Pre-Order Flesh Gordon (1974) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Tino]

I honestly believe that much of the confusion is due to some not knowing the difference between softcore and hardcore scenes.

I remember people thinking 9-1/2 weeks was rated X and that was merely rated R and quite tame by todays standards.

Alice In Wonderland for example is an X-rated film with hardcore scenes that were edited out and released theatrically as rated R.

 

[Dennis Nicholls]

When is Robert Harris scheduled to review this Blu-Ray?

 

[Tino]

When is Robert Harris scheduled to review this Blu-Ray?

Is this a joke Dennis? I can’t tell.

Although I would actually love a review from RAH on this title.

 

[B-ROLL]

Is this a joke Dennis? I can’t tell.

er um it's hard to say ... he did review "Emanuelle: The Joys of a Woman" so anything is possible... after all "you've gotta hold on to something !"

 

[Ronald Epstein]

I don't believe we get screeners from this company in advance of release.

 

[Detour (1945)]

I don't believe we get screeners from this company in advance of release.

That's...deflating.

 

[Mysto]

I remember watching this film. I used to have a VHS and I found it to be very amusing. A great send up of the Flash Gordon serials. Hardcore - softcore - don't remember. It generally wasn't the sex scenes that made the movie fun (although I do remember a great scene with Dale Ardor a magnifying glass and her chest)

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Crikey!

The one Blu-ray I wanted the most this month...

...and I forgot to preorder it.

Now it's sold out on both Amazon and BestBuy.

DeepDiscount doesn't really offer it at a deep discount. It's actually $2-$3 more expensive than everyone else.

So, I ordered it on Amazon and when it comes back in stock it will ship to me.

I guess this title was far more popular than expected for it to sell out like this.

 

[Will Krupp]

Crikey!

The one Blu-ray I wanted the most this month...

...and I forgot to preorder it.

Now it's sold out on both Amazon and BestBuy.

Oh that SUCKS!!

I was lucky in that I DID remember to pre-order it months ago and then totally forgot about it until I got the Amazon shipping notice on Monday. It arrived yesterday. It's grainy (very grainy) but coming from a 16mm source it looks about the way I expected it to. It's VERY watchable and miles better than the old non-anamorphic DVD, which I don't have a copy of but saw years ago. With bright, poppy colors and some really good visual effects, I think it looks better than it has a right to. It feels like a grindhouse experience and It's a hoot!

Having seen it yesterday, I think I can clear up some of the confusion regarding the hardcore footage. I am now not sure (perhaps someone can enlighten me) that "hardcore" footage was ever shot with any of the lead actors. I say that because, if the footage was just edited out, there should be more holes where it was supposed to be (they didn't do reshoots to cover any gaps.) The hardcore footage was more ilkely (I think) shot for the orgy scenes (a la CALIGULA) with unnamed actors (who, even in the film's current form, seem to be having a grand time) When they edited and confiscated the footage, they accidentally left a few random hardcore shots behind that are in the film in it's current form. They are all during the "orgy" scenes and all in long shot. There's at least one incidental erection, one example of fellatio, and at LEAST one (that I noticed) insertion. I think those doing the editing just didn't notice at the time (In fairness, there's quite a bit going on.)

It's clear there were multiple versions of this at the time. After the X rated footage was removed, the 90 minute or so cut we have today was unrated by the MPAA. THAT was edited down to the 78 minute "R" rated cut that played theaters in 1974. The DVD and Blu-ray restores footage removed for the "R" rated cut, which explains why it claims "censored" footage was returned to the film. I hope that makes sense. I have no idea whether or not the hardcore bits (and they so fleeting they're easy to miss) appeared in the R rated cut or not as I've never seen it.

Anyway, it may not be to everyone's taste but there's a certain feeling of chutzpah to the whole thing and I'm glad to have it.

I hope your wait won't be too long, Ron!!

By the way, I'm hoping some insight will be gained from Jason Willaim's autobiography on kindle which I stumbled onto quite by accident. The reviews are really good and it's supposed to be a very funny, very self aware tale of working in exploitation cinema in the wild west days:

Link here: https://www.amazon.com/Was-Flesh-Gordon-Adventures-Accidental-ebook/dp/B07F5RZJ25/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1566995284&refinements=p_27erek+McCaw&s=digital-text&sr=1-1&text=Derek+McCaw

 

[ahollis]

Will, I agree with your thoughts on the transfer. It is grainy, but it’s much better than I expected. Now if we can get moore of those “soft core” films from the 70’s on blu.

 

[Will Krupp]

Will, I agree with your thoughts on the transfer. It is grainy, but it’s much better than I expected. Now if we can get moore of those “soft core” films from the 70’s on blu.

Hello, dear friend!!

I agree with all of this, I think the grain is part of the fun! And it really IS an honest presentation of the movie. I would love to see some of the "bigger" titles from the porno-chic era of the mid 70's, the ones that played legitimate theaters like NAUGHTY VICTORIANS etc. I can only imagine (I was a little too young and a little too far outside the city) what it must have been like to see some of these and pretend everything was so "upright." Can you imagine going on a first date to see FLESH GORDON? Lol.

 

[B-ROLL]

My order from Target.com was delayed... expected delivery is September 9. Curse you Emperor Wang!

 

[Dick]

I enjoy this film well enough the order it, but the whole missing-xxx footage doesn't bother me. This isn't EYES WIDE SHUT, after all.

 

[B-ROLL]

I enjoy this film well enough the order it, but the whole missing-xxx footage doesn't bother me. This isn't EYES WIDE SHUT, after all.

TGFT !

 

[Dick]

TGFT !

. Of course, I happen to really admire EWS, and I think the restored visuals make a difference.