A question

[armb]

Cut because otherwise someone who hasn't seen a recent reference is going to guess why I'm asking now. That bit at the end of the 1980 Flash Gordon movie where a hand picks up Ming's ring and the caption says "The End?" - is that specific to that movie, or was it taken from earlier versions?

Comments

[ffutures.livejournal.com]

No idea, but I suspect that the idea of Horcruxes might have a similar source.

[armb.livejournal.com]

The immortal or undead sorceror with his soul (or heart) hidden outside his body has much older origins. That might have informed Ming's ring, or the Doctor's watch, but I think the feel is different.