Forget Aladdin! Okay not really, that movie is awesome, but if you're looking for a visually stimulating film based on "The Arabian Nights," this one is for you. I remember seeing this on TV all the time as a kid, and it was pure magic to me: flying horses, flying carpets, a murderous multi-armed mechanical woman, blue roses, a thief-turned-dog, a HUGE genie, two soulmates, and gorrrrrgeous color.
Prince Ahmad (John Justin) has been stripped of his rightful place of king and blinded by the evil Jaffar (Conrad Veidt, whose penetrating stare alone could kill you). Ahmad teams up with the scrappy young thief Abu (played by Sabu...that's funny, right?) to reclaim his place on the throne, win the heart of the beautiful princess (June Duprez), and have awesome adventures!
This is pure fantasy at its finest. Sabu is really charismatic, the whole film is colorful and beautiful, and it's a real treat for anyone used to the Disney treatment of the story. Criterion released this film a few years ago and they did a fantastic job (as usual). Let this film take you over sideways and under on a magic carpet ride, a whole new wooooooorld....oh damn.
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