I have a strong fondness for classic movie serials, and this one proved to be among the stronger examples I've encountered. I’d previously appreciated Buster Crabbe’s appearances following Johnny Weissmuller in the Tarzan role, and I own Hodges’ 1980 adaptation of 'Flash Gordon' on DVD for quite some time now, but I wanted to explore the origins of its appeal by watching the serial versions. Luckily, when I bought a collection of 50 films from Mill Creek called 'Nightmare Worlds,' this one was included. The 12 episodes that make up the 220-minute serial were assembled into a smooth presentation, and the special effects and overall production quality were quite good—it’s clear it came from a respected studio like Universal, and benefited from directors familiar with the serial format, Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. There are minor errors present (like when Ming's guards are scanning a mountainside for the four leads, and five people appear), but it is full of action and has some distinctive transition effects that I can see influencing later filmmakers like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. It’s also notable how the creators were able to incorporate subtle commentary on the rising Nazi/Fascist movements around the world—movements causing so much trouble globally. It's a film I would gladly suggest to anyone who appreciates the lighter, more entertaining side of movies.

Source on TMDB