Track Listing

1. Flash
2. In The Space Capsule
3. Ming's Theme (In The Court Of Ming The Merciless)
4. Ring (Hypnotic Seduction Of Dale)
5. Football Fight
6. In The Death Cell
7. Execution Of Flash
8. Kiss (Aura Resurrects Flash)
9. Arboria (Planet Of The Tree Men)
10. Escape From The Swamp
11. Flash To The Rescue
12. Vultan's Theme (Attack Of The Hawk Men)
13. Marriage Of Dale And Ming (And Flash Approaching)
14. Battle Theme
15. Wedding March
16. Crash And Dive On Mingo City
17. Flash's Theme Reprise (Victory Celebrations)
18. Hero

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13605 in Music
• Released on: 1994-04-05
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack

Amazon.co.uk Review
Dialogue on a soundtrack album is normally a huge mistake. You smirk maybe the first few times, then grow rapidly frustrated having to programme out the offending tracks (if possible). Then there are those rare few where it would be impossible to imagine one without the other (Pulp Fiction for example). Thankfully Flash Gordon belongs in the latter camp ("camp" being entirely appropriate in this context). The idea of using Queen for this sci-fi hokum was both daring and inspired. On the other side of the universe-friendly title chant of "Flash!" is a remarkably varied score. There are five principal themes ("Flash", "Love", "Ming", "Vultan" and "Battle"), yet there are plenty more. In fact, there are yet more in the film that didn't make it to the album--this is a straight digital master of the 1980 LP. Clap your hands to the Football game in Ming's Court, attempt the high notes in "The Kiss", find a keyboard that can emulate "Ming's Theme" today or just enjoy screaming "DIVE !" with Brian Blessed. Incredibly the band were only once called upon in a similar capacity again for Highlander.--Paul Tonks

CD Description
FLASH GORDON was the motion picture soundtrack for the 1980movie, released just a few months after one of Queen's mostcommercially successful albums, THE GAME. More synthesizer-heavy than previous releases, FLASH GORDON is comprised mostly of short instrumentals, with a pair of more traditional Queen songs bookending the album. With dialogue from the movie inserted throughout, it is easy for the listener to grasp the storyline, and to tell which scenes the songs represent.
"Flash's Theme" was the soundtrack's anthemic single, which begins the album on a high note. Then the onslaught of instrumentals begins. The majority can be appreciated outsidethe story's context--such as "Football Fight" and "Vultan'sTheme (Attack Of The Hawk Men)". Others are closely linked to the storyline--"In The Space Capsule", "In The Death Cell", "The Kiss" and "Marriage Of Dale And Ming"--but are stillenjoyable. Although it doesn't quite match the majesty of an official Queen album, FLASH GORDON contains plenty of first-rate compositions, including one of their most underrated tunes, "The Hero", which closes the soundtrack.

Customer Reviews

More than just another soundtrack album
Definately one "for the fans" - either Queen fans or those who loved the film... or both!

Many plus points on this album that make it more than just a soundtrack - "The Hero" is as good a rocking Queen song as you're ever likely to hear, "Football Fight" is a catchy instrumental and you get a version of "Flash" without the dialogue that appeared in the single version. If you're a fan of Freddie's vocal talents then "The Ring" is also a must as he pushes himself to the limit exploring a full range, complete with layered harmonies. Oh and Brian does a wonderful guitar rendition of "The wedding march" - great stuff!!!

Sorely underrated and unfairly bashed
Flash Gordon (1980.) Queen's ninth album.

Following the release of Queen's first album of the eighties, The Game, the group recorded something totally different - something that, unlike that album, would be forgotten by legions of fans - The soundtrack to the 1980 film Flash Gordon. Honestly, who better would there have been to record a synth-heavy rock soundtrack to the film version of the classic comic series? Read on for my review of this album.

As I stated above, this is, by far, Queen's most underrated album. This may be due in part to the fact that some fans overlook it because it's a film soundtrack and not a regular Queen album. The people who overlook this one really are fools. For the album, the band creates a synth-heavy rock work that is unlike anything else they had ever recorded before or would ever record in their future. Although the album is divided into several tracks, it is really easiest to think of the release as a single work - all of the songs fade right into one another. Over the music is dialogue and sound effects from the film, so in addition to getting a bad ass synth-heavy rock and roll score, you, in a sense, get an abbreviated version of the movie. Admittingly, I wish the band had released a music-only soundtrack, but that is NOT reason enough to bash this release the way some critics have been. In the end, it's one of the band's most overlooked releases, and a damn good one, too.

This album, like other Queen releases, got remastered and reissued, and the record company put on a remix bonus track. Like other remix bonus tracks, this one is nothing special. Also, this album seems to be MUCH harder to find than the band's other albums, probably due in no small part to it never getting the proper credit. It needs better distribution.

I've heard some good film soundtracks, but this one ranks among the finest. Queen beautifully demonstrates their musical diversity here. If you're a fan of Queen, the film Flash Gordon, or you just like eighties-style rock and roll with lots of synthesizers, pick this one up.

star wars for space cadets
a very underated film score and still one of the better ones.
Queen were perfect for this movie with their ability to write catchy rock anthems.
Brian May took the helm in this project and the title track (Flash) is one of his and the two hard rock tracks (The Battle Theme and The Hero) are pure Queen.
The rest of the band did contribute and Freddies "Football Fight" is an amazingly catchy instrumental as is "Vultans Theme"
Don't expect any Bohemian Rhapsodys or We Will Rock You's when you buy this but expect a film score and you will be very pleasently surprised