As far as B-rate sci-fi movies go, Battle Beyond the Stars is probably my all-time favorite. It was a fun movie, even if it did cannibalize the sound effects from Battlestar Galactica. (not a slam on the movie at all.)
Speaking of cannibalization...I think it could be agreed that Battle Beyond the Stars itself was extremely cannibalized after its release.
Movies like "Space Raiders", and the Showtime Original "Murder In Space" back in 1984-5 used special effects footage straight from "BBTS". Space Raiders also used James Horner's BBTS Soundtrack.
Some notes of trivia: (showing just how sharp my memory can unnecessarily be sometimes

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On Cinemax, back in 1981 when they would play previews for the movie "Breaker Morant", you could hear the opening notes of "BBTS".
This movie is where James Cameron really got his start in visual effects.
The laser pistols that George Peppard was selling (Mac Laser 10's as he called em) were taken straight from the Buck Rogers prop shop).
Marta Kristen from Lost In Space played one of the Akir.
The Malmori battlecruiser always looked to me like they took the front of the Star Wars Blockade Runner, and the back of an Imperial Star Destroyer, gave it red thruster fire, and BLAP! slapped em together.
One of the things I loved about "BBTS" is that during the big ground battle, you actually saw Akir defenders exhausted from battle. It wasn't just "fight's over, we're happy now". No, this actually showed just a little bit of how mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting such a battle would be. A very serious note in an otherwise fun, campy movie.
And yes, Sybill Danning was just uber-hot as St. Exmin of the Valkyrie.
"Live fast, fight well, and have a beautiful ending."
As a kid the movie was lots of fun. As an adult, I simply have to turn on the inner kid again. But there are some scenes that make me flinch.
Example: The two teenage kids (who are apparently playing rather young young'ns) who go up to Robert Vaughan while he's maintaining his weapons and ask him: "Mister, are you a bad man?" (SHUDDER!!!!!!)
Space Cowboy was clearly the COOLEST character in the movie. Especially when he sends out his "distress signal." Great laughs there.
"This is Space Cowboy. Mayday, mayday. SOS. (and then with mock distress) Helllllllp."
His scenes with Marta Kristen were great, especially with his "belt bar".
Ahh..heck...when all is said and done, BBTS is a great, campy, fun space fantasy that belongs in any sci-fi fan's collection.

Martok the Reminiscent
