Prepare for a pulse-pounding voyage across the stars with “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars,” the legendary 1938 science fiction adventure, now meticulously colorized for a new generation of fans. This Universal Pictures serial, based on Alex Raymond’s iconic comic strip, delivers 15 thrilling chapters packed with action, suspense, and dazzling special effects—reimagined in high-definition color for the ultimate home viewing experience.
When a mysterious raybeam begins to wreak havoc on Earth’s atmosphere, only one hero can save the day: Flash Gordon. Alongside the ever-resourceful Dr. Zarkov, the courageous Dale Arden, and the wisecracking reporter Happy Hapgood, Flash blasts off in Zarkov’s rocketship, determined to trace the deadly threat to its source. Their interplanetary journey leads them not to Mongo, but to the red planet Mars—a bold departure from the original comic strip’s setting and a creative twist that sets this serial apart.
Upon arrival, Flash and his team discover that their old nemesis, Ming the Merciless, has survived and forged a dangerous alliance with Azura, the enigmatic Witch Queen of Mars. Together, they wield the Nitron ray, a super-scientific weapon capable of destroying Earth’s atmosphere. Azura’s powers are as formidable as Ming’s cunning: she can transmute her enemies into living clay, condemning them to a shadowy existence in the Martian catacombs.
The Martian Clay People, led by their wise king, possess the secret to breaking Azura’s spell, but lack the means to escape their underground prison. Initially distrustful, they take Dale Arden hostage, forcing Flash and his companions to prove their intentions. Through daring escapes, clever disguises, and shifting alliances, the Earth heroes and the Clay People unite in a desperate bid to defeat Ming and Azura, free Mars from tyranny, and save Earth from annihilation.
The serial features a dynamic ensemble of stars, each bringing their iconic characters to life:
Buster Crabbe as Flash Gordon
Jean Rogers as Dale Arden
Frank Shannon as Dr. Alexis Zarkov
Charles B. Middleton as Ming the Merciless
Beatrice Roberts as Queen Azura
Donald Kerr as Happy Hapgood
Montague Shaw as the Clay King
“Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars” is a quintessential space adventure serial, blending elements of science fiction, fantasy, and action. Its imaginative world-building, serialized cliffhangers, and inventive special effects make it a landmark in early American sci-fi cinema. The serial’s blend of ray guns, rocketships, magical transformations, and Martian intrigue offers a genre experience that’s both nostalgic and exhilarating.
Released in 1938, “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars” was the second of three Flash Gordon serials produced by Universal Pictures between 1936 and 1940. Its release coincided with a surge in interest in Martian stories, notably fueled by Orson Welles’ infamous “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast later that year, which helped draw eager audiences to the serial’s re-release as a feature-length film.
The decision to set the story on Mars was a unique creative choice, as the original comic strip adventures were confined to the planet Mongo. This Martian setting allowed for new villains, exotic landscapes, and dramatic visual effects that pushed the boundaries of 1930s filmmaking. The serial’s influence can be seen in later space operas, from classic television to modern blockbusters.
This colorized edition of “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars” uses advanced digital techniques to breathe new life into the original black-and-white footage. Each frame has been carefully enhanced, highlighting the spectacular costumes, Martian landscapes, and thrilling action sequences. The restoration process preserves the serial’s vintage charm while making it more accessible and visually engaging for today’s viewers.
Directors: Ford Beebe, Robert F. Hill
Writers: Ray Trampe, Norman S. Hall, Wyndham Gittens, Herbert Dalmas
Based on: Comic strip by Alex Raymond
Cinematography: Jerome Ash
Production Company: Universal Pictures
Release Date: March 21, 1938
Format: 15 chapters (299 minutes total)
Download Format: MP4
Resolution: HD (1080p)
Device Compatibility: Works on smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs
While best known as “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars,” the serial has also been re-edited and released as a feature-length film under titles like “Mars Attacks the World.” Fans may also recognize it as the middle entry in the Flash Gordon serial trilogy, preceded by “Flash Gordon” (1936) and followed by “Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe” (1940).
Experience a pioneering sci-fi adventure in vivid color
Relive the legendary battles between Flash Gordon and Ming the Merciless
Enjoy a fully restored HD version, perfect for collectors and classic movie fans
Witness the origins of the space opera genre, with dazzling effects and imaginative storytelling
Q: What is the story of “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars”?
A: Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to stop Ming the Merciless and Queen Azura from destroying Earth with a deadly Nitron ray.
Q: Who are the main villains?
A: Ming the Merciless and Queen Azura, the Witch Queen of Mars.
Q: Is this version colorized?
A: Yes, this edition has been professionally colorized and restored in HD.
Q: What other titles is this serial known by?
A: It has also been released as “Mars Attacks the World.”
Rediscover the timeless excitement of “Flash Gordon’s Trip to Mars”—now in color and ready for your next movie night!