The Thief of Bagdad (1940) is an absolute classic in the Arabian Nights vein, where a blinded prince needs to save his kingdom from the evil Jaffar, with the aid of a street-smart thief. And some magic help along the way.
The Thief of Bagdad (1940) starring Conrad Veidt, Sabu, John Justin
Review
In short, The Thief of Bagad is a gorgeous movie, with characters that the audience like, sympathize with, and root for. There are obstacles to overcome, lessons to learn, characters grow, and we get to watch it happen. And, the visual effects are just stunning — nearly 100 years later.
Product Description
Legendary producer Alexander Korda’s marvel The Thief of Bagdad, inspired by The Arabian Nights, is one of the most spectacular fantasy films ever made, an eye-popping effects pioneer brimming with imagination and technical wizardry. When Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu (the incomparable Sabu, in his definitive role) to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess (June Duprez). With its luscious Technicolor, vivid sets, and unprecedented visual wonders, The Thief of Bagdad has charmed viewers of all ages for decades.
Editorial review of The Thief of Bagdad courtesy of Amazon.com
Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda’s crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez).
From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram’s towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. –Jeff Shannon
Cast of characters
- Conrad Veidt (Casablanca; Whistling in the Dark) … Jaffar
- Sabu (Arabian Night; The Jungle Book 1942) … Abu
- June Duprez (And Then There Were None 1945; None But the Lonely Heart) … Princess
- John Justin (Island in the Sun; The Spider’s Web) … Ahmad
- Rex Ingram (Sahara; The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn 1939) … Djinn
- Miles Malleson (The Man Who Never Was; Dead of Night) … Sultan
- Morton Selten (The Divorce of Lady X; Shipyard Sally) … The Old King
- Mary Morris (‘Pimpernel’ Smith; Dr. Who: Kinda) … Halima
- Bruce Winston (The Private Life of Don Juan) … The Merchant
- Hay Petrie (Great Expectations 1946; The Red Shoes 1948) … Astrologer
- Adelaide Hall (Love from Judy) … Singer
- Roy Emerton (The Triumph of Sherlock Holmes) … Jailer
- Allan Jeayes (Dead of Night) … The Story Teller