“Thanks to some remarkable archiving by Tina Wyngarde-Hopkins, the world can now share in the full story of what was planned but axed, as the frantic filming progressed day by day.” John Walsh – Author of ‘Flash Gordon – The Official Story Of The Film.
| The Main Shooting Schedule (based on the final script) was distributed to cast and crew on 31st July, 1979, ready for filming to start at the beginning on August, 1979. What follows are details of when and where each of the scenes were shot (included those that were deleted from the final cut), and in which order. Instructions printed on the front of the Main Unit Shooting Schedule were as follows: Notes: (a) It is possible that 23rd August and 24th August will be switched to avoid an unnecessary move back to Shepperton whilst we are at Weybridge (Surrey). (b) This schedule excludes all 2nd unit work and Blue Backing at Weybridge and all miniature and optical Fx shooting. (c) The 2nd unit will shoot all Blue Backing scenes as follows:- pt.132. pt.159. 160. 177.195. pt.211. pt.212. pt.213. 217. 221. 223. 230. 233. 235. 237. 261. Also Sc.277. This work will commence from Monday, 3rd September at Weybridge until complete. In addition to these scenes, the 2nd unit will pick up sequences which the Main Unit cannot complete. (d) A separate Miniature/Optical Fx. Schedule will be issued soonest. N.B. Parts in bold were either cut from the final film, or rewritten and replaced. Pre-Production began on the film on Monday, 6th August, 1979, and went on for three days. These scenes (1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, 6. Dawn) were to establish Flash waiting for plane, and the arrival of Dale. These sequences were shot on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Additional sections (7. Day. Plus plates for 8, 9, 10. Day. 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, pt. 22. Night), involved external shots of the ‘Dove’ aircraft in flight. Special requirements for the exterior Beach and country airfield, and aircraft included: From the Art Department: Dove aircraft with ‘Green Mountain Airways’ logo. Car plates. Station wagon. Flash’s book. Luggage. Hotel bus ‘Dark Harbour’ Inn’. Air ticket folder. Pick-up truck. Special Fx: Hot cinders falling Fx. Tank to shoot up and through violent rain of hailstones Fx. Rain puddles. Very pistol and flares. Windsock. Bowser for wetting down. Camera: Helevision camera mount. Production: Air to ground radio communications. Local tide timetable. Dove aircraft. Helicopter. Air to air communications. On Monday, 6th August, and for the next three days, several scenes were shot that were eventually cut from the final film. One of those sections (For Sc. 15. Day and/or night) were set outside the White House in Washington D.C., and involved an American TV newscaster reporting on the unusual weather conditions which had, of course, been instigated by Emperor Ming. These scenes were shot using a 16mm camera. Also at this time, the section (Sc. 111) entitled ‘The Dehumanisation of Zarkov’, was filmed by Denis Postle. The ‘Disaster Footage’ shown on a screen and watched by General Klytus and General Kala, was made up of stock footage (For Sc. 14, 15.). Another section which was cut from the final edit was filmed by the 2nd unit over in the United States. These scenes were to establish Flash as a football hero, and were recorded at Shea Stadium – the former home of the New York Jets. Depicted in these passages was Flash himself, playing Quarterback, and included several extras dressed as a TV camera crew and a New York police officer. The special requirements for the exterior shots of Shea Stadium, were: Art Department: TV Cameras. Still cameras. Microphones, etc. Programmes. Camera: Zoom lens/Arriflex BL. Production: High shot from Goodyear blimp. New York Jets and opposition team. Double for actual New York Jets as Flash. The Shooting Schedule now makes mention of the following: Please Note: For INT. Klytus’s Control Room, we need footage from various sets on Mongo that will optically appear on their eye glass devices. Therefore it should always be remembered and scheduled for us to shoot random footage of all our sets. |
Week One
After the preproduction as detailed above, the first full week of filming began on Monday, 13th August, with the segments (Start 8. 9. 10. Day. 12. 16.17. 18. 19. Night) where the aircraft carrying Flash and Dale hits the storm sent by Ming, and the two pilots disappear. This was filmed at Weybridge against a Blue Screen.
Shooting of these scenes continued into the following day (Tuesday, 14th August), with sections inside the aircraft cabin and cockpit (scenes 8. 9. 10. Day. 12. 16. 17. 18. 19.Night) being committed to film.
On Wednesday, 14th August, scenes 8. 9. 10. Day. 12. 16. 17. 18. 19. Night were completed. These involved the arrival of Flash and Dale at the airstrip, and concerned Sam J. Jones and Melody Anderson, plus the extras who played the hotel bus driver and pilots.
The special requirements for the shots inside the aircraft cabin and cockpit included:
Art Department: Books for Flash. Repeat People magazine with Flash on cover. Practical seat belt. Cockpit window shatters – alternative screen curtains between cockpit and cabin.
Special Fx: Aircraft on rockers. Plane launches in all directions. Cockpit instruments practice – whirl crazily eventually. Lightning bolts hit cockpit Fx. Gale of wind Fx. Plane goes into nose-dive.
Camera: Blue Backing set. Outside changes from day to night in seconds. Red lightning bolts zap cockpit. Steady camera for P.O.V. through windscreen.
Production: Special Fx require 5/6 days to move aircraft – do during nighttime off rocker onto Greenhouse rig.
Editorial: Moviola with selected takes of model plane crash.
Thursday, 16th August. This was the day when work began on the sequences (Start 26. 28. pt.30. pt.32. pt.35. 37. 40. 43) in which Zarkov forces the Capsule he’s built to takeoff, with Flash and Dale held captive, plus the flight through space. Again, these were shot at Weybridge.
These sections were completed the following day (Friday, 17th August), using the set of the Capsule.
Special requirements for the Capsule segments included:
Art Department: Gun for Zahkov. Control lever. Red pedal. Practical seat straps. Rubber dummy gun for Zahkov.
Special Fx: Rocket takeoff effect. Quick closing door Fx. G-Force Fx. Capsule lands Fx. Air pressure gun for G-Force Fx. on artiste’s face.
Camera: Blue Backing set. Outside changes from day to night in seconds. Red lightning bolts zap cockpit. Steady camera for P.O.V. through windscreen.
Production: Fight arranger.
On Saturday, 18th August, scenes 14. 15. Night. were filmed, which involved the moment when Zarkov realises that the attack on Earth is now fact. These were set in the Greenhouse, with Zarkov and Munson.
The Special requirements for this section were:
Art Department: Revolver for Zarkov. Practical computers in slapdash fashion. Neglected plants. Coffee cups. Sandwiches. Cigarettes, etc. Two cots. Blankets. Munson’s watch. Display screen as scripted. Print-out data main console with 2 TV screens above.
Special Fx: Cinder through overhead glass Fx, which burns through blanket. Other cinder and broken glass Fx. Bank of switches – practical. Breakaway sugar glass.
Cameraman: 2 back projection TV monitors, barrage of red bolts o/s Fx. Lights flicker. TV screens dissolve into lines. Int. capsule brightly lit.
Production: Disaster footage and newscast.
Week Two
Week 2 (Monday, 201th August) began with the completion of the aforementioned scenes (14. 15.) in the Greenhouse. These were followed by the segments in which the Dove aircraft crashes into the Greenhouse, killing Munson (21. 23). Again, these were filmed at Weybridge, with Chaim Topol and a stunt double for Munson.
The special requirements for the Greenhouse scenes were as follows:
Special Fx: Plane crashes into Greenhouse, killing Munson.
Cameraman: After aircraft crashes, there is a flash – all the lights go out except in the Capsule.
Production: Standby ambulance and first aid. Additional cameras. Note: Special Fx require one day to rig Take 2 after dallies viewed.
Art Department: As before – breakaway dressing and repeats.
Wednesday, 22nd August: The segments involved the parts in which Flash and Aura escape, and her rocket takes off (116. pt.117. 154). In addition, the scenes in which Flash, Dale and Zarkov are taken to Emperor Ming are filmed, along with those with Flash as pilot escaping with Aura, and when Aura kills an Imperial Guard in the lift (45b. 115. 225.).
This was also the first day that Peter was required on set as General Klytus in Weybridge for the scene where he arrests Aura.
The personnel required for these passages included General Klytus, Flash Gordon, Dale Arden, Princess Aura, Zarkov, Guard Leader and four Guards, Air Force staff, three Secret Police agents, and a hooded Guard.
The special requirements for the above scenes were as follows:
Art Department: Aura’s rocket ship. Practical lift doors. Weapons for Guards. Royal pennants. Crownlet of flowers for Aura. Pin in corsage to stick in Guards neck.
Special Fx: Aura’s rocket ship lands. Rocket takes off Fx. Aura sticks corsage pin into Guards neck. Retractable pin.
The scenes in which Dale escapes, and Ming’s discovery of her flight (Int. Ming’s bedchamber and corridor; 140. 141. 142.), are recorded on Thursday, 23rd August at Shepperton (Sound Stage 1). The characters involved were Ming, a serving girl, Dale, plus four stunt guards (hooded).
The special requirements for the above scenes included:
Camera: Glow of light from bedside cube.
Art Department: 12 inch high jade statue of Ming. Weapons for Ming’s Guards.
Special Fx: Practical Guard’s pistol. Flaming bolts pass through their armor.
Production: Stunt arranger.
On Friday, 24th August, work continued on the Greenhouse scene, which included filming sections of the aircraft fuselage (24. 25. Plus plate for 26), from which Flash and Dale climb out to meet Zarkov. These were filmed at Weybridge.
The special requirements for these segments were:
Special Fx: Dust and smoke for rocket. Rocket starts to move.
Production: Check injuries to Flash and Dale for continuity reasons.
No filming took place on Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th, August, due to the Bank Holiday.
Week Three
Tuesday, 28th August: Scenes inside Ming’s Bedchamber (119. pt.125. pt.127. pt.128. pt.129) in which Flash makes telepathic contact with Dale were filmed at Shepperton (Sound Stage 1). The characters required were Dale, plus four exotic females and Hedonia – a servant girl.
The Art Department supplied the following to the set: A flagon of green liquid, drinking glasses, and a huge tapestried bed.
Filming in Ming’s bedchamber continued into Wednesday, 29th August (216), which was the scene involving Dale and Aura prior to the wedding. The characters for this part of the film were Dale, Aura, Hedonia, four Servant Girls (from Sc.119), two Hooded Guards, plus fight doubles for Dale and Aura.
The special requirements for these segments were:
Art Department: Small black pill.
Production: Stunt Arranger – rehearse fight. Wedding dress for Dale.
As with the above, the following scenes (Exterior of Arboria – Branches: 147 – excluding P.O.V. of Rustic Temple. P.O.V. of Arborian Temple: For Sc.147. P.O.V. plates for rocket arrival on actual set: For 130a. 137) were all filmed at Shepperton.
These sequences involved Aura and Flash watching the events at the Tree Temple; establishing their P.O.V. shot, and the 2nd Unit pick-up.
Friday, 31st August involved work on the landing of the Capsule on the planet Mongo filmed at Weybridge (43a. pt.44. 45), in which Flash, Zarkov and Dale are captured. The characters required on set were Flash, Dale, Zarkov, Leader of the Armed Troops, six Armored Troops, Guards, plus a stunt double for Flash.
Work continued on the above scenes the following day (Saturday, 1st September), and on segments 43b and pt.44 (having landed on Mongo, shapes are seen outside the Capsule).
The special requirements for the above scenes included:
Art Department: Control gadget for Leader. Weapons for Ming’s Troops. Damage to Capsule. Mattresses and boxes on standby.
Special Fx and Camera: Metal hand materialises out of thin air and clamps on Flash’s wrist. Bluish ray zaps out and throws Flash to the ground. metal hand disappears.
Production: Stunt Arranger.
Week Four
Monday, 3rd September. Peter notes in his diary that he has a 9.15 appointment with Dino DeLaurantiis.
Meanwhile at Shepperton, work was carried out on the scenes in the Temple on Arboria, featuring the characters Flash, Aura, Prince Barin, an Aged Priest, Fico and several young Aborian men. The scenes involve the death of a young Arborian (147a. 147b.147c. q47d. 147f. 147g. 148).
The following two days – Tuesday, 4th and Wednesday 5th September, work continues on the Arborian section, as above.
The special requirements for the three-day shoot of the scenes on Arboria are as follows:
Art Department: Huge gnarled tree stump with a number of holes in it. Arms for the Arborian men. Facility to get camera into tree stump.
Special Fx: Hissing beast Fx. Barin plunges sword into young man’s chest. Retractable sword.
Camera: Green light and shadow effect.
Production: Playback for chanting.
Make-up: Puncture marks on young man’s wrist. Green blood.
Peter records that he was due on set at Shepperton at 4.30pm on Thursday, 6th September, and that a car would pick him up at home at 2.30pm.
Further scenes on Arboria are shot (163. 164. 165. 166. 167. 168. 168a), in which Flash outwits Prince Barin and escapes. The characters requested on set are Flash, Barin, Fico, the Aged priest, and 18 Arborian men.
The special requirements these scenes are:
Art Department: Fico’s dagger. Arms for the Arborians. Crossbows. Barin’s sword and crossbow.
Production: Stunt Arranger.
Friday, 7th September. Peter’s schedule for Dress Rehearsal is as follows:
7.30am call for 8.15am. Film scene 87. First shot at 1.45. Finish 5.30.
Scenes at Vultan’s camp on Arboria are shot at Shepperton on Soundstage H (211 Dusk. pt.212. pt. 213). This includes the moment when Prince Vultan receives a call from Flash that he’s “Flying blind on a Rocket Cycle”.
Characters On set include Vultan, Luro, Biro, forty Hawkmen and ten dead Arborian men.
The special requirements for the above scenes included:
Art Department: Fico’s dagger. Arms for the Arborian men. Crossbows. Barin’s sword. and crossbow.
Production: Stunt arranger.
Saturday, 8th September. More work at Vultan’s Camp on Arboria. These include Flash’s contact with Vultan (211. Dusk. pt.212. pt.213). Barin taunting Flash as he lowers him into the swamp in a big wooden cage (155), and Fico telling Barin of his plan to dispose of Flash. All are filmed on Soundstage H at Shepperton.
Characters required on set are: Vultan, Lubo, Biro, 40 Hawkmen, 10 dead Arborians. Flash. Lionman. Hawkman. Barin. Fico. 20 Civilian Arborians and ten soldiers.
The special requirements for the three-day shoot of the scenes on Arboria are as follows:
Art Department: Belongings. Weapons. Radio communicator in Vultan’s belt. Barin’s crossbow. Weapon’s for Arborians. Fico’s horn. Pan pipe of curious design. Various games for Arborians. Tankards.
Special Fx: Hissing beast Fx. Barin plunges sword into young man’s chest. Retractable sword. Prison cage lowered into swamp.
Sunday, 9th September. Peter’s first call was at 8am for rehearsal.
Week Five
Monday, 10th September. Scene 46 – Flash, Dale and Zarkov pass Mongo prisoners at Mingo City. Filmed at Shepperton, Soundstage C.
Also Scene 214: Wedding announcement (Shepperton, Soundstage C).
Required characters are: Flash, Dale, Zarkov, Leader of Armoured Troops, Six Armed Guards, 1 Red Officer, 1 Blue Officer, Four Arborian Civilian Men, 4 Arborian Soldiers, 13 Mongo Men, 8 Mongo Women, 5 Mongo Children.
Prisoners: 1 Lion Man, 2 Lizard men, 1 Tiger Man, 2 Arborian Men, 2 sand People, plus 75 assorted Crowd (from Scene 85).
Special reuirements for these sequences include:
Art Department: Weapons for Guards. Practical lift doors. Prisoners joined by chains and heavy metal neck collars and are also blindfolded – hands bound behind their backs. Wedding announcement poster of Dale Arden.
Special Fx: Hissing beast Fx. Prince Barin plunges sword into young man’s chest. Retractable sword.
Camera: Sequence involves matte shots.
On Tuesday, 10th September, Peter is called at 9.15 am and finishes work at 7pm.
The scenes shot on this day are inside General Klytus Control Room (33. pt.34. pt.35), which involve Klytus observing Zarkov’s capsule flying to Mongo (EMI Studios – Soundstage 2), and Klytus watching Dale’s escape from his secret H.Q. (pt.143. 144. pt.146).
Character’s featured are: Klytus voice over (as Zarkov’s Capsule lands), Klytus and 2 Observers. Then as Dale escapes: Klytus, Ming, Kala, 2 Male Observers and 8 Black Uniform Observers.
Special requirements for the above:
Art Department: Faintly glowing keyboard. Half-silvered eyeglass Lenses/Mask. Eyeglass devises.
Camera: Changing numbers and patterns flicker on surface of eyeglasses Fx. Also see space capsule flying. Dale and Zarkov observed on enormous rear projection screen.
Wednesday, 12th September. Peter is called on set at 8am.
Scenes shot on this day are all in Klytus’s Secret H.Q. (pt.143. 144. pt.146), where Klytus observes Dale’s escape, and pt.220, where General Kala receives the announcement that Flash Gordon is approaching Mingo City in the War Rocket ‘Ajax’.
The character’s required for these sequences are: General Klytus, Ming, Kala, 2 Male Observers, 8 Black Uniform Observers (Robots).
And for the segments where Flash Gordon approaches the City: Kala, 10 Observers.
Special requirements for these scenes were:
Special Fx: Eye glass devices. Faintly glowing keys.
Camera: Images in eye glasses Fx. Dale and Zarkov observed on enormous rear projection screen. Plate of battle control room.
On Thursday, 13th September, Peter arrives On set at 7.15am at EMI Studios – Soundstage 2. Again, scenes are shot inside Klytus’s H.Q. (255. 263.). These are where General Kala is advised that the War Rocket ‘Ajax’ is returning. She orders its destruction. Also where Prince Barin and Zarkov overthrow the H.Q. and kill Kala.
Characters On set are: Kala, 10 Observers, Zarkov, Barin, and stunt doubles for Kala and Zarkov.
Friday, 14th September. Again, Peter is called at 7.15. Scenes 263 is completed and 269 filmed (Zarkov holds off Klytus’s Agents).
Special Requirements for the day were:
Art Department: Microphone. Practical lift doors. Weapons.
Camera: Back projection on large monitor screen. Broken pattern on big screen. Battle control room plate appears on screen.
Special Fx: Barin blows out monitor screen with laser blaster. Barin snatches off Agents lens revealing wires, etc. Curious tube which fires a jet of flame Fx which nearly takes off Zarkov’s head. Barin kills Kala Fx.
Production: Record Kala’s dialogue for Sc.256.
Special Fx: Barin blows out monitor.
Saturday, 15th September. Peter is called at 2.45 and put on standby.
Sequences in the Underground Crypt (104. 105. 106. 107) where Aura brings Flash back to life are shot on EMI Studios – Soundstage 8.
The characters required for these scenes are: Flash, Aura, Mongon Doctor and 6 Dwarfish Creatures.
Special requirements include:
Art Department: Flash’s coffin and inscription. Chisels, panel opens revealing Aura and Doctor. Clothing bag for Aura. Injection gun. Hammers.
Special Fx: Aura can see Flash semi-naked in reflection of glass panel.
Week Six
Monday, 17th September.
Peter is required on set at 7.15 to shoot scene 177a, but the session is cancelled. Instead, he’s required to shoot Scene 156 inside the Prison Cell where Princess Aura is being tortured.
Characters required on set are: General Klytus, Aura, Kala, 8 Prisoners and 2 of Klytus’s Secret Police. This is filmed at EMI Studios, Soundstage 8.
Requirements for the Prison cell scenes are:
Art Department: Entire wall of chamber dissolves and becomes black glass with Ming behind it.
Aura chained with her face against the wall. Metal crown-like device with electrodes on her head. Lizard hide whip. Electronic device lights up with red light. Communicator device. Large box of Bore Worms and pincers.
Production: Protection for actress’s back.
N.B. Clearly from the List of Requirements, this scene was changed from the one described here to that in the final cut – i.e. Princess Aura lying face down on a table as General Klytus and Kala torture her.
On Tuesday, 18th September, Peter was called at 11am for a 1.15pm start on set.
The scenes filmed on this day involved the Dehumanisation of Zarkov first began in pre-production on the 6th August. These sequences were set both in in the underground tunnel from where Flash and Aura see General Klytus and Kala wiping Zarkov’s brain clean, and inside the Laboratory. All were filmed at EMI Studios (Soundstage 2).
Scene numbers: 108. 109. 110. 111. 120.
Work continued on these sections the following day (Wednesday, 19th September), for which Peter was on set from 6am.
The characters needed for these scenes were: Klytus, Aura, Flash, Ming, Kala, plus 10 Secret Police Officers.
Special Requirements for the day were:
Art Department: Moving conveyer belt. Windows overlooking laboratory in tunnel. Zarkov strapped on table under x-ray machine. Control console.
Camera: Purple ray zap down from machine to Zarkov’s head. Projection screen for dehumanisation. Another colour ray zaps down.
Production: Dehumanisation film material as scripted.
On Thursday, 20th September Peter was on set from 7.15am until 8.10pm.
The sequence filmed on this day (87 – night), are of Dale’s final moments with Flash inside the Prison Cell, which were filmed at EMI Studios – Soundstage 8.
The characters required for this scene were: Klytus, Dale, Flash, 2 hooded Guards, 8 Prisoners from Sc. 46.
Special Requirements for the day were:
Art Department: Flash’s final meal. Big hour glass on a shelf. Sand goes upwards effects.
Camera: Reverse camera for hour glass.
Special Fx: Flash chained to wall. Head covered with metal hood. Klytus flashes a ray from his signet ring – the metal hood flies off. Hanging wires for hanging prisoners.
Peter’s diary records that on Friday, 21st September, he was on set at 7.15am and finished “late”.
Work on three separate scenes were completed on this days. These included those inside the Prison Cell (87); inside the Underground Chamber (228 – ‘Aura rescues Zarkov and Barin’); and inside the Underground Area (Mingo – Tunnel with Pipe Entrance – 251; ‘Aura, Barin and Zarkov escape. Door will not open’).
The characters required for this day’s filming were: General Klytus, Dale, Flash, Zarkov, Barin, Aura, 2 hooded Guards, 10 Prisoners.
Special Requirements for Underground Chamber, Prison Cell and Tunnel were:
Art Department: Guard’s gun. Zarkov and Barin chained to wall. TV scanner. Arms for group.
Camera: Flash from Aura’s ring to door plate.
Special Fx: Aura zaps out TV scanner and chains off Barin and Zarkov.
Production: Aura’s ring.
Again, these scenes were filmed at EMI Studios, Soundstage 8.
Saturday, 22nd September. Peter was not needed on set, and so was given the day off. Nevertheless, it proves to be a very busy day’s filming at EMI Studios (Soundstage 2), with several scenes being shot (219. pt.220. Plate for Sc.255. Plate for Sc.263. 273). These involved the following:
Colonel sees Flash approaching Mingo City. Colonel reports that the War Rocket ‘Ajax’ is returning. Colonel guarantees Flash’s rocket will be destroyed. Barin blows place apart.
The cast for these sequences are: Colonel and 6 controllers. Prince Barin, plus 6 stunt Battle Controllers and stunt double for Colonel.
Requirements for these scenes were:
Art Department: Playcreature magazine.
Camera: Do we see Flash on screen?
Special Fx: Barin blows place apart with a heavy weapon.
Week Seven
Monday, 24th September was a big day at Shepperton (Soundstage C), where scenes 85 and 86 – ‘The Execution of Flash Gordon in the Courtyard of Mingo City’, were filmed. For this, Peter was put on ‘Stand By’ in the hope that these sequences would be completed in time to record additional scenes at the Execution.
Here, preparations were made for Flash to be put to death.
The characters needed for this sequence were many: Barin, Aura, 6 Drummers, 4 Black-Clad men, 5 Arborian Soldiers, 2 of Ming’s Officers (in red), 2 of Ming’s Officers (in blue), 20 of Ming’s Armoured Guards, 6 of Ming’s Hooded Guards, 2 of Ming’s Airforce Officers, 2 of Ming’s Airforce Men, 2 of Klytus’s Air Force Men, 30 Mongo Men, 15 Mongo Women, 5 Mongo Children, 5 Lion Men, 3 Lizard Men, 1 Tiger Man, 6 None-Flying Hawkmen, 3 Mutants, 1 Azurian Queen Magician, 5 Azurian Magicians, 3 Frigian Men, 3 Frigian Women, 3 Ardentia Men, 3 Ardentia Women, 6 Dwarfs, 3 Fezalians, 3 Sand Moon Men, 3 Sand Moon Women, 6 Cytherians. Total approx = 158.
Peter was called on set later in the day to work on the following scenes: 88. 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100. 101. 102. 103 – ‘The Execution of Flash’. Again, the filming took place at Shepperton – Soundstage C.
The characters required for these sequences were: General Klytus, Aura, Ming, Flash, Mongo Doctor, Dale, Zarkov and the crowd as above.
The scenes listed above were completed on the following day (Tuesday, 25th September). The cast were the same as on the previous day.
Special Requirements for Flash’s Execution were:
Art Department: Sc. 85 & 86. Floodlit platform with transparent dome. Stark heavy chair with straps. Medals for Barin. 6 Mongo drums. Stethoscope. Window with thick plate glass. Knockout gun. Black hood for Flash. Black handkerchief for Klytus. Manacles for Flash.
Camera: Every light goes out except for the theatrical spotlights on the terrace. Follow spot effects.
Special Fx: Purple vapour in dome kills Flash effect.
Production: Music playback track.
Wednesday, 26th September. Peter is called at 9.30am to run through various scenes. meanwhile, the sequences in Aura’s Rocket (‘Flash Escapes With Aura to Arboria’ – pt.117. pt.123. pt. 124. pt.125. pt. 126. pt. 127. pt. 128. pt. 129. 137. 139) were filmed at Weybridge.
Special Requirements for these sequences:
Special Fx: Rocket on rocker. Rocket goes into nosedive Fx. Rocket ship halts abruptly. Green fog effect.
The above detailed scenes are completed on the morning of Thursday, 27th September at Weybridge. Meanwhile, Peter was called at 8.45am to film two sequences (177 and 179a) which were set on Klytus’s War Rocket. Here, the Pilot of the Rocket observes Hawkmen with Flash and Barin.
The characters required at this time are: General Klytus, his Pilot and Co-Pilot.
Special Requirements for the scenes on General Klytus’s War Rocket were:
Art Department: Klytus in transparent cylinder.
Special Fx: Rocket on rocker.
Camera: Practical display screen which reveals Flash and Barin flying with Hawkmen. Red light in cylinder wakes Klytus up.
On Friday, 28th September, one of the most well-known sequences in the film is shot at Shepperton – Soundstages A & B. This is where Flash, Zarkov and Dale enter Ming’s palace and the hovering Globe discovers the gun hidden in Zarkov’s pocket; the introduction of the trio to Emperor Ming, and the ‘Football Fight’ between Flash and Klytus’s men.
The scene where the Globe vaporises the gun (49. Plus 2nd Unit pickups on globe/gun) requires the following on set: Flash, Zarkov, Dale, 6 Hooded Guards, 15 Mongo Men, 5 Mongo Women, 3 Mutants (Blue Screen Type).
Peter was required on set from 7.45am until 5.30pm for the ‘Football Fight’ scenes (50. 51. 52. 54. 55.56. 57. 58. 58a. 58b. 59. 60. 60a. 60b. 60c. 61. 62. 62a. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. Plus 2nd Unit pickups).
The characters needed for this sequence were many: Barin, Aura, 6 Drummers, 4 Black-Clad men, 5 Arborian Soldiers, 2 of Ming’s Officers (in red), 2 of Ming’s Officers (in blue), 20 of Ming’s Armoured Guards, 6 of Ming’s Hooded Guards, 2 of Ming’s Airforce Officers, 2 of Ming’s Airforce Men, 2 of Klytus’s Air Force Men, 30 Mongo Men, 15 Mongo Women, 5 Mongo Children, 5 Lion Men, 3 Lizard Men, 1 Tiger Man, 6 None-Flying Hawkmen, 3 Mutants, 1 Azurian Queen Magician, 5 Azurian Magicians, 3 Frigian Men, 3 Frigian Women, 3 Ardentia Menn, 3 Ardentia Women, 6 Dwarfs, 3 Fezalians, 3 Sand Moon Men, 3 Sand Moon Women, 6 Cytherians. Exotics – numbers to be confirmed.
Special Requirements for the scenes inside Ming’s Palace, outside Main Palace and Main Hall were:
Art Department: (Sc.49) Arms for troops. Zarkov’s gun.
Special Fx: (Sc.49). Buzzing metallic Globe. Special effects gag for gun ripping through Zarkov’s pocket and disappearing into Globe.
Inside Ming’s Main Hall:
Art Department: Vultan’s chest with ice jewel of Frigia. Fico’s hunting horn. Aura’s beast. Vultan’s sword. Barin’s sword. Ming’s big green ring. Gifts – general dressing, Weapons for Guards.
Special Fx: Buzzing Globe over threesome. Wind effects. Rima spreads her wings to take off. Another Globe sails away. A Globe zips out of nowhere and zaps Thun. Ming chops off Thun’s head. Globe flies and hovers over Flash’s head. Repeat heads for Thun. Dazzling ice jewel effects. Buzzing key effects from Globe to Thun who is then surrounded by shimmering greenish glow.
Camera: Ming;s ring emits a strange glow which turns Ming’s face into a greenish waxy texture with black lips. A sourceless golden light bathes Dale and goes out. Special camera wide angle P.O.V. from buzzing Globe Fx.
Production: Fight arranger + pre-rehearsals. At least two weeks before. Additional camera. Choreograph extras 5 days before shooting.
Saturday, 29th September. Peter is on set at 11am, and after completing the scene in Ming’s Palace on the previous day (50 to 73), he leaves Shepperton at 1.15pm.
Week Eight
The whole of week 8 (Monday 1st to Saturday 6th October) was taken completing the scenes entitled ‘Introduction to Ming’, and ‘Flash fights for Dale and loses’, started the previous week.
During those six days, Peter was on set at Shepperton every morning before 8am.
Week Nine
Monday, 8th October.
A total of three scenes were shot at Weybridge, which were situated inside the Control Room of Ming’s Rocket Ship (pt.198 – Ming orders shuttle to be sent for Zarkov), Inside and outside Ming’s Rocket Ship with Blue Backing (pt.210 – Dale watches sky palace explode), and inside the Engine Chamber of Ming’s Battle Rocket (249 – Flash enters Rocket) – again with Blue Backing.
Characters required for the days filming were: Ming, Ming’s Officer, 2 of Ming’s Air Force and 6 of Ming’s Guards. Dale, Zarkov, Flash, Lieutenant, and 6 Hawkmen (Stuntmen).
Special Requirements for these scenes were:
Special Fx: Rocket on rocker. Laser bolts zap Lieutenant (Sc.249)
Camera: Screen shows Zarkov surrendering.
Art Department: Gas masks.
Tuesday, 9th and Wednesday 10th October.
Both days were spent at Shepperton (Soundstage C) to film Scene 275, which involved the War Rocket ‘Ajax’ against a Blue Backing crashing during the wedding, and completing Scene 275, which was a P.O.V. of the same.
Thursday, 11th October involved the shooting of the sequence in which Zogi[1] warns Ming of the “fair-haired prisoner” (83), and the passage where Dale, having escaped from Ming’s bedchamber, meets Zarkov in the corridor (pt.143. 144a. 145. pt.146). All were shot on Soundstages A & B at Shepperton.
Special Requirements for these scenes were:
Art Department: Alter. Massive black-bound book. Wall of black glass behind alter.
Special Fx: Powerful wind. Massive book opens itself. Letters of fire appear in the black glass. Letters eventually vanish and the wind ceases.
Friday, 12th October.
Three sequences were shot at Shepperton (Soundstages A & B), involving Dale and 2 Hooded Guards, and Prince Barin and 4 Stunt Soldiers.
The first is where Dale hears the announcement of Dr Zarkov and Barin’s execution (226). The second two was where Barin fights Ming’s soldiers in the Palace Corridor (268. 270).
Special Requirements for the passages were as follows:
Art Department: Palace P.A. system.
Production: Wedding dress for Dale.
Art Department: (For 268 and 270): 1 Soldier has large weapon which Barin takes.
Special Fx: Gun battle effects.
Saturday, 13th October.
Over at Weybridge, more scenes involving the battle over the War Rocket ‘Ajax’, between the crew and Hawkmen, were shot. These included the moment when the Captain is about to kill Flash (232), and when the Crew prepare for the Hawkmen attack, and where Flash enters and takes over the Bridge (239. 242. 246. 250).
The characters required for these scenes were: Flash, Captain of Ming’s Airforce, Lieutenant, 2 Pilots, 8 Gunners, and 6 Stunt Hawkmen.
Special Requirements for the War Rocket ‘Ajax’ sequences were:
Art Department: Weapons for Hawkmen.
Special Fx: Set on rocker. Vapour billows around Captain and his men.
Camera: Plate for projection on scanner.
Week Ten
From Monday, 15th to Thursday 18th October, work continues on the battle over the War Rocket ‘Ajax’.
On Monday, eleven scenes (239. 242. 246. 250. 253. 259. 261. 262. 264. pt.266. pt.272 and pt.274) are either shot or completed. These include:
(Continue) – ‘Crew prepare for Hawkmen attack’. And ‘Flash enters and takes over the Bridge’.
‘Flash Controls Rocket Ship’.
‘Flash tells Vultan to leave the ship’.
‘Rocket dives towards Mongo’.
‘Final moments before Rocket crashes into palace’.
All scenes are shot at Weybridge.
The characters required for the shoot are: Flash, Captain, Lieutenant, 2 Pilots, 8 Gunners, 6 Stunt Hawkmen. Vultan, Luro, Biro, 2 Pilots (dead), 2 Gunners (dead).
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are used to continue the scenes described above.
Special requirements needed to complete these scenes were:
Art Department: Weapons for Hawkmen.
Special Fx: Vapour billows around Captain and his men. Panels. Practical digital display, etc. Explosions outside rocket. Digital display countdown. Windshield blown out. Wind and explosion Fx. Rocket moves violently about. Smoke, wind Fx.
Camera: Plate for projection on scanner. Control Room lights go out. Now lit by flashing electrical discharges from outside. Rocket veers Fx.
On Friday, 19th October, it was back to Shepperton (Soundstages A & B) for the Wedding sequence in the Great Hall of Mongo City – most exactly, as Dale approaches the alter (254).
Other scenes shot on set involved Ming walking to the alter, with explosions outside (256); Dale getting closer to the alter (260), and the final moments of the wedding procedure (265. pt.266. 267. 271 – before Rocket crash).
The characters involved were: Dale, Ming, Aura, Rima, Zogi, 200 crowd (Note: Maximum costumes from Scs.50, 85 and 86, plus additional to be decided).
Special requirements for these scenes were:
Art Department: Musical instruments.
Production: Crowd dressing rooms.
Week Eleven
Between Monday 22nd and Friday, 26th October, all work concentrated on the scenes on Arboria (Shepperton – Soundstage H).
First on the schedule was the sequence where Prince Barin save Flash from the ‘Swamp Thing’, but is captured by the Hawkmen (169. 170. 171. 172a. 173. 174. 175).
Flash fights for his life in Scenes 170a and 172, and Fico enters the cage with the spare key (158).
The characters required on set were: (169. 170. 171. 172a. 173. 174. 175) Flash, Barin, Luro, Flying Doubles for Flash and Barin, 4 Flying Hawkmen and 1 Double for Luro.
Flash, Lionman, Hawkman, Fico and Treeman (158).
Special requirements for the scenes on Arboria:
Art Department: Hawkmen have dazzling atomic lanterns in their helmets. Bones of animals inside “The Swamp Thing”. Cage half under water which bubbles like a geyser. Lock and keys for cage hatch.
Special Fx: Flash sinks in quicksand, hanging vine for Flash. “The Thing” as scripted – work out how Flash is consumed and breaks out of a skin. Barin’s practical crossbow. Bolt fired into “The Thing”. Luro has a practical laser gun which fires. They swoop down and carry off Flash and Barin – rig. Flash inside “The Thing”. Bolt hits it from outside and it explodes. Dry ice.
Camera: Green moonlight Fx. “The Thing” explodes in a silent flash of atomic light. Patches of phosphorescent lights. Green filtered light Fx.
Saturday, 27th October.
The shoot for the day take place in the Great Hall in the Palace as the War Rocket crashes and brings the wedding to a halt (pt.275. 276. 278. 279. 280. 281. 282. 283. 284).
All are filmed at Shepperton (Soundstages A & B), with the following characters: Flash, Ming, Dale, Aura, Zoki, Vultan, Luro, Biro, Rina, 30 None-Flying Hawkmen, plus a crowd as in Sc.254.
Special requirements for the Great Hall scenes :
Art Department: How long to rig wrecked set and rocket?
Special Fx: Smoke. Explosions, etc. Rig for Flying Hawkmen. Incredible gale effects.
Camera: All lights go out except for a glow around Ming. Bolt of lightning Fx.
Week Twelve
The week began (Monday, 29th October) where it had left off on the previous Saturday with work commencing and completing on the scenes in the Great Hall of Mingo City after Flash had crashed the Rocket into it.
First on the schedule were sequences pt.275. 276. 278. 279. 280. 281. 282. 283 and 284. The character’s needed for these scenes were as above.
Next up were shots inside the wrecked Rocket of Flash breaking out (277).
The final sections (291. 292. 293. 294. 295) were what was described in the Main Unit Shooting Schedule as the ‘Finale’. The characters involved were: Flash, Dale, Vultan, Luro, Biro, Zogi, Aura, Barin, Zarkov, Rima, plus 8 Flying Hawkmen and crowd as per Sc.275.
Special requirements for these scenes were:
Art Department: How long to rig wrecked set and rocket? How long to damage set (Int. Wrecked Rocket)? Weapons.
Special Fx: Smoke. Explosions, etc. Rig for Flying Hawkmen. Incredible gale effects. Wind cease Fx.
Camera: All lights go out except for a glow around Ming. Bolt of lightning Fx. Lights return.
All the above were shot at Shepperton (Soundstages A & B).
Over at Weybridge on Friday, 2nd November, work returned to the sequences on the surface of the War Rocket, ‘Ajax’ (240. 241. 243. 244. 245. 247. 248), for which the following characters were needed: Flash, Vultan, Biro, Luro, 8 Flying Hawkmen, 22 Stunt Hawkmen, 20 Rocket Soldiers.
All the above were required at Weybridge on Saturday, 3rd November.
Special requirements for theses sequences included :
Art Department: Jagged hole in stern where bomb went off. Weapons for Hawkmen and Rocket Soldiers. Hatches open on Rocket Ship. Small exhaust port on deck. Gas masks.
Special Fx: Hawkmen impaled on knives. Set on rocker. Sharpe knives pop up. Slippery lubricant shoots out and covers Rocket deck.
Flash lands rocket cycle on War Rocket. Limpet mine explosions, lasers and grenades. Plastic explosive and explosions Fx. Rubber knives, mattresses, boxes, safety net.
Week Thirteen
First three days of week Thirteen are used to complete the Battle Scenes on the surface of the War Rocket ‘Ajax’ (240. 241. 243. 244. 245. 247. 248.). The characters required on set were as above.
On Thursday, 8th November, work began at EMI Studios (Soundstage 8) on the sequences in Dyzan’s Grotto (285. 286. 287. 288. 289. 290). The characters needed for these scenes were Flash, Dale and Ming.
Special requirements for these scenes were as follows:
Art Department: 6ft. long silver masonary which Flash hurls at the toad.
Special Fx: Pool of green slime. Practical guns. Spider with face of Ming. Dale covered in maggots. Hairy beast pulls Flash into pool. Huge toad with face of Ming. Slime rises in pool. harpoon kills toad Fx, which sinks and disappears, as does the slime. Dummy rock for Flash to throw at Ming.
Camera: Ming lit satanically.
N.B. The above scenes were not used in the finished film.
Week Fourteen
On Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th November, work continued at EMI Studios (Soundstage 8) on the death of Ming in Dyzan’s Grotto (285 to 290), involving Flash, Dale and Ming.
Wednesday, 14th November. EMI Studios – Soundstage 4. Work was carried out on scenes in Vultan’s Sky Palace using Blue Backing.
The characters required for these sequences were: Vultan, Luro, Dale, Zarkov, Biro, 30 Non-Flying Hawkmen, 15 Non-Flying Hawkwomen, 10 Non-Flying Hawkchildren, 8 Flying Hawkmen.
Special requirements for these scenes :
Art Department: Weapons for Hawkmen. Food for Vultan.
Production: School facilities for children.
Containing the work at EMI (Soundstage 4) on Thursday, 15th November, scenes on the Terrace of the Sky Palace (180. 180a. 181. 183. 183a. 183b. 183c. 183d), which involved Prince Barin challenging Flash to ‘Trial by Combat’, Dale seeing Flash, and everyone moving to the ‘Combat Area’.
The characters used in these scenes were as follows: Vultan, Luro, Flash, Barin, Biro and a crowd for Scene 162.
Special requirements for these scenes :
Art Department: Mallet and gong. Two long coiled whips.
Work continued on the scenes inside the Sky Palace on Friday, 16th November, which included the sequences where Dale sees Flash, and the crowd moving to the Combat Area (180a, 181. 183. 183a. 183b. 183c. 183d), plus the arrival of General Klytus (189. 190. 191. pt.192).
The characters needed for these scenes were: Klytus, Vultan, Luro, Barin, Biro, Flash, Zarkov, Dale, plus stunt doubles for Klytus and Flash, and the Hawkpeople used in Sc.162.
Special requirements for these scenes :
Art Department: Klytus’s shuttlecraft lands Fx. Dummy for Klytus. Boxes, mattresses, safety net.
Remaining at EMI Studios (Soundstage 4) on Saturday, 17th November to complete the scene when Klytus arrives at the Sky Palace and to shoot the sequence where Flash throws him onto the spikes (189. 190. 191. pt.192). Also filmed were the section where Flash prepares parachutes and the arrival of Ming’s Rocket (196. pt.197. pt.198).
Special requirements for these passages were :
Art Department: Curtains blow in the wind. Couches, big banners on the walls. White cloth.
Week Fifteen
Monday, 19th November.
Back at EMI Studios (Soundstage 4), work continues on the scenes on the Terrace of Vultan’s Sky Palace where Ming offers Flash a kingdom to rule (201), and in the shaft down which Flash falls to find the Rocket Cycle and escapes (205. 207. 208).
The only characters required on set were Flash, Ming and 2 Hooded Guards.
Tuesday, 20th November brought more work on Scenes 203. 205. 207. 208. which involve Flash making parachutes and, latterly, falling down the shaft.
The shooting of the above sequences continue into Wednesday, 21st November (203. 207. 208), which involve just Flash.
Special requirements for the three days (Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st November) scenes :
Art Department: Several curious Rocket Cycles.
Special Fx. Set on rocker. Piece of outer wall falls away revealing sky. Explosion Fx. Rocket cycle starts up – rockets fire.
Production. How do we shoot Rocket Cycle?
Thursday, 22nd and Friday 23rd November were spent at Weybridge shooting the “Trail by Combat” between Flash and Prince Barin – including the part where Flash wins and saves Barin (Scenes 184. 186 – using Blue Backing).
Week Sixteen
Monday, 26th November was, again, spent completing Scenes 184 and 186; ‘Trial by Combat’ at Weybridge.
Special requirements for these scenes :
Art Department: Hawkmen spray grease onto disc flooring. Vultan’s throne with button panel.
Special Fx. Rocker for contest disc. Whips. Knives shoot up out of the disc. Flash holds onto the knives. Rubber knives for Vultan double.
Camera: Area around and beneath disc is a bottomless sky.
Stunt Arranger: Whip expert.
Tuesday 27th and Wednesday, 28th November. Still resident at Weybridge, Scenes pt.192. 193 were shot – ‘Klytus dead – reveals second face’.
The characters required for these segments were: Klytus, Barin, Hawkpeople, 8 Flying Hawkpeople.
Special requirements for these segments were as follows:
Art Department: Weapons for Hawkpeople.
Special Fx. Klytus reveals a ghastly second face. Many Hawkpeople fly off. Dummy for Klytus.
END OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY
| Notes: [1]. The character, Zogi, is mentioned several times, but appears to have been replaced by a free-floating globe in the final cut. |
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