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

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

THE THIEF OF BAGDAD

This was awful. I'm sorry I spent a penny on this. March 29, 2007

Sinbad at his best!

A wonderful version of Sinbad the Sailor. Great sets, costumes, and story line. Douglass Fairbanks is great in it. February 12, 2007

Mongolians?

Ever wonder where the idea of the magic carpet ride comes from? Well look no further than Raoul Walsh and Douglas Fairbanks's The Thief of Bagdad. An amalgamation of Arabian Nights magic, romance, fantasy, mythical travelogue, and sense of fun The Thief of Bagdad transcends the irony of its caricatures and stereotypes - not just from what it reifies but by what it invents.

With its theme nestled squarely on the precept that "Happiness must be earned," The Thief of Bagdad starts with Fairbanks as a happy-go-lucky "Middle Eastern street thief" [the first of many negative stereotypes]. Though at first this cheerful "thief" - who feels he can take what he wants - and no rules apply, the road to salvation begins when he falls in love with the caliph's daughter (Julanne Johnston) - things take on a different significance.

True to character, Fairbanks starts by pretending to be a prince to win her over. Found out, the thief ends up punished and then humbled, in the end seeking the counsel of the "holy man" he earlier abused. He is advised hat if he truly loves the princess, he himself must make the transformation and "become a prince."

The epic begins when all suitors must come up with a unique gift. As with all good epics, the thief on a fantastic storybook return "there and back again" to the bottom of the sea, haunted by sirens as well as giant spiders, to the space above the clouds, where Fairbanks discovers the home of the winged horse and the sanctuary of the moon.

When taking into consideration filmic representations - I was drawn to this movie via my interest in Anna May Wong - as the "Mongol Slave." However, after further consideration, I was drawn to the character of Sojin - who plays the "Mongol Prince." With purposeful intent or by accident, the Mongol Prince comes across with the same type acquisitiveness of a Dr. Fu Manchu. Coincidence, perhaps but it is an interesting phenomenon to observe. While both the "Mongols" Slave and Prince "sneak" about the "Orientals" in our imagination are reified. Well, it is a magical carpet ride, right?

Miguel Llora June 12, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...