ahead and ask my potentially dumb question.

When you say...

Space Soldiers, Trip To Mars, and Conquers The Universe are the three DVDs with the original serial forms. I think Image also released the movie versions.

Are the Image releases that come in the box set in serial form? Are the ones sold individually in movie form? Which is preferrable? The serials by the sound of it.

Finally, what about these DVDs, which are not available in a box set, are they Crabbe serials as well:

Spaceship to the Unknown
The Deadly Ray from Mars
The Peril from Planet Mongo
The Purple Death from Outer Space

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Greg_S_H]

The titles you listed are all repackagings of the original three serials, and can safely be ignored. The Image box set has all three of the Flash Gordon serials (and there were only three) in their original serial form, and you can get the exact same discs individually if you prefer. I don't know of Image selling movie versions, but you wouldn't want the movie versions anyway. I recommend the box set, but if you want to go the individual route, just get the Image discs with the titles given above: Space Soldiers, Trip To Mars, and Conquers the Universe.

Just to make things crystal clear, here are links to the individual Image discs you'll want:

Space Soldiers
Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars
Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe

I provide Amazon links just to give you the idea. Their prices seem a bit outrageous. At those prices, you definitely want the box set. I got it for about $70, I believe. That's cheaper than what you'd pay individually at Amazon, at least.

I'm a big serial fan, and I'll consider making a serial thread listing what's out there.

 

[Ruz-El]

Please oh please make a serial thread Greg!

I absolutly fell in love with King of the Rocket Men about 15 years ago on VHS. The only serial I own is Captain Marvel (on VHS)

I love serials, but am always leary to get them on DVD as you never know what the quality well be like (and Image discs tend to be quite pricy.)

Any help on wjhat is out there and recommended would be a treat!

 

[Derek_McL]

Here's someone else who would be interested Greg. I'm getting an urge to buy some serials and recreate that Saturday Matinee feeling. I do have Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (region 2 version) but for the most part its pretty poor quality. Its just about watchable and for some reason one chapter is much better than the rest. I suppose its good enough for what it is : a bit of harmless B-movie escapist fun.

Is there something about Conquers the Universe when compared with the two other Flash Gordons which attracts the PD specialists ? There are loads of versions of it but only the Image ones of Space Soldiers and Trip To Mars at least in region 1.

The only classic movie serials available in the UK are Space Soldiers and Conquers the Universe both from Delta. As Russell says some of the Image ones can be expensive and I've heard some reasonable reports about a few Alpha has released like Undersea Kingdom and Radar Men on the Moon(I know they're cheap and you're taking a chance but I think I could accept these in less than pristine versions : Radar Men actually gets quite a good write up from customers at Amazon.com).

So a thread about serials is a great idea : Barrie Maxwell did an article on them on DVD Verdict but that was quite a while ago.

 

[Paul Arnette]

Greg,

As others have mentioned, I would definitely be interested in learning more about serials.

Thank you for you insights concerning the Flash Gordon serials. It is good to know that I only need to buy the three in the box set.

Anyone here know something of the VCI Buck Rogers DVD? Is that the Buck Rogers serial(s) in their entirety?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Paul Arnette]

Greg,

Sorry, one more question. The box set pictures this version of Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe:

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Image Box Set)

which looks different from the version you posted here:

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe (Individual)

Are these the same, save different cover? If so, it is a pitty, I like the individual one's cover much better.

Thanks.

 

[Mike_Richardson]

Anyone here know something of the VCI Buck Rogers DVD? Is that the Buck Rogers serial(s) in their entirety?

Paul, I went on the exact same "serial-investigation" mission you are just a month ago.

All you need, as others here have said, are:

1. The Image FLASH GORDON box set with the three original series
2. The VCI BUCK ROGERS (which is uncut)

I bought mine from Digital Eyes. Shipping is free, and the box set is only $56. What's better, BUCK ROGERS is considerably less at Digital Eyes than most other retailers ($11 -- compare that with Amazon's $27!). Throw in a coupon (VALENTINE will give you $7 off $75), and you've got a pretty sweet deal. Shipping will take longer than most outlets, but their service is very good and you can't beat those prices on these titles.

BTW, as I found out, Amazon has been "out of stock" on the FLASH GORDON box set since at least the end of December, so you'll need to go somewhere else to find it.

 

[Daryl L]

Here's the Image Boxset of the 3 Serials.

http://www.bargainflix.com/search/sh...001099911-0001

This looks like 2 Flash Gordon movies put out by Image.

http://www.bargainflix.com/search/Sh...001039379-0002

http://www.bargainflix.com/search/Sh...001039380-0002

All starring Buster Crabbe. Haven't seen any Flash Gordon since I was a kid. Hope this helps.

 

[Greg_S_H]

No, I'm afraid I made a mistake there. The individual copy I linked you to was VCI's version. The individual Image disc looks just like the one you first linked. I have never seen the VCI disc, but it is uncut, and it does have a few extras the Image disc does not. It gets lower marks for PQ from the Digital Bits, and you probably want a match set. But, it is a viable alternative.

Here, this is the link I should have given you to begin with. I hope it doesn't muddy the water--I still think the box set is the way to go--but it should answer many questions:

http://www.thedigitalbits.com/review...rials.html#vci

 

[Paul Arnette]

I bought mine from Digital Eyes. Shipping is free, and the box set is only $56. What's better, BUCK ROGERS is considerably less at Digital Eyes than most other retailers ($11 -- compare that with Amazon's $27!). Throw in a coupon (VALENTINE will give you $7 off $75), and you've got a pretty sweet deal. Shipping will take longer than most outlets, but their service is very good and you can't beat those prices on these titles.

I really appreciate the run-down here. It is very helpful. Unfortunately, Digital Eyes no longer carries the VCI Buck Rogers, saying it is out-of-print. Gulp! I have an order placed with Barnes and Nobles for this, which is the next cheapest site, but they are quoting 1-2 weeks for it to arrive. Who knows whether they'll actually be able to get it. :frowning:

I will, however, buy Flash Gordon through their site.

Thanks again.

 

[Paul Arnette]

Here, this is the link I should have given you to begin with.

This is excellent.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Paul Arnette]

Hi all.

I had to go the eBay route for my VCI Buck Rogers DVD, and it prompted a question: Does the VCI Buck Rogers DVD come with an insert? Mine did not.

Thanks for the continued assistance.