Product Description

The Thief of Bagdad legendary producer Alexander Korda's Arabian Nights marvel is one of the most spectacular fantasy films ever made an eye-popping effects pioneer brimming with imagination and technical wizardry. When Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu (the incomparable Sabu in his definitive role) to win back his royal position as well as the heart of a beautiful princess (June Duprez). With its luscious Technicolor vivid sets and unprecedented visual wonders The Thief of Bagdad has charmed viewers of all ages for decades.SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES:Restored digital transferTwo audio commentaries: one featuring renowned directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese and one with film and music historian Bruce EderNew interviews with special-effects experts Ray Harryhausen Dennis Muren and Craig Barron about the technical achievements of The Thief of BagdadThe Lion Has Wings (1940) Alexander Korda's propaganda film for the English war effort made during The Thief of Bagdad's production hiatusExcerpts from codirector Michael Powell's audio dictations for his autobiographySelections of music by composer Miklos Rozsa not used in the final filmStills gallery featuring rare Dufaycolor images of the film's productionTheatrical trailerPLUS: a booklet featuring new essays by critics Andrew Moor and Ian ChristieSystem Requirements:Running Time: 106 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY/FANTASY Rating: NR UPC: 715515029926 Manufacturer No: CC1754DDVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2078 in DVD
• Brand: Image Entertainment
• Released on: 2008-05-27
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC, Restored
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 106 minutes

Amazon.com essential video
Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda's crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez). From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram's towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. --Jeff Shannon

On the DVD
Like other classic fantasy films such as Wizard of Oz, The Thief of Bagdad in Technicolor is an experience that many consider formative to their visual senses of cinema. In it, benevolent Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded by Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) out of jealousy over the Princess of Basra (June Duprez), and embarks on adventures with loyal friend Abu (Sabu) to save the Princess and reclaim Bagdad. Famous sequences featuring Abu commanding the genie, Djinn, and riding the magic carpet are ubiquitous in the minds of children and adults alike. Originally screened in black and white, Criterion Collection has, of course, opted to re-package the vivid color version, but the extras invented for this release, namely interviews and commentary with everyone to Ray Harryhausen to Francis Ford Coppola to Martin Scorsese, offer extraordinary insight into the film's making. In turn, the extra disc here is an educational foray into the history of not only this film but of all cinema, from its segue into color to the special effects that make The Thief of Bagdad so famous. Coppola and Scorsese's commentaries range from Coppola's historical trivia about producer Alexander Korda and Hungarian cinema to Scorsese's conceptual ruminations about "eye" imagery throughout the film. But the short documentary, "Visual Effects," starring Harryhausen, Craig Barron, and Dennis Muren is the most enlightening special feature. Harryhausen discusses how The Thief of Bagdad shaped his very ideas of filmmaking, while Barron explains Technicolor's influence on the film as well as the invention of blue screen. Film sequences in black and white are shown alongside the color to elucidate how the miniature sets and painted backdrops work as optical illusions. Another short, "The Lion Has Wings," Korda's propaganda film for England's Royal Air Force, is a good historical tidbit but counteracts the deep study of fantasy. Audio from Miklos Rozsa and co-director Michael Powell adds further historical context, though the strength of these extra materials lies in the notion of The Thief of Bagdad as a breakthrough example of cinema magic. --Trinie Dalton

Customer Reviews

New Criterion Release of The Thief of Bagdad
This gorgeous, restored film has some of the most stunning Technicolor scenes ever created. If you like the Fantasy movies of today, it might be refreshing to see a great Fantasy movie from 1940.

THE THIEF OF BAGDAD
THE CRITERION COLLECTION HAS DONE A BEAUTIFUL JOB RESTORING THIS WONDERFUL FILM. THE COLOR WAS BREATH TAKING AND THE FILM ITSELF HAD BETTER SPECIAL EFFECTS THEN SOME OF THE FILMS OF TODAY.

WONDERFUL JOB

Thief of Bagdad - Crityerion edition
Again, one of the great treasures of cinema. A wlecome addition to my library of films preserved for their uniqueness and beauty. Fun film, a fairy talk and meant to enjoy for its color and beauty....forget a message or theme..just sit back and enjoy this wonderful movie.