Starcrash (1978)

February 14, 2025 8:14 AM

[TRAILER] A pair of smugglers manage to pick up a castaway while running from the authorities, who turns out to be the only survivor from a secret mission to destroy a mysterious superweapon designed by the evil Count Zartharn. The smugglers are soon recruited by the Emperor to complete the mission, as well as to rescue the Emperor's son, who has gone missing. Distributed by Roger Corman, the film stars (among others) David Hasselhoff, Caroline Munro, Marjoe Gortner, and Christopher Plummer. Directed and co-written by longtime Dario Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi with a score by John Barry (composer of the Bond theme).

Starring Marjoe Gortner, Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Joe Spinell, Robert Tessier, Nadia Cassini, Judd Hamilton, Christopher Plummer.

Directed by Luigi Cozzi. Screenplay by Luigi Cozzi, Nat Wachsberger, R.A. Dillon. Produced by Nat Wachsberger, Patrick Wachsberger. Cinematography by Paul Beeson, Roberto D'Ettorre Piazzoli. Edited by Sergio Montanari. Music by John Barry.

Many, many streaming options. Find streaming options for your country/services via the film's listing on JustWatch.

posted by DirtyOldTown (5 comments total)

Shamelessly ripped from the Wikipedia article:

Christopher Plummer said of the filming, "Give me Rome any day. I'll do porno in Rome, as long as I can get to Rome. Getting to Rome was the greatest thing that happened in that for me. I think it was only about three days in Rome on that one. It was all shot at once". Discussing his role as the Emperor, he said, "How can you play the Emperor of The Universe? What a wonderful part to play. It puts God in a very dicey moment, doesn't it? He's very insecure, God, when the Emperor’s around."

posted by Halloween Jack at 9:30 AM on February 14 [4 favorites]

One of the best episodes of MST3K!
posted by polecat at 1:19 PM on February 14 [3 favorites]

Close to my favourite Italian Star Wars rip off. Cozzi was never a good director (tho his Alien rip off Contamination is fun) but he leaned, wisely, into camp here which makes it watchable.

And that cast! And that hair! And if you only know the film from the MsT3k episode you are missing out as it has been edited for time - seek out the full length!
posted by Ashwagandha at 11:18 AM on February 15 [2 favorites]

An absolute gem, one of my alltime faves. Should be paired with "Hardware Wars" as an opener.

Also, previously.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 1:14 PM on February 15 [1 favorite]

When we go to Rome this summer I booked a hotel around the corner from Profondo Rosso, the Dario Argento-themed horror store that Luigi Cozzi operates and hangs out in. I figure I should see some of the man's films in case I run into him.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:47 PM on February 15 [1 favorite]