The Thief of Bagdad (1924)

Douglas Fairbanks spared no expense for what may be the most lavish fantasy movie ever made. Inspired by the flying-carpet effects of Fritz Lang's somber but spectacular Der Müde Tod, Fairbanks (ever the canny businessman) bought the American rights, then hid the film away as he created his own show-stopping adventure, an adaptation of A Thousand and One Nights in which the magic-carpet ride was but one of many fantastic marvels. Swaggering through massive marketplace sets and cavernous throne rooms as an incorrigible thief and pickpocket, he scales towering walls (with the help of a magic rope) and leads a merry chase through crowded bazaars in his pursuit of loot--until he falls in love with the beautiful princess and vows to win her heart. This jaunty opening is but mere preamble to the spectacular second act. As three kings scour the globe to retrieve the rarest treasures known to man, the repentant thief embarks on an odyssey through caverns of fire and underwater caves. The marvelous special effects--from the smoke-belching dragon and underwater spider to the flying horse and magic armies arising from the dust--may show their seams but glow with a timeless sense of wonder. William Cameron Menzies's magnificent sets appear to have leapt from the pages of a storybook. As the adventure concludes in a torrent of movie magic that cascades nonstop through the breathless final hour, Fairbanks commands the screen with a hearty laugh and graceful athleticism, the cinema's first action hero triumphant. Kino's restored edition is tinted and features an organ score by Gaylord Carter. --Sean Axmaker Amazon.com

One of the fest silent films ever!

Hi

I had a VHS version of this film and have watched it several time with friends. I jumped at the chance to get it again on DVD.

The film is so good that you forget that it is silent and just enjoy the story.

A note of interest the art director on this film William Cameron Menzies is the producer of the 1941 version of this film, another of the all time great fantasy films.

There is also a version made in the early 60s staring Steve Reeves that follows the original film faithfully and is worth seeing.


Mike

December 13, 2008

Perhaps the best sci-fi of the silent-film era

In 1924 the Thief of Bagdad was produced for the (then) stagering cost of $2.5 million! The range of emotions, the sense of location, the mysteries of Babalon, and the sheer magnitism of Douglas Fairbanks (a carefree pickpocket) alone makes this special. Flying carpets, dragons, winged horses and the Indian rope trick add a sureal touch with special effects that were exceptional for the era.

Fold in the music (adapted from the original 1924 cue sheets), an introduction by Orson Wells, and very rare special effects footage and it becomes an absolute masterpiece for your film collection.

This release has been recently mastered from the archival 35 millimeter negatives and provides a digital stereo soundtrack. It is a must! August 12, 2008

Great

Watching this movie is like having a fairy tale dream. It's a must have to all silent film lovers. August 8, 2008

Historical point of interest...

I remember seeing this silent movie on television back around 1985. Somehow, I remember better picture quality and a different musical score based on music by Rimsky-Korsakov. While I thought it was very interesting as a historical point of interest, I didn't find myself as enjoying the movie as much as I remembered when I saw it on TV years ago.

Even so, the sets, costumes and special effects, are quite amazing. At times, the director does create a feel for the exotic. Douglas Fairbanks is also quite talented in his top form and agility. Undoubtedly, the best aspect of the movie is the lovely and all-too-brief appearences of Anna May Wong, even though her character is a shameless Asian stereotype.

If you are a person who doesn't mind experiementing with something a little bit different, you might just enjoy this movie. At any rate, you haven't much to lose considering the bargain-basement price. June 9, 2008

Too old

My husband, who is a Movie Buff, thought this was just too old a version. We are returning it. August 23, 2007

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