Rating: Summary: Love The Magic Of Magic Review: If you loved the old stories of the Arabian Knights - this movie is for you. The special effects and wonderment of the stories interwoven through the female leads story telling of these adventurous in order to save her life - were amazing.A very unusual script that worked very well with the visuals. The performances were funny and exciting. Incredibly detailed and interesting. Joh Legazamo in a dual role as the Genie's was histerical. Even the endign was nothing short of believalble. This is a must for every family. It has humor for the young and old and its just wonderful "eye candy" to watch. Buy this one! (Not a lot of extra features - however. A commentary would have been cool!)
Rating: Summary: ~How Stories Show Us How To Live~ Review: It's very amazing that this was originally presented as a cable mini-series - as I eventually happened to watch it in its entirety and found it to be, in fact, quite extraordinary! I never thought, in all these years of watching movies, that such a film could be made from such a classic and intricate collection of stories - Ah - and how it has come to enthrall me! I truly am undone! Scheherazade (Mili Avital) marries the Sultan Schahriar (Dougray Scott) even though she knows that his mad mind has contrived a plan to execute his new wife the morning after their wedding. After they are married, she proceeds to spend every wakeful night with him, feeding his imagination with wondrous tales! This is based on the classic work of writing - A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS, by Sir Richard Burton. It includes ancient tales that had been passed down for hundreds and even thousands of years! Five of these stories, including the tale of Ali Baba (Rufus Sewell) and Aladdin (Jason Scott Lee) are woven and portrayed upon the screen here in brilliant fashion! The special effects are far beyond what one would ever expect - even from a big-screen movie. I am sure, in fact, that this was only made for cable because it is a captivating 4-hours long! The performances herein are as excellent as ever one can come by - Mili Avital and Dougray Scott are both so lovely and possess a wonderful chemistry - And the settings are nothing less than exquisite! If you have four or so hours of easy leisure - I recommend this for both its insight and its beauty~~
Rating: Summary: Imaginative and Exciting Family Entertainment Review: Just as Sheherazade would like it, "Arabian Nights" is a tale well told. It's a movie filled with color, humor, romance, and fascinating characters -- in short, it's everything those other awful recent "magical" miniseries wish they would've been (only to fail miserably). After suffering through the overcooked disappointments of "Merlin" or this year's "10th Kingdom," I wasn't looking forward to "Arabian Nights." But I watched, and was glad I did. "Arabian Nights" is that rare TV attempt that does justice to the original book it's based on (1001 Nights). The miniseries is told in a tight two nights (175 minutes total on DVD), and is an example of a production in which everything was done right. The DVD itself not only boasts a beautifully rendered and uncut version of the film, it also offers an enjoyable look behind the scenes, plus the standard bios and production notes -- as well as some unusually beautiful interactive menus featuring a hint of magic in each one. The special effects for "Arabian Nights" are beautifully done, and without the overkill usually associated with this kind of TV fare. There's also a poetry missing from most TV family entertainment -- a beautiful score, and a thoughtfully written script (by Peter Barnes). The actors also rise to the challenge: From the graceful Mili Avital, who makes a lovely and spirited Sheherazade, to Dougray Scott's complex, tormented, and surprisingly sympathetic Sultan, and delightful guest appearances from the likes of Jason Scott Lee, Rufus Sewell, Alan Bates, and many more -- Arabian Nights is one of those rare gems whose substance more than matches its style. "In telling a story, get to the end -- then stop," says the wise old storyteller to beautiful Sheherazade. Truer words were never spoken -- Arabian Nights does indeed tell a wonderful, exciting, humorous, and even romantic story that moves with the speed of a thousand genies -- and then stops, in just the right place. Well worth a watch, and for all ages.
Rating: Summary: low quality speed Review: Just so you are aware of it, the edited version is done on SLP/EP speed, which gives the lowest quality picture. This explains why the videocassette seems to be so light when you get it. I wish I had known ahead of time. I would have liked to get the unedited 175 minute version instead of the edited 139, but I am not sure how 36 extra minutes could possibly make a TV movie worth (price). Could have been good... Is the longer version done on SLP/EP, too?
Rating: Summary: One I REALLY looked forward to, and one I Really INJOYED! Review: My sister was supposed to get this for me, and when she did, I needed to wait on the mail for it, untill I learned she didn't send it. But when I finally got it, I was tottally happy. It was all I thought it would be.....REALLY GOOD! It has comady, speacle affects, even sword fights. (I like sword fights.) And the actors did a good job in it too. It was fun, so far I've seen it about 3 times and I've injoyed it every time. See ya around..... and ya problably would like to get this movie, because I sure liked it.
Rating: Summary: How did this get on broadcast TV??? Review: Someone down at ABC-TV must've snuck this one on-screen while the studio execs were off golfing...it's an incredible piece of work! It is creative and daring and light-years ahead of the drivel the networks usually show. There were a number of pleasant surprises (aside from the ones mentioned in all other customers' reviews you will see here): - I really enjoyed the unexpected interplay between Arabian, Asian, African, European -- probably what was actually happening in the Middle East at that time, but never depicted in film. - There are hilarious touches of modern humor slipped into the dialogue, including little jabs at movie cliches (you'll have to listen carefully!). - As Scheherezade learns storytelling from a street-storyteller, *we* also learn those neat little secrets...and then see them in action.
Rating: Summary: WOW Review: Such a well put together piece of art. At first I thought it would be boring, but it's many stories in one, wit a main story on the side, and the outcome connects t all the side stories. I LOVED IT, and highly recommand it,
Rating: Summary: It just doesn't get much better than this Review: The casting alone is to die for. You just have to see it.
Rating: Summary: Great Fantasy Tale Review: The first time my daughter and I rented this dvd, she was 21 and we both were so entranced by the story and the production that we watched it 5 times that week. The story not only has a good line but the sub stories are just as good or even better. They have done a wonderful job with the genies!
Rating: Summary: Alaadin Review: The movie is excellent and I love such movies - the only thing which I don't like about it is that Aladin is interduced as a chinese person, which is not true....... If you know other movies like this please email me..... ^_^
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