The Thief of Baghdad (1961) User Reviews

MGM should put it on DVD

[jim_bowery · 5/10 · 16 March 2006]

I don't really remember much about this movie except that as a child I really liked the quest for the blue rose.

When I went to rent from Netflix I discovered the versions they had were from 1924 and 1940 which are different story lines.

It was a movie that made the matinée circuit where kids could plunk down part of their own allowance and go see it on Saturday afternoon, so I expect a lot of us boomers went to see it when we were children.

The thing is this movie probably still has a pretty big demographic given the fact that many boomers have delayed having children, but MGM (which has the distribution rights) hasn't made a DVD out of it. They probably should.

A Blue Rose for a Blue Princess

[mahony-7 · 7/10 · 15 December 2015]

Many reviewers have expressed a quiet affection for this film. And rightly so.

Steve Reeves does well and seems to be enjoying himself.

I liked the quest for the blue rose: the seven gates with the strangler trees, the cloak of invisibility, the dangerous lady in white, etc.

The special effects were credible considering that the film is more than fifty years old

I enjoyed the pearls-from-shooting-stars ruse.

Carlo Rustichelli's score supported the action without resorting to Arabian Nights clichés.

A colourful, entertaining film reminiscent of those Saturday matinees.

" There are few people like yourself who are willing to help the poor "

[thinker1691 · 7/10 · 20 May 2014]

From the great and fantastic tales told in ancient Persia by the story teller Sharhahrazad, this is one of the more popular. It's called " The Thief of Bagdad." Arthur Lubin directs this movie with all the color schemes of M.G.M. and that goes with selecting a bevy of gorgeous woman to dot the landscape. For our hero, MGM chose Steve Reeves the herculean bodybuilder of the 1960s' His acting is good, but does need seasoning. In this case we see that Edy Vessel is Kadeejah, the magical Geni who guides our hero to his true love in a great quest to find a Blue Rose. There is much entertainment in the movie, enough to enthrall a theater full of amazed teens and pre-teens. Alright there is much to want in this film, but for those of us who grew up with wide eye wonder, this movie has become a Classic. Enjoy it while you still have wonder in your heart. ****

Known in America as the Thief of Baghdad, this is one of the most under-rated pictures of the last 50 years.

[jbian7 · 19 October 2001]

This film has something in it that everyone would enjoy if they just allow themselves to be taken by it. If you have the chance to see it, simply sit there with a snack & beverage and let the film bring you into the land of 1001 Arabian Nights. The music is almost hypnotic, as the theme plays all through the background. The colors and scenery are breathtakingly beautiful. I enjoyed this film when I was a boy. It took me 20 years to find it on a video cassette and expected to be a little disappointed. I wasn't. It was all that I had remembered and more. See this one with your kids!

An Arabian Nights fantasy about an attractive and roguish thief in love with a Sultan's beautiful daughter

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 19 October 2018]

This ¨Thousand and one Nights¨ fare results to be an impressive fairy tale of a good and happy-go-lucky thief versus evil vizier full of fantastic elements . This one concerns a resourceful , handsome thief (Steve Reeves) helps a Sultan fight an evil Vizier , and win the hand of a beautiful Princess . This is an Oriental fantasy about ¨Thousand and one Arabian nights¨ plenty of incredible adventures, fantasy , witchery and wizardly. As a likeble thief falls in love for for a gorgeous princess (Giorgia Moll) whose father tries to marry off her , but she is poisened , as Steve and other suitors seek out the magical blue rose which is the antidote and all of them go across the seven fantastic doors . The wily young thief enlists the aid of a powerful genie (Chamarat) to face off the nasty and scheming Grand Vizier , Prince Osman (Arturo Dominici) who is helped by Gamal (Daniele Vargas). The malignant vizier with powerful magic faculties imprisons the princess . The thief then escapes thanks the magician and goes throughout the desert to find the antidote . The story accumulates several fantastic ingredients such as transformation of the starring, a flying horse, and of course , the sympathetic genie who gives wishes to Steve , among others.

An adventure fantasy about an astute thief : Reeves , a princess : Moll , a witch : Eddy Vessell , beautiful maidens , spectacular dances and a lot of magic . An Arabian Nights spectacle with lush cinematography , expensive sets , fine special effects and striking soundtrack .This remarkable picture ranks as one of the finest fantastic Italian films of all time. Easy to take , but not the best rendition of this oft-told tale . This is an agreeable and catching story with so much oriental events , there should have been some suspense , emotion and more action . Lavishly produced by Joseph E Levine , Bruno Vailati and MGM and being well directed by the American Arthur Lubin with a stunning screenplay . The production thanks the government of Tunisia for the assistance received during the company's location work there .The splendid visual and glimmer Technicolor cinematography , setting and FX provoked a big success . Colorful cinematography by Tonino Delli Colli and acceptable Special Effects , though today are dated and is urgent a necessary remastering because of the colors are worn-out , as it has to get a newly struck print . Adding the evocative and oriental musical score by Carlo Rustichelli . This vivid tale with immense doses of imagination will appeal to fantasy fans and Italian cinema buffs.

Remade many times , such as : the classy silent crowd-pleaser who uses a genie's magic to outwit the evil Caliph shot in 1924 by Raoul Walsh with Douglas Fairbanks Sr , Anna Maria Wong . The British classic 1940 by Tim Whelan , Michael Powell , Ludwig Berger with Sabu , Jane Duprez , Conrad Veidt , Rex Ingram . And a no as lavish flick as the previous productions by this title , not as much fun directed 1978 by Clive Donner with Roddy McDowall , Kabir Bedi ,Marina Vlady , Frank Finlay .

leading lady

[paduken · 7/10 · 21 February 2002]

I can't believe nobody has commented on how completely adorable Giorgia Moll is. I too first saw this film at age five or six, and had always thought it was called The Blue Rose. When I learned the real title, I found it on a classic movie channel. Once again I was enchanted, but now it's more by the lovely princess Amina than any other merits the film has. The atmosphere usually works, the story is OK, but the acting is often on the hokey side, except for Giorgia herself, who comes across as real every time. The main reason I watch it now is to see a lady that must have been planted in my subconscious mind at a very early age as the ideal of feminine beauty.

Stealing Bagdad/Hercules wearing pants

[DarthBill · 7/10 · 26 January 2006]

To most of us B-movie fans, Steve Reeves (1926-2000, Rest In Peace Steve) will always be Hercules. But dubbed or not he takes a fine stab here at playing a sardonic but good hearted Robin Hood type thief stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. When he falls in love with the absent minded king's daughter, who is subject to a nasty potion by a jealous suitor prince, Reeves goes into action and joins a quest to seek out the blue rose that will restore her to health.

Atmospheric lighting & sets combined with light hearted, occasionally silly humor make this more accessible to non-B movie fans while entertaining the die hards as well.

Riotous Fun!

[johnjeffire · 1/10 · 12 October 2014]

This is a Cheese Hall of Fame charter selection. While a ridiculously bad film, it is a riot to watch. The acting is over the top campy fun, and the costuming and make-up live up/down to every cliché you could ever ask for. Do any of these characters look like they come from Baghdad? I don't think any of them could locate Baghdad on a map of Baghdad. But that's all besides the point. I really can't slam the special effects, as this was cutting edge for the time, but the genie's massive, corroded toe nails are a favorite. If it weren't for overacting, they would be no acting in this masterpiece of mozzarella at all. Recommendation: view this with at least a 12-pack of beer and/or other mood enhancing refreshments (it seems the director, screenwriter, set and costume designers took this advice in making the flick).

Underrated Arabian Nights Classic.

[augustian · 8/10 · 21 November 2003]

I first saw this film when I was a lad back in 1963. It was probably the most wondrous film I had seen - I must have seen it at least half a dozen times during its run in the cinema.

The story concerns a prince, played by he-man Steve Reeves, who must pass seven tests in order to find a legendary blue rose and thus save the life of a comatose princess, win her hand in marriage and the kingdom.

Under the direction of Arthur Lubin, this film boasts impressive (for its day) special effects, exotic sets and acting that raises itself above other Arabian Nights type films. The characters are well written which include the obligatory villains who are also on the blue rose trail and evil women who pack a deadly punch - or perhaps that should be deadly potion.

I think this rates as a classic of its genre. Catch it if you can.

Seven deadly gates to a blue Rose!!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 14 May 2020]

Hollywood made many Arabian Tales on the fifties and sixties with huge box-office, also in Europe but mainly in Italy, it was a charming genre, plenty of adventures, flying carpet, friendly outlaws heroes, black villains, many pretty Princess, magicians, fantasy, Genius of lamp, winged horse, whatever you can imagine, "Il Ladro di Bagdad" bring the American bodybuilder Steve Reeves for the leading role, he plays Karim a sort of Arabian Robin Hood, stealing of the rich to give to the poor people, until meeting with the Princess Amina (Giorgia Moll), when appears the Grand Vizier Gamal (Daniele Vargas) who wants a political alliance with Baghdad marrying with the Princess, otherwise he will takes the city by his powerful Army, however the Princess Amina refuses such dirty agreement, then a magician prescribe a potion that she will falling in love to Vizier if she wasn't falling in love before, she stays sick for an indefinite period, then came up an old magician (The Funny George Chamarat) exposing how she could be save, a brave man should be finds and bring a blue rose after the seven gates will be saves and got her heart, a dozen men sign up to the deadly journey including Karim and the shady Vizier, using old special effects on several image overlay, scale model, painting backdrop and many others means giving a magical look on the enterprise, masterfully designed with valuable results, great funny adventure !!!

Resume:

First watch: 1980 / How many: 4 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 7.5

7 doors to a classic

[jcholguin · 10/10 · 24 February 2003]

If you are a fan of Steve Reeves, then this is probably Steve at his best. A love story combining the elements of which led you to remember Aladdin and his adventures. This film has walking trees, flying horse, 7 doors, cloak of invisibility and evil women. Georges Chamarat plays the small and wonderful magician who helps the thief, Karim. A riddle must be solved to begin the journey of the 7 doors: Begin in the East, through the door that is not there? I remember seeing this as a boy in the sixties and is very much still a classic.

A sentimental tug

[nelliebell-1 · 7/10 · 22 May 2023]

I'am well pleased that this particular film "The Thief of Bagdad" with Steve Reeves is now in my possession, finally I have had the chance to view this film. The Vermont Movie store was where and how I finally found this film after giving up hope of ever being able to find it. A time ago I did many searches in an effort to find numerous Motion Pictures with "The Thief of Bagdad" being one of those films. I would do searches for the film and often enough, I looked some more only to come up empty handed, time and time again. I stated a little earlier that I had given up hope of finding this particular film however often "Sabu" and even the version with Douglas Fairbanks would surface but none with Steve Reeves. This was the film that as a young boy that I saw and it was this film that I most cared for. There were many particular attributes that "The Thief of Bagdad" had, that made the film an imaginative and worthy tale of both adventure, heroics and maybe even the hand of the Princess Amina, portrayed by Italian Actress "Giorgia Moll". The music has much the equal of its own identity as it is an appeal that should be mentioned. I felt perhaps that the colorful way by which the film opened with "The Thief of Bagdad", Steve Reeves pilfering the pockets of any passerby was a bit humorous and yet though this was not a tale of "Robin Hood" it was a worthy discovery to see that with each theft Karim gave the goods to the poor to help alleviate some outstanding tax issue. I liked that straight away ,however the stretch in these matters was that the film was always aware that theft was a sin with the film suggessting that karim was a Hero as a result of helping a particular individual out of a particular jam. The enjoyment increased when the rather mean spirited Prince Osman arrived and was made to look foolish as both he and his servent sufferred at the hands of Karim, as Karim in a manner of speaking raided the pantry while both the Prince and his servent were tied up. The use of "Raided the Pantry" was more to suggest the enjoyment that watching "Karim work around and make off with a ton of jewels and jewelry perse dealing with every dignitary of the Sultans Court, most certainly a nervy business to be certain. I like the Sultan,(Portrayed by Antonio Battistella) he was a very kind and even affable figure with one of the greater goods soon to be revealed in the Sultans Great Uncle , portrayed by "Georges Chamarat". Though Prince Osman was the meaner spirit throwing threats as a result with conquering with his army and so on, it was the Sultan who from time to time appeared not to be entirely sold on all the bluster that Prince Osman was threating the Sultans Court. I enjoyed that a good deal. During this fiasco Karim had the audacity to flim flam the Princess Amina and as things would have it the Princess liked Karim though she was to learn the truth because Karim offered the Princess as a token of his as it were appreciation a stolen piece of jewelry. The Princess smiled when that Hijinks was revealed. The scenes are both colorful and possessing a unclutterred appeal. The splendour of the Sultans palace is spacious, life as such is not omnipresent, It is not opulent. The Princess Amina is use to life in the Sultans court, to be certain she is somewhat spoiled however that does'nt take away from her appeal and appealing she most certainly is. Prince Osman tries to win the Princess through the use of some potion only to have the Princess fall ill, in the meantime Karim has been captured and is now grinding wheat in the stock yards. He here's of a journey to help save the life of the Princess Amina, to capture what is a most rare, a "Blue Rose". He tricks his way out of the stock yards and joins a very large contingent of warriors all pledging to search for the "Blue Rose". The first door can be seen where it is not. This dear reader is when things really begin in earnest as Karim earns his stripes, each door combines intelligence, resolve most certainly cunning and perhaps most of all the determination to know why you are there. He deals with the invisible(a scene on a bridge is particularly undaunting as Karim uncloaks a character billed as a Monster-the characters actual name is Chignone and though he is a muscle bound problem he is not a monster). Karim deals with what appears as the fires of Hell, there is something like a smoke and mirror problem, there is living matter that comes alive however the one that more than all the others I wanted to mention. There is a introduction of a women, portrayed by actress "Edy Vessel" whose court is filled with other lovely women who dance about and she entices Karim to join her if for only a toast. I'am sure Karim saw a statue very nearby of one of the heroic warriors who started out to search for the blue rose, yet he is now a statue. Karim watches as this attractive and alluring women drops a particular poison into a drink, he switches glasses in the blink of an eye and this women and her Kingdom are a thing of the past. All in all we are all the while encouraged by things as Karim continues on his journey. He now emerges from the victory of overcoming the challenges offered by the seven doors but now he must confront the reality that indeed Prince Osman meant what he said and has taken the Princess Amina by force, his army is positioned outside the Sultans Castle. Here is perhaps the hero of this film, he is revealed, it is in the spirit of a departed Uncle who having in faith a witness in hand without knowing who he is talking to is given a gift and this gift provides for an imaginative treatment of an entire army of warriors. When I first saw "The Thief Of Bagdad" and this miraculous army materializes it to me was a real adventuresome enjoyment. There is much here in a loving spirit, and even the claiming of the heart of Princess Amina. The "Blue Rose" is indeed more so a symbol as those who truly Love possess the authority to make a White Rose in fact a Blue Rose. Nearing the film completion Karim and The Sultan are conversing when Karim see's a figure head that is an identical look alike to someone who has provided wisdom and even spirit as would be a "Guardian Angel" through-out Karims journey. This is a very enjoyable motion picture and though there is much here in word, there is as much and more to see in this most delightful film. Though this film maybe more fitting as made for children , which to me it may indeed be, it is billed as a tale of Arabian Knights.

A good surprise in Steve Reeves' career.

[marciodecarvalho · 30 September 2001]

I remember how great I found this movie when I first saw it as a child. Entertaining, inviting, beautifully scored and visually exciting, it was a good surprise for me, a muscle-movies fan then.

I found Steve Reeves could show something else than his stunning muscles. He gives this time a very lighthearted performance - surprisingly, I guess, for his legions of fans - a step ahead of his habitual towering figure and dark persona. He shows, maybe for the one and only time, that he could create a character that goes beyond himself, in this case, Karim, the Thief of Bagdad. Convincingly, this is the point. In excellent, slimmer shape, smiling, it was Steve Reeves in his apex, in a delightful, colorful movie.

This is a very lovable movie, and I rate it as the best in his career, if you put the seminal 'Hercules' aside as 'hors-concours'.

Pretty But Lethargic Remake

[richardchatten · 6/10 · 14 June 2019]

Twenty years being a long time in film history at this stage, the Technicolor special effects that blazed such a trail twenty years earlier in the 1940 classic are easily surpassed by this Eastmancolor remake. Yet it's a mark of the modest budget that Arthur Lubin was working with this time round that the gemstone presented to the hero by fairy godfather Georges Chamarat grants only one wish compared to the three Sabu originally got from genie Rex Ingram, and the flying white horse while far more elegant and convincing than the one that Miles Malleson originally rode round the minarets of Bagdad also gets far less screentime. (Visual effects technician Tom Howard, who had worked on the 1940 version, produced far better work on a more generous budget and under the more adroit tutelage of Byron Haskin a couple of years later on the livelier and far superior 'Captain Sinbad'.)

Steve Reeves' thief is obviously patterned after Douglas Fairbanks, and most of the inventions of Korda's production are absent apart from the flying horse; the improvements being the sinister trees coming to life at night like triffids, and the promotion of the blue rose from a malevolent distraction to the object of the hero's quest. Giorgia Moll makes a most fetching heroine, but is if possible given even less to do than June Duprez in the earlier version!

In Its Best Moments: Enchanting

[m.mk · 8/10 · 26 November 1999]

Even though this film would understandably be considered juvenile by many (and I very much enjoyed it as a child), I still, as a middle-aged adult, like it very much. (I can't say this for many other things I liked as a child.)

If one watches it with "fairy tale" in mind, that goes a long way in preventing adult over-criticism.

One of the movie books (Maltin) says it is "occasionally atmospheric." I definitely agree.

Also, it has a pretty musical theme that repeats.

A favorite film of mine.

--Mark M Racine, WI, US(A)

DVD? Yes!

[flied001 · 8/10 · 8 June 2006]

I would second almost everything written in previous comments. I too saw it as a young boy and it stuck with me, along with other fantasies of the period like those from Ray Harryhausen. I recently started looking for it on ebay where I found it's out of print and never released on DVD; of course there are some used VHS copies available, some going for what seem like inflated prices. A previous comment stated that MGM has the distribution rights so I sent a message to them through their website (www.mgm.com) asking for the film's release on DVD. Anyone feeling the same should try it as well, it may help get results.

Please release it on DVD

[terry-f-graham · 2 December 2007]

I don't often beg but please release it on DVD. Make an old man happy. This is another of the marvellous range of Steve Reeves movies that came out in the 60s. I think this is my favourite because it is almost a comedy. It simply has an air of cheerfulness, joy and happiness about it, which you can't really say about any other of his films. The supporting cast is also excellent with a soundtrack that I remember fondly. Reading these comments, if anyone does, you may realise that I am padding to get in the 10 lines of text that are the minimum. The point of the comment is to try to get someone to release it so to reiterate - some company release it - it's better than some of the dross that comes out.

Steve Reeves best acting job.

[bobalinc1 · 9/10 · 12 January 2006]

I liked this version of the movie very much. Steve Reeves was a childhood hero of mine who in my adult life became a close friend. I believe this movie to be Steve's best acting of any of his movies including Hercules. The costumes are outstanding and Steve's female costar does an exceptional job. Steve's movie-star looks and physique didn't hurt the movie either. An inspiration for a 11 year old who made a lifetime of physical fitness as a result. I highly recommend this movie if one is willing to overlook the comparison of special effects from the time period of the early 1960s in comparison to the 2000s. Nine out of ten stars in my opinion. I wish we had more of Steve Reeves movies. However, he decided to quit acting at age 42 to keep his privacy intact. Thanks Steve we miss you.

Reeves' best film.

[kapnkirk · 10 October 2001]

This is Reeves' best film. It's got it all - a love story, humor, adventure and last but not least a pretty good musical score. Reeves plays Karim a thief who falls in love with a princess. When the princess Amina has a sleeping curse placed on her, Karim must find the only cure - a blue rose. A party sets out from the palace to find the blue rose with the winner getting the hand of the princess in marriage.

The special effects are nothing by today's standards but Reeves and Moll exude a considerable rapport, due in no small part to Arthur Lubin's direction.

Mythological Tale with Magic and Laughs

[zerogirl42 · 10/10 · 10 May 2007]

The Thief of Baghdad is a wonderful fantasy with plenty of battles, puzzles, and obstacles that you would expect in an epic adventure. Steve Reeves stars as Karim, an Arabian "Robin Hood" who cleverly thieves his way into the royal palace charading as a prince. While he's there, he falls in love with the princess who also falls in love with him.

Even though forbidden love motivates the storyline, The Thief of Baghdad is more like Homer's Odyssey. The film focuses more on the quest Karim must complete to prove he's worthy of Princess Amina's hand in marriage. With the help of a man in white (who keeps appearing and disappearing), Karim battles tree monsters, Arabian sirens and much more.

There's a lot of humor in the film which is probably due to the director, Arther Lubin (he was primarily a comedy director). There are also battle scenes along the lines of Braveheart where clever tactics are used.

Overall, The Thief of Baghdad is a very light-hearted fantasy. It was a childhood favorite (we had an old, betamax copy that we taped off the TV when I was a kid). My older brother was a huge sci-fi, fantasy fan and introduced it to me. I hadn't seen it in over 20 years, when it got brought up in a conversation with friends who play D & D. We were talking about the skeletons in the 7th Voyage of Sinbad and I remembered this curious, little film from my childhood. There isn't as much animation in The Thief of Baghdad, but the storyline is excellent. Steve Reeve's does all his own stunts too.

I found a copy on eBay. It was totally worth the $20 I spent on it. After viewing it as an adult and showing it to someone who had never seen it before, I can truly say this is a classic and people of any age can enjoy it.

You can vote for The Thief of Baghdad to be reissued on DVD at the TCM site. Be sure you choose the 1961 version, there are several movies with the same title, but they are not the same story as the one starring Steve Reeve's. The original film was in in Italian, but I'm only familiar with the English-dubbed version. The voice acting is excellent. The Thief of Baghdad should be required viewing in dubbing school (if there is such a thing).

Thief of Bagdad....

[smakalot · 9/10 · 3 November 2006]

Like a previous viewer, I saw this movie when I was young also. I think what made it stand out for me was first I grew up on Hercules and was a fan of Steve Reeves. Secondly, it was the magic of the movie, the whole Arabian Knights thing. I think as a kid certain things you remember for the rest of your life. I remember feeling like I was in search of the blue rose for the Princess. I think I watched that whole movie with my mouth open. I have seen it several times since then and each time I walk away feeling like that eight year old kid who saw something wonderful that he'll never forget. Santa Claus verses the Martians, yea, I can dig it...

An honest remake

[dbdumonteil · 5 December 2009]

Although not as impressive as the Powell/Berger/Whelan/Korda version (1940),this might be the only movie in which Steve Reeves is not relegated to muscle man routine,rather recalling some parts of Errol Flynn .His thief is actually almost a romantic hero ,half Arabian Nights half fairy tale in which the man of common birth has to suffer great hardships before marrying a princess.And the princess ,the gorgeous Georgia Moll,makes Karim's task worthwhile.The genie of the lamp (of the bottle) is present.My favorite sequence is that of the treacherous lady who tries to make Karim turn to stone,which proves that Steve Reeves' characters can be smart too.

Ladro di Bagdad,IL(1961)

[iftikharkhokher · 9/10 · 30 August 2007]

I have seen several versions of this story but this one is by far the best in terms of special effects and action.I saw a dubbed version but the film's story line made up for it.Reeves is at his most handsomest but the film is stolen by chap playing the magician.The sets look impressive and very enchanting.The time period is beautifully captured,and Reeves's swashbuckling can be equated with Douglas Fairbanks sr.In those days one could see the whole schedule in a cinema on one ticket and we were so struck with this one that we saw it 3 times every day for one whole week!A good film for all ages and very enjoyable too!Hopefully it will continue to please generations as it encaptured the youngsters in the sixties!

one of reeves best

[jamesroo · 9/10 · 23 December 2007]

Steve reeves is known for hercules and other muscle films like it but he also later made more adventure like films like this one and Morgan the pirate(another favorite).thief of Baghdad is a truly fantasy film with all the fantasy elements like flying horses and cloaks that make u invisible and so on.he plays a good hearted thief who steals to help the people of the city.then when the princess is put under a spell he joins the quest to find the blue rose to save her.a really good story line and not bad acting by reeves. i was lucky to buy an old rental copy VHS that is in great condition. i was also have a DVD not so great.so if u can find one of those rental copies VHS u find on ebay get it.mine is really great.