Starcrash is a 1978 is a space opera film about an outlaw smuggler and her alien companion who are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon by the evil Count Zarth Arn. Also known as Star Crash.
Despite its modest budget and famously campy special effects, Starcrash has become a cult favourite thanks to its exuberant imagination, colourful production design, energetic score by John Barry, and its unabashedly over-the-top take on the space-opera genre.
The movie was directed by Luigi Cozzi (Blood on Méliès’ Moon; The Black Cat [1990]; Paganini Horror; Hercules [1983] and its sequel; Contamination) from a screenplay co-written with co-producer Nat Wachsberger and R.A. Dillon
The American-Italian co-production stars Marjoe Gortner, Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Joe Spinell and Christopher Plummer.
Plot [contains spoilers]:
In a distant galaxy, an Imperial starship searching for the villainous Count Zarth Arn is destroyed by a mysterious superweapon. Before the ship is lost, three escape pods are launched, one of which contains Prince Simon, the son of the Emperor.
Elsewhere, outlaw smuggler Stella Star (Caroline Munro) and her enigmatic companion Akton are pursued by the Imperial Space Police. During their escape they recover one of the escape pods and rescue its lone survivor, but are soon arrested for piracy. Instead of being imprisoned, they are unexpectedly pardoned by the Emperor (Christopher Plummer), who recruits them to locate his missing son and destroy Count Zarth Arn’s secret weapon before it can conquer the galaxy.
Joined by the robot sheriff Elle and Police Chief Thor, Stella’s team travels across a series of strange planets. They battle Amazon-like warriors in a jungle world, survive an ice planet where Stella is frozen overnight, and discover that Thor has secretly been working for Count Zarth Arn. Akton’s mysterious psychic abilities repeatedly save the group from seemingly impossible situations.
Eventually, the heroes reach the Count’s hidden fortress, where they find Prince Simon (David Hasselhoff). The Count captures them and reveals his plan to lure the Emperor into a trap while detonating a massive doomsday device. Akton sacrifices himself battling the Count’s robotic guards, allowing Stella and Simon to escape.
The story culminates in an enormous space battle between the Emperor’s fleet and the Count’s forces. When conventional attacks fail, Stella volunteers for a desperate final mission: piloting an abandoned space station directly into the Count’s headquarters. She narrowly escapes with Elle before the collision destroys the enemy base in the “star crash” that gives the film its title. Count Zarth Arn is killed, the Emperor’s victory is secured, and peace returns to the galaxy. Simon and Stella are reunited, with the film ending on a triumphant, optimistic note…
“Unlike most of the Star Wars movies, Starcrash is always amusing and compelling, punched up with amazing moments.” Mike “McBeardo” McFadden, Heavy Metal Movies
Buy Heavy Metal Movies: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Cast and characters:
Caroline Munro as Stella Star, a young smuggler, who is the best astro-pilot in the whole universe. Munro’s voice was re-dubbed by an uncredited Candy Clark.
Marjoe Gortner as Akton, Stella’s loyal sidekick, human in appearance, endowed with mystical powers including the power to bring people back to life. He fights with a laser sword similar to a Star Wars lightsaber.
Judd Hamilton as Elle, a powerful robot policeman Hamilton’s voice was re-dubbed by an uncredited Hamilton Camp.
David Hasselhoff as Prince Simon, the Emperor’s only son and the sole survivor of Zarth Arn’s assault on his ship.
Christopher Plummer as The Emperor of the First Circle of the Universe.
Joe Spinell as Count Zarth Arn, a megalomaniac renegade.
Robert Tessier as Thor, Chief of the Imperial State Police.
Nadia Cassini as Corelia, Queen of the Amazon women on the first planet that Stella and her crew visit.
Trailer:
Free to watch online on YouTube:
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