Starcrash (1978)
Starcrash directed by Italian filmmaker Luigi Cozzi, is a spacesploitation flic starring Caroline Munro, Christopher Plummer, David Hasselhoff and Joe Spinell. Starcrash cashed in on the popularity of Star Wars. Caroline Munro and Joe Spinell worked later together in two other movies, one of them was Maniac. Starcrash is widely considered a cult classic.
Plot
An female outlaw smuggler Stella Star (Munro) and her alien companion are recruited by the Emperor of the Galaxy to rescue his son and destroy a secret weapon by the evil Count Zarth Arn (Spinell).
On an uninhabited, frozen planet, Stella and Elle investigate the mothership crash site. As with the first crash site, they find no survivors. 
Upon their return to the ship, Thor, who has ambushed and apparently knocked out Akton, reveals that he is an agent of Zarth Arn.
Notable Scenes
The scene with Caroline Munro being arrested by a group of amazone women is classic and maybe scenes of The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak are based on it.
Moreover it is also worth noting is the scene where David Hasselhof fights a stopmotion robot with a lightsaber.
Making of Starcrash
Starcrash, an American production was filmed in Rome. It was an independent production by the Wachsburger brothers for New World Pictures. People think that Starcrash is a Starwars ripoff.
So in an interview director Luigi Cozzi described Starcrash as “science fantasy”. Cozzi said that despite of the fact people believe it is a cash-in of Star Wars, Starcrash was developed before Star Wars was released.
Our view on Starcrash
Starcrash is a cult classic. The over the top acting and space special effects that look dated and fake bring a smile to our faces. It’s good to see Joe Spinell as the evil Count Zarth Arn. An early Hasselhof and the always beautiful Caroline Munro in sexy thigh high boots. You quickly forget the thin storyline.
Trailer
Where to buy
Amazon
DVD/VHS/Betamax/VCC
Watch on Youtube
Details
Genre: Space Opera
Released in: 1978
Era: Seventies
Actors: Joe Spinel, Caroline Munro
David Hasselhoff, Christoper Plummer
Director: Luigi Cozzi
Poster artist: John Solie
