Synopsis
A voluptuous outer space agent travels to another galaxy in search of a missing inventor in this science fiction send-up. Barbarella (Jane Fonda), an interstellar representative of the united Earth government in the 41st century, is dispatched to locate scientist Durand Durand, whose positronic ray, if not recovered, could signal the end of humanity. Outfitted in an array of stunning Star Trek/Bond girl outfits and cruising around in a plush, psychedelic spaceship, Barbarella travels to the Tau Seti system and promptly crash-lands. She then spends the rest of the film discovering the joys of interstellar sex with a keeper of feral children (Ugo Tognazzi), a blind, beatific angel (John Phillip Law), and an inept revolutionary named Dildano (David Hemmings). Slowly but surely, she also finds her way to Durand Durand by moving from one exotic, Wizard of Oz-style locale to another. Along the way, she meets the kindly Professor Ping (a surprisingly verbal Marcel Marceau), a Eurotrash dominatrix named the Great Tyrant (Rolling Stones gal pal Anita Pallenberg), and the Concierge (Milo O'Shea), a strangely familiar lackey of the Great Tyrant who tries to destroy Barbarella with his great big organ of love. Jean-Claude Forest, who created the character Barbarella in 1962 for V-Magazine, served as visual advisor on the adaptation. The film's missing scientist character famously inspired the band name of '80s pop stars Duran Duran (who altered the spelling slightly). Almost two decades later, the film also inspired electronic act Matmos, which was named after the aqueous personification of evil unleashed by the Concierge at the movie's climax.
What Critics Say
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Movie News
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'Barbarella' Remake Cancelled
Filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has abandoned his remake of Jane Fonda's 'Barbarella' -- because the father of five couldn't bear the thought of shooting the film in Germany.
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'Barbarella' Director Dead of Cancer
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 11, 2000 -- Filmmaker Roger Vadim, best known for discovering Brigitte Bardot and keeping company with the likes of Jane Fonda and Catherine Deneuve, died today of cancer. He was 72.
The Paris-born Vadim was married to the then-teenage Bardot when he made his directorial debut in 1956 with "And God Created Woman." The film launched Bardot's career as a sex symbol and stirred much talk for its outrageous (at the time) unveiling of her skin. In the short run, "And God ..." was banned in several countries. In the long run, it helped launch France's New Wave film movement of the 1950s.
In 1965, Vadim wed a 27-year-old, pre-controversial Jane Fonda (his third wife). Two years later, the couple teamed to reveal Fonda's own assets on screen with the Vadim-directed sci-fi cult hit "Barbarella". The couple had one daughter, Vanessa, before splitt
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It's a Go: Drew Barrymore's Barbarella Finds Funding, Director
HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 28, 2000 -- It's official: Drew Barrymore's latest film project, a retelling of the '60s classic Barbarella, has now received funding from Fox and Warner Bros.
John August, who directed the darkly comic Go and is rewriting Jurassic Park 3, has signed on to direct.
In the revamped version, Barrymore -- who also serves as producer -- plays a meek yet sexy woman who leads a planet-wide revolution to overthrow a corrupt government. Although the film will be similar to Jane Fonda's original, Barrymore insists her version is not a remake of the campy sci-fi tale.
Representatives for the project, attempting to describe the storyline, call the upcoming film a cross between "sci-fi and Woody Allen sex comedies."