The Emperor Ming I'd much rather see you on my side, than scattered into... atoms.
Played by Max von Sydow 
Flash Gordon (1980) · 33 quotes
Flash Gordon (1980) · 33 quotes
Most-quoted character in Flash Gordon (1980): in 8 of its 33 quotes
Most scenes with: Flash Gordon (2)
Pathetic earthlings... who can save you now?
More lines from The Emperor Ming
3 quotes The Emperor Ming The Emperor Ming Pathetic earthlings. Hurling your bodies out into the void, without the slightest inkling of who or what is out here. If you had known anything about the true nature of the universe, anything at all, you would've hidden from it in terror.
The Emperor Ming Are your men on the right pills? [to Klytus, as Flash successfully battles palace guards]
Scenes with The Emperor Ming
4 scenes
Dr. Hans Zarkov We are only interested in friendship. Why do you attack us?
The Emperor Ming Why not?
The Emperor Ming Every thousand years, I test each life system in the Universe. I visit it with mysteries, earthquakes, unpredicted eclipses, strange craters in the wilderness... If these are taken as natural, I judge that system ignorant and harmless - I spare it. But if the Hand of Ming is recognized in these events, I judge that system dangerous to us. I call upon the great god Dyzan, and for his greater glory... [leans forward, smiling] and for our mutual pleasure... [leans back again] I destroy it utterly.
Dr. Hans Zarkov You're saying... it's my fault the Earth is being destroyed?
The Emperor Ming [grinning]
Precisely... Doctor!
The Emperor Ming Klytus, I'm bored. What plaything can you offer me today?
An obscure body in the S-K system, Your Majesty. The inhabitants refer to it as the planet... "Earth".
The Emperor Ming How peaceful it looks.
[He activates a console, and watches as earthquakes, floods, etc., start to occur. They both get a good laugh out of it.]
Most effective, Your Majesty. Will you destroy this, uh, "Earth?"
The Emperor Ming Later. I like to play with things a while... before annihilation.
Zogi, the High Priest
Do you, Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe, take this Earthling Dale Arden, to be your Empress of the Hour?
The Emperor Ming Of the hour, yes.
Zogi, the High Priest
Do you promise to use her as you will?
The Emperor Ming Certainly!
Zogi, the High Priest
Not to blast her into space?
Zogi, the High Priest
[Ming glares at Zogi]
Uh, until such time as you grow weary of her.
The Emperor Ming I do.
I do NOT!
The Emperor Ming You want to destroy me.
It's the only way to save Earth.
The Emperor Ming What if l granted you a kingdom?
If you what?
The Emperor Ming Ming the Merciless, ruler of the universe, offers Flash Gordon of Earth a kingdom of Mongo, to rule over as his own.
You're crazy. Why would you do that?
The Emperor Ming Because I've never before met your like. You're a hero, don't you see that? Who better to rule a kingdom? Your moon is very close now. Earth's end might come within hours.
You'd call off the attack?
The Emperor Ming I could.
Everyone would be saved?
The Emperor Ming Yes... and no. After the earthquakes and tidal waves, they won't be quite the human beings you remember. They'll be more flexible. Easier for you to rule, in the name of Ming.
You mean slaves.
The Emperor Ming Let's say they'll be satisfied with less.
The game's lost, Ming! Stop your attack on Earth and I'll spare your life!
The Emperor Ming You pitiful fool! My life is not for any earthling to give or take!
[Ming attempts to hold back Flash with the power of his ring. Flash approaches unaffected and menaces Ming with a sword. Ming cowers.]
Your power is fading, Ming.
Other characters in Flash Gordon
More Max von Sydow characters
The Tracker
Block
Leland Gaunt
Father Merrin
Joubert
Dr. Jeremiah Naehring
Frederick
Dr. Paul Novotny