Other Titles • The Thief of Bagdad • Der Dieb von Bagdad (1949)
Synopses for The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
1.
Alexander Korda's 1940 version of The Thief of Bagdad offers stirring proof that a strong story and vivid visual sense can still dazzle modern movie-goers without the aid of computer graphics or intricate special effects. Korda wrangled a virtual committee of directors (including a young Michael Powell and visionary designer and art director William Cameron Menzies) and orchestrated a still effective series of optical effects to give this Technicolor fable a striking look that mates cinematic energy with a painterly, storybook aesthetic. Even from a 21st century vantage point, this decidedly pre-digital production remains charming, distilling a familiar tale of genies, evil wizards and exotic adventures into an archetypal heroic quest.
In remaking Douglas Fairbanks' hugely popular, technically ambitious 1926 silent production, Korda repositions the title character as a much younger figure with the casting of a teenaged Sabu as the youthful thief, Abu. That shift makes his enemy, the evil Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), much more threatening while giving the fable an innocence the swashbuckling Fairbanks could not supply. In Rex Ingram, the film supplies a genie with a winning contrast in his thundering voice and mischievous smile, while June Duprez provides the requisite beauty to the princess whose fate becomes Abu's test of courage. Fellow Hungarian émigré Miklós Rózsa adorns the movie with one of his earliest and most evocative music scores. It's one measure of this Thief's appeal that at least two more remakes followed, but none have trumped this adaptation. --Sam Sutherland
(18 votes)
2.
Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda's crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards® for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez). From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram's towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. --Jeff Shannon
(15 votes)
3.
This wondrous fantasy comes out of the pages of "A Thousand and One Nights." When the nefarious Jaffar usurps the Sultan's throne, the princess's beloved suitor Ahmad and the strong and handsome thief Abu use magic to help the king regain power. To defeat them, Jaffar causes Ahmad to go blind, and turns Abu into a dog. But the heroes overcome these adversities and conquer many other mortal dangers before reclaiming the kingdom.
(15 votes)
4.
A magic carpet ride of Oscar®-winning thrills!
All aboard for one of the best fantasy-adventures of any movie era! This spectacular triple Oscar® winner drawn from The Arabian Nights is filled with fascinating effects, exotic settings, and full-tilt excitement!
Fifteen year old Sabu plays Abu, a clever vagabond determined to defeat the evil Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) and restore the rightful ruler (John Justin) to the throne. Abu knows he must rely on all his courage and cunning to complete his glorious quest. And, luckily, he has help from an unexpected source: a hulking 50 foot genie (Rex Ingram) who will grant three wishes if Abu frees him from a bottle!
(15 votes)
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