Few 1960s science fiction films capture the pop atmosphere of that era as much as Barbarella, directed by Roger Vadim. Upon its release in 1968, the film met with little success, but it is now rightfully regarded as a true cult classic among genre enthusiasts.
Blending science fiction, humor, and a generous dose of eroticism, Barbarella cemented the “space age” aesthetic that thrived between the 1960s and 1970s. This was largely thanks to the imaginative (and often skimpy) costumes designed by Paco Rabanne, including eight worn by the protagonist throughout the story.
It’s a shame, however, that no Italian DVD or Blu-ray version of the film has ever been released, likely due to some legal controversy—there’s no other plausible explanation.
The film features several quirky weapons, albeit with fleeting appearances, reflecting its “peace and love” era roots. These fantastical, custom-designed arms are wielded by the stunning protagonist (played by Jane Fonda) and other characters.
Here are a few examples:
However, the most iconic weapon from Barbarella is the famous space pistol, which curiously doesn’t seem to appear in any actual scene of the film. Instead, it takes center stage in one of the iconic promotional photo shoots, depicting the heroine inside her plush-covered spaceship cockpit. (On a side note, the transparent breastplate with shoulder pads seems to have inspired a certain infamous Star Wars villain…)
The pistol also appears in other photo series from the film, as well as on the cover of the American Blu-ray edition:
But what kind of pistol is it? Take a look at this old Mak’s water gun catalog from the mid-1960s—does anything on the left look familiar?
Yes, it’s her! At that point, though, it was still a black military-style water submachine gun. The water gun was painted metallic gray, transformed into a full-fledged space pistol, and then placed in the hands of the lovely Jane.
And here, at last, is my Barbarella space pistol in all its glory:
