The Thief of Bagdad

Rating:
Summary: Probably the best silent fantasy picture made in the U.S.
Review: At the time of its release, Thief of Bagdad, was the most expensive and most elaborate film created. It involved enormous sets and special effects which would be rivaled for years. The story has it all: action, adventure, love, and friendship. And it tells it all on a grand scale which can still be impressive 70+ years later.

Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., plays the Thief in an extremely sensual (though, not overtly sexual) way. He is very physically agile and innovative as he meanders through the streets of Bagdad using his wits to take what he wants with a minimum of effort.

The set designs for the film were done by William Cameron Menzies (sp?) and appear almost as pen and ink drawings in the black and white film. They make you feel as if you have entered a story book telling you of the Thief and his love for the Princess.

This DVD version has a nice organ accompaniment. It would be nicer to have the version which was released on LD with a full symphony performing Rimsky-Korsokov's Arabian Nights music. The music, tinting and introduction by Fairbanks' son made that the *definitive* version of the film for me.

Rating:
Summary: Douglas Fairbanks takes to the sky on his magic carpet
Review: Douglas Fairbanks turned to making swashbuckling films in "The Mark of Zorro" and his 1924 classic "The Thief of Bagdad" was intended to be his masterpiece. Costing nearly $2 million and directed by Raoul Walsh, this film was actually so ambitious that it ended up dwarfing its star. William Cameron Menzies, remembered mostly for his designs on "Gone With the Wind", did all the grandiose settings here and they end up stealing the scene all too often. Part of the problem is the script is pretty convoluted and also very episodic, so following the "story" becomes quite difficult. Basically, Fairbanks plays the title character, who falls in love with the Princess (Julanne Johnston), daughter of the Caliph, who declares that he will give her away to whoever brings back the rarest treasure. The Thief uses his magic carpet in his quest, not knowing that the Mongol Prince (Sojin), will do anything to win the Princess. Actually the first third of this film, when Fairbanks is running around with a bare torso while wearing harem pajamas, is the best part as the hero performs magical leaps and bounds (if you have seen clips of this movie you would have seen some of this and/or the flying carpet shots). Look for Anna May Wong as the Mongol Slave, who steals a scene or two away from the leading lady. Despite the problems with this film, the production design and special effects cause me to upgrade it to "classic" status. The film did not do as well as Fairbank's previous effort, "Robin Hood," and the star scaled back his future efforts. But there is simply too much cinematic magic here to dismiss this as the "Waterworld" of its generation.

Rating:
Summary: Douglas Fairbanks takes to the sky on his magic carpet
Review: Douglas Fairbanks turned to making swashbuckling films in "The Mark of Zorro" and his 1924 classic "The Thief of Bagdad" was intended to be his masterpiece. Costing nearly $2 million and directed by Raoul Walsh, this film was actually so ambitious that it ended up dwarfing its star. William Cameron Menzies, remembered mostly for his designs on "Gone With the Wind", did all the grandiose settings here and they end up stealing the scene all too often. Part of the problem is the script is pretty convoluted and also very episodic, so following the "story" becomes quite difficult. Basically, Fairbanks plays the title character, who falls in love with the Princess (Julanne Johnston), daughter of the Caliph, who declares that he will give her away to whoever brings back the rarest treasure. The Thief uses his magic carpet in his quest, not knowing that the Mongol Prince (Sojin), will do anything to win the Princess. Actually the first third of this film, when Fairbanks is running around with a bare torso while wearing harem pajamas, is the best part as the hero performs magical leaps and bounds (if you have seen clips of this movie you would have seen some of this and/or the flying carpet shots). Look for Anna May Wong as the Mongol Slave, who steals a scene or two away from the leading lady. Despite the problems with this film, the production design and special effects cause me to upgrade it to "classic" status. The film did not do as well as Fairbank's previous effort, "Robin Hood," and the star scaled back his future efforts. But there is simply too much cinematic magic here to dismiss this as the "Waterworld" of its generation.

Rating:
Summary: Thief of Bagdad (Deluxe Edition) from Kino
Review: Douglas Fairbanks' "The Thief of Bagdad" is in the public domain, so it's no surprise that there are many DVD and VHS versions of this film available, from bargain basement tapes with no music taken from battered source prints, to high-quality editions with fine music and extras. (Many of the reviews given here are for different editions, so if they complain about the video transfer, missing scenes, or the musical score, keep in mind that such comments don't apply to all editions.)

The Kino "Deluxe Edition" is digitally mastered from a 35mm archive negative, with 19 minutes of rare outtakes and special effects footage as extras. The film is tinted throughout -- a color effect that was used on its initial release, and which adds greatly to the fantastic nature of the story and its immense sets.

The new score by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra (a quintet that specializes in reviving music used during the silent film era) is based loosely on the original "cue sheet" for the film by James Bradford. This means that you'll be hearing some of the music recommended for the film on its first release (although the music would have been different in each theater--silent film music was left up to the music director at each movie house). The music features many "oriental" pieces written for the silent film theater by forgotten "photoplay music" composers such as Gaston Borch and Irenee Berge, as well as pieces by classical composers like Rimsky-Korsakov who explored oriental themes. A written commentary and cue list of the music used is on the DVD as an extra, and can also be found at Mont Alto's web site, www.mont-alto.com.

A different high-quality edition from Image Entertainment features an organ score by Gaylord Carter, who was a talented theater organist, and that's also a good choice. Be wary of other editions -- it's an amazing film, and the extra money spent for a quality visual and audio treat is well worth it. The difference in run-time between the Kino and Image editions of the film is mostly explained by a different film transfer rate.

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER GREAT FAIRBANKS CLASSIC
Review: first, hats off to Kino for releasing all these great, old Daouglas Fairbanks Sr. Classics on DVD. They have done a fantastic job and the Thief of Baghdad shows agains why Fairbanks was the master of the Swashbuckler.As the thief of Baghdad, his movements are dance-like -- nothing like the athletics he performed in most of his other films. In this Arabian take, the thief ignores the holy teachings and sneaks into the palace of the Caliph (Brandon Hurst). All thoughts of robbery slip away, however, when he sees the beautiful princess (Julianne Johnston). Princes have come from many faraway lands to win the princess' hand (and it's amusing to watch her face growing ever more alarmed at their arrival, because each one is uglier than the last). The thief disguises himself as a prince and the princess falls in love with him. After having a pang of conscience the thief confesses all to the Holy Man (Charles Belcher), who sends him to find a magic chest. He braves many obstacles to get it, and when he returns he discovers that the Mongol Prince (So-Jin) has taken over the city. Using the chest, the reformed thief creates armies of men out of nothingness and recaptures the city. He then uses the cloak of invisibility to spirit the princess away on a magic carpet. Fairbanks stole some of the special effects for his film from Fritz Lang's Der Mude Tod, which he had purchased for American distribution.

Thief of Baghdad, with its look of unrealistic beauty (courtesy of art director William Cameron Menzies), was not fully appreciated in its day. Because of its huge cost ($2 million -- a real fortune in those days), it made little money.

A true Silent Classic!

Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER GREAT FAIRBANKS CLASSIC
Review: first, hats off to Kino for releasing all these great, old Daouglas Fairbanks Sr. Classics on DVD. They have done a fantastic job and the Thief of Baghdad shows agains why Fairbanks was the master of the Swashbuckler.As the thief of Baghdad, his movements are dance-like -- nothing like the athletics he performed in most of his other films. In this Arabian take, the thief ignores the holy teachings and sneaks into the palace of the Caliph (Brandon Hurst). All thoughts of robbery slip away, however, when he sees the beautiful princess (Julianne Johnston). Princes have come from many faraway lands to win the princess' hand (and it's amusing to watch her face growing ever more alarmed at their arrival, because each one is uglier than the last). The thief disguises himself as a prince and the princess falls in love with him. After having a pang of conscience the thief confesses all to the Holy Man (Charles Belcher), who sends him to find a magic chest. He braves many obstacles to get it, and when he returns he discovers that the Mongol Prince (So-Jin) has taken over the city. Using the chest, the reformed thief creates armies of men out of nothingness and recaptures the city. He then uses the cloak of invisibility to spirit the princess away on a magic carpet. Fairbanks stole some of the special effects for his film from Fritz Lang's Der Mude Tod, which he had purchased for American distribution.

Thief of Baghdad, with its look of unrealistic beauty (courtesy of art director William Cameron Menzies), was not fully appreciated in its day. Because of its huge cost ($2 million -- a real fortune in those days), it made little money.

A true Silent Classic!

Rating:
Summary: Not bad for an older movie
Review: I am not going to give a long lecture cause if you haven't seen it yet well then you don't know what your missing. ... It is very well paced not lagging to much, like some movies do. With a great story line and filled with action, good characters and the fight for good verses evil this movie is a must see.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Great- Kino Deluxe Edition
Review: I haven't seen many silent films, but this must be the one of the greatest "fantasy" films of this period. I read it was made at an astonishing cost (for 1924, year of its release) U$ 2,5 millions!!? (It must have been filmdom's most expensive feature before the 1926 "Ben-Hur").

Douglas Fairbanks is in excellent shape & form, for the "athletic" part he has to play (at his "acrobatic" best-considering he was 40 years old when it was made); and embodies the hero (the thief of the title) perfectly, who is "redeemed" by the power of love (in the shape of a "languid" princess played by Julanne Johnston). The sets are just awesome & gorgeous (designed by the legendary William Cameron Menzies), plus deft direction by Raoul Walsh.

Great acting by Anna May Wong (as one of the princess' ladies in waiting) and SoJin (The Mongol Prince), who are perfect as the "villains" of the story.

The Kino DVD Release, brings a digital stereo orchestral new score, adapted from the original 1924 cue sheets, a great asset, plus a set of never before seen outtakes and special effects footage, excerpts of Paul Leni's "Waxworks" and George Méliès 1905 "Arabian Nights"...oh...., and a filmed "introduction" by Orson Welles himself.

Highly recommended for silent movie buffs and movie buffs in general, the story line & the plot is very different indeed from Zoltan Korda's classic 1940 same title masterpiece. This movie stands its own ground besides that other version. I have both and love them!!!

Beware of other inferior editions!

Rating:
Summary: It's Cut?
Review: Some one here says this DVD has a cut down version of the film. I was going to say, if you have never seen it, it's one of the Classics of the Silent era and Fairbanks. One thing I might add that will completly change the way you percieve this film... Think Gene Kelly. Don't think about Fairbanks as an Actor, think about him as a Dancer and suddenly this film becomes a whole other kind of experiance. I'd hate to see any footage missing from this Master Work of one of the Silent Eras greatest stars. If this version is indeed cut down, go look for the complete version, and one that isn't running at Sound Speed too.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent film - Kino and Image releases are good
Review: The Thief of Bagdad is a very nice adventure movie. Fairbanks plays the thief, who is in love with the princess. With the help of a genie he must infiltrate the palace and impress her more than her other suitors. Out to stop him is a young May Wong, who wants her Chinese countryman to marry the princess. Our hero's cunning comes into play as much as magic as he tries to win the princess.

This is a really cool special effects movie. It has a genie, a flying carpet, lots of fake smoke and exotic costumes. It also has a good amount of comic relief. An accident involving bees helps the thief to get on the princess' good side near the beginning.

I saw the Kino VHS. Picture quality was good. Scenes were color tinted and music was matched to what was going on in the film. Kino is a reliable company for silent films and this release does the film justice. (The Image Entertainment release is also a safe bet.)

This is an amazing adventure movie. If you are into adventure films, special effects and action, or silent movies then this should appeal to you. Libraries should also consider this film. It has popular and critical appeal.