Customer Reviews

Thief of Bagdad

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yep that's right, I own both the MGM and now the Criterion versions of, The Thief Of Bagdad, and after comparing the opening sequence (with the boats and the cityscape), the scene where the blind man is telling his story so far, to the harem girls (where there's slight blurring in the long shots as well as a slight over enhancement shimmer on the blind man's face) and the registration problem area (where Sabu meets the spider in the temple) the print used is exactly the same one, as both versions have the exact same problems in exactly the same areas.

As for the purported colour saturation differences between the two discs, from my close scrutiny of the movies, I'd have to say that there isn't any difference at all.

The reds look over saturated to the point where the Grand Vizier's turban bleeds slightly, the blues are sky blue bright, and the skin tones are coppery, which is true to the skin tones of the people populating this movie.

The real question now should be, why Criterion chose to release this film as is, without attempting to do any restoration?

I had thought that the reason for the exuberant prices of Criterion DVDs was because we where suppose to be getting the best possible prints of films, but in this case, we're giving the same print with some extras, and expected to pay 3 times the price of the MGM disc.

Also of note, the chapter selection is better on the MGM disc as there are pictures with the captions, where as the Criterion chapter select, is text only (something Anchor Bay did away with years ago, because it was too confusing, i.e. the Evil Dead DVD, "Evil dead attack", um, which evil dead attack, there are several, so the description is useless).

So, as far as I'm concerned, the choice as to whether to get the Criterion edition rests with whether you want the extras and not with the picture quality.

So if you have the MGM DVD and aren't interested in shelling out more cash for a couple of extras (which I didn't find all that spectacular; no feature length making of to be had on this disc) then skip it, but if you don't own the out of print MGM disc, want the extras, or (like me) are a completes, then pick this up, just don't expect an upgraded print.

Hope this helps.

Note: both DVD's where viewed on a 27" JVC higher end (but not progressive scan enhanced) tube TV with a year old model, Sony DVD player, with the TV colour, contrast, sharpness, etc., set up using the THX optimizer from the, "Cars", DVD.

I discovered this movie recommended on Roger Ebert's site.

Considering this was made in 1940, the effects are amazing with towering genies flying horses flying carpets, and a special world filled with vibrant colors, amazing storytelling, and sparkling dialogue.

According to Ebert his 7 year old grandchild loved it, so it has a classic timeless quality about it.

The version I saw also featured commentaries with both Martin Scorsese and Francis Coppola, who were both inspired by this movie as children, and it would appear that this is a favorite among well known directors such as George Lucas. Their affection for this movie and its history is quite obvious.

The story is loosely based on a story from the Arabian Nights, features a young man, a beautiful princess, a dangerous scheming magician, and a quick witted young boy but any description will surely sell the movie short.

I totally enjoyed it not only for its beauty, but for its story, and the way it grips you, and its surprising twists and turns. Loved the genie. You could easily imagine a child being quite taken with this movie.

Scorsese, Coppola, Ebert, and Lucas are right.

I think you will love it, and I hope this was helpful.

After reading love letter after love letter to this film from just
about every critic, as well as filmmakers like Scorsese and Coppola, I
feel a bit churlish and Scrooge- like doing anything other than
embracing it without reservation.

I certainly enjoyed and appreciated this great looking early
Technicolor spectacle, It's fun, sweet, always entertaining, but the
effects, while impressive for their day are distractingly dated, and
the character development is sketchy at best. The two romantic leads in
particular are pretty shallow, and seem to fall instantly in love for
no other reason than the story tells them to,

On the other hand both Conrad Veight as the sometimes over the top, but
enjoyably hateful villain, and Sabu as the lovable lad who helps a king
regain his kingdom fare much better.

There are sequences I did find flat out wonderful (the whole very
famous interaction between Sabu and the genie he finds and frees holds
up to all the clips I've seen over the years), And given current
politics, seeing Islam treated as benign and poetic is certainly
refreshing. Maybe I was over prepared, or expecting too much.

I didn't fully 'get' the greatness of 'Citizen Kane' the first time I
saw it either, because I was so over-hyped. In any case, it was enough
fun that I won't regret giving it another look, and seeing if it grows
on me even more with a second viewing.

Movies are made to entertain, but some of them magically become
more than entertainment, the characters, the story, the music the
effects all combined make their mark one one's mind and as the years
pass by, and these treasures re-appear they make up one heck of a
natural high. This is one of these movies. Good 40 years ago, and
good forty years after. Im glad that the dvd is of good quality, but
even if it was crappy, this movie still pulls all my strings.
Sit down, relax, and enjoy a viewing of one of the great films
available out there.

I've been waiting for this 5-star film to come out on DVD ever since I first owned a dvd player - and boy, was it worth the wait! The colour is stupendous and knocks all the video & tv-aired versions into the deep hole where they belong.

This is fantasy filmmaking at its peak: the plot & script, the cast, the settings and production values. It seems unbelievable that it was made 60 years ago! My hat (if I wore one) is off to Mr Korda for producing this splendid movie, and to MGM for giving us such a glorious DVD transfer.

While I'm waiting for the crowds of people to see "The Two Towers" to die down, I happened to come across this movie at the video rental store.

A childhood favorite.

If they had a list of the top five fantasy films, "The Thief of Bagdad" would HAVE to be up there. I would feel pained if it weren't.

The movie is about Prince Ahmed and his quest for the Princess that he loves. But in his way is the evil Jaffar, a man of power and also a sorcerer.

But Prince Ahmed has a friend, Abu, that helps him get out of prison and promises to help him find his Princess. However, Jaffar casts two spells on the pair. One blinds Prince Ahmed. The other turns Abu into a dog. That's all I'll say concerning the plot. The plot starts in the present and goes back to flashback scenes, finally catching up to the present and then moving on.

This is one of those movies that proves you don't need lots of special effects to make it good. The magic carpet is believable (notice how it casts a shadow on everything as it flies around). The genie looks a little fake at times, but this was made in 1940, too. Some of the backgrounds are obviously painted or little more than models.

Despite all this, the actors (and the dog, don't forget the dog) give 100% performances, creating characters that are immediately likable. The storyline, too, is so fresh and original that it's nearly impossible to not enjoy watching, wondering what will happen next.

In an age where special effects often take center stage it's nice to see a movie whose soul is in its charm.

If there's a more entrancing live-action fantasy film made before "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" than this one, I haven't seen it. Arriving on American screens the same year as Walt Disney's equally peerless "Pinocchio," Korda's ravishing movie is non pariel. Stunning color cinematography; astonishing sets; the first - and in some ways, finest - film score by Miklos Rozsa; the great Conrad Veidt as a villain so archetypal that the folks at Disney "borrored" him for "Aladdin"; Rex Ingram as a deliciously devious djinn who utters what may be the most stirring cry of the pre-Civil Rights era ("Free! Freeeeee!"); John Justin and June Perez, a dream-team of thoroughly embracable lovers; that charming rotter Miles Malleson - who also worked on the screenplay - as the emotionally retarded rajah with a yen for exotic toys; a canine actor so good Pauline Kael observed that he becomes "the essence of Sabu"; and, best of all, the delightful - and amazingly beautiful - Sabu himself, emobodying all childish dreams of careless liberty. Flying carpets, wise old Muslims, an ancient and supernally gentle spirit, a terrifying battle with a giant spider, and a Persian market so cunningly recreated you can almost smell the honey Sabu slathers on his pancake. If I ever become so jaded I don't find tears in my eyes at the mischevious smile on the ancient face of the old mountain spirit as he discreetly observes Sabu's heartfelt disobeyance, I'll know I've been alive too long.

If you're looking for a realistic look at life in the Middle East, look elsewhere! This Academy-award-winning movie is shot almost entirely in indoor studios that mimick what the "fairy-tale" middle east might have looked like; a place of magic and wonder, where cities are laden with gold and where one may find a genie trapped in a bottle for 2000 years. And the colours! Incredible! This movie makes me want to read "1001 Nights".

The movie is always fun to watch because of the sheer wonder of it, but I have to say that it isn't always perfect. It is sometimes too obvious that the sets are sets, especially when we see plain blue backgrounds that look nothing like the sky. Also, it has a slightly disjointed feel about it because it tries to cram so many things into its 120 minute running time, and the story moves quickly; I actually felt a bit TIRED after watching it, because SO MUCH happens. Finally, most of the lead actors don't look arabic, which somewhat ruins the feel of it, although they do a pretty good job. The boy playing Apu, especially, comes off as just the right type of honest rascal needed for the role!

Really, chances are that you won't notice the flaws so much when watching the movie because it's simply so enchanting. It has the same feel as Disney's Aladdin, except longer, more magical, and not animated. The 3 Academy awards that it received were well-deserved!

This masterpiece, often referred to as the greatest fantasy movie ever, still holds up well over 60 years later. The Thief of Bagad has a terrific story with enchanting magic, enticing romance and terrific suspense. The acting is absolutely superb with fine performances turned in by Sabu the little thief, Rex Ingram as the powerful and scary genie, and Conrad Veidt who as the evil Vizier Jaffar is one of the best villians ever. John Justin, the blinded Caliph and his beloved princess (June Deprez) provide an engaging and often tragic romance that lends terrific depth to this story.

Best yet is the awesome imagination brought to life in this masterpiece epic. While some of the effects show their age (The spider, for instance), others, such as the flying mechanical horse and the magical carpet are still captivating. The immense attention to detail is evident in the palaces, the ships and the sultan's toy collection. Miklos Rosza's musical score along with this movie's wonderful cinematography recreates the legendary time of the Arabian Nights.

For my one complaint, while this movie clearly rates 5 stars, I'm knocking my review down to 4 stars due to the lack of DVD extras. When compared to spectacular golden age DVDs like Robin Hood, one begins wish all were made this way. Children from 8-13 (as well as adults) will still find joy in this delightful picture.

Hail! Hail! This first of all fantasy films finally has a restoration worthy of it! I was so disappointed in the laser disc release. The color was off. It was orangey. The DVD corrects it to the proper hue.Thank you, MGM Home Entertainmet