The Thief of Bagdad - Criterion Collection

• The Red Balloon (Released by Janus Films, in association with the Criterion Collection)
• Vampyr - Criterion Collection
• The Furies - Criterion Collection
• The Lovers - Criterion Collection
• The Fall Of The Roman Empire (Two-Disc Deluxe Edition) (The Miriam Collection)
• Trafic - Criterion Collection
• The Fire Within - Criterion Collection
• High and Low - Criterion Collection
• Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters - Criterion Collection
• There Will Be Blood

Back when we knew a bit less about the real Middle East, the "Easterns",Arabian-Nights-inspired fantasy movies, were a popular genreand "The Thief of Bagdad" is the granddaddy of them all. The acting is very good and the special effects (no computers then) are a wonder. The movie is splendid entertainment, but for those who insist on reality, the added discussion material deals with how Easterns fit in with ideas about colonialism that were current back then.

We were getting tired of the disney princess aladdin story. Our five year old daughter loved this more original story -and so did we. Good story telling, neat old-school special effects.

The effects are marvelous for the time, and even for now. Sabu was beleivable; Conrad Veidt was villainous; and the love interest was more steamy than explicit. The next best thing was the music after all these years I can still (badly )sing Sabu's "tinker,tailor" song The Criterion remastering was outstanding as are all the films they do. I remembered this as a child, loved it then and still do. However, for me the best role was Rex Ingram as the djin in those days parts that memorable for large black actors were very rare. In sum: A treat I treasure.

What a pleasure to immerse myself in this fantasy classic once more, in all its brilliant Technicolor splendor. All of these are wonderful additions to the film. If you aren't hooked by now, this clearly isn't the film for you. And there's so much more here, from an evil magician of suave, moustache-twirling malevolence, to a handsome & heroic Prince & his lovely Princess, to a genie exuberantly bursting free from centuries of imprisonment, to. Most highly recommended.

But Criterion has done its usual excellent job, providing us with crisp sound & dazzling restoration, as well as two commentary tracks & several informative features. but why go on. Let me repeat that: "climbing a giant cobweb within a monstrous statue in a temple atop the world." Really, adventure just doesn't get any better than this. Forget CGI, MTV editing, allegedly gritty "realism," bullet time, and all the other superficial tricks used to prop up a basically bad film, because this one has the only truly vital ingredient required: terrific storytelling. And the cast couldn't be better especially Sabu, who brings vitality, humor, and joyful energy to every scene he's in, whether plying his trade as a thief, or climbing a giant cobweb within a monstrous statue in a temple atop the world.

I just hope that nobody ever decides to remake & "improve" it, because that's simply not possible. Frankly, even without the copious extras, this is a film worth owning. but it's the film itself that matters.

Conrad Veidt as Jaffar is the Grandfather of Vadar and Aabu makes a great Abu. June Duprez, who has a cute behind, plays The Princess. Kids, parents and small animals will enjoy this movie. The movie has a great plot and some of the best actors ever. The extras, such as the commentaries, radio interviews and the still gallery really add to the, already, great value. No, no name, just The Princess. I really enjoyed the extras that roamed the streets, the market place, the feeling of entering true cities.