Posted on 02/03/2025 9:36:11 AM PST by simpson96
Begun in Britain, finished in Hollywood after the outbreak of war, Alexander Korda’s glorious Arabian Nights super-production started the decade in a riot of exotic colour. The Thief of Bagdad sees Indian-born child star Sabu playing the boy thief who helps the usurped king of Baghdad regain the throne taken from him by the evil vizier Jaffar (Conrad Veidt). Their magical journey takes in a mechanical flying horse, a magic carpet ride, an all-seeing eye and a giant, wish-granting genie – all rendered with primitive but forever enchanting blue-screen and matte painting effects.
Michael Powell was one of the six directors, including three who remained uncredited. In his autobiography, he recalls a child excitedly clinging to his leg during a screening at Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios in the 1980s and claiming: “It’s the best movie I ever saw.” Even now, its influence handed down through Star Wars and Indiana Jones, it prompts a similar gee-whiz awe.
"The Thief of Bagdad" (1940, Technicolor full movie)
*ping*
IMHO, one of the greatest movies ever made.
Thief of Baghdad? Who stole Saddahm’s WMD? /s
IMHO, I wouldn’t go that far but worth a look for sure. Saw it ages ago. Probably on Saturday Night at the Movies. :)
To be remade as “The Thief of Kiev”....................
I also have the 1924 version in my DVD collection. That one is also quite good.
The athletic teams of the high school in Bagdad, AZ were officially named the Bagdad Thieves after that movie came out. Nowadays they’re the Bagdad Sultans, but I don’t know when they were renamed. Sometime in the 50s, I think.
Thanks!
I finished “One Touch of Venus” last night. Thoroughly enjoyable. I read all the actors did their own singing except Ava Gardner!
One of my top 10 favorite movies 🎬.
First saw this well over 60 years ago. Have enjoyed it from time to time since.
Michael Powell was one of the best directors ever. I have his two books.
I still remember th theme song:
“I want to be a sailor sailing on the sea.....”
Ihad a crush on Sabu when I was a little girl.
Steve Reeve’s 1961 Thief of Baghdad is a wonderful movie, too.
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