Barbarella (1968) & Krull (1983): Sci-Fi Meets Fantasy | EP04

The space opera genre is often associated with epic adventures like Star Wars or Star Trek, but the history of cosmic storytelling also includes stranger and more unconventional entries.

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore two wildly different films that push the boundaries of the space opera genre: the psychedelic sci-fi cult classic Barbarella (1968) and the fantasy-infused adventure Krull (1983).

Both films blend science fiction with other genres — from comic-book camp to high fantasy — showing how flexible the idea of space opera can be. Together they reveal how the genre evolved through the late twentieth century, experimenting with tone, style and storytelling.

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Discussion Points from the Episode

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore:

• How Barbarella reflects the psychedelic sci-fi aesthetics of the 1960s

• The role of comic books and pulp storytelling in shaping space opera

• Why Krull blends fantasy tropes with science fiction ideas

• The way both films push the boundaries of what a space opera can be

Barbarella (1968)

Director: Roger Vadim

Writers: Roger Vadim, Terry Southern, Claude Brulé, Jean-Claude Forest

Producer: Dino De LaurentiisStarring: Jane Fonda, John Phillip Law, Anita Pallenberg

Release Year: 1968

Barbarella is a cult science fiction film based on the French comic series created by Jean-Claude Forest. The story follows a futuristic space adventurer sent by Earth’s government on a mission to locate the scientist Durand Durand before his powerful weapon threatens galactic peace.

During her journey, Barbarella travels across alien worlds, encountering bizarre characters and the decadent city of Sogo, where strange technology and hedonistic culture dominate society.

The film quickly became famous for its psychedelic production design, colourful costumes and playful erotic tone. While critics were divided at the time of its release, Barbarella has since become a cult classic of 1960s science fiction cinema.

Krull (1983)

Director: Peter Yates

Producer: Ron Silverman

Starring: Ken Marshall, Lysette Anthony, Freddie Jones

Release Year: 1983

Released in the early 1980s, Krull is a unique hybrid of space opera and fantasy adventure.

The story takes place on the planet Krull, where Prince Colwyn sets out to rescue Princess Lyssa after their world is invaded by the mysterious Beast and his army of Slayers. Armed with a magical weapon known as the Glaive, Colwyn gathers a band of warriors and travels across the planet in search of the Beast’s moving fortress.

Along the way he encounters cyclopes, magicians and strange creatures in a quest that blends traditional fantasy storytelling with science-fiction imagery.

The Expanding Boundaries of Space Opera

Together, Barbarella and Krull demonstrate how the space opera genre expanded beyond its pulp adventure origins.

By the late twentieth century, filmmakers were experimenting with new tones and styles:

• psychedelic sci-fi satire

• fantasy-inspired space adventures

• genre hybrids blending science fiction and mythic storytelling

These films show that space opera is not just about epic battles in space — it is also a flexible storytelling tradition capable of absorbing influences from across cinema.

Listen to the Episode

Listen to Space Opera E04: Barbarella (1968) & Krull (1983) wherever you get your podcasts.

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Or explore the full Journey Through Sci-Fi Space Opera series to discover how cosmic adventure stories evolved across film and television.