INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the the Shagpile Cockpit.

A psychedelic visual guide to the world of Barbarella as envisioned in the 1968 movie.

Barbarella is definitely a cult film. It wasn't designed to be a cult, like some films, it was made to make money. But like Blade Runner it had a rough ride from the critics, and the film continues to not be taken seriously as sci-fi, or even as a comedy! But despite being ignored by the mainstream, Barbarella still has a huge following as a cult film.

The script keeps getting quoted, the costumes are copied, the set designs are still way out, the soundtrack music is still playing... The movie is always one of the first films out on any new home video format and always somewhere on TV. Postcards, posters, comic books keep getting printed. Barbarella refuses to go away. Not mentioned much in the media, it's a film that succeeds by word-of-mouth.

It's at the top of my top films, not because it's an underdog, but because I genuinely love it and haven't tired of it in thirty years. I first saw Barbarella at midnight on TV in a double-bill with This Island Earth. I love the look, the story, the characters, the cast, the dialogue, the visuals, the music and the intent.

While the announced Barbarella remake by Robert Rodriguez isn't happening, there may still be a new movie in the near future. Keep watching the Barbarella Twitterfeed in the sidebar for any new news.

Why not also try this Italian site for more marvellous photos from the film.

This site is dedicated to everyone involved in the making of the movie, especially the character's creator, Jean-Claude Forest.

Updated, August 2010