Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Dreadfully Boring

Brilliant and touching

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Lavishly mounted and set, the accent is firmly on the magic, the color and the fan¬tasy rather than on the actors or the plot. As in the Fairbanks version, the story is no more than a convenient peg on which to hang dazzling pictorial effects. But the silent film did have a very likable hero in Fairbanks himself, whereas John Justin is rather dull. Fortunately, Sabu is winningly impish as the hero's companion, while Miss Duprez makes a most attractive princess and Miles Malleson a delightfully wheezy sultan. Rex Ingram, hampered by some very obvious process screen effects, is okay as the genie. And Conrad Veidt provides a fascinatingly diabolic portrayal of the evil Grand Vizier. Perinal and Korda thoroughly deserved their Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards. And Rosza's nomination for his imaginatively atmospheric music scoring was also spot on. The special effects are a little tacky by present standards, but don't let that criticism deter you from indulging in the stunning visual richness of this no-expense-spared, escapist spectacle.

Made back when "Arabian Nights" movies were still novel, this lavish production was already a "remake" back in 1940. I haven't seen the Douglas Fairbanks version, but after watching this Technicolor rendition I'm eager to give the earlier film a watch. Unlike that 1924 incarnation, this film has no major stars. It doesn't even have a single director (at least three are credited). But with Alexander Korda producing, and Michael Powell directing much of it, "Thief" retains a singleness of vision and purpose. The undisputed star of the film is Conrad Veidt as the devious usurper Jaffar. It's a tour de force by Veidt, who superbly renders Jaffar's menacing countenance, but in a surprisingly complex and at times even sympathetic way. Both he and John Justin's Ahmad are vying for the affections of the gorgeous princess, played by June Duprez. Sabu, playing Abu the young thief, and Rex Ingram, playing the djinni, are outstanding.But the real star, which shocked me for a 1940 film, is the special effects. Flying horses and carpets, child's play in the CGI era, were no mean task back then, but the results are believable and at times spectacular.I highly recommend the 2-disc Criterion release, which in addition to a making-of documentary contains two commentary tracks: one with directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, and one with film historian Bruce Eder. Both Coppola and Scorsese relate their boyhood introductions to the film, and provide valuable insight into the visual and musical aspects of the film. Eder supplies fascinating historical context. Also included is a feature, "The Lion Has Wings," a rather heavy-handed bit of propaganda and in no way the equal of "Thief," but interesting nonetheless as a reflection of England's entry into World War II.

The special effects of this classic fantasy might seem rudimentary by today's standards, but THE THIEF OF BAGDAD is still wonderful entertainment. Partly this is due to the wonderful performances: Conrad Veidt is an eminently hissable villain, set against John Justin's clean- cut Ahmad and June Duprez's untouchable Princess. Sabu doesn't take himself too seriously - even in the midst of the most difficult situation he uses humor; while Rex Ingram's Djinn has a full-throated belly-laugh. The sets and costumes are quite simply out of this world - a riot of color complemented by futuristic designs (reminiscent of Menzies' 1936 hit THINGS TO COME). While the story has a contemporary resonance for 1940, with the defeat of tyranny and the triumph of virtue, the movie as a whole is an experience not to be missed. Share in the magic-carpet ride that AAbu (Sabu) makes to rescue; enjoy the thrills of watching him take the all-seeing eye, watched over by the Djinn; and enjoy the climax where Jaffar (Veidt) meets a predictably sticky end. One to watch again and again.

This is simply one of my favorite fantasy films of all time. Not many movies are so magical, so charming and so imaginative as this. I can clearly see the influence of this movie in many movies that came later, but not many of them were as good as this one. "The Thief of Bagdad" had everything that you could want from a fantasy films: An exciting, unpredictable story, charming and likable characters, and an incredible, beautiful atmosphere and incredible visuals (That still look pretty good)I wish there were more movies like this. I would give this movie eleven stars if I could. I highly recommend it to anyone!