Arabian Nights: Amazon.ca: DVD: DVD

Product Description

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When Sultan Said discovers his wife locked in a passionate embrace with his only brother, he flings his sword at the prince and accidentally murders his adulterous queen. Tortured by his wife's ghost, the maniacal and cowardly sultan must marry another to save his kingdom, but to avoid future matrimonial disgrace he plans to have her executed the morning after the wedding. Fortunately for him, Scheherezade, the grand vicar's daughter played by the lovely Mili Avital, jumps at the challenge and the chance to marry her childhood love. A master storyteller, the newly crowned sultana escapes death night after night with her mesmerizing tales of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin and his Magic Lamp, countless warriors, supernatural duels, and ferocious genies.

Although the main story line falls short of Scheherezade's seductive tales, audiences will be enchanted with fantastic special effects, elaborate costumes, and the magic of Persia. Wonderfully directed and edited by Steve Barron, Hallmark's Arabian Nights will particularly appeal to fans of magical computer-effects laden television miniseries. --Melissa Asher

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Customer Reviews

41 Reviews

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (41 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The plot is simple, but the resulting story is great..., Jan 9 2007

By

M. B. Alcat "Curiosity killed the cat, but sa... (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Arabian Nights (DVD)

"Arabian nights" is a Hallmark mini-series based on the popular book "A thousand and one nights". Truth to be told, I enjoyed this dvd enormously, and I think many of you will like it too.

For those who haven't read any of the versions of "A thousand and one nights" yet, the plot is simple but the resulting story that the spectator can enjoy is great. A Sultan (Dougray Scott) discovers that his wife betrays him with his brother, and kills her. Hurt and almost mad, the Sultan says that he will wed again but declares that he will marry a new bride everyday, killing her the next morning so she won't betray him too. His first chosen bride is the daughter of his main advisor, Scheherazade (Mili Avital), a woman who loves him and that will try to keep herself and the other women in the palace alive, as well as make the Sultan fall in love with her. In order to do so, Scheherazade begins to tell him a story during their first night together, engaging the Sultan so much in it that the next day he postpones her execution.

And that continues for a long time, every night and with different and enchanting stories, that the director (Steve Barron) somehow manages to show to the spectator, mixed almost seamlessly with the main story. Among other tales, you will be treated to wonderful versions of "Ali Baba and the forty thieves" and "Aladdin and the magic lamp".

Of course, you will wonder how this story finishes, and what happens with the Sultan and Scheherazade. But for that, unfortunately (or fortunately?), you will have to watch this movie, or buy a good version of "A thousand and one nights". In my opinion, doing those two things one after the other would be an excellent idea. The reason for that is that even though the book and the filmic version of it that this dvd contains are quite different, they are both extremely good. Highly recommended!

Belen Alcat

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4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite as strong as Barron's earlier "Merlin", but still worth a watch, Oct 31 2011

By

K. Gordon - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Arabian Nights (DVD)

Nice, fun, family friendly mini-series retelling of `1001 Nights', with Scheherazade
telling tales (Ali Baba and the 40 thieves, Aladdin and the lamp, etc.) to keep her
crazed husband from having her killed, and to lead him back from madness.

The effects are good for a TV piece, and the acting is generally pretty strong.

There's nothing wrong with it, but unlike Barron's earlier adaptation of `Merlin'
there's not a lot that's inspired either.

There are some funny moments of anachronistic wit (many provided by a goofy
but effective John Leguizamo in a dual role as the fat, cowardly ring Genie and
the scary and powerful lamp Genie.

Not at all a bad mini-series, but not one I can imagine feeling the need to watch
again. It's too aimed at kids with it's somewhat simplistic and heavy handed morals,
and sudden unjustified changes in characters.

Some nice visual inventiveness from director Barron, who creates terrific transitions
into and out of the stories.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Good price, arrived quickly, DVD in great condition!, July 25 2011

By

V. W - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arabian Nights (DVD)

I had previously ordered a copy of the 'Arabian Nights' DVD new through the website. After it was delayed for two months I cancelled the order and purchased this used copy. The price was fair and cheaper than my previously cancelled purchase, the DVD arrived quickly in the mail and was in great condition!

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice redo of an old idea
Saherizad and her 1001 nights stories nicely redone.
nice twist to the plot.
Interesting effects.

Published on Feb 14 2010 by Marianna Eros

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW
Such a well put together piece of art. At first I thought it would be boring, but it's many stories in one, wit a main story on the side, and the outcome connects t all the side... Read more

Published on May 14 2004