Barbarella, Queen of the Galaxy

Directed by Roger Vadim

Starring Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law

Recently I read the collection of the original Barbarella comics. They weren't very good. I then decided to watch the movie for the first time in years.

This is one time the movie is better than the source material. While the basic story of the film does originate with the comics, there are a number of significant changes.

In the movie there are no weapons, universal peace and violence is abhorrent.

In the comics, war abounds, weapons are plentiful, and Barbarella herself is violent.

In the movie physical sex is archaic. In the comic, Barbarella is a pure slut.

Truth is the movie is better then the comic, and much better than many claim.

Barbarella (Jane Fonda) is sent on a mission by the president of Earth to find a rouge scientist, Duran Duran, who has invented a new weapon.

Crash landing on her target planet, Barbarella ends up in a series of events that test her will and expand her sexuality (to put it politely).

Along the way she meets, falls in love with – and makes love to – a Blind Angel (who in truth is the last of his Alien Race), played by John Phillip Law.

Eventually she finds Duran Duran, only to be subject to an outrageous machine which is supposed to ‘stimulate’ her to death. Only Barbarella is too much for the machine, and causes it to overload. Thus she wins the day! Goodness reigns sex er . . . supreme!

Roger Vadim forgoes trying to make a serious moment out of this film. Instead he focused on the silly, fun factor and doing something modern – 'making a comic book movie.'

The story is decent, acting good and direction strong. But the true star of this show is the production values and effects.

This film is absolutely beautiful. Keep in mind this film was made in 1968 and has many sixties styles, including Barbarella’s spaceship filled with shag carpeting.

Sixties styles aside, the effect for this film are awesome and stunning. The filming is outstanding and the colors are superb. There are sequences in this film that have never been done again.

This film truly looks like the printed comic book page – and is richer for it.





FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall Barbarella is a kitschy, sexy, campy, psychedelic trip. Thing is, it is far more compelling and fun film that many people give it credit for.

RATING: 6.5