Customer Reviews

Arabian Nights

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

 

 

"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

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.

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!

Saherizad and her 1001 nights stories nicely redone.
nice twist to the plot.
Interesting effects.

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 stories. I LOVED IT, and highly recommand it,

This movie is absolutely thrilling. All in all it is actually one of my favorites.
The insane Sultan Schahriar of Baghdad (Dougray Scott), after having accidentally killed his wife upon finding her in bed with his brother, fears that any woman he marries will plot his death.
Insane and paranoid Sultan Schahriar is, and as his Grand Vizier says with so much truth he works for the worst type of madman: ' a madman with power'.
Are any Third World dictators listening???
The Sultan looks for a wife to marry and have executed the next morning, and it is the Grand Viziers daughter, played by the exquisite Israeli beauty Mili Avital, who volunteers to be the lamb for the slaughter, knowing full well the Sultans dastardly plan. She aims to save the woman of the Kingdom, the Sultan and of course herself.

What she aims to do is keep him awake for forty nights with enchanting stories, which she has learned from a wise old storyteller ((Alan Bates) on the streets of Baghdad.

The stories told are Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Aladdin, The Sultans Jester, Never Tell the Same Joke Twice, and a story of three brothers sent on a glorious quest.

This movie is thrilling, sensual, insightful, wise, touching and hilariously funny, all at once.

It also introduces us to four of the world most gorgeous women, the exquisite and fascinating Mili Avital as Scheherezade, the lovely Amira Casar as Ali Baba's servant girl and later wife, the sensual and delightful Ayesha Dhakar in the opening scene and several cameo roles, and Vanessa Mae as Aladdin's Princess.

I love this movie.

The casting alone is to die for. You just have to see it.

A few years ago, there was a television movie on ABC called "The Arabian Nights." It was a two night series and I absolutely loved it. So, when it came out on DVD, I got it right away. It truly captures the beautiful stories I used to hear as a young boy from one of my aunts. More than anything, the film is so funny.

One of the most funniest scenes is when Ali Baba's brother, Abu Kasim, dies and he rents the Damascus Mourners for the funeral. A bunch of men and women show up and wail all over the burial. Later, the leader of the group comes up to Ali Baba and says, "Remember us if you have more deaths in the family." That is perhaps the funniest thing in the film.

Truly, the director, Steve Barron, who also directed the supernatural Merlin, makes this film one of the, by far, best films I have ever seen. The effects are so much fun to watch and the acting is so good. A group actors, who are so diverse, make this film delicious. And don't forget to watch for people showing up in different scenes. For example, the women of the Harem have some women who also play in different characters, elsewhere. And the Jinns - both the cute gay one and the evil one - are played by Leguizamo. You can't miss this one, darlings.AJ

The first time my daughter and I rented this dvd, she was 21 and we both were so entranced by the story and the production that we watched it 5 times that week. The story not only has a good line but the sub stories are just as good or even better. They have done a wonderful job with the genies!

I don't know what they were thinking when this video was edited. I saw this when it first appeared on television and loved it. But the best parts are cut out! A real disappointment. I don't recommend the edited version.