13 Bizarre and Surreal Facts About Barbarella (1968): A Psychedelic Sci-Fi Adventure
Barbarella is a cult classic sci-fi film that fully embraces its campiness, colorful characters, and quirky plot. Directed by Roger Vadim and starring Jane Fonda, this film from the late 60s is a bizarre mix of eroticism, space adventure, and psychedelic imagery. Based on the French comic strip of the same name, Barbarella is famous for its over-the-top weirdness, making it a film that’s both endearing and strange in equal measure. Let’s dive into 13 oddities that make Barbarella one of the weirdest sci-fi films of its era.
Table of Contents
1. The Floating Zero-Gravity Striptease
One of the most iconic scenes in the film happens right at the beginning, where Jane Fonda’s Barbarella strips out of her space suit in zero gravity. The surreal nature of this opening sequence, where her clothes peel off and float away while she spins in space, sets the tone for the entire movie. It’s a mix of futuristic sensuality and psychedelic imagery, capturing the era’s experimental spirit.
2. The Killer Robot Dolls
Yes, killer robot dolls make an appearance in Barbarella. These creepy little machines, controlled by sinister twin girls, gnaw on Barbarella’s body with their sharp fangs, turning a seemingly innocent scene into one of the most nightmarish moments in the film. The dolls’ attack is one of the strangest and creepiest parts of the movie, blending horror with campy sci-fi.
3. The Twins Who Trap Barbarella
The eerie twin girls, who control the robot dolls, lead Barbarella into this deadly trap. These unsettling children are both creepy and mysterious, and their emotionless expressions add to the weird, horror-like tone of their scenes. Their seemingly innocent presence takes a dark turn when they unleash their deadly toys on an unsuspecting Barbarella.
4. The Excessive Machine
This bizarre invention, created by the villain Durand Durand (not to be confused with the 80s band), is a machine designed to kill through pleasure. Barbarella is strapped into this organ-like device, which generates increasingly pleasurable sensations until, in theory, the victim dies. However, Barbarella’s sexual stamina proves too much for the machine, causing it to break down, a ridiculous and campy moment that’s both absurd and oddly empowering.
5. Pygar, the Blind Angel
Pygar, played by John Phillip Law, is a blind angel who can still fly, despite losing his will to do so. Barbarella rekindles his hope, and they form a close bond, with Pygar helping her escape from dangerous situations. The image of a muscular, winged man carrying Barbarella through the sky is one of the film’s most visually bizarre and memorable moments.
6. The City of Sogo
The dystopian City of Sogo is a decadent, crumbling metropolis where the citizens indulge in endless pleasures and sadistic games. The city itself feels like a psychedelic nightmare, filled with strange technology, dangerous politics, and a society obsessed with physical gratification. The city’s chaotic, anarchic vibe matches the overall tone of the film’s futuristic decadence.
7. The Great Tyrant’s Fashion
Anita Pallenberg plays The Great Tyrant, the villainous ruler of Sogo, who sports one of the most unique looks in sci-fi cinema. Dressed in extravagant, almost fetishistic outfits, complete with a crystal-covered eyepatch, her wardrobe choices are as strange as her character’s behavior. Pallenberg’s seductive and menacing portrayal, combined with her wild costumes, makes The Great Tyrant one of the most memorable characters in the film.
8. The Mysterious Black Goo
In the City of Sogo, there’s a dark, pulsating lake of black goo called the Mathmos, which is sentient and feeds off negative emotions. The Mathmos is controlled by The Great Tyrant, and it’s responsible for much of the city’s chaotic energy. The idea of a sentient, emotion-feeding liquid is just another example of the strange, surreal concepts that Barbarella plays with.
9. The Duran Duran Connection
The villain Durand Durand is a mad scientist and the primary antagonist of the film, but what’s even weirder is that his name later inspired the famous British band Duran Duran. The band openly admitted to borrowing their name from the film’s villain, further cementing Barbarella’s legacy in pop culture.
10. The Ridiculous Dialogue
The dialogue in Barbarella is sometimes more absurd than the plot itself. The film’s campy and sexual tone is reflected in lines like, “An angel doesn’t make love, an angel is love,” delivered with an earnestness that makes the surreal nature of the movie even more amusing. The script is filled with over-the-top, pseudo-philosophical statements that make you wonder if the characters are in on the joke or not.
11. The Ice Skating Guards
In one of the more absurd scenes, Barbarella is guarded by men dressed in full armor… while ice-skating. The idea of armored guards who skate around a futuristic ice rink as they protect the villain’s lair is both impractical and hilarious, adding another layer of camp to the film’s already strange aesthetic.
12. The Sexual Subtext
At its core, Barbarella is a film about sexual liberation. The title character’s many encounters with different characters often have a sensual or romantic angle, exploring the free love and sexual experimentation of the 1960s. The movie feels like a metaphor for sexual exploration in a fantastical, futuristic setting, where inhibitions are left behind.
13. The Hallucinogenic Dream Sequence
Barbarella’s journey includes a strange, dream-like sequence where she’s caught in a hallucinogenic trance. The sequence is filled with surreal imagery, flashing lights, and strange voices, pushing the psychedelic tone of the movie even further. This moment adds to the film’s overall vibe of trippy, otherworldly weirdness, like a sci-fi acid trip.
Conclusion
Barbarella is a film that fully embraces its weirdness. From killer dolls and seductive villains to bizarre dialogue and psychedelic visuals, it’s a movie that thrives on its oddities. Whether you love it for its campy charm or its visual spectacle, Barbarella remains a cult classic that is as strange as it is entertaining. If you’re looking for a sci-fi adventure unlike any other, Barbarella’s world of surreal sex, space, and silliness is the perfect trip.
In 2025, Barbarella is set to return to the screen in a highly anticipated remake, starring Sydney Sweeney in the title role. With modern sensibilities and technology, this new adaptation promises to bring the same quirky, adventurous spirit to a new generation, while paying homage to the original. Whether it embraces the campy, psychedelic tone or takes the character in a new direction, the remake is already generating excitement among fans of the original. Keep an eye out as Barbarella once again takes flight across the cosmos!