Barbarella Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A space babe with questionable fashion choices travels the galaxy, solving problems with love and occasionally blowing up pleasure machines.

🍿 Barbarella: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The President’s Mission

In the 41st century, Earth is a peaceful planet with no need for weapons. Barbarella, a skilled astronaut, is summoned by the President of Earth. He informs her that scientist Durand Durand has gone missing in the Tau Ceti star system, and he fears that Durand’s powerful positronic ray could fall into the wrong hands and be used as a weapon. Barbarella is tasked with finding Durand and securing the positronic ray. She is equipped with weapons and a device to locate Durand and sets off on her mission in her spaceship, the Alpha-7.

Crash Landing and Encounters

Barbarella crash lands on Planet 16 after losing control of her spacecraft. She encounters a group of children who attack her with mechanical dolls. She is rescued by Mark Hand, a ‘Catchman’ who brings wayward children back to civilization. Barbarella repays him in an old-fashioned manner and she has sex with him. She then resumes her journey, only to crash again due to Mark’s reversed repair of her spaceship. She tunnels through the planet’s core to the Labyrinth.

The Labyrinth and Sogo

In the Labyrinth, Barbarella meets Pygar, a blind angel, and Professor Ping. Pygar’s inability to fly stems from a lack of morale, which Barbarella helps restore through sexual encounter. They travel to the city of Sogo, ruled by the Great Tyrant, where they face various dangers and bizarre encounters.

Imprisonment and Resistance

Upon arriving in Sogo, Pygar is abducted, and Barbarella is captured by the Concierge. She faces various tortures, including being attacked by birds. She eventually joins the Resistance, led by Dildano, who plans to overthrow the Great Tyrant. Barbarella has sex with Dildano to further their bond.

Confronting Durand Durand

Barbarella is captured again and faces death by pleasure in Durand Durand’s organ-like machine. However, her capacity for pleasure is too great, and she breaks the machine. She discovers that the Concierge is actually Durand Durand. He steals the key to the Great Tyrant’s Chamber of Dreams and plots to take over Sogo.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Barbarella (Jane Fonda): A 41st-century astronaut tasked with finding and stopping the evil scientist Durand Durand.
• Pygar (John Phillip Law): A blind angel who aids Barbarella on her quest and embodies love.
• The Great Tyrant (Anita Pallenberg): The one-eyed ruler of Sogo, known for her cruelty and lesbian desires.
• Durand Durand (Milo O’Shea): The evil scientist whose invention, the Positronic Ray, threatens the galaxy.
• Dildano (David Hemmings): The leader of the resistance movement against the Great Tyrant in Sogo.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Barbarella: “I’m a Fifth Level Dreamer.” – Barbarella states this when asked about her abilities, highlighting her unique skill set as an astronaut.
• Barbarella: “How can I reward you?” – Barbarella often asks this after someone helps her, showcasing her innocent and sensual nature.
• The Great Tyrant: “Pretty, pretty.” – The Great Tyrant says this when expressing her desire for Barbarella, highlighting her predatory nature.
• Pygar: “An angel doesn’t make love. An angel IS love.” – Pygar says this to the Great Tyrant, expressing his pure and selfless nature as an angel of love.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $1,288

💥 Barbarella Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, Barbarella is insane, but in the best possible way. I saw it years ago and it’s still stuck with me. Jane Fonda is absolutely iconic. I remember the opening scene and the whole feel of the movie being just so strange and unlike anything else I’d ever seen. It’s definitely not a movie for everyone, but if you like campy sci-fi, it’s a must-see. I’d recommend seeing it with a group of friends for the full experience.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of campy science fiction”
  • “Viewers interested in 1960s psychedelic cinema”
  • “Admirers of Jane Fonda”
  • “Those looking for cult classics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Suggestive themes”
  • “Violence”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “A visually stunning, if somewhat incoherent, space opera that embraces its campiness. Jane Fonda shines as Barbarella, bringing both innocence and a playful sensuality to the role. The film’s over-the-top sets and costumes make for a visually arresting experience, even if the plot occasionally gets lost in the psychedelic haze.
• Indiewire: “Barbarella is a quintessential cult classic, a product of the 60s that’s both fascinating and baffling. The film’s greatest strength is its sheer audacity, its willingness to push boundaries of sexuality and visual excess. While it may not be for everyone, it’s a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Audience Reactions

The sheer absurdity of the plot and the over-the-top costumes are hilarious.: Viewers praise the film’s unique visual style and Jane Fonda’s performance.

It’s like a fever dream in space!: Regular viewers agree Barbarella is unique and unforgettable.

Overall Consensus: Barbarella is a campy, visually striking cult classic that is loved for its absurdity and Jane Fonda’s iconic performance, but divisive due to its nonsensical plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The opening credits sequence, featuring Jane Fonda in zero gravity, was achieved by having her lie on a large piece of Plexiglas with a picture of a spaceship underneath.”
• “The film’s costume design, particularly Barbarella’s outfits, was heavily influenced by the futuristic designs of Paco Rabanne.”
• “The band Duran Duran took their name from the film’s villain, Dr. Durand Durand.”

🖥️ How to Watch Barbarella?

As a cult classic, Barbarella is available for rent or purchase on various platforms. Check services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu to find where you can stream or buy the film. Availability may vary depending on your region, so be sure to check local listings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Barbarella, you might like these similar films:

• Flash Gordon (1980): Similar campy, over-the-top space opera with outlandish costumes and visuals.
• Danger: Diabolik (1968): Another visually striking and stylized Italian film from the same era with a similar pop-art aesthetic.
• The Fifth Element (1997): A visually inventive and humorous space opera with a strong female lead and a unique sense of style.
• Heavy Metal (1981): An animated anthology featuring various science fiction and fantasy stories with adult themes and psychedelic visuals.

🛒 Barbarella Related Products

• Barbarella: The Motion Picture Soundtrack [LP]: A pristine vinyl pressing of the iconic soundtrack, featuring tracks by Charles Fox and Bob Crewe. Perfect for collectors and fans of the film’s unique musical atmosphere.
• Barbarella: Queen of the Galaxy (Blu-ray): High-definition Blu-ray release of Barbarella, featuring restored visuals and sound. Includes bonus content such as behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
• Barbarella Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Barbarella movie poster. It will give you some real throwback vibes.
• Barbarella T-Shirt: Celebrate the iconic space adventure with this Barbarella graphic t-shirt. Made from soft, comfortable cotton.

🎧 Soundtrack

Barbarella features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Barbarella” – performed by The Glitterhouse
• “An Angel Is Love” – performed by Bob Crewe & Charles Fox

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Barbarella in the Excessive Machine – Flickfeast’s Scene Stealers

Remember that crazy ‘Excessive Machine’ scene? This video breaks down why it’s so iconic and, honestly, pretty weird. You’ve gotta see why everyone’s talking about it!

Brandon’s Cult Movie Reviews: BARBARELLA

Ever wondered if Barbarella is *actually* good, or just so bad it’s good? This review dives deep into the film’s cult status and delivers a verdict that might surprise you. I find it brutally honest!

✨ Rate