Life After Flash

source: Life After Flash

I have loved Flash Gordon since the day it came out and I sat in that theatre with my dad, and have always felt that without a sequel or remake, there needed to be something to celebrate this gloriously camp film by Mike Hodges, and this documentary is it. Life After Flash literally has everyone you can think of (and then some - even David Yost the Blue Power Ranger!) who all come together and tell their stories of each other, and their time on set, and yes they go THERE - we are all thinking it - they discuss the rumours of the voice dubbing and what happened to Sam since he finished the film. A real insight into Sam J Jones personal life too, with some pretty emotional surprises. The documentary is notably missing a couple of big name stars, but to be honest you don't miss them once the film has finished. Big nod to the uber cool title sequence too! great nod to the original

This film inspired my husband and I to watch The Flash again - a great journey into the real characters behind the film and their personal journeys. Regardless of your life's path, you can find inspiration and humanity in this story. A truly great doc!

It has Queen and Flash Gordon what else do you need he did save everyone of us.

This was a very intimate insight into who Sam J Jones is and who he became after the classic 'Flash Gordon' Film from 1980. Lots of wonderful interviews from the cast and crew of the film, Melody Anderson, Brian Blessed, Topology, Richard O'Brien, Peter Duncan, Brian May, Howard Blake plus famous fans including Robert Rodriguez, Mark Millar & Michael Roomer amongst many others. Well worth your time to watch this fantastic documentary.

It is a documentary about the cult Movie "Flash Gordon" with interesting interviews of the cast and how the movie came to be, but also an insight of the life of its main character star Sam J. Jones. In his part he shares his life before and after "Flash Gordon" with his fans in a deeply moving and honest way. You will also learn about his other life in which he is a real hero, an even greater one as in his movies- he is a Hollywood Star to look up too. "Life after Flash" is really worth watching and has also a lot of special features. I can only say if you liked the movie "Flash Gordon" or you are a fan of Sam J. Jones - get it, watch it - it is great....

Admit it. If someone were to say to you Flash Gordon you would immediately respond with "Ah-ahhhh". Yes the theme song by Queen is normally the first thing that pops into a person's mind when thinking of the 1980 film of the same title. But it was more than that when released. The film was a visual spectacle and one of the earliest superhero movies to come out. But what happens when the lights go dim and the movie closes? This movie attempts to answer that story, mostly focusing on the titular star of the film Sam J. Jones. Jones first major roll was as that heroic lead character. He only shows two previous credits before that in movies. But he fell to the same problems that most young actors do. He listened to handlers who gave bad advice and he got so caught up in the promise of fame that he caused problems on set. The last of these, as we learn later in the film, is not returning for the last part of shooting. The result was a stand in for those shots and someone else dubbing his voice in the film. So what became of Jones after all of this took place? His career had its ups and downs as he starred in a TV series, did small roles in series and made a few direct to video movies. The film opens with him setting up for a fan convention where he gladly signs autographs for fans who still remember him most from the FLASH GORDON film but who now also know him from the two TED films. He's an amiable guy and happy that the fans remember him. But he wasn't alone. The film moves on to talk to various cast members about their experience on the set of the film and how they came to be involved. Director/writer Lisa Downs also talks to various celebrities to discuss the effect the film had on them as well. Director Robert Rodriquez, Stan Lee, John Heder, Ross Marquand, Mark Millar and more weigh in on how the movie impacted them and continues to have a place in their hearts. This takes up a good portion of the film but it always comes back to Jones. We see him setting up at yet another convention and then learn through interviews with friends and family about the downside of Hollywood fame. His first marriage broke up due to his adulterous ways and he openly admits that here. His fall from grace did some damage but he got back up and started acting again. Then his career took another nosedive. By this time he was remarried and his wife Ramona dealt with his depression by telling him maybe it was time to follow another path. Taking her advice Jones went on to become a security consultant and bodyguard. Falling back on his training as a Marine he eased into this new career without a problem and talks about his time doing this as well. He also found that being a father was more important than being a star and that family is all about finding himself and God as well. The movie doesn't push this but makes a point of Jones being thankful for the opportunities that have come his way. In the end the movie is about redemption. It tells the story of a young man who allows fame to go to his head but who walks back from that and finds a more fulfilling life than he expected when it all went to pieces. He discovers the fans still adore him and want to meet him and he's humbled by it. Where far too many stories from Hollywood find people that delve deep into drugs or suicide once fame disappears it was nice to see something positive come from Jones story. The film offers plenty of behind the scenes information as well as a look at a decent human being and is entertaining while doing so. This is one that is definitely worth watching.

Alright it is one for die hard fans of Flash but come on there are brilliant turns from Brian, Peter, Duncan and the entire support crew giving us great insights. I'm not a total fan of Sam J Jones though. ........'Gordon's Alive!' Just had to say it again.

Documentary focussing on the life of Sam Jones after Flash Gordon but also the making of the film more generally. Whilst the Sam Jones elements are worth seeing from tales of naive / arrogant star to rethinking his life, the great joy here are the often hilarious anecdotes from the likes of Brian Blessed and Peter Wyngarde etc about the making of the film. Definitely a must for film fans and particularly Flash Gordon fans.

This documentary, directed by Lisa Downs, focuses on the tumultuous life of Sam J. Jones, who starred in the 1980 sci-fi film "Flash Gordon", which has become a cult classic over the years. The movie recounts Jones' tragic early life, his on-set clashes with the iconic producer Dino De Laurentiis during the filming of "Flash", his fall into obscurity, and then his most remarkable transformation into the man he is today. At first, this doc came across to me as quite disjointed jumping from one topic to another, with quick interview clips from those that worked with Jones on the set of "Flash Gordon" in many varied capacities, to devoted fans, as well as his family and friends. Also, there's loads of behind-the-scenes insights into the 1980 movie. However as the film progressed and Jones' entire remarkable story unfolded I found it to be a most uplifting and inspiring true tale. Note: There were no subtitles available on my DVD copy.