FLASH GORDON
Written by
Lorenzo Semple Jr.
FADE IN:
EXT. WIDE AFRICAN LANDSCAPE - MORNING
At first only darkness, then the rising sun paints in an
endless savanna from horizon to horizon. We hear savage drums
beating in the distance coming from some unknown place.
The sun clears the horizon. Suddenly it changes amazingly:
the white disc goes through a rapid series of color
transitions, from yellow to green to purple to an incredible
BLOOD RED. From it shoots a RED LIGHTNING BOLT.
The sky echoes with THUNDER.
We hear a HOWLING ethereal wind, but not a twig of the brush
stirs as bolt after bolt of RED LIGHTNING rips the sky, with
each one a TITLE or CREDIT appearing.
Under FINAL CREDIT snow is beginning to fall on the burning
blood-red savanna.
EXT. PLANE IN FLIGHT - DAY
I's a Twin Otter with the logo of some commuter airline. It
buzzes along over pleasant countryside, through a sky that's
almost unnaturally serene and filled with fleecy white clouds.
INT. PLANE IN FLIGHT - DAY
There are just two passengers in the cabin. One is DALE ARDEN,
a great looking dark-haired girl sitting by herself and
reading a book entitled "KARATE FOR THE SINGLE GIRL.... A
Guide to Survival In The City." A few rows forward, near the
open door into the pilots' compartment, is FLASH GORDON.
He's studying a football play-sheet, one of those diagrammed
things with X's and 0's for the players and dotted-line arrows
indicating the directions of movement.
Suddenly the plane makes a violent bump. It almost knocks
the book from DALE'S hand. She looks out the window with
sudden fright, tossing hair out of her eyes, in a gesture
that's habitual to her in moments of stress.
There's nothing to see outside but the pretty clouds. She
looks forward again and watches FLASH standing up easily,
leaning in t..e cockpit doorway to speak to the PILOTS.
INT. PLANE/ COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
(CO-P:ILOT, DALE, FLASH, PILOT)
FLASH
What was that, fellas?
2.
PILOT
Clear-air turbulence, is all. Nothing
SERIOUS
CO-PILOT
But nothing you'd want to toss a
third-down pass through either --
(Grinning back at
FLASH)
Can I have an autograph for my kid,
Mr. Gordon?
FLASH
Sure -- my pleasure.
As FLASH takes a bit of paper from the CO-PILOT, the plane
takes another jolt, even more violent than the first.
PILOT
Wow. Call Westchester Approach, see
what they've got.
FLASH
I sure hope we don't have to turn
back. I mean this is first day of
training camp, I wouldn't want to be
LATE --
PILOT
Seat-belt time.
FLASH starts back to his seat. The plane jumps again, shudders
violently. He holds on, calls up front:
FLASH
Maybe it'd be smoother if you went
HIGHER --
DALE
Will you SHUT UP?
(as FLASH's head
SWIVELS)
Look, Mister Flash Gordon, they have
their hands full -- just let 'em
drive.
INT. PLANE - CONTINUOUS
(DALE, FLASH)
The plane buffets. FLASH is sent reeling, catches hold of
the rack above DALE, lowers himself into the seat next to
her. He buckles fast, takes out a candy bar and offers it
to her.
3.
FLASH
When you're nervous, it can help to
chew on something
DALE
Thanks a lot -- I look dumb enough
to take candy from a stranger?
FLASH
I'm not a stranger exactly -- You
know my name.
DALE
Who doesn't. Number one draft pick,
cover of PEOPLE mag -- what'd the
GIANTS sign you for, eighty-nine
million? Big deal!
FLASH
Of course.
DALE
God, I hate flying -- I'm Dale Arden
it's crazy of me to hate flying --
I'm a travel agent, you see? -- I've
just been checking out a little hotel
in Vermont -- can I still have that
candy bar?
(and in the same breath)
Are we going backward?
FLASH
Backwards?
DALE (GASP)
Holy cow! Look at the clouds!
EXT. SKY - POV FROM PLANE WINDOW - DAY
The pretty white clouds are changing above and beginning to
surround the airplane. Over the engines we HEAR that same
ethereal wind rising which we heard in the opening. Slowly
and terrifyingly, the sun starts turning BLOOD RED. The clouds
race faster, faster, until they are actually streaming past
the plane from behind.
INT. PLANE - DAY
FLASH and DALE -- faces bathed in the eerie light. Speechless-
DALE grasps the football player's hand with all her strength.
EXT. A FANTASTIC GREENHOUSE - DAY
It is a huge and rambling, antique, standing in semiruinous
isolation in a pretty country landscape. The sun has turned
4.
the SAME BLOOD RED we saw from the airplane, and clouds race
across it with unnatural velocity.
In the center of the greenhouse rises a glass-paned tower
through which we glimpse something MIRROR BRIGHT. Floating
high in the air above the structure are several silvery helium-
filled balloons, secured by wires. As we move closer, we
discern a MAN moving about actively on a platform inside the
central tower, about half-way up:
INT. GREENHOUSE TOWER - DAY
(MUNSON, TV NEWSMAN, ZARKOV)
The man is DR. HANS ZARKOV: big, bearded, feverish looking
and seemingly half mad with exhaustion. In striking contrast
to the antique greenhouse exterior, here there are all kinds
of computers and displays connected together in a slapdash
fashion. Quantities of neglected plants, most brown and
dead or dying, hide the works in here from outside view. As
Zarkov runs around throwing switches and eyeing displays, a
grim-voiced TV. NEWSMAN is appearing and speaking from a
good-sized television screen above the main control console:
TV NEWSMAN
The extraordinary weather disturbances
reported from Africa this morning
are now crossing the Atlantic, and
are expected to reach the East Coast
of the United States by noon.
According to scientists at NASA, the
Earth is being struck by an immense
stream of cosmic energy, apparently
the result of some catastrophic
stellar accident beyond the reaches
OF --
ZARKOV whirls, slams the TV SOUND OFF and yells at the
silently mouthing NEWSMAN on the screen.
ZARKOV
Fools! Can't you understand? This
is no accident-- it's an ATTACK! An
attack planned by a MIND! This is
ATTACK!
MUNSON, a scared looking assistant, comes running up the
stairs with a computer print-out sheet.
MUNSON
Dr. Zarkov! Look at the report from
the last balloon!
ZARKOV grabs it, eyes it.
5.
ZARKOV
I predicted it, didn't I?
MUNSON
Yes, sir -- you sure did. And this
funny sun too ---
ZARKOV
Ozone layer starting to crack up.
By tonight Carbon dioxide will be
combining with free nitrogen to form --
(breaks off, crumpling
THE SHEET)
Well, this is it.
MUNSON
Sir, the President is on the TV behind
YOU --
ZARKOV
What the hell do I care? I tried to
warn him -- he called me mad, like
all the others.
BOOM! The TV screen EXPLODES in a fine shower of glass.
ZARKOV (CONT'D)
Time for us to go, Munson. Get your
toothbrush and whatever.
MUNSON
Go where?
ZARKOV
Up. Up and at him.
Stunned, MUNSON turns his head and glances at something big
and MIRROR BRIGHT gleaming behind foliage in center of tower.
MUNSON
You're crazy!
Perfectly calm except for the maniacal glint in his eyes,
ZARKOV pulls out a revolver and points it at MUNSON.
ZARKOV
I can't handle the capsule alone get
your toothbrush.
INT. COCKPIT TO SKY - POV
(CO-PILOT, PILOT)
The PILOTS watch these clouds also, transfixed with disbelief.
They speak with that incredible calmness characteristic of
professional airmen in a moment of impending catastrophe.
6.
PILOT
What's ,e word from Westchester
Approach, Bill?
CO-PILOT
Zip. All chanels dead.
(Reacting to the panel)
Say, get a load of the VOR's....
The directional needles are going crazy. All the instruments
are going crazy. Displays flash impossible symbols. The
PILOT gapes at them a moment, then returns his gaze to the
sky and swallows.
PILOT
On the left, about six o'clock
high......
The racing stream of clouds is parting open like in some
surreal painting. From the cortex LASER-like bolts of RED
LIGHTNING shoot out. Like a missile, one zaps right over the
plane's nose with a horrible crackling NOISE.
PILOT (CONT'D)
Hold on tight, let's put baby down
right here......
The CO-PILOT reaches up and hits the flap control. There is
a whooshing crackling ZAP! The whole cockpit FLARES OUT
with an intolerable blinding flash of RED LIGHT.
INT. PASSENGER CABIN - CONTINUOUS
The cockpit door flys off its hinges, admitting a gale of
wind that scatters FLASH'S play sheets like autumn leaves.
FLASH unsnaps his belt, leaps up and races forward.
INT. COCKPIT - CONTINUOUS
(DALE, FLASH)
The TWO PILOTS are gone, vanished without trace. Wind from
the shattered windows assaults FLASH as he charges in. He
stumbles forward as the plane noses into a dive. Recovering
he scrambles into the left-hand seat, grabs hold of the
bucking wheel yoke, pulls back and kicks at the rudder pedals.
DALE lurches in against the tornado.
DALE
Can you fly it?
FLASH
I can fly all right -- I've had a
couple of lessons! -- just don't if
I can land!
(MORE)
7.
FLASH (CONT'D)
(FIGHTING CONTROLS)
Grab that other wheel! Help me pull
her up!
DALE staggers into the co-pilot's seat, pulls back on the
wheel in front of her.
DALE
Oh boy! Ever hear about the man who
fell ninety stories from a window
and didn't break a bone?
FLASH
No but I'd sure like to! How'd The
man fall ninety stories didn't break
a bone?
DALE
The window was ninety-one stories
up!
SHOOTING FORWARD - THROUGH THE BROKEN WINDSHIELD
The Earth is approaching fast, wheeling and tilting. We get
a glimpse of a strange greenhouse structure at the end of a
flat area.
Another barrage of crackling RED LIGHTNING BOLTS shoot all
around the plane but just miss it.
INT. COCKPIT
(FLASH)
FLASH
Brace yourself I'm aiming at that
field up ahead!
EXT. ZARKOV'S GREENHOUSE - DAY
(ZARKOV'S VOICE)
Its thousands of panes reflect the RED SUN and the RED BOLTS
which rain down in intermittent bursts. One strikes an end
of a gallery, exploding glass and foliage. From inside, we
HEAR a furious echoing VOICE:
ZARKOV'S VOICE
I see you, Munson! Come out or I
shoot!
8.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
(MUNSON, ZARKOV)
ZARKOV is on the lower stairs of the tower, aiming his
revolver. MUNSON emerges from some dry brown bush where he
was hiding.
MUNSON
So what's it matter if I'm shot or
go up in that thing? I'm a goner
either way, right?
ZARKOV
Of course -- I admit that! But this
way you'll be giving your life for a
chance of saving Earth! Haven't you
any spirit at all??
MUNSON
Goodbye, Doctor -- they were all
right about you. Have a nice trip.
MUNSON starts walking away, toward the door at the end of
the long side wing.
ZARKOV
I tell you I can't take it off alone!
If you won't come, who will I find?
If you woo't come, who will I find:
MUNSON ignores him totally, keeps walking away. ZARKOV lifts
his revolver and draws a bead on the man's back. Just as he
is about to shoot, he reacts to something outside.
EXT. GREENHOUSE
Amazingly, a Twin Otter is gliding in to a horribly rough
landing in the field outside. The plane hits on one wheel,
bounces into the air, comes down again and keeps right on
rolling toward the greenhouse.
AS ABOVE - FEATURE MUNSON
SEEING the onrushing plane, freezing an instant then starting
to run. He hardly gets five yards before the Twin Otter comes
SLAMMING IN through the greenhouse wall, burying MUNSON
totally under the wreckage.
INT. COCKPIT - DAY
(DALE, FLASH)
Crazily angled, filled with dust and smoke. Dazed, blood on
his forehead, FLASH struggles from his seat.
9.
FLASH
Dale! Are you all right?
DALE
I'm terrific.
(WEAK SMILE)
Flash Gordon, you have just made me
a Giant fan for life.
FLASH
Come on -- let's get out before she
blows!
FLASH helps her from the wrecked seat, wheels and kicks out
the emergency exit in the cockpit area.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
(DALE, FLASH, ZARKOV)
FLASH lowers DALE to the ground, jumps down after her. ZARKOV
is there, smiling at them in a strange way.
FLASH
Hello. i'm Flash Gordon, this is
Miss Dale Arden --
ZARKOV
(MEANS IT)
Delighted to see you.
FLASH
This crazy storm knocked us down
could we use a phone?
ZARKOV
Certainly. Just follow me -- up those
stairs.
FLASH
Some weather huh?
ZARKOV
It will get worse.
ZARKOV turns and smiles at them again as they start up the
tower stairs. SUddenly DALE stops short, staring at ZARKOV
with a funny expression.
DALE
You're Dr. Hans Zarkov!
ZARKOV hesitates just an instant, the nods.
ZARKOV
How did you know?
10.
DALE
I saw you in PEOPLE mag. After you
left NASA, remember? It said you
were utterly ---
DALE breaks off, almost biting her tongue.
ZARKOV
Insane? Off my rocker?
DALE
I forget what it said:
(TURNING HASTILY)
Flash, let's find some other phone,
okay? I'm sure Dr. Zarkov is very
busy.......
FLASH is baffled, but he gets her urgent look.
FLASH
Well, all right -- but it seems to
me we ought to --
Now it's FLASH'S turn to break off. ZARKOV is pointing a
gun at him.
ZARKOV
Up the stairs to the tower! Ahead
of me -- quick! --
(as they gape at him,
FROZEN)
Quick I said: We haven't much time --
Earth is being attacked! -- there's
only one slim chance of saving it!
FLASH
Mister, you are insane!
HOWL of ether-wind increases. Storm of RED LASER BOLTS. Glass
showers them as parts of the green house EXPLODE and dry
foliage bursts into FLAME.
ZARKOV
Up the stairs -- RUN!
ZARKOV jabs the revolver into DALE'S back. RED BOLTS zap
around. FLASH whispers to her as they start running up ahead
of ZARKOV.
FLASH
Go with the flow -- wait for a chance!
Below them, bottom of staircase disintergrates in a RED FLASH.
11.
INT. TOP LEVEL OF GREENHOUSE TOWER
(DALE, FLASH, ZARKOV)
ZARKOV rips away a screen of foliage, revealing a MIRROR
BRIGHT capsule, seamless but for one door. He yanks that
open.
On every side things are blowing up and burning under the
merciless rain of bolts. One strikes the capsule head on,
but does not even leave a mark.
ZARKOV
I need your help to take off! Get
in or I shot you dead!
DALE gasps and shrinks back.
FLASH
Take off for where?
ZARKOV
God only knows -- whatever black
corner of space this is coming from --
wherever HE is!. -- we'll plunge
into the devil's heart and destroy
him! We'll die ourselves, of course,
but our names will be honored till
the end of time!
DALE
Look, Doc -- I don't book kamikaze
tours -- never.
FLASH is poised to jump, but ZARKOV suddenly pushes DALE off-
balance, INTO the capsule. FLASH leaps after her.
INT. CAPSULE
(DALE, ZARKOV)
It is curiously transparent from the inside, mirrored only
on the exterior. There are some controls and displays, but
in general the interior is severely ascetic: as far removed
from conventional spacecraft as ZARKOV's solitary genius is
from everyday science.
Immediately starting to set switches in a frenzy of activity,
ZARKOV waves the gun at FLASH.
ZARKOV
Sit down there! Foot on the red pedal!
DALE
Flash! Sack him!
12.
ZARKOV wheels and pulls the door shut. FLASH jumps him. He
punches ZARKOV in the gut. ZARKOV slams him back with the
well-known strength of a madman. FLASH clobbers him again.
Falling, ZARKOV dives sidewards and hits a switch.
The capsule WHINES SOFTLY and begins to WHIRL. Looking out
through the transparent wall, it is as if the capsule itself
was motionless and the scene outside is whirling. What's
left of the greenhouse is under a constant rain of those
LASER BOLTS, flashing fire that makes us dizzy.
FLASH staggers to his feet and finds DALE, folds his arms
around her protectively. The centrifugal force is rapidly
increasing now, throws them both against the wall. Faster
and faster, whirling, the force presses DALE'S body back
against FLASH'S until they are almost one flesh.
We move over and find ZARKOV plastered against another part
of the whirling capsule, his face drained white and distorted
by the terrific G-Force operating here now, his lips moving
as he speaks with enormous effort:
ZARKOV,
Friendship...Built this to send to
them in...Friendship...The end
now...End of the world....Unless we
····
(every sound an effort
NOW)
Unless...We...Three...Can...
ZARKOV'S eyes close. He loses consciousness.
EXT. GREENHOUSE - LONG SHOT (MINIATURE)
Totally ablaze within now, one huge fantastic jewel of fire.
The whole central tower explodes outward. From the inferno a
MIRROR-BRIGhT capsule slowly rises, hovers, begins picking
up speed again as it ascends.
EXT. CAPSULE IN FLIGHT
Whirling, whirling, invincibly unharmed by the LASER BOLTS
which glance off it again and again, accelerating up into
space.
EXT. CAPSULE IN FLIGHT - POV
The EARTH recedes below into a ball, RED-HUED' under the
fantastic sun. A fast approaching light FLARES up against
the mirrored surface and is recognised as our MOON. It flashes
past, follows EARTH into e distance. All around, the sky
darkens into the void of space.
FANTASTIC MONTAGE - OUTER PLANETS OF OUR SOLAR SYSTEM
13.
They hurtle past the capsule in rapid sequences:
RED MARS
A sudden gauntlet of careening ASTEROIDS, all sizes, from
tiny zingers to one almighty tumbler big as AFRICA.
Mammoth JUPITER with thirteen moons and its atmosphere of
deadly methane clouds more than 1000 miles deep. The RED
PATCH on its surface is a storm 20,000 miles across which
has raged without intermission for 200 EARTH centuries.
Through the RINGS OF SATURN in a dazzling LIGHTSTORM of
blazing ice crystals.
NEPTUNE, PLUTO, outermost URANUS. One after another the
planets are left hurtling behind, wheeling in their concentric
orbits, the entire SOLAR SYSTEM dwindling into nothing.
EXT. A SPIRAL NEBULA
It tilts and wheels wondrously as the Capsule passes through
the middle of it. Considering that this Nebula is probably a
million light-years from edge to edge, we get some notion of
the Capsule's speed.
EXT. A BLACK HOLE IN SPACE
Curving light-rays from another galaxy are drawn fantastically
together and then simply DISAPPEAR as they are pulled in by
the unimaginable gravitation force of is THING. we SEE the
CAPSULE, tiny, curving, and spinning along amidst the mind-
blowing display of light rays, sucked along with them ····
then simply DISAPPEARING as it too enters the void.
EXT. CAPSULE IN FLIGHT
(KLYTUS, MING)
Visible again, gleaming in an AMBER GLOW. Suddenly a dancing
grid of lines appears OVER IT, making us realise that we
must be SEEING IT on some kind of screen. It BLURS out of
focus, comes back again more sharply as some adjustment has
apparently been made.
ECU - EYES OF MING THE MERCILESS
Deep in shadow, gleaming with evil amusement.
MONTAGE - ECU'S OF MING'S FACIAL FEATURES
Curve of lip, flare of nostril, fold of eyelid, gleam of
shaven scalp, each a menacing landscape of sensual shadow as
WE HEAR:
MING (O.S.)
They survived our Black Hole --
14.
KLYTUS (O.S.)
Hail Ming! Shall I drown them in
the Sea of Fire?
MING (O.S.)
Later, Klytus -- I think we will
look at them first.
INT. CAPSULE - SHOOTING FROM WITHIN
Through the transparent walls as the spinning motion is
rapidly SLOWING DOWN. The three voyagers are crumpled on the
floor against the wall in strange attitudes, FLASH'S arms
still holding DALE. They seem semi-conscious, as if dropped.
An AMBER GLOW bathes them, and soon we see its source. A
huge planet wheels into view through the transparent wall.
It is MONGO. Its curved surface is a pure sea of AMBER FIRE
molten lava, with great tongues of flame erupting
horrifically.
ZARKOV blinks, struggles to focus his eyes. He succeeds,
with horror SEES where they are headed. Making a choking
sound, ZARKOV stirs and tries to crawl over to a control
panel. He pushes switches. Nothing happens. The CAPSULE
keeps on going down. A great leaping tongue of fire licks
it.
Suddenly, just as destruction seems imminent, the capsule
miraculously changes its flight path and soars above the
remaining flames.
It races through them. A shadow passes over MONGO as the
CAPSULE passes through a wall of PURPLE VAPOR and emerges
above a totally different landscape. A dozen VARIOUS COLORED
CLOUDS sweep past in silent majesty.
The CAPSULE slows, hovers starts straight down into a sea of
high grass.
EXT. MONGO -- GRASSY AREA - EVENING
In the distant B.G. against an extraordinary SUNSET SKY,
rises the shimmering CITY OF MONGO.... a place of many levels,
golden tiers and turrets, towers, flags and pennants. It is
like something dreamed.
Several STRANGELY ARMORED MEN watch the MIRROR-BRIGHT CAPSULE
descending slowly. The LEADER waves and they all start toward
the CAPSULE.
INT. CAPSULE
(DALE, FLASH, ZARKOV)
Gentle bump as the thing touches down.
15.
ZARKOV
By God, we did it! We made it!
FLASH
Made it where, Doctor?
ZARKOV
I don't know.
Suddenly DALE gasps, reacting to something she SEES through
the transparent-from-within wall. They all look around and
SEE those STRANGE MEN approaching.
DALE
Don't. Suddenly I like it in here
just fine --
EXT. GRASSY AREA - DAY
(ARMORED MEN, FLASH, LEADER, ZARKOV)
The door of the CAPSULE is opened from the inside. ZARKOV
and DALE and FLASH get out. THE MEN stop. Long beat as the
two parties gaze at each other, the first human eye ever to
see an extraterrestrial being. FLASH walks up to the leader.
FLASH
Hello -- my name's Flash Gordon --
can you understand me?
(SILENCE)
We're from EARTH -- we come as
friends.
ZARKOV
(URGENT)
Extend your hand! That's the gesture
of friendship known everywhere!
With a warm grin, FLASH extends hi right hand.
FLASH
Hi!
CLACK! With lightning speed a manacle is slammed on FLASH'S
wrist and he is thrown to ·the ground as other RED MEN advance
to handcuff DALE and ZARKOV.
LEADER
You are prisoners. I will take you
now to Ming the Merciless, Ruler of
the universe!
ARMORED MEN
(CHORUS)
Hail, Ming!
16.
Groggily, FLASH lifts his head towards ZARKOV.
FLASH
Thanks, Doctor -- next time I'll
call my own play.
EXT. GRASSY AREA - POV THROUGH OPENING
(DALE, FLASH)
Another strange glimpse through an opening. Some fierce
tethered BEAST is being goaded and tormented by MONGO MEN,
as in an Elizabethan bear-baiting. On the floor lies the
tor n body of one MAN who apparently got too close.
DALE has one brief horrified GLIMPSE of this, then turns her
head away and shuts her eyes as she's marched along.
DALE
Just do what I'm doing. Flash --
FLASH
What are you doing?
DALE
Shutting my eyes -- dreaming I booked
us to Disneyland.
INT. MAIN PALACE HALL
(ARMORED MEN)
A gigantic STATUE comes into view amidst topless columns at
the end. Light plays over it in ever-shifting patterns. As
we come nearer, we SEE that this STATUE is cut out in the
middle to form a throne.
MING THE MERCILESS sits in the throne niche, silent, gazing
down on the PRISONERS as they are marched to a halt before
him.
ARMORED MEN
Hail, Ming! Hail, Great One Without
Mercy!
A hundred reduplicated ECHOES of that shout ring through
unseen reaches of the palace. MING bends his head slightly
in acknowledgement, points idly at the ARMORED MEN at the
left of the group.
INT. PALACE OF HALLS - SERIES OF DISSOLVES
(ARMORED MAN, AURA, DALE, FLASH, KLYTUS, LEADER, MING, VOICES,
ZARKOV)
As FLASH, DALE and ZARKOV are marched along by many ARMORED
MEN, perspectives are bewildering, curvilinear, surfaces
17.
bending away into caverns of gloom without measurable
dimension.
We pass an archway opening into what seems to be an AMUSEME-
NT ARCADE. Glimpse of MONGO PEOPLE playing amazing electronic
games, while MONGO GO-GO GIRLS cavort on a platform to
unearthly music.
ZARKOV
Fantastic -- into a Black Hole and
out the other side -- to this. Who
said Hans Zarkov was mad?
DALE
You're mad.
Look down over a balcony from a MOVING POV. A fencing glass
is in session. SIX PAIRS OF MEN go at each other with magic
swords which give off pyrotechnical displays each time the
blades clash. Thrust, parry, SLASH! The head of one duellist
EXPLODES in a bloodless fountain of fire.
FLASH
You got us into this -- HOW DO WE
GET OUT?
ZARKOV
Get out? Why? We're being taken to
Ming -- getting at him is our only
hope of saving EARTH. It's perfect!
FLASH
Dr. Zarkov, I'm about to show you
what it feels like to be clipped by
a New York Giant --
DALE
Flash, it's no use - he's too crazy!
MING
Step forward, Soldier.
The designated one marches two paces forward, halts.
MING (CONT'D)
Are you loyal to Ming? Would you
die for him?
ARMORED MAN
Gladly!
MING
Fall on your sword.
18.
Instantly the ARMORED MAN pulls his sword, rips open his
breast-plate, sets the sword hilt-down on the floor and
PLUNGES FORWARD on to the fatal point.
With a little cry of horror, DALE shrinks back into FLASH'S
arms.
ZARKOV
You inhuman fiend!
MING
Of course I'm "inhuman"! -- that's a
compliment!
(Dropping his voice)
Pathetic Earthlings, forever wondering
if you are alone in the universe --
beaming you plaintive messages into
to the void for anything that might
hear you -- even hurling your bodies
out into it -- and all without the
faintest inkling of who or what is
out here. If you had known anything --
anything at all about the true nature
of the universe, you would have hidden
from it, in terror!
There is a low throaty LAUGH from the shadows. FLASH and
DALE turn their eyes quickly in its direction.
FEATURE PRINCESS AURA
Emerging half into the light beside a column, fondling the
head of an obscure BEAST slouching between her legs.
Voluptuous beyond her years, fiercely erotic, AURA looks
FLASH boldly up and down as the BEAST HISSES with the pleasure
of her touch.
FLASH can't take his eyes off her. No normal man could. FLASH
swallows with a dry throat as AURA'S gaze devours him. DALE
gets the electricity going on, gives him a poke and WHISPERS
LOUDLY.
DALE
Watch it, fella -- you came with me!
AURA laughs again, sidles up toward MING. We dimly SEE a
couple of MUTANT CREATURES dragging away the lifeless body
of the one who so vividly proved his loyalty.
MING
You know who Ming is now -- who are
you and why do you come to Mongo?
19.
FLASH
I'm Flash Gordon of the New York
Giants this is Dale Arden -- Dr.Zarkov
hijacked us in an effort to save
EARTH.
MING looks questioningly at KLYTUS
KLYTUS
Sirs, Earth is the meaningless planet
you are in the process of
obliterating.
ZARKOV
(pouncing on that)
In the process? You mean Earth still
exists?
MING
For the moment -- not for much longer.
FLASH
But why? What in hell have we ever
done to hurt you?
MING
You exist -- and yet you pay no homage
to Ming! What greater crime can be
committed?
The palace rings with an answering chorus: VOICES of all the
ARMORED MEN and numerous others presently UNSEEN, including
many WOMEN.
VOICES
Hail, Ming! Hail, Great One Without
Mercy!
MING
Come closer, Dale Arden -- let me
see you.
DALE doesn't move. MING takes a step down, narrows his eyes
and gazes at her intensely. This guy's personal magnetism
is enormous. As if irresistibly drawn, DALE steps forward.
MING moves his hand in a gesture. A sourceless GOLDEN LIGHT
bathes DALE, sensuous MUSICAL CHORDS are heard. DALE's lips
open slightly, her color heightens, her rate of breathing
increases. MING touches her flesh lightly.
FLASH tense, ready to spring.
KLYTUS
This woman will amuse you.
20.
ZARKOV
(INTERESTED)
Klytus can see the future, eh?
MING
He can foresee it -- but for a few
moments only. It gives him a unique
gift for survival, -- and treachery.
ZARKOV
Extraordinary. I'd like to study
his beta factors -- I wager I could
extend them with a course of
telekinetic exercise.
(peering at KLYTUS)
Tell me -- when you use this fit
does your temporal lobe prickle?
Here?
MING flashes a glance of interest at ZARKOV, then addresses
the LEADER of the ARMORED MEN.
MING
Chain this one up. Preserve him for
further examination.
LEADER
Hail, Ming!
ZARKOV is roughly seized. FLASH starts after them angrily
as they drag the scientist away.
FLASH
Oh no you don't! We came together
and we're STAYING together!
Languidly, MING indicates FLASH GORDON with a pointed finger.
MING
That one is useless to us. Remove
him and kill him.
Shock reactions. FLASH wheels back at MING as DALE steps in
front of her friend.
DALE
You dirty old bastard can kill me
too!
CLOSE ANGLE - AURA
Wetting her lips, moving sinuously to WHISPER to MING:
21.
AURA
Don't kill him yet, Father. Give him
to me!
MING
(EYEBROWS UP)
What would your Prince Barin say?
AURA
I can handle Barin.
MING
Really, Aura -- your appetites are
too monstrous -- even for our family.
This could cause great trouble with
Barin -- I must forbid it.
AURA touches the rime of MING'S ear with her tongue as she
WHISPERS AGAIN:
AURA
But you adore me, Father -- you ca
refuse me nothing . Yes?
WIDER SHOT
As MING steps quickly away from his super-provocative daughter
and indicates DALE.
MING
Take the Earth-woman to our quarters!
Bathe and annoint her for our
pleasure!
A HOODED GUARD comes from shadow, moves towards DALE.
FLASH starts around to defend her, but before he can do it
DALE has made her own move. WHAM! Quick as lightning, she
flattened the HOODED GUARD with a perfectly executed city-
girl's kick to the balls. DALE is astonished at her own
prowess.
DALE
My God -- and I thought that book
was another rip-off-
FLASH
Watch out! Behind you!
Three more HOODED GUARDS are emerging from the shadows towards
DALE.
QUICK ANGLES
22.
FLASH flies at them. An elbow in the mouth disposes of one.
He seizes the man's mace-like club as he falls, uses it
quickly to knock cold the other two.
AURA'S eyes shine at FLASH'S prowess. Fascinated, she runs
her moist tongue along the cutting edge of her teeth.
Panting, braced, FLASH stands in front of DALE with raised
mace.
Unearthly MARTIAL MUSIC comes in a glissando from the
Cavernous space above.
To its tempo MING'S PERSONAL GUARDS now starts· appearing.
They are all a race of AMAZON WARRIORS, and the most amazing
thing is that they all have the SAME FACE.
From left to right, back and front, the AMAZONS advance 0n
FLASH and DALE. They do not attack, merely stun ad overwhelm
us with their massive, silent, answerable threat.
FLASH swallows, looks this way and that, stands as if
paralysed.
DALE
(low and tremulous)
What's the play, Flash?
FLASH
I can't -- I just can't --
DALE
Can't what?
FLASH
Clobber a woman, Dale --
DALE
(OUTBURST)
You damn fool, those aren't women
they're murderous AMAZON DYKES!
The AMAZONS are all around DALE now.
DALE (CONT'D)
Help!!
FLASH is paralyzed by indecision one beat more, then suddenly
makes up his mind. He flies into action, SLAMS the nearest
pair of AMAZONS.
23.
INT. PALACE - FIGHT SEQUENCE
(DALE)
Fast and furious. Great havoc is wreaked by DALE and her
karate, by FLASH and his flailing fists, but the AMAZONS'
numerical superiority is of course decisive.
Soon FLASH is on the floor, pinioned by a dozen AMAZONS.
He looks up, with despairing eyes SEES poor DALE being dragged
up a flight of stairs that disappear mysteriously into upper
gloom.
DALE
Flash!!
The pitiful shout sends FLASH'S adrenaline rushing. With a
superhuman effort, he fights free from the pile-up and dashes
after DALE.
INT. PALACE - ON THE STAIRCASE
FLASH struggles to get through to DALE.
DALE claws fiercely at the bare AMAZON arms and shoulders
that engulf her, reaches desperately back down for FLASH.
CLOSE SHOT - THEIR HANDS
Just touching their fingertips.
CLOSE SHOT - A STEP OF THE STAIRS
Opens like a yawning trap door UNDER FLASH'S FEET.
FLASH drops away with a YELL, in the very instant that AURA
comes running INTO THE SHOT and boldly JUMPS after him.
AURA is swallowed up too, a split-second before the trap
door step CLOSES again after them.
INT. PALACE - CU-MING
(KLYTUS, MING)
Watching that, as KLYTUS hisses into his ear.
KLYTUS
She betrays you! She'll take him to
Aboria!
MING
So Prince Barin will kill Flash Gordon
for me -- I don't care.
KLYTUS
Don't be too sure!
24.
MING glances at him, then back up the stairs at where DALE
has vanished. His face softens, his tone turns museful!
MING
I haven't taken a wife in centuries.
I could bring myself to marry this
Dale Arden --
(A BEAT)
What do you see in her future, Klytus?
NO reply. MING turns his head and finds that KLYTUS is gone.
Vanished. Not particularly surprised or concerned, MING gazes
again toward the top of the stairs and answers his own
question with a licentious smile.
INT. A DARK METALLIC SHAFT - SHOOTING DOWN IT
(AURA, FLASH)
It is seemingly endless, faintly lt by phosphoresence from
below. We dimly make out the figures of FLASH and AURA falling
away from us, far below, falling, falling. We HEAR Hollow
echoing VOICES reverbrating up to us.
AURA
Take a deep breath! Grab my ankle
after we hit the water -- I'll lead
you!
FLASH
Hit what water?
In answer, we instantly HEAR a titanic SPLASH.
INT. UNDERWATER (TANK)
FLASH plummets down, AURA right after him. Recovering balance
in a universe of bubbles, FLASH finds himself confronting an
enormous savage LUMINOUS FISH. Wheeling himself away in
fear and revulsion, FLASH encounters AURA. He seizes her
ankle as directed. Holding his beat, FLASH swims after her
through a maze of stalagmites growing up from the cavern
floor. AURA dives down, leads him OUT OF SIGHT through a low
opening.
INT. UNDERGROUND GROTTO
(AURA, FLASH, PLASH)
FLASH and AURA emerge from a pool of water. FLASH staggers
across and collapses on a fringe of beach. For sure, AURA'S
wet clinging robe doesn't make her look any less sexy. He
stares at her.
AURA
Catch your breath -- then I'll take
you up and find you a disguise.
25.
FLASH
You're saving my life. How can I
Thank you?
AURA
I'll fly you to the forest of Arboria -
we'll find a way.
FLASH
Let's get one thing straight -- I've
got to find Dale and that nut Zarkov
too -- rescue them and try to save
Earth too.
AURA
Do you realize how foolish you are
to tell that to me -- Ming's daughter?
FLASH
I'm no good at lying.
AURA
You're funny -- are all Eathlings
like you, Flash Gordon?
PLASH
I guess I'm about average.
INT. UNDERGROUND CORRIDOR
(AURA, FLASH)
There are windows on one side, emitting a fierce GLARE. FLASH
follows AURA rapidly along. Suddenly he stops short, looking
in through the tinted glass.
WHAT HE SEES - PLASMA CAVERN
An infernal place, chief feature of which is a LAKE OF
SEETHING MAGMA that slowly rotates within a wide encircling
platform. The platform is piled with GLOWING RADIOACTIVE
GRAVEL, being shoveled into the magma by LIZARDMAN SLAVES
who toil in rythmic unison.
FLASH (O.S.)
What's that?
AURA (O.S.)
The plasma core. It's e source of
the energy-beam my father ia aiming
at Earth. You can't stop it. Ming is
merciless and all-powerful!
ANGLES - LIZARDMAN SLAVES
26.
Showing ankle electrodes shackled to each SLAVE, so that
those who collapse can be shocked back to their feet by GUARDS
stationed on a surrounding catwalk above. Any SLAVE unable
to rise is summarily pitched into the magma by HOODED MEN,
waiting like executioners to perform this chore.
AURA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
The slaves are Lizard Men. Once they
had their own water Kingdom, the
fairest of Mongo. Then they dared to
rebel. They will suffer for it here
forever.
FLASH looks at AURA again, then back in the window. He
reacts.
INT. GROTTO - HIS POV IN CAVERN - ON A CATWALK
(AURA)
ZARKOV is being led along by SOLDIERS, heavily shackled. He
stops, gazing in wonder at the seething lake, which FLARES
UP BLINDINGLY with each shovel full of gravel.
FLASH and AURA
AURA
You can't reach him. If a soldier
spots you, it's instant death! --
Come!
AURA takes his hand. With one backward look toward ZARKOV
who of course has not seen him, FLASH follows her.
INT. PLASMA CAVERN - FEATURE ZARKOV
(MING'S VOICE, SOLDIER, ZARKOV)
ZARKOV
Incredible - the very core of this
planet, is it not?
SOLDIER
We are but soldiers. We do not know.
MING'S VOICE
You guess well, Dr. Zarkov!
ZARKOV wheels in his chains, looks up.
INT. PLASMA CAVERN - MESSANINE
(EVERYONE, MING, ZARKOV)
High above this place where MING stands with KLYTUS, lit by
the infernal glare as he goes on:
27.
MING
I am forcing this plasma through the
successive nuclear phases of a star -
building it toward the apocalyptic
moment that will end Earth's pathetic
history in one flash of fire.
ZARKOV
Devil! Why don't you turn this science
to peaceful use? The name Ming would
be blessed instead of cursed.
MING
Bring him up to the dome, Soldiers --
we wish to show him wonders.
At that instant a couple of worn-out SLAVES are pitched into
the magma. Their dying SCREAMS are drowned by the chorus
from all the minions:
EVERYONE
Hail! Ming! Hail, Great one Without
Mercy!
INT. UPPER PALACE AREA - CORRIDOR
(AURA, FLASH)
AURA leads FLASH out through a doorway. He is now fitted out
with a fairly resplendent MONGO costume: boots, cape,
headdress and all. They hurry along through shadows. Suddenly
FLASH seizes her by the shoulders, stops her.
FLASH
Listen, where's he got Dale?
As she looks at him, she SEES a detachment of SOLDIERS
marching this direction. Quickly she pulls FLASH into a niche,
presses her body against his in the narrow space. WHISPERS:
AURA
Forget Dale Arden!
FLASH
I can't! I mean I hardly know her,
BUT --
AURA
Forget her, Flash Gordon: I saw a
look in my father's eye -- I think
he intends to marry her.
FLASH
What?? Marry her? What are you
talking about??
28.
The SOLDIERS have gone past, but AURA is still pressing
against him.
AURA
Oh you ask so many questions.
(SEDUCTIVE)
I'm taking you to people who'll help
you. Trust me!
FLASH
Can I honestly?
AURA
Trust me!
AURA hauls FLASH from the niche, they hurry on a bit further.
AURA stops in front of big doors, with glass windows in them.
AURA (CONT'D)
Here we are.
FLASH
Here we are where?
AURA
I've dressed you as a Royal Pilot,
First Class. We'll slip into my
personal car and you'll fly it.
FLASH takes one look into the glass, then swivels back to
AURA
FLASH
Those are ROCKET SHIPS in there! I
can't fly a damn rocket ship!
AURA
(soft, teasing)
Learn from me -- I'll teach you so
much!
INT. MING'S DOME
(MING, ZARKOV)
Open at the top to space. But instead of our familiar pinpoint
stars, here whole nebulae wheel in majesty against infinity,
their innards popping with explosions as whole galaxies are
born and die.
ZARKOV stands before MING in chains, mesmerized by fantastic
devices on every side. Most prominent is a huge transparent
cube, supported in the air above a control console. MING
moves to that, plays in it like an organist. we HEAR a soft
intense hum, GLIMPSE great dish-like radio antennae turning
on the top side of the dome.
29.
An astonishing things happens. Inside the cube a recognisable
greenish globe appears like a three-dimensional holograph,
slowly turning as the continents and oceans come into view
below a veil of clouds.
ZARKOV
Earth!
MING
Yes, Zarkov -- as it was. Now as it
will be, when my plasma reaches full
force.....
A sudden TIDE OF FIRE sweeps the globe, Even the clouds BURN.
ZARKOV gasps as MING'S fingers dance of the control keys
again.
MING (CONT'D)
And as it will be in yet another
time, long after you have died. Earth
reborn! A pleasant image, no?
The fires recede. The hanging globe sparkles again with beauty
just as it was except that the outlines of our continents
have been subtly changed.
ZARKOV
But that's impossible! Even your
perverted genius can't create new
life!
MING
Of course I can create life. There's
nothing easier. It only requires
myself and one woman.
ZARKOV
(SUDDEN UNDERSTANDING)
Dale Arden.....
MING
Who else? As in that childish myth
of yours -- Adam and Eve, wasn't it?
I will breed with her and repopulate
the Earth in my own image. I've
already done it on over a thousand
planets.
MING touches a key. The image of Earth DISAPPEARS from the
cube. ZARKOV glares hatred at MING for a beat, then his eye
catches something else.
WHAT HE SEES
30.
A big block of crystal on the floor with two swords embedded
in it, just their hilts sticking out.
ANGLE to include ZARKOV. Chained as he is, he suddenly bounds
over and seizes a sword hilt, tries to pull it out. It doesn't
budge.
MING (CONT'D)
The magic blades are not for your
kind, Zarkov. One is my own the other
will only be withdrawn by my rightful
heir. Pull on them with all your
MIGHT:
ZARKOV tugs desperately, but it doesn't give an inch. He
falls panting over the block.
ZARKOV
Monster!
MING laughs, makes a sign to a SOLDIER.
MING
Return him to the dungeon.
INT. MING'S SERAGLIO
(DALE, HEDONIA)
DALE stands amongst the EXOTIC FEMALES of this lavish place,
being gently but firmly divested of her clothes and put into
a diaphanous gown. They intend her no harm. Though each has
some slight unearthly peculiarity, all are very beautiful.
Tickled, DALE can't suppress a giggle. The females are amazed
and delighted by this phenomenon. They take turns poking at
her ribs as tall HEDONIA glides up, bearing a flagon of green
liquid.
HEDONIA
Drink this.
DALE recoils, her giggling cut short.
DALE
What is it -- some rotten drug?
HEDONIA
It has no name. But many brave men
died to bring it across space from
Cythera, planet of Pleasure. It
will make your hours with Ming more
agreeable.
With a karate chop, DALE- knocks the flagon away. HEDONIA
rubs her hurt wrist but does not seem angry.
31.
HEDONIA (CONT'D)
We are of different race, Dale Arden
but we all are women here. I know
your fears. Believe me, it will be
better if you drink it...
HEDONIA retrieves the flagon from the silken pillow where it
landed, extends it again to DALE. A shout!
DALE
Flash! Where are you??
Of course there is no answer. Sudden tears of despair spring
from DALE'S eyes. She seizes the flagon and impulsively drinks
it. Her expression changes.
DALE (CONT'D)
Say, this stuff isn't bad at all.
EXT. SPACE - AURA'S SHUTTLE CRAFT
Sails along, a wonderful little bubble-topped two-seater,
with royal devices.
EXT. SPACE - A MOON OF ICE
Floats toward us, dazzling sphere of frozen seas and glaciers.
INCLUDE AURA'S SPACECRAFT
Coming into SHOT in a curving pass over the surface. It's a
Nifty bubble-top two-seater with royal devices.
INT. COCKPIT - IN FLIGHT
(AURA)
There are no normal controls, just a glowing multi-colored
panel over which the pilot makes hand-movements to effect
changes of course and attitude. FLASH is in the left-hand
seat beside AURA, gazing down at the glittering sight.
AURA
Frigia -- eleventh of the moons of
Mongo. It's inhabited by the Bear
Men who eat their own young...
FLASH shivers. Patches of frost and ice start to form on
the craft's bubble.
AURA (CONT'D)
Now pull up -- go starboard around
that next moon rising -- Ardentia.
FLASH moves his hands over the panel. The craft pulls up
and banks.
32.
INT. COCKPIT - ANOTHER SHOT
(AURA, FLASH)
Another moon RISING ahead. Its reddish desert surface is
swept by a raging sandstorm.
FLASH
Some lucky people live on that one
too?
AURA
Of course - the Sand Men. Every
Moon is a kingdom -- seperate and
hostile to all the others. They
have nothing in common but Ming's
rule -- and their hatred of him.
FLASH
Why don't they team up and fight
him?
AURA
Fight Ming the Merciless?
(LAUGHS)
You saw what happened to the Lizard
Men.
FEATURE FLASH
With a sudden thoughtful look, his head working.
FLASH
Sue -- but that wasn't a team effort.
AURA
I don't know these words what's a
"team"?
FLASH just shakes his head. AURA watches him a beat more,
then reaches up and pulls down a curious gadget hanging above
her seat. It's a TRANSPARENT HOOD with strange fittings
inside, not totally unlike a beauty-shop hairdryer.
AURA (CONT'D)
Telekinetic Thought Transfer.
(setting its dials)
I'm going to get together with Prince
Barin in Arboria and tell him I'm
arriving. He's the one who'll help
you.
FLASH
Why?
33.
AURA
Because he does anything I ask. He
loves me.
FLASH
You can really transfer your thoughts
with that? Like I could get in touch
with Dale?
AURA
If I showed you how.
(TEASING)
But I'm not going to.
FLASH
Please.
AURA just gives him a look and laughs. FLASH stares at her a
moment, then suddenly MOVES HIS HANDS sharply over the control
panel. The craft hurtles into a violent DIVE. AURA yells.
AURA
What are you doing?
AURA drops the plastic hood, lunges to move. her own hands
on the controls, but FLASH seizes her wrists.
EXT. SHOOTING THROUGH BUBBLE TO EXT.
Showing the windblown surface of the moon ARDENTIA dead ahead.
INT. COCKPIT
(AURA, FLASH)
AURA
Are you mad> We're diving straight
at Ardentia!
FLASH
That's right, Princess ··· and we're
not pulling out until you put that
gadget over my head and tune me in
to Dale Arden!
AURA struggles wildly, but FLASH'S grip on her wrists is
like iron. The surface of Ardentia LOOMS UP , closer and
closer.
INT. MING'S SERAGLIO - BATHING AREA
(DALE, FLASH'S VOICE, HEDONIA)
DALE is immersed naked in a bubbly swirling tub, a luxuriant
prisoner of the FEMALES who bathe and groom her. She seems
dazed by steam and by the sensuous movement of the water.
34.
A couple of the FEMALES lift DALE'S hands, make a cup of
them. HEDONIA pours rich oil into it.
HEDONIA
Rub this on your body. It gives
Ming pleasure.
DALE starts to oil herself as the FEMALES exchange looks and
LAUGH softly. Suddenly a FILTERED VOICE is HEARD from nowhere,
though it seems very close:
FLASH'S VOICE
Dale, it's me -- Flash! Am I with
you?
CU DALE
She blinks, befuddled, pauses in her oiling of herself.
HEDONIA
What's the matter?
DALE
I'm dreaming.
INT. COCKPIT
(FLASH'S VOICE)
CU FLASH
with the Thought Transference gizmo down over his head, a
faint BLUISH GLOW flickering within, as AURA watches him and
we SEE the moon Ardentia falling behind rapidly through the
glass. FLASH concentrates fiercely. We HEAR his VOICED
THOUGHTS but his lips do not move.
FLASH'S VOICE
No, Dale -- you're not dreaming I'm
Flash -- I'm with you and you are
with me!
INT. MING'S BATHING AREA
(DALE'S VOICE, FLASH'S VOICE, FLASH' S VOICE)
FLASH'S VOICE
Are you receiving my thoughts?
Now we HEAR DALE'S VOICE, without her lips moving either:
DALE'S VOICE
I'm receiving something --
35.
FLASH' S VOICE
(EXCITEDLY)
I read you, Dale -- I'm getting you
too! Think of me -- hard!
INTERCUTS - FLASH AND DALE - SERAGLIO BATH AND COCKPIT
As they communicate. NOTE: There might be some faint glow
in the air above the tub some spectral suggestion. of FLASH'S
presence, the idea being to show that HEDONIA and other
FEMALES are unaware of this interchange going on as they
continue to bathe and groom DALE.
INT. CUTTING BETWEEN BATHING AREA AND COCKPIT
(DALE'S VOICE, FLASH'S VOICE, FLASH' S VOICE)
DALE'S VOICE
Where are you Flash?
FLASH'S VOICE
Speeding for the Kingdom of Arboria
to get help! I'm in a spacecraft
with Aura, Ming's daughter!
DALE'S VOICE
What? That bitch? Don't trust her!
She's after you!
FLASH'S VOICE
Listen, she means nothing to me --
not a darn thing. Where are you,
Dale?
DALE'S VOICE
Naked in a bathtub.
FLASH'S VOICE
(CHOKED)
Oh God -- if I could only see you,
Dale. If I could touch you -- what
are you in a tub for?
DALE'S VOICE
I'm being fixed up for Ming.
FLASH' S VOICE
No! Where's Dr. Zarkov?
DALE'S VOICE
Chained in a dungeon, I think.
What'll I do, Flash?
FLASH' S VOICE
Fake 'em out!
36.
DALE'S VOICE
How?
FLASH'S VOICE
Just fake 'em out, Dale -- girls
know how. But don't go too far. I
mean get to Zarkov and release him,
I'll have help by then -- I'll find
you. Can you do all that?
DALE'S VOICE
Sounds like fourth down and about
ninety yards to go, but I'll try.
FLASH'S VOICE
Dale, you're some girl -- God, you
really are.
(PAUSE)
Do you get what I'm thinking now?
DALE'S VOICE
(SUPER-SENSUOUS)
Oh yes.
FLASH' S VOICE
Dale, we're gonna get out of this
jam -- I swear we will -- I'll find
you, and when I do we'll -----
INT. COCKPIT - FEATURE AURA
(AURA)
who has been watching FLASH'S face with increasing frustration
and jealousy during this, Suddenly snatching the Thought
Transfer bubble OFF FLASH'S head.
AURA
Enough!
He has a dazed dreamy look on his face. AURA slaps him out
of it, points-ahead.
AURA (CONT'D)
There's Arboria!
EXT. ARBORIA - DAY
Green tangle of branches and leaves and vines. ANGLING UP ,
we SEE the SHUTTLE CRAFT approaching us head-on at a down
angle.
EXT. ARBORIA - SHUTTLE CRAFT POV
It races up toward the craft's windshield. We level off for
a moment, then PLUNGE DOWN again into a blur of green.
37.
INT. COCKPIT - FLASH
(FLASH)
Working his hands over the control sensors as crazy GREENERY
rushes by outside. THUMP THUD CRASH! The craft careens to a
swinging HALT, so Suddenly that FLASH and AURA almost have
their wind knocked out as they are thrown against their seat
belts. FLASH recovers.
FLASH
Sorry. I guess landings aren't my
thing.
EXT. SHUTTLE CRAFT
(AURA, FLASH)
It hangs snagged in a huge vine, like a creature caught by
some monstrous boa-constrictor. This is a complete world of
green, the light, the feeling of the air. Everything rings
with forest SOUNDS. The very sky is shut from view by leaves
and foliage.
The craft's hatch opens. FLASH struggles out, gives AURA a
hand up. Kneeling on the cabin, FLASH takes in this incredible
vista stretching all around.
FLASH
Where's Robin Hood?
AURA
Who?
FLASH
It doesn't matter. How do we get
down.
AURA
Follow me.
Carefully, balancing lithely, AURA starts along the trunk of
the great vine that caught them.
INT. MING'S BEDCHAMBER
(DALE, SERVING GIRL)
Ultra-Byzantine splendor. The only light is by a huge bed
on which DALE reclines. A SERVING GIRL glides up with a
flagon of that liquid.
SERVING GIRL
He is coming to see you now. Are you
ready?
38.
DALE
(easy, smiling)
Very.
SERVING GIRL
Do you need any more of this?
DALE
No, thanks. Just turn down the light
a bit, would you? I'm shy.
The SERVING GIRL leans over the bed to do so. We GLIMPSE
DALE'S HAND rising quickly to deliver a karate-chop.
INT. PALACE HALLWAY
MING walks down it toward a closed door at the end. He pauses
a moment in anticipation, composes himself, opens the door.
INT. MING'S BEDCHAMBER
It's nearly dark. MING comes from shadows, looks down at the
bed. There is a feminine silhouette on it.
MING sits, extends a hand. His FINGERS travel sensuously up
a BARE THIGH, suddenly stop.
Savagely, MING pulls the face of the GIRL into the light. It
is not DALE ARDEN but the unconscious SERVING GIRL, now
dressed in DALE'S gown.
INT. DUNGEON - MING' S PALACE
(GUARD)
OPENING CLOSE on ZARKOV, who lies asleep in his chains. A
hand touches his shoulder.
ZARKOV wakes with a start to SEE a SERVING GIRL bending over
him, tray in hand. She moves her cloak to reveal that she is
DALE.
A GUARD stands nearby against a wall, faceless in the shadow
of a cowled uniform.
GUARD
Serving Girl - what business have
you in this dungeon?
DALE quickly puts the tray down, stands and turns to the
GUARD She smiles invitingly, lifts her skirt up above her
knee.
The legs are long and terrific.
39.
The GUARD catches his breath, steps toward her lecherously
to accept the invitation. WHAM! He doubles up as DALE kicks
him in the groin, goes down without a sound as a left-right-
left series of KARATE CHOPS hits his neck.
He is hardly on the floor before DALE is pouncing on the key-
ring at his belt.
EXT. ARBORIA FOREST - FLASH AND AURA
(AURA, FLASH)
Making their way swiftly through it between earth and heaven,
crossing this green world on branches and trunks of monster
vines. FLASH pauses.
FLASH
Listen -- are you sure this Barin
will help me?
Gently, provocatively, AURA puts her finger on his lips to
silence him.
AURA
Ssssh...... Trust me!
EXT. ARBORIA - FULL SHOT
(AURA, FLASH)
Of a fantastic structure, many levels, built of wood and
other materials from the heart of the forest.
MOVE OFF it to find FLASH and AURA nearby, him gazing at
this apparition with a strange wistful expression.
FLASH
It's amazing -- I dreamed of this
tree-house when I was a kid --
AURA laughs softly, waves him on.
WITH FLASH AND AURA
climbing the ramp-like stairs which wind up around it in a
mounting spiral. SUddenly the forest rings with SINGSONG
CRIES and CALLS I mingled with a sort of ROARING SNARL.
AURA
It's Barin's hunt! Watch!
AURA leads him on at a run to the wide balcony above.
EXT. FOREST - MOVING SHOT
With a desperate LION MAN, running full tilt; roaring and
snarling as he zig-zags this way and that.
40.
There is a SWISHING SOUND and an arrow-like missile catches
him in the back. Sharp PFSSSSS: as of gas escaping.
EXT. FOREST - ANOTHER ANGLE
(ALL THREE MEN, TREE MAN)
BARIN, PRINCE OF ARBORIA and looking every inch the part,
stands with a fired crossbow. Over his shoulder is a quiver
of GLASS ARROWS, each a little POINTED CYLINDER at the end.
Some distance behind and around we see a number of his loyal
TREE MEN.
TREE MAN
Barin got him!
ALL THREE MEN
Hail, Ming!
EXT. STRUCTURE - BALCONY
(AURA, FLASH)
FLASH -- BESIDE AURA ON BALCONY
FLASH'S eyes jumping to her as he hears that echoing.
FLASH
These are the guys who are gonna help
me?
AURA
It means nothing. They only shout
that because it's treason not to.
They hate Ming.
EXT. FOREST - FEATURE BARIN
(BARIN, FLASH)
BARIN
I scent a Tiger Man near the lodge!
Form battle lines above and below!
As the TREE MEN scurry to obey, BARIN moves forward, reloading
and cocking his weapon.
The stricken LION MAN comes INTO VIEW. Incredibly, the glass
arrow in his back has transformed him into a STATUE OF ICE.
At BARIN'S footfall, he DISINTEGRATES in a tinkling fall of
frozen shards.
THE TIGER MAN is poised behind a tree near the lodge, panting.
He is a magnificent creature, with a horn sticking out of
his forehead. He tenses, HEARING the BIRDLIKE CALLS of the
advancing hunters. Closer, closer.
41.
ANGLE WIDENS. We SEE another PAIR OF LION MEN crouching
nearby, terrified. The line of TREE MEN comes INTO VIEW. The
crouching pair look in appeal to the TIGER MAN by the tree.
He watches a beat, waves them to run backward, then covering
the escape of the others, TIGER MAN charges into his enemies
headlong.
FROM LODGE BALCONY - POV SHOT
FLASH and AURA watch the fight. TIGER MAN'S rage is
magnificent as he flails the nearest TREE MEN without regard
for their number. He has flattened half a dozen when suddenly
BARIN'S upper line of TREE MEN leap DOWN on him from the
branches above, and he is buried under their sheer weight.
CU FLASH WATCHING
FLASH
I know just how he feels -- we played
the Pittsburgh Steelers last year.
EXT. FOREST -FEATURE BARIN
(BARIN, TREE MAN)
ANGLE - BARIN advancing by himself, HEARING the triumphant
SHOUTS of his men.
TREE MAN (O.S.)
Prince Barin! We have him!
BARIN
Not him! Bring him back for sport:
EXT. BALCONY - FLASH
(AURA)
Watching with horrified fascination as NETS are thrown over
the struggling TIGER MAN. AURA'S eyes bright with lust for
this kind of spectacle, AURA speaks low to FLASH
AURA
Go inside -- let me talk to Barin
first.
(as FLASH hesitates)
Foolish Earthling - trust me!
EXT. FOREST - BELOW LODGE
(AURA, BARIN)
BARIN walks up ahead of some TREE MEN who are carrying the
TIGER MAN in their nets. Suddenly he stops, reacting to
AURA on the balcony.
BARIN
Aura!
42.
AURA
It's so long since I've been with
you, Barin -- I couldn't stand it.
Please don't be too angry at me for
coming.
BARIN
Angry at you?
BARIN laughs.
INT. LODGE
(AURA, BARIN, FLASH)
FLASH is flattened against the wall, IWATCHING through louvers
of a door. SOUND of feet on ramp, SNARLING and ROARING of
captive TIGER MAN. BARIN comes hastening INTO VIEW on the
balcony and embraces AURA.
AURA AND BARIN CLOSE
BARIN
You'll stay the night?
AURA
I've dreamed of it!
His eyes alight with anticipation, BARIN steps back from
her. as his MEN arrive with the netted TIGER MAN.
BARIN
Get me a sword --
(turning to AURA)
This is the fiercest Tiger Man we
have ever hunted. I'm going to kill
him now -- and dedicate his blood to
you, my beloved.
AURA
(DELIGHTED)
But that's treason! Blood can be
dedicated to Ming alone!
BARIN
I know you, Aura -- the more a man
risks, the greater your passion. If
I knew a greater risk, I'd take it.
AURA SMILES, turns and calls softly toward the interior.
AURA
Flash Gordon -- come out!
FLASH steps out, halts about ten feet from BARIN. Reactions
from BARIN and his TREE MEN.
43.
FLASH
I'm from Earth, Prince Barin. My
friends and I were Ming's prisoners.
She kindly brought me here to enlist
your help.
BARIN
What in hell? My help?
AURA
Hide him from my father -- don't let
him wander -- keep him for me!
CU - FLASH
FLASH
Keep me for.....????
(STUNNED)
Oh, my god. I trusted you.
AURA darts INTO SHOT, puts her lips to his ear and WHISPERS:
AURA
You still must -- I'm playing a game!
CU BARIN
BARIN
What? What are you saying?
AURA darts back into shot on his side now, WHISPERS in same
WAY:
AURA
He's a mere toy to me, my love --
when I'm tired of it we'll kill him!
BACK TO SCENE
as AURA quickly steps away, continues aloud:
AURA (CONT'D)
It's the risk I ask, Barin hide him
for me in Arboria.
BARIN
I'll hide him, all right -- under
six feet of Arborian dirt!
The sword BARIN ordered has been brought. He seizes it.
FLASH
I'm not your enemy, Prince Barin. we
share a hatred of Ming
44.
AURA
Are you so afraid of my Earthling,
Barin; Won't you even give him a
chance?
BARIN hesitates, provoked by that, then shouts:
BARIN
Snake keeper! Rouse your beast!
ANGLE - SNAKE KEEPER
A HALFWIT TREE MAN, drowsing against another part of the
parapet, He jerks awake, shuffles across to a big wicker
basket, pulls off the lid. A hideous EEL-LIKE SERPANT rears
it's head, HISSING and SNAPPING venemously. The KEEPER sticks
his arm down. The snake coils around it. With a drooling
grin, the KEEPER withdraws it.
CU FLASH watching with horrified revulsion.
BACK TO SCENE
KEEPER carries the hissing snapping snake toward an enormous
STUMP of a tree trunk. He holds his arm out over it, WHISTLES
a curious note. The snake leaps off the arm and VANISHES
into the hollowed out trunk. We notice now that there are
SIX HOLES drilled into the gnarled wood.
BARIN (CONT'D)
Who dares the beast?
A battle-scarred OLD TREE MAN steps forward. without a word,
he goes to the stump and plunges a hand INTO one of the holes.
INSIDE THE STUMP
BIG CU SNAKE with a hiss, fangs strike a wrist.
INT. LODGE - FEATURE OLD MAN
(AURA, BARIN, FLASH, TREE MEN)
With eyes widening in horror, hs face starts to turn BLUE.
He pulls out his hand and staggers backward. BARIN plunges
his sword into the man's breast and he topples over the
parapet, dead. Sword in hand, BARIN turns to FLASH.
BARIN
I did him a mercy. This venom brings
death only after long tortured
madness. Your turn, Earthling.
CU FLASH
45.
FLASH
I think I'll pass on this one.
INCLUDE BARIN
BARIN
There are six openings to the serpent.
Five are safe -- the sixth is death.
Choose one -- or take your end from
my sword here and now.
FLASH
He swallows, Looks at the stump, at BARIN with his bloody
sword, to the stump again, then at AURA. He crosses close
and stares into her glittering eyes.
FLASH
Would you give Dale a message from
me? Tell her I'm sorry how things
have panned out -- I Loved her.
AURA
I'll do that.
FLASH
What the hell? Forget it. Sending
that message by you is like sending
a lettuce-leaf by a rabbit.
BARIN'S sword touches FLASH'S back.
He walks to the stump. Every eye is on him, every breath
held.
With a sudden quick motion, FLASH plunges his hand into a
hole. He leaves it there a second, then whips it back out
and wheels to BARIN.
FLASH (CONT'D)
Whew! -- Your turn, Prince Barin.
SHOTS -- AROUND THE GROUP
BARIN goes still. This is not what he had planned. AURA'S
Tongue runs over her tee.
AURA
If your love for me is great enough,
Barin, surely it will protect you
from the serpent -- no?
AURA laughs softly. BARIN strides across, plunges his hand
into another hole, rips it out again unscathed. He whirls to
FLASH, points the sword at him.
46.
BARIN
Go again.
FLASH thrusts into a third hole, pulls out again. Turns.
FLASH
What are you waiting for?
BARIN glares at him, takes a breath, jams his hand into the
fourth of the six holes.
BIG CU BARIN
His eyes widen horribly, he makes a choked sound. PULL BACK
FAST as he whips his hand out, unbitten. His face twists
into a grin.
BARIN
Fooled you, didn't I?
AURA laughs, turns her smile on FLASH.
AURA
It's an even chance now, Flash Gordon --
that's better than Daddy would have
given you --
FLASH
Boy. You oughta be handled with a
forked stick yourself.
BARIN
If I were you, I'd choose the sword --
The point touches FLASH again. Just two holes left. He does
a silently mouthed eeny-meeny-miney-mo between them, plunges
his hand into one.
INSIDE THE STUMP
The snake's head MOVES fast.
BACK TO SCENE
QUICK CU - FLASH'S FACE
Wincing, contorting.
As FLASH whips his arm out again. Amazingly, he has hold of
the terrible serpent, grasping it just below the head. CRIES
from the astounded TREE MEN, and then FLASH is leaping INTO
ACTION.
47.
Whirling, FLASH swings the hissing snapping writhing beast
at the nearest TREEMEN, scattering them, and thrusts the
serpent's head at BARIN.
BARIN slashes with his sword, misses. The serpent's tail
coils around the blade, rips it from BARIN'S hand as the
Prince of Arboria dives backwards.
FLASH whirls again, SLAMS the serpent's head into a post,
and SNATCHES the sword from the tail before it hits the floor.
MOVING WITH FLASH
He dashes for the ramp to the ground.. The TIGER MAN is right
in front of him, struggling in the net. FLASH pauses, SLASHES
at the cords. TIGER MAN is freed, bounds to his feet with a
ROAR, clobbers a pair of TREE MEN just jumping on him and
FLASH. Snatching one's CROSSBOW and QUIVER OF GLASS ARROWS,
he races down the ramp behind FLASH.
BACK TO TOP LEVEL
FEATURE BARIN
Picking himself up, wheeling furiously on AURA, who has been
watching all this with her lips half parted, her tongue
flicking teeth in supersensuous excitement.
BARIN (CONT'D)
A mere toy of yours, eh?
AURA
(TAUNTING)
Maybe I was wrong -- surely the Prince
of Arboria wouldn't be beaten by a
toy.
BARIN snatches a horn from his belt, blows a BLAST.
BARIN
The hunt's on, my Tree Men!
TREE MEN
To the hunt with Barin!
EXT. FOREST - FLASH AND TIGER MAN
(FLASH, TIGER MAN)
They run through the green tangle. FLASH trips over a vine.
TIGER MAN picks him up.
TIGER MAN
Thank you for freeing me.
48.
FLASH
You can speak?
TIGER MAN
For all the good it does me.
SOUNDS echo: hunting horns, birdcalls of TREE MEN. They start
running again.
FLASH
Have we a chance, Tiger Man?
TIGER MAN
Only if we climb -- out of the green
light -- to the sky -- Prince Barin's
Tree Men can't follow us up there!
FLASH
What do you mean?
TIGER MAN
Ming's Law -- outside his own kingdom,
every hunter becomes the hunted!
Ahead is a huge tree made for climbing: branches stick out
like the rungs of some great green ladder. They leap onto
the lowest.
ANGLES - THE TREE - FLASH and TIGER MAN
Climbing. Jack and the Beanstalk, up and up, panting, but
there is never a top in sight. Suddenly the branches end.
FLASH
Damn. End of the line.
TIGER MAN reacts to something off. Touches FLASH'S shoulder
and points.
THEIR POV - AT END OF LAST BRANCH
A crazy sort of ELEVATOR is going by. It's a moving. vine
with LEAFY BASKETS attached, a vertical conveyor from the
ground to above. As FLASH and TIGER MAN watch, they SEE one
basket moving UP with an armed TREE MAN in it, scanning the
forest below.
FLASH
Snatches the crossbow off TIGER MAN'S back, cocks it, notches
it quickly with a GLASS ARROW from the quiver.
INCLUDE THE TREE MAN
49.
hearing the CLICK of the cocking. He wheels, looks up, SEES
FLASH. Letting out a fierce BIRDCALL. he jumps up and swings
his own crossbow just as FLASH shoots.
SWISH-PFFST as FLASH'S arrow hits him. ICE, he tumbles out
of the basket.
FLASH and TIGER MAN
Run out along the branch, jump INTO the basket as it passes
by.
FLASH (CONT'D)
How far will this take us?
TIGER MAN
I don't know --no man has ever been
above the green.
EXT. ANOTHER PART OF THE TREES
(BARIN, FLASH, TREE MAN, TIGER MAN, TREE MAN LEADER)
BARIN and a troop of TREE MEN are poised in the branches,
listening acutely. The one scouting in front calls back:
TREE MAN
The sight -- call came from the left!
TREE MA.i. The sight-call carne from the left:
BARIN
Up and across we'll cut them off!
He BLOWS his horn again. The TREE MEN start moving quickly
some climbing, others SWINGING laterally on vines.
IN THE BASKET
FLASH and TIGER MAN
Rising looking upward, as the light through the leaves is
changing, becoming less intensely green.
TIGER MAN
What is that color above?
FLASH
Blue. We call is blue.
A DOZEN TREE MEN come swinging into view on vines, land on a
fat branch. The LEADER looks right in this direction, points
and gives a chilling BIRDCALL. The TREE MEN unsling their
crossbows, reach for GLASS ARROWS.
FLASH and TIGER MAN
50.
SEEING cold death staring them in the face.
FLASH reaches for an arrow, notches it.
TREE MAN LEADER
You haven't a chance! Throw down
your weapon!
FLASH makes like to throw his crossbow away. At the last
instant, h swings it around, aims and FIRES.
TREE MEN ON BRANCH
Are startled as the arrow WHIRRS in and sticks into the branch
under their feet. The branch instantly turns to ICE.
BARIN - CLIMBING FROM BELOW
HEARS a loud brittle CRACKING SOUND. He looks up, gapes,
holds on tight to the tree trunk. A dozen SHRIEKING TREE MEN
plummet down around him amidst chunks of ICE, crashing through
the branches to doom. A look of fierce delight on his face,
BARIN resumes his climb.
EXT. TREETOPS OF ARBORIA
(FLASH, TIGER MAN)
FLASH and TIGER MAN jump from their basket into a wide leaf,
near a loading platform where the elevator-vine goes around
a great iron wheel. The forest is open to the sky at this
altitude, a sunny Eden of huge exotic flowers. Enormous
overlapping leaves form a floor FLASH and TIGER MAN can stand
on.
FLASH
Which way to the border:
TIGER MAN
Legend says Arboria ends in an ocean
to the west.
FLASH quickly checks his wristwatch and the angle of the
shadows, starts in the direction he estimates is west.
TREETOPS OF ARBORIA - OTHER ANGLES
FLASH and TIGER MAN running over the leaves, which are
somewhat BOUNCY like a huge trampoline. It's quite enjoyable.
FLASH laughs aloud at the sensation, takes a big jump off
the edge of one leaf, BOUNCES HIGH from the next.
Amazingly, a fat TENDRIL seizes him in mid-air, coils around
his waist. FLASH yells as he is lifted further up.
AN ENORMOUS FLOWER
51.
is right above him. The closed petals open. The inside is
viscous, hideous looking. In the deepest recess is a dark
red blob which PULSES like a huge heart, emits a BEING SOUND.
With horror, FLASH realizes the tendril is feeding him into
the flower's maw.
PLASH struggles vainly against the tendril's strength. TIGER
MAN dashes to his rescue below, but another tendril knocks
him flat.
INT. FLOWER
(BARIN, FLASH)
FLASH is conveyed INTO the flower. He punches wildly with
his fists, kicks, but petals are CLOSING inexorably around
him. On their inner surface are deadly spiny SPIKES.
Scattered around are the crushed SKELETONS of luckless TREE
MEN who have been fed in here.
SWISH-PFFFFST! Out of nowhere a GLASS ARROW comes flying
past FLASH'S ear, sinks itself into the flower's heart. The
flower SHRIEKS. All around, FLASH, it is turning into
crystalline ICE.
The tendrils lose their grip, FLASH falls onto the leaf below
beside the TIGER MAN.
TREETOPS - ANOTHER ANGLE
As FLASH turns his head to see BARIN standing with his
crossbow on a leaf some twenty feet away.
BARIN
I saved you because your death must
be mine.
FLASH
What's the point of all this killing?
Why don't we team up and overthrow
Ming?
BARIN notches another arrow, cocks his bow, with slow pleasure
raises it and aims at FLASH'S heart. Suddenly a SHADOW covers
BARIN. He jerks his head up to SEE:
A WINGED SILHOUETTE
Diving from the sun at him. It is a HAWKMAN, magnificiently
fierce. It seizes BARIN in its talons and lifts him INTO THE
AIR.
OTHER HAWKMEN
Hover, their wings beating the air. They dive on FLASH and
TIGER MAN, lift them too.
52.
EXT. SKY - AURA'S SPACECRAFT
Rises in a steep climb over Arboria.
INT. COCKPIT - AURA
In the pilot's seat gazes OFF at something through tricky
little binoculars.
WHAT SHE SEES - DISTANT HAWKMEN
Ascending with their three captives-
INT. COCKPIT -AURA
(AURA'S VOICE)
Put the binoculars down, with one hand lowers the THOUGHT
TRANSFER hood over her head, with the other waves the craft
into a sharp turn away from the HAWKMEN. Without her lips
MOVING:
AURA'S VOICE
Princess Aura returns to Mingo City
The passage through the force-field
opens at her approach --
AURA twists the tuning dial, then goes on in a soft
PROVOCATIVE TONE:
AURA'S VOICE (CONT'D)
Daddy darling -- am I with you? Are
you getting me?
EXT. GRASSY AREA - ZARKOV'S CAPSULE
Sits some fanciful form of ground transport: perhaps a thing
with bicycle wheels and sails.
INT. CAPSULE - ZARKOV AND DALE
(DALE, ZARKOV)
They are inside, she watching tensely as ZARKQV throws
switches and eyes displays.
DALE
Will it fly?
ZARKOV
Basic circuits seem okay.
DALE
It has-to fly! We gotta rescue FLASH
from that vampire before she --
Sudden BLINDING BLUE LIGHT explodes within the capsule.
53.
ZARKOV
Jump!!
EXT. CAPSULE - ZARKOV AND DALE - CONTINUOUS
(DALE, ZARKOV)
Come diving out headlong into the grass.
DALE
What happened?
ZARKOV
Heaven knows. I was just starting to
test the primary transformer-banks
AND ----
ZARKOV stops abruptly, looking down at himself. DALE gasps.
DALE
My God -- your hands! Your hands
are gone!
It is true: ZARKOV has no hands.
ZARKOV
Not gone -- Just invisible. See?
INVISIBLE HANDS pick up a pebble from the ground, hold it
before DALE'S nose. Magically, they toss the little object
back and forth from one UNSEEN HAND to the other. DALE touches
one, can feel it.
DALE
Does it hurt?
ZARKOV
Not a bit. I believe Mongo's
gravitational. field must have
reversed the polarity of my generator
so that --
He breaks off again. Slowly, in front of our eyes, ZARKOV'S
HANDS are FADING IN, again and becoming VISIBLE. DALE whistles
in amazement.
ZARKOV (CONT'D)
Neat trick. I wonder if it's
controllable?
SHADOW over them suddenly. Great WHIRRING of wings. DALE
Looks up and SCREAMS.
HAWKMEN
54.
Swoop down on ZARKOV and DALE, bear them aloft as they did
with FLASH AND TIGER MAN.
INT. MING'S DOME ROOM
(KLYTUS, MING)
CU MING
In his wonderous DOME ROOM, watching something. PULL BACK.
KLYTUS is beside him as usual. ANGLE to include the VIEWING
SCREEN which MING is watching. On it is a directional
continuation of the scene we just saw: a struggling DALE
being Carrie dup into the open sky by HAWKMEN.
KLYTUS
Mongo is restless today. Your vessels
stray from their appointed
kingdoms....
MING
That damned Vultan -- time I clipped
his wings once and for all. We could
put those insolent Hawkmen of his to
work in the plasma cavern ----
KLYTUS
Dale Arden and Flash Gordon? Will I
send out the Imperial Fleet to bring
them back?
MING
We'll let Vultan tame her first --
I'll look pretty to Dale Arden after
him. Flash Gordon is nobody.
KLYTUS smiles that sinister way. MING looks at him
questioningly.
KLYTUS
Sire, it is not for me to tell Great,
Ming that he is making mistakes.
EXT. SKY - WIDE SHOT
(HAWKMAN, TIGER MAN)
Serried squadrons of HAWKMEN escort the ones bearing FLASH,
BARIN and TIGER MAN through space.
CLOSER - TIGER MAN
Struggling against the TWO HAWKMEN who have him, snarling
and roaring. He butts one in the belly with his horn.
HAWKMAN
Want us to let you go, et?
55.
TIGER MAN
Yes!!
HAWKMAN
Okay.
TIGER MAN
Nooo!!!
SKY - WIDE PANORAMA
Light streams rough tremendous El Greco clouds. HAWKMEN Are
tiny figures, rising against it.
Higher, higher. Above the clouds a blinding DAZZLE comes
INTO FRAME. It resolves into a fantastic SKY PALACE hanging
in mid-air, reflecting sunlight from myriad turrets and
terraces. The HAWKMEN climb above it.
CLOSER HAWKMEN
Carrying FLASH and BARIN and TIGER MAN , going into a
screaming dive.
EXT. SKY PALACE - HAWKMEN POV
Rushing at us with horrifying speed. ZOOMING DOWN we see a
dark opening. The wind howling around wings, we rush dizzingly
into the aperture.
EXT. SKY PALACE - VULTAN'S EYRIE - A HIGH TERRACE
(DALE)
VULTAN circles admiringly around DALE. VULTAN is a lusty
viking of the sky, winged like his men, one eye blinded, his
beard cloven by an old scar from forehead to jaw. Gorgeous
HAWKGIRLS watch jealously as VULTAN inspects DALE very
closely, reaches out a sly hand and touches her bosom. DALE
slaps his hand away.
DALE
Watch out, you old bird -- Ming wants
to marry me.
VULTAN hoots at that as HAWKGIRLS murmur. He's about to
touch her again when there is a CLAMOR o.s. VULTAN reacts.
EXT. SKY PALACE - ANOTHER LEVEL
(BARIN, DALE, FLASH, SARIN, VULTAN, ZARKOV, ZAAKOV)
HAWKMEN carrying FLASH, TIGER MAN and BARIN swoop OUT from
another hole like the one they dove into. The whole place is
like a great hanging birdhouse, HAWKWOMEN and HAWCHILDREN
moving in and out and perching on the various exterior
terraces.
56.
FLASH and TIGER MAN
Are dropped on to a terrace, so hard it stuns them.
BARIN
Is lowered more carefully on another terrace, this one
grander, with a throne in the center.
FEATURE VULTAN
Flying down from above, hovering above BARIN with menacing
glee.
VULTAN
Ho! -- Barin! - I knew my Hawkmen
would catch you one of these days.
SARIN
Be careful how you address me, Vultan.
I am Prince Barin, ruler of Arboria.
VULTAN
Not in my Kingdom -- here you're
just a stray animal to be killed for
our sport!
BARIN
Will you do that, Vultan?
VULTAN
What would you do if you'd caught me
in Arboria?
BARIN
Yes -- I would hunt you down and
kill you without mercy.
FLASH on the OTHER TERRACE
Lifts his head groggily, reacts to something. ANGLE TO
INCLUDE ZARKOV, stumbling out from an opening in his usual
clothes.
ZARKOV
Hello - we do meet in the strangest
places.
FLASH
Where's Dale?
ZAAKOV
The boss-bird has her up in his
57.
Sudden ear-piercing SCREAM from above. DALE'S scream, FLASH
bounds to his feet.
IN THE EYRIE
DALE is surrounded by jealous HAWKGIRLS who are pushing her
toward the terrace edge. Screaming again, DALE goes OVER.
SPACE BETWEEN TWO TERRACES/ ONE TERRACE
FLASH wheels toward the sound, dives to the parapet and
catches DALE as she plunges past.
DALE
Flash! Oh darling!
FLASH
Dale baby!
He hauls her in and they embrace in a steamy kiss. FLUTTER
of wings. HAWKMEN swoop at the terrace and LIFT UP the
clinging couple. It barely interrupts their conversation:
DALE
Flash -- when I was in that tub --
FLASH
Yes -- it was me --
DALE
Did you mean it?
FLASH
Every thought, baby! --
EXT. VULTAN'S TERRACE
(BARIN, DALE, FLASH, HAWKPEOPLE, TIGER MAN, VULTAN)
As FLASH and DALE are lowered on it.
VULTAN
No. What have you to say to Vultan,
Prince of the Air?
FLASH
We're all Ming's prisoners. I say
let's team up and smash him.
TIGER MAN (O.S.)
Listen to his words! --
ANOTHER TERRACE - TIGER MAN
On his feet on the other terrace, shouting across:
58.
TIGER MAN (CONT'D)
I know -- I'm only an ignorant Tiger
Man -- but I tell you Flash Gordon
is the leader we've waited for!
BACK TO VULTAN'S TERRACE
Where VULTAN gazes at TIGER MAN a beat, then turns mocking
eyes on FLASH.
VULTAN
You're a leader, he?
FLASH
Well, back home it's what I'm paid
for -- I called a pretty good game
against the Dallas Cowboys once ---
VULTAN
(TO BARIN)
Do you understand him?
BARIN
Not a word.
(LIKE ICE)
I was hunting him when you seized
me. Before you finish me. Vultan I
beg only that you let me finish him.
FLASH
Oh god -- here we go again --
DALE
Is everyone on Mongo CRAZY? Haven't
you guys ever heard of TEAMWORK?
FLASH
(TO BARIN)
When I had that damn snake in my
hand, I could've poked it in your
face and KILLED you.
BARIN
I had you in bow-sight you were
dead!
VULTAN
Enough!
(shouting to all around)
These vagrants talk a brave fight,
my Hawkmen! Shall we test their
words?
QUICK CUTS - HAWKPEOPLE
59.
CHEERING AND SHOUTING eagerly from all around:
HAWKPEOPLE
Test them! -- Let's have sport! The
joust! -- To the joust! --
CU VULTAN
VULTAN
Take them below -- put them together.
INT. SKY PALACE - A RAMP
(DALE, FLASH, ZARKOV)
VULTAN leads the way down. FLASH, BARIN, DALE, ZAAKOV and
TIGER MAN are escorted by many fierce HAWKMEN.
DALE
Flash - don't do this.
FLASH
(low, bitter)
I've got to.
DALE
Why?
ZARKOV
He has no choice, Dale it's the Mongo
way.
DALE
I'm so homesick -- what I wouldn't
give for a nice quiet night with
some muggers in Central Park --
FLASH squeezes DALE'S hand.
Ahead appears an archway opening to the sky. A GREAT GONG
is heard.
ANOTHER TERRACE
ANGLE - HAWKMAN appears with a mallet, he beats again on a
huge bronze GONG.
EXT. SKY PALACE - WIDE SHOT
Startling sight: A big DISC hangs in the air between the
curved prongs of a lower terrace, the shaft that supports it
lost in clouds below.
60.
EXT. A LOWER PLATFORM
(VULTAN)
FLASH and the OTHERS appear. They halt, looking at the disc.
VULTAN
Prepare them!
ONT HE DISC - A HAWKMAN
Is GREASING the shiny surface with a mop, slipping around a
bit as he does so.
ANOTHER TERRACE
SHOTS - ASH AND BARIN getting prepared. Removing shirts being
equipped with heavy leather gauntlets, and so on. Each is
given a long vicious WHIP.
THE LOWER PLATFORM
ANGLE - a bridge-like plank extends itself, out over the
edge of the shiny greased disc. FLASH and BARIN appear, ready
for combat. HAWKMEN behind them, wthey start out over the
bridge.
VULTAN (CONT'D)
Arm the disc!
CU - FLASH
Stopping short, eyes popping, as he SEES:
ON THE DISC
Razor sharp knives are POPPING UP from the top surface all
over, maybe two feet apart. If a man loses his footing and
falls he will surely be fatally impaled.
INT. LOWER PLATFORM
(BARIN, DALE, FLASH, MING'S VOICE, VULTAN, ZARKOV)
FEATURE FLASH and BARIN with whips in hand, they step from
the bridge onto the disc. FLASH almost slips and falls
immediately.
QUICK CU - DALE
DALE
Flash!!
CU - FLASH
61.
Getting his balance again. BARIN moves across amidst the
knives, takes a stance facing FLASH, raises and coils back
his whip.
BARIN
Ready for me, Earthling?
FLASH
(POISED LIKEWISE)
I ask you to swear, Barin -- if you
defeat me, you'll join Vultan against
Ming! If for no other reasons, because
you'll never have Aura as long as
her father lives!-
BARIN
What do you now of Aura?
FLASH
Quite a lot!
ZWIPPP! BARIN'S whip lashes out savagely at FLASH.
ANGLES - FLASH AND BARIN - SPECTATOR REACTIONS
Suddenly the fight begins. FLASH and BARIN stalk around,
slipping on the grease, whamming at each other with their
whips. The disc suddenly begins to TILT and SWAY, making
this affair even more desperate.
BARIN begins to get an edge. Slashing, cutting, he drives
FLASH back.
CU DALE
DALE
Flash, I love you! Win for me,
Flash!??
FEATURE FLASH
Adrenaline courses through his veins as he hears that over
the uproar.
He flies at BARIN, dodges the lash, grapples with him hand-
to-hand.
They wrestle their way tot he very rim of the swaying tilting
surface. It looks bad again for FLASH, when with a superhuman
effort he flips BARIN over his back... over the edge!
In the same instant, FLASH dives onto his side amidst the
deadly knives and grabs at BARIN'S wrist.
62.
FLASH catches him. BARIN hangs suspended over the abyss of
space held only by FLASH'S grip.
VULTAN
You've won, Earthling! Drop him to
doom!
FLASH
(gasping at BARIN)
Try to catch my wrist! -- the other
one.
VULTAN
What is this??
ZARKOV
Call it what you want, Vultan --
compassion -- mercy: let us teach
you the meaning of these words.
FLASH
(TO BARIN)
Swing your body -- see if you can
get a leg up here!
Suddenly an ECHOING VOICE BOOMS from the sky:
MING'S VOICE
Vultan! Hear Ming, Ruler of the
Universe!
INT. MING'S DOME
(AURA, MING, MING'S VOICE, VULTAN, ZARKOV)
Where MING watches the SKY PALACE SCENE on a viewing screen,
a weeping AURA beside him, as he goes on:
MING
I see you, Vultan -- and Barin too!
You both have defied we by sparing
these Earthlings!
AURA
Barin -- my only -- I swear I didn't
mean to get you into this!
FEATURE VULTAN
As the VOICE goes on:
MING'S VOICE
Do you want to live, Vultan?
VULTAN
What creature wants to die?
63.
MING'S VOICE
Then kill Flash Gordon now! Pick up
Dale Arden, deliver her to me on
your own wings -- it's your only
chance! My fleet is already in the
air, ready to destroy your whole
Kingdom if you disobey!
The ECHO rolls and dies.
DISC
TIGER MAN suddenly leaps out onto the disc, slides over
between the knives, helps FLASH pull BARIN up to safety.
AS BEFORE
ZARKOV in his chains, walks over to the confused VULTAN...
QUIETLY:
ZARKOV
What'll you have -- death or dishonor?
VULTAN looks down at FLASH once more, then makes up his mind.
He shouts to his people:
VULTAN
We'll save these Earthlings! - Curse
Ming! -- Into the air, my Hawkpeople -
fly!
ZARKOV grins, extends a hand to VULTAN. He just looks at
it.
VULTAN (CONT'D)
I don't understand this. I think
I've gone mad.
INT. MING'S DOME
(AURA, MING)
MING snaps off the viewing screen, looks at AURA
AURA
Spare him Daddy -- oh please spare
BARIN --
AURA tries to throw herself into his arm, but he pushes her
roughly away.
KLYTUS materialises from a shadow, smiling.
MING
You've always wanted her, Klytus --
Aura is yours.
64.
EXT. SKY PALACE - LONG SHOT
It is being evacuated. Squadrons of HAWAKPEOPLE stream out
of its many openings, diminutive figures against the sky.
ANOTHER PART OF THE SKY
Several ROCKET-SHIPS appear, wonderfully gaudy contraptions
with MING's battle-flags flying. A RAY shoots out from the
nose of the biggest.
EXT. SKY PALACE - LONG SHOT
The RAY zaps it. The whole place EXPLODES.
EXT. SQUADRON OF HAWKMEN - IN FLIGHT
(DALE, FLASH, VULTAN, ZARKOV)
VULTAN and his CAPTAIN lead. Ranged around are BARIN, FLASH,
DALE ,TIGER MAN and ZARKOV, each carried by a HAWKMAN. Distant
explosions rumble like thunder.
VULTAN
Don't look back, Hawkman. Head for
that cloud-cover!
(over his shoulder)
Where's this capsule of yours,
exactly?
ZARKOV
In the high grass east of Mingo.
VULTAN
Pick it up, Captain!
The CAPTAIN and a FEW HAWKMEN peel off.
FLASH and DALE
Gaze at each other lovingly, flown along about a hundred
feet apart. He calls for her:
FLASH
Guess the first thing you and me are
gonna do after we land..!
DALE
Darling not in front of the Hawkmen --
you'll make me blush! --
FLASH
Gonna do it first thing -- around
here, never know if you'll get another
chance!
65.
Dark SHADOW falls over DALE. She looks up.
ANOTHER ANGLE IN THE SKY
A big ROCKET SHIP hovers, doors in its bottom side opening.
A flickering RAY shoots down.
BACK TO THE HAWKMEN AND OTHERS IN SKY
FEATURE DALE
As an effulgent GLOW envelopes her. Inexorably, DALE and
her HAWKMEN are sucked upward.
DALE
Help!!
FLASH
I'm coming, Dale!
(to his Hawkmen)
Follow her -- climb!
VULTAN's command of course takes precedence. The HAWKMAN
bearing FLASH follows his mates into a shrieking vertical.
dive.
INT. ROCKET SHIP
(DALE, HEDONIA)
DALE and her HAWKMAN are sucked up into a chamber. Waiting
SOLDIERS seize the struggling HAWKMAN, brutally smash his
wings pitch him OUT the bottom as the doors close.
DALE backs off, drops into a karate stance, With a WHINING
ROAR the craft accelerates throwing DALE off balance against
a wall. HEDONIA enters through a door, her arms full seems
to be yards and yards of filmy white material. HEDONIA Smiles
nicely.
HEDONIA
Time is short. Ming sent me to fit
you with is.
DALE
Fit me with what?
HEDONIA
Your wedding dress.
EXT. ARBORIA - VINCINITY OF LODGE
TREE MEN and LION MEN and TIGER MAN toil together in peaceful
concernt, constructing a crude wooden launch-gantry around
ZARKOV'S SPACE CAPSULE, which has been conveyed here.
66.
Several hovering HAWKMEN hold it in position with vine cables
as the work is completed. Capsule door is open. Through it
we see ZARKOV at work inside, feverishly re-wiring a control
panel.
EXT. LODGE BALCONY
(BARIN, FLASH, VULTAN, ZARKOV'S VOICE)
Up on Lodge Balcony, FLASH, BARIN and VULTAN lean over a
table on which maps and drawings are laid out, a typical
military staff meeting. With a bit of charcoal, BARIN sketches
a semi-circular line over a map of MING'S city.
BARIN
A force-field covers the whole city,
from here to here. With luck, Flash
can lure them into lowering their
defenses.
VULTAN
What if he fails?
(ABRUPTLY)
This is suicide, Barin! I can't
order my men to suicide!
VULTAN ascends into the air. Hovers as he goes on:
VULTAN (CONT'D)
The flight brought me back to my
senses -- good luck and goodbye.
BARIN
Ming destroyed your kingdom!
VULTAN
We'll build another.
BARIN
Vultan!
FLASH
Let him go -- I understand.
(up to Vultan)
Thanks anyway for getting us this
far!
VULTAN hesitates a moment, the soars away with determination.
ZARKOV'S VOICE
Flash! Ready for a test!
INT. CAPSULE
(FLASH, ZARKOV)
FLASH ENTERS
67.
FLASH
What's the game-plan?
ZARKOV
Sit there. When I give you zero,
punch that button. Any questions?
EXT. CAPSULE
(BARIN, FLASH'S VOICE, ZARKOV)
ZARKOV jumps out, leaving the door open. He crouches low.
BARIN and VULTAN and EVERYBODY are watching.
ZARKOV
Five, four, three, two, one -- ZERO!
Interior of the capsule is filled with BLINDING BLUE LIGHT
for an instant. ZARKOV pops up, sticks his head in.
ZARKOV (CONT'D)
Flash!
(NO REPLY)
Do you hear me, Flash? Where are
you?
CU ZARKOV
As INVISIBLE HANDS turn around the helmet on his head.
ZARKOV (CONT'D)
Eureka! I did it! You can come out
now, Flash --
FLASH'S VOICE
Not unless you get out of my way, I
CAN'T --
BACK TO MAIN SCENE - EXT. CAPSULE
ZARKOV moves inside.
BARIN
Look -- he still casts a shadow:
It's true. FLASH is totally invisible, but on the ground we
SEE his shadow as he climbs out and stands upright.
Suddenly there is rising WHINING HUMMING SOUND that seems to
fill the whole firmament. The earth trembles. LION MEN and
TREE MEN cower in terror. TIGER MAN roars.
BARIN (CONT'D)
Zarkov! What have you done?
68.
The SOUND grows louder, intolerable. Brown smoking foliage
rains down. EVERYONE looks up.
EXT. FOREST OF ARBORIA
(KLYTUS, VOICE, ZARKOV)
CUTS AND ANGLES - UPWARDS
The topless forest of Arboria is withering, falling apart.
TREE MEN cry with primal fear as the SEE the sky revealed.
Hovering against the sun are the dark shapes of MING'S ROCKET
SHIPS. PULSING RAYS emanate from projectors on their bottoms.
A VOICE booms from heave:
VOICE
Prisoners of Ming, you are surrounded!
The creature who moves is obliterated!
EVERYONE stands frozen.
PART OF FOREST - CUTAWAY
ONE LION MAN
Howls in terror, makes a break for cover. A RAY instantly
zaps down at him and he EXPLODES into fiery fragments.
BACK TO MAIN PART OF FOREST
A small SHUTTLE CRAFT descends vertically to a soft landing.
KLYTUS gets out. Every sound ceases. He nods at BARIN, at
ZARKOV. Looks around. Frowns. He walks directly across
FLASH'S SHADOW, to ZARKOV.
KLYTUS
We'll find vultan later. Where's
Flash Gordon?
ZARKOV
His Hawkman dropped him. He's dead.
INT. MING'S SERAGLIO
(AURA, DALE)
CU DALE
DALE
Nooo -- it's not true!
WIDER ANGLE
69.
AURA
(GENTLY)
It is -- they saw him fall a mile
into the glaciers of Frigia.
DALE shuts her eyes, sobs out:
DALE
Oh Flash -- no -- you can't be dead --
it doesn't make any sense --
AURA
When I think of being given to Klytus,
I wish it was myself who had fallen.
DALE
(blazing at her)
I don't believe you. You -- you
awful Mongo person -- you were born
without a heart:
AURA
Then what is it that melts into my
eyes, Dale Arden? Feel it breaking --
Tear runs down AURA'S cheeks. She seizes DALE'S hand, presses
it against her wonderful breast. DALE is really moved.
DALE
You poor kid -- don't you have a MOM
to talk to?
AURA
Ming tired of her. He blew my Mother
into outer space. I look into the
night sky sometimes and wonder what
star she's orbiting --
DALE
God, Aura -- no wonder you've had
problems -- that bastard:
DALE embraces AURA. They cling to each other, bosom against
bosom, in perfect womanly understanding. Golden CHORDS are
heard. Doors open. AMAZONS enter.
EXT. ARBORIA - ZARKOV'S CAPSULE
Capsule sits in its launch-gantry, amidst the ruined blight
left by the ray attack. There is not a soul in sight. Then
Flash's SHADOW moves quickly over the ground toward the
Capsule and VANISHES into the hatch. The door shuts itself.
70.
INT. CAPSULE
Control levers move. A red button depresses itself. Through
the side, which we should remember is transparent from within,
we SEE the scene outside going into a GREEN-BROWN BLUR as
the capsule starts to spin for takeoff.
INT. MING'S BEDCHAMBER
(KLYTUS, MING)
MING is being robed by TWO GIRL ATTENDANTS. Suddenly KLYTUS
is there in a shadow, smiling. MING senses him, turns.
MING
Well? What is it this time?
KLYTUS
I can't remember. I feel danger --
but I cannot see it.
MING
Klytus, you're impossible. Aura
deserves you.
KLYTUS
I foresee another thing. In one minute
exactly, the Earthling space capsule
will be seen on the scanner.
KLYTUS is swallowed again in shadow.
EXT. ZARKOV'S CAPSULE - IN FLIGHT
Sailing over the ever frozen Moon of FRIGIA
INT. MING'S DOME
(CAPTIN, MING)
Capsule is SEEN on the viewing screen, grid-lines dancing
over the image as FRIGORIA is left behind. Watching are MING,
KLYTUS, the CAPTAIN and several other SOLDIERS.
CAPTIN
Shall I disintegrate it, Your Majesty?
MING
No, Captain -- bring it in. Land it
to a warm reception.
INT. ZARKOV'S CAPSULE - IN FLIGHT
(FLASH'S VOICE)
Through the front we see MING'S CITY dead ahead and below.
Numbers flash on the navigation display, constantly changing.
71.
INVISIBLE HAND picks up a microphone, holds it before
INVISIBLE LIPS.
FLASH'S VOICE
Vultan! Do you read me?
EXT. ARBORIA - IN A BROWN BLASTED TREE
(FLASH'S VOICE, VULTAN)
VULTAN and some other HAWKMEN perch, listening to VOICE coming
from a radio in VULTAN'S belt.
FLASH'S VOICE
Flash Gordon calling Vultan! Over!
VULTAN doesn't stir a feather. After a moment:
FLASH'S VOICE (CONT'D)
Okay, don't answer -- I'm on Hawkman
frequency I know you are reading me.
Now get this --
CAPSULE AND TREE IN ARBORIA
INTERCUTS
FLASH'S VOICE (CONT'D)
I'm being guided through the force-
field under their control. You're on
the beam when you've got the tops of
two towers lined up exactly -- the
high gold one behind the green one
with the blue flag got that?
(SILENCE)
Okay, Vultan, it's your decision the
ball is in your court -- I hope I'll
be seeing you, you crazy ole bird.
The microphone hangs itself up on the panel.
VULTAN AND HIS HAWKMEN
Just sit there, grim-faced. VULTAN shake his head.
VULTAN
He calls us crazy --
EXT. PALACE BATTLEMENTS
(GUARD CAPTAIN, KLYTUS)
It's an armed camp. SOLDIERS stand admits tanks and ray-gun
artillery, every weapon trained on a landing pad in the
middle.
72.
KLYTUS waits with his CAPTAIN watching the mirror-bright
capsule coming down.
It lands. CAPTAIN gives a signal.
ZAP! From a tank's ray gun.
The capsule's door is knocked with surgical precision off
its hinges. Flanked by SOLDIERS with ray-guns at the ready,
the CAPTAIN advances and looks in. He turns and calls back
to KLYTUS in surprise.
GUARD CAPTAIN
It's empty!
KLYTUS
What?
GUARD CAPTAIN
Unmanned. Must've taken off on some
automatic program.
KLYTUS frowns. He doesn't notice the SHADOW that suddenly
passes over him, moves on quickly.
KLYTUS
Destroy it.
FLASH'S SHADOW
Halts, shift shape as FLASH stops in dismay at that, turns.
A RAY GUN - ON A TANK ZAPS out a ray.
ZARKOV'S CAPSULE - glows white, falls into thin ashes.
FLASH INVISIBLE
Lets out a bitter sigh. Then the SHADOW moves again, fast,
to an open doorway.
INT. PALACE HALLWAY - A SOLDIER
(FLASH' S VOICE, SOLDIER)
Stands on guard. Suddenly out of nowhere, but very close.
FLASH' S VOICE
Which way to the dungeons, Soldier:
SOLDIER
Third elevator down, turn left!
(then doing a take)
Who is that?
73.
WHAM! A left to the gut doubles him over to take an invisible
knockout right on the chin.
INT. UNDER THE PALACE
(FLASH'S VOICE)
TWO SOLDIERS stand with ray-guns before a heavy locked door.
Suddenly INVISIBLE FLASH steps behind a flaring torch, casting
an enormous SHADOW on the wall. He manipulates his caped
arms so that the image becomes truly fearsome.
FLASH'S VOICE
I am the ghost of all the good men
murdered by Ming! Prepare for doom!
The SOLDIERS faint.
INT. NARROW PASSAGEWAY - UNDER THE PALACE
FOUR SOLDIERS march along, two by two, filling the narrow
way. SOUND OF RUNNING FEET coming towards them. They halt
i n consternation. WHAM! Invisible FLASH crashes into them,
sending them flying like bowling-pins.
INT. DUNGEON AREA
(GUARD)
FOUR GUARDS lounge. around. MOVE to one of them, who sits
studying the pictures in the Mingo version of PLAYBOY
magazine. A SHADOW falls over the page.
GUARD
I'm looking at it now -- wait for
your turn.
An INVISIBLE UPPERCUT knocks him off his chair.
ANGLES - THE FIGHT
As INVISIBLE FLASH goes after the other three with a deadly
chair that seems to SWING itself through the air.
INT. DUNGEON
(FLASH'S VOICE)
ZARKOV, BARIN and TIGER MAN lie in chains, heads cocked at
SOUNDS of the facas outside. THUD of a body falling, brief
silence, then sound of a KEY IN THE LOCK.
The door opens itself.
FLASH'S VOICE
It's me!
74.
INT. NARROW VERTICAL SHAFT
(BARIN, FLASH'S VOICE, ZARKOV)
The Same one AURA and FLASH fell down originally. Now BARIN,
ZARKOV, TIGER MAN and FLASH are inching their way UP it like
mountain climbers doing a rock chimney; in. back-to-back
pairs, feet pressed out against the shaft walls. What makes
it look even stranger, half of the FLASH-BARIN twosome is
INVISIBLE. Low conversation as they pant and struggle up the
SHAFT:
ZARKOV
How do we get down to the plasma
level?
FLASH'S VOICE
Anti-gravity shaft -- I got a guard
to show me --
BARIN
This won't be easy, Flash --
FLASH'S VOICE
Nothing's easy on Mongo --
INT. PLASMA CAVERN
(CONTROLLER, GUARD CAPTAIN)
LIZARD MEN SLAVES work like mad, shoveling radioactive fuel
into the seething mass.
ON THE MEZZANINE
CONTROLLERS are at consoles. Many GUARDS stand around.
Everyone watches a big hanging dial. Its needle quivers with
each flare-up from the inferno below, inches toward a RED
SECTOR.
GUARD CAPTAIN
Faster! -- More fueld!
CONTROLLER
What's the hurry?
CONTROLLER What's the hurry?
GUARD CAPTAIN
He wants to give Dale Arden the final
destruction of Earth as a wedding
present.
CONTROLLERS twist the shock-knobs.
Tortured SLAVES howl in agony. Some drop and are thrown into
the fiery mass, others redouble their efforts.
75.
ON THE MEZZANINE
The needle quivers upwards. MOVE OFF it to a slot-like window
in back wall. There are EYES behind the glass.
INT. CRAWLSPACE BEHIND THE MEZZANINE
(BARIN, FLASH'S VOICE, TIGER MAN, ZARKOV)
ZARKOV,BARIN and TIGER MAN crouch amidst WHIRRING ventilators,
watching through the window.
BARIN
How's it look to yoU?
ZARKOV
Bad. Plasma's contracting into a
critical mass. When that needle hits
the red, Earth is finished.
TIGER MAN
Grrao! I'll charge down at them:
ZARKOV and BARIN just look at him. TIGER MAN slumps out of
his fighting stance.
Low door at the back opens itself and INVISIBLE FLASH comes
in.
FLASH'S VOICE
Cavern is sealed tight -- every door
locked from the inside --
CU ZARKOV
Hope drains from his expression.
ZARKOV
Let's face it, my friends -- without
a miracle, we've lost.
EXT. SKY - WIDE ANGLE
(HAWKMAN CAPTAIN, VULTAN)
It is filled with HAWKMEN, flying toward us.
VULTAN and HIS CAPTAIN. fly in the lead, looking ahead and
down at the City of Mingo.
HAWKMAN CAPTAIN
All right -- I see the towers lined
up now as Flash Gordon said --
VULTAN soars up and hovers, shouts to the ranks behind:
76.
VULTAN
Through the force-field, my Hawkmen!
The pass is narrow -- dive three-by-
three! Any man who wishes to turn
back may do so!
THE HAWKMEN
Keep flying right on, not one bird of them turning back.
FEATURE VULTAN
Musing to his captain:
VULTAN (CONT'D)
Who are these Earthlings, that so
many would die for?
HAWKMAN CAPTAIN
They must have one hell of a little
PLANET --
INT. MING'S DOME - ON VIEWING SCREEN
(OFFICER)
THREE HAWKMEN are SEEN in steep descent. comes ,INTO FOCUS
over them.
PULL BACK. Several OFFICERS and SOLDIERS are around a console,
watching the screen and other displays.
OFFICER
In range.
Another OFFICER touches a red firing-button.
EXT. PALACE BATTLEMENTS
Ranged here are devices like multiple rocket-launchers,
bristling with hundreds of arrows. SWOOSH: One fires its
load into the sky.
EXT. SKY - HAWKMEN
(HAWKMAN CAPTAIN, VULTAN)
The THREE LEADING HAWKMEN are impaled a dozen times each
crumple and plummet down.
VULTAN and CAPTAIN - HOVERING
HAWKMAN CAPTAIN
It's a trap! The passage is covered!
77.
VULTAN
Onward, Hawkmen! Dive! We outnumber
their arrows -- overwhelm them!
EXT. BATTLEMENTS/SKY
INTERCUTS - HAWKMEN and ARROW PROJECTORS
as the brave HAWKMEN dive in a converging stream at the
invisible opening, and the projectors FIRE again and again.
Great slaughter is wreaked on the HAWKMEN, but they keep
coming.
One group VEERS to the side away from the deadly fire, only
to crash into the equally deadly force-field. They EXPLODE
into flames.
INT. DOME
FIRING OFFICER is almost breaking his thumb, he has it jammed
down so hard on the red button.
ANGLE to the VIEWING SCREEN. On it VULTAN leads a stream of
descending HAWKMEN.
EXT. SKY - HAWKMEN
Circle and reform, some giving mid-air aid to wounded mates,
and on they come, onward!
INT. DOME
(OFFICER)
OFFICER
Man the battlements!
EXT. PALACE BATTLEMENTS
HAWKMEN descend as SOLDIERS rush out at them. The battle is
epic, a crazy combination of swords and ray-guns and clubs
and spears.
VULTAN is a towering figure in the middle of it, dealing
havoc on all sides.
As he fights THREE SOLDIERS, ANOTHER races at VULTAN'S back
with a deadly spear. Suddenly he TRIPS OVER NOTHING and
crashes headlong to be dispatched by another HAWKMAN. VULTAN
whirls and is amazed to have his freehand warmly clasped by
an INVISIBLE ONE.
78.
INT. A PALACE ANTECHAMBER
(KLYTUS, MING, OFFICER)
MING and KLYTUS, in ceremonial robes. As part of his costume
MING wears a sword.
MING
You have the ring?
KLYTUS
In my pocket.
Door flies open, an OFFICER dashes in.
OFFICER
Your Majesty, we're under attack by
Hawkmen!
MING
So what are you doing down here,
coward? Why aren't you in the fray?
OFFICER
Sire, I thought you'd --
MING
Mingo City is impregnable! I'm not
about to put off wedding Dale Arden
for this!
EXT. BATTLEMENTS
(FLASH'S VOICE, HAWKMAN CAPTAIN, VULTAN)
The battle continues. Bloodies HAWKMAN CAPTAIN fights his
way up beside VULTAN, who is engaged in seizing a dominant
piece of ray-gun artillery.
HAWKMAN CAPTAIN
What's for us after this lot?
VULTAN
Ming!
FLASH'S VOICE
The cavern first! Gotta get Zarkov
in there to --
Suddenly MUSIC is heard from below. Some great electronic
organ booms out the strains of what is recognizably "Here
Come The Bride".... the familiar thrilling wedding-march.
FLASH'S VOICE (CONT'D)
On my god!
79.
INT. MING'S GREAT HALL - HIGH WIDE ANGLE
A magnificent wedding is on. DALE marches slowly up the
middle, on KLYTUS'S arm, helped along by AMAZONS who march
at her back with spears. Her long train passes between the
AMAZONS to be borne behind by LOVELY GIRLS, as the party
passes between ranks of splendidly garbed MONGONS.
An aged HIGH PRIEST waits at the throne-altar with MING,
whose eyes lecherously devour his approaching bride.
CLOSE ON DALE
Her beauty only enhanced by the teas rolling soundlessly
down her cheeks.
INT. PLASMA CAVERN
The molten mass is more intense than we have ever seen it,
scarcely bearable to the eye.
INT. CRAWLSPACE BEHIND THE MEZZANINE
(TIGER MAN, ZARKOV)
Even in here there is a terrible glare from the slot-window,
ZARKOV turns his face away suddenly, infinitely sad.
ZARKOV
I can't watch any more. To think of
all our history ended this way --
the incredible ascent from primordial
slime to Albert Einstein and Dale
Arden and --
TIGER MAN
(AT WINDOW)
Look!
INT. CAVERN - POV SHOT
VULTAN and THREE HAWKMEN are swooping down from some gallery
above. VULTAN and TWO pounce on CONTROLLERS, while the THIRD
HAWKMAN flies down to open a door on the lower level.
INT. CRAWLSPACE
ZARKOV and BARIN and TIGER MAN
Scramble for the low exit behind them.
80.
INT. MING'S GREAT HALL
(DALE, FLASH'S VOICE, HIGH PRIEST, MING)
Earth turns slowly in mid-air, its seas and continents veiled
by clouds of hideous smoke which seethe with flashes of
interior red lightning.
Then FACES come INTO FOCUS below and behind it, and we realise
we are in MING' S GREAT HALL, where EARTH is a holographic
image in a transparent box above the altar-throne.
FEATURE DALE
Standing beside MING at the altar with KLYTUS, looking up
despairingly at her beloved planet while the HIGH PRIEST
INTONES:
HIGH PRIEST
Do you take her, this Earthling,
Dale Arden, to be your Empress of
the hour? Do you solemnly promise
to use her as you will -- not discard
her until such time as you grow weary
of her?
MING
I do.
HIGH PRIEST
The wedding ring, please --
KLYTUS produces a golden ring, hands it to MING.
MING takes DALE'S left hand, forces it up into position,
holds the ring poised to slip it on. MING'S face has never
been more merciless.
HIGH PRIEST (CONT'D)
Recite after me -- with this ring I
thee wed --
FLASH'S VOICE
With this ring, I thee wed!
An INVISIBLE HAND snatches the ring from MING'S grip like
lightning and james it onto DALE'S finger.
DALE
Flash!!!
FLASH'S VOICE
Run!!!
HIGH ANGLE
81.
Pandemonium. DALE runs like hell, but is tripped by her train
and goes down as MING leaps up onto his throne platform.
MING
Seal this hall! Close every portal!
ANGLE - A PORTAL
Swinging shut, BARIN squeezing in through it at the last
instant, sword in hand. KLYTUS rushes at him with a sword of
his own.
MING
Looks around wildly, whipping out the sword sheathed at his
belt. Its blade is like crystal fire. He reacts sharply,
catches his breath.
WHAT MING SEES - ANOTHER SWORD
(FLASH'S VOICE, MING)
exactly like his, a blade of fire, apparently hanging in the
air and pointed right at him.
MING
Where did you get that sword?
FLASH'S VOICE
From the crystal block.
MING
Impossible! It could only be pulled
by my rightful heir!
FLASH'S VOICE
How about that?
The sword slowly advances.
FEATURE MING
His face contorted, he flies at INVISIBLE FLASH behind the
sword. FLASH parries the blow. Astonishing pyrotechnics as
the blades hit each other. Shrieking MONGONS flee under
showers of fire.
INT. PLASMA CAVERN
(ZARKOV)
HAWKMEN and LIZARD MEN SLAVES engage MING'S PEOPLE.
Aided by VULTAN and TIGER MAN, ZARKOV battles his way up to
the Mezzanine Control area. He shouts down wildly:
82.
ZARKOV
Attach the electrodes to the shovels!
Pitch them into the plasma!
INT. GREAT HALL
(BARIN, DALE, KLYTUS)
MING and FLASH
Duel dazzlingly around the enormous throne. Suddenly FLASH
starts to lose his invisibility. A pair of eyes appears,
the tip of a nose, parts of limbs.
CU DALE
Pinned by AMAZONS, reacting to that.
DALE
Flash -- look out -- you're coming
back! He can see you now, Flash!
FLASH and MING
FLASH pauses to look at himself, almost gets his head lopped
off by a fiery slash from MING, recovers to bound up higher
on the vast throne statue wheron they battle.
PULL UP. In the f.g. the image of EARTH slowly turns and
glows redder with the lightning inside the clouds.
BARIN and KLYTUS
Duel in another area of e Hall. A thrust by BARIN catches
KLYTUS on the forehead. KLYTUS springs back, blood gushing
down over his eyes.
KLYTUS
I foresaw at blow --
BARIN
You're blinded, Klytus -- drop your
sword!
KLYTUS laughs, reaches up and throws off his helmet, WHIRLS
in a lightning way to reveal
ANOTHER FACE
Shadowed, hideous, marked with all the evil in the universe.
It's mouth emits a raging SCREAM.
BARIN
Lunges with horror, slashes with his sword point.
83.
KLYTUS'S CHEEK
Is slashed but grotesquely does not bleed.
BARIN and KLYTUS
Fly at each other again, trade blows, then each catches a
wrist of the other with his free hand. KLYTUS laughs
horribly.
KLYTUS
You fight me in vain, Barin I do not
foresee my death at your hands --
KLYTUS twists away, knocks BARIN'S sword out of his grasp,
drives BARIN back against the wall. KLYTUS lifts his own
sword, puts it at BARIN'S throat for the final thrust.
KLYTUS'S FACE
Suddenly changes horribly. PULL BACK. AURA is behind him,
her hand on the hilt of BARIN'S sword, which she has driven
into KLYTUS' back. Soundless, dead, KLYTUS falls to the floor.
AURA and BARIN
Move together, embrace. BARIN touches her face. Gently, AURA
strokes BARIN'S cheek in hirst human-like, loving touch.
FLASH and MING
Have duelled their way right up onto the shoulder of the
great statue now, fight against a vast replica of MING'S
EAR.
INT. PLASMA CAVERN
(ZARKOV)
Needle trembles on the verge of red.
ANGLE DOWN to ZARKOV at console, protected against the final
GUARDS' onslaught by VULTAN and TIGER MAN as he works
feverishly with a screwdriver on a wiring panel pulled out
from the innards He straightens up, takes a deep breath.
ZARKOV
Cross your fingers, boys!
ZARKOV hits a switch.
INT. GREAT HALL
(ALL THE MONGONS, DALE, DALE'S VOICE)
CU DALE
84.
Reacting to something, pointing upward:
DALE
Look -- Earth!
EARTH - THE IMAGE IN THE AIR
DALE'S VOICE
Oh it's so beautiful!
FEATURE MING
As he swivels his head for a quick look. He freezes, gives
a CRY of unmitigated rage. FLASH seizes the instant, thrust
his sword.
The blade goes into MING up to the hilt. FLASH pulls it
out.
There isn't a drop of blood. MING just stands there , smoking,
in spectacular fashion into the atoms of which he was
constituted. MING is just GONE.
HIGH SHOT - THE GREAT HALL
EVERYONE looks upwards at FLASH, standing with his sword
atop the statue. There is a clatter as AMAZONS cast away
their spears. A cry goes up as if from one throat!
ALL THE MONGONS
Hail, Flash Gordon!
EXT. SKY OVER MINGO
Vista of stunning beauty as HAWKMEN soar and loop in wondrous
victory rolls, leaving behind RAINBOW CONTRAILS.
EXT. PALACE BATTLEMENTS
(DALE, FLASH, ZARKOV)
It is a scene of peace now. HAWKMEN and SOLDIERS join in
tending their wounded. Formerly fierce AMAZONS act as gentle
nurses. MOVE OVER this to find FLASH, DALE and ZARKOV standing
together, looking up at the terrific sky-shadow, FLASH with
an arm around DALE'S shoulder. He glances at her tenderly,
is surprised to see tears on her cheeks.
FLASH
What's the matter, darling?
DALE
We saved Earth but we lost the capsule --
we'll never get home again.
85.
ZARKOV (SIMPLY)
You are home.
FLASH
Zarkov is right.
ZARKOV
Shouldn't you fellows be leaving on
your honeymoon?
DALE laughs, turns her face up to FLASH. He kisses her. As
they head into the Palace, ZARKOV gazes upward again.
EXT. SKY
HAWKMEN swoop and soar, weaving RAINBOWS, as END CREDITS
ROLL.
THE END
EDITOR'S NOTE:
What you have just read is a reproduction of the "1st Draft"
for the feature film "Flash Gordon". The original source
material came from a badly deteriorated copy of the original
script and in some instances dialogue which could not be
read was guessed upon by best case understanding.
We have made every attempt to include the integrity of the
original script, "as-is", to include all original
descriptions, grammar and spelling. Errors as well.
We hope you've enjoyed this original look at "FLASH GORDON"!
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