a film who you desire see. again. and again. perfect , seductive, fascinating, realistic in a manner who must be discovered because it seems be out of words. a simple story. about old fashion virtues. about magic and about a page from Arabian Nights and one of the best ways to discover , after a long time, the flavors and colors and voices of childhood. Sabu is more than great and John Justin is the real imagined prince. the story is dramatic and amusing and honest and fresh and seductive and full of gifts for the public from each age. its profound honesty is the lead virtue. and the source of fascination in the era of high technology who gives a so cold version of reality than a film like "The Thief of Bagdad" represents the ideal refuge.

In Bagdad, the young and naive Sultan Ahmad (John Justin) is curious about the behavior of his people. The Grand Vizier Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) convinces Ahmad to walk through the city disguised as a subject to know his people. Then he seizes the power telling to the inhabitants that Ahmad has died while he sends his army to arrest the Sultan that is thrown into the dungeons and sentenced to death. Ahmad befriends the young thief Abu (Sabu) that helps him to escape from the prison. They flee to Basra and plan to travel abroad with Sinbad. However Ahmad stumbles upon the beautiful princess (June Duprez) and they fall in love with each other. But the evil Jaffar has also traveled to Basra to propose to marry the princess. When they see each other, Jaffar uses magic to blind Ahmad and turn Abu into a dog. Is their love doomed?Watching "The Thief of Bagdad" is a journey to the childhood of many generations, when television was in black and white and this film was one of the favorite of the children. In 2016, "The Thief of Bagdad" is still delightful with impressive special effects for a 1940 film with magic flying carpet, jinn, flying horse and fantastic journeys. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "O Ladrão de Bagdá" ("The Thief of Bagdad")

With so much incredible talent gathered together for this film, it must have left audiences of the 40s and 50's spellbound and breathless!Directorial greats (several!) weave an endless trail of eye popping treats throughout a well written screenplay. This fantasy adventure is crammed with colour and movement of the more intelligent kind. Completed within two continents, after a great deal of difficulty ~ during a time when the world was embroiled in the stupidity of WW11 ~ this film still offers an abundance of thrills. Audiences used to looking at today's C.G.A. may find the special effects lacking, but hey, this is pioneering movie making of the best caliber. Look, and see where Harryhausen got much of his inspiration (and copied some characters I'm sure) Look, at the magnificent visual design, striking sets, fluid camera, and glowing 3 strip Technicolor (no color ever looked as good as this and it never faded). Names like William Cameron Menzies, Michael Powell --too many to name-- created one of the first all time great Arabian stunners...But wait there's more! This work features one of the most impressive of all Miklos Rozsa's music scores....dare I ask if he ever bettered it??Can't overlook a marvelous cast, remarkable Dog, Oscar winning photography of Georges Perinal and Osmond Borradaile, topped off with Rex Ingram's damned scary Genie ~ even more physically menacing than Conrad Veidt's terrific Jaffar. It could be said that this set-the-scene for so many fantasies that followed... The re-issue print I was kindly given by a good friend (The Korda Collection series from Magna Pacific) is a little unkempt, with much neg dirt left to show as white dots on the image and yet, while not a digitally re-mastered DVD transfer, the image is thankfully quite sharply focused. I see that Criterion (and maybe another) may have given this masterpiece a serious clean up, so shop around before buying. Highly recommended to all appreciators of classic cinematic milestones... Young, Old, and Indifferent! KenR...............

Special cast. Great special effects. And a remarkable show. In few words - a real delight. For the science to give the spirit of Arabian Nights. For unique Sabu. For the chemistry between characters. For support in Oriental dreams. For sent the flavor of art to tell unforgettable tale. For magic in pure form. For remember old plays and spectacular fights. For lost heroes with brave heard and loyal friend. For a Bagdad behind Saddam, wars and terrorism. And for fabulous Rex Ingram, a genie without any comparison. Childish, heroic, nice, at few new view it is an event. For soul and imagination. And special effects, o la la ! In the age of 3 D , after adventure of Star War, The Thief of Bagdad is the best. Joy in pure form, it is one movie who must see you.