The Thief of Bagdad 1940

The Thief of Bagdad

Critics Consensus

Dashing, dazzling, and altogether magical, The Thief of Bagdad is an enchanting fantasy for children of all ages.

100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 28

81%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 3,970

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Movie Info

Deceived and deposed by his sinister adviser, Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), Ahmad (John Justin), the King of Bagdad, must find a way to reclaim his throne. Enlisting the unlikely assistance of a thief named Abu (Sabu), Ahmad soon meets a beautiful princess (June Duprez) and embarks on a series of adventures involving a genie (Rex Ingram), a flying carpet, and other fantastical elements. Eventually, Ahmad and Abu must face off against Jaffar, who will stop at nothing to hold on to power.

Cast & Crew

Sabu
Abu
John Justin
Ahmad
Conrad Veidt
Jaffar of Bagdad
June Duprez
Princess
Rex Ingram
Djinn
Miles Malleson
Sultan of Basra
Mary Morris
Halima
Ludwig Berger
Director
Michael Powell
Director
Tim Whelan
Director
Jack Clayton
Assistant Director
Miklós Rózsa
Writer (Story)
Miles Malleson
Writer (Screenplay)
Alexander Korda
Producer
Zoltan Korda
Associate Producer
William Cameron Menzies
Associate Producer
Georges Périnal
Cinematographer
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Critic Reviews for The Thief of Bagdad

All Critics (28) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (28)

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Audience Reviews for The Thief of Bagdad

  • Dec 17, 2019
    About as good as a fantasy could be, this is a colorful telling of what modern viewers will recognize as Aladdin, and maybe better than that. In fact fans of the Disney animated version will recognize exactly where the story was lifted from, so closely do the real life versions match the animated ones. The heart and soul of this 1940s romp - though it doesn't feel that old at all - is Sabu, the very spirit of rebellious youth unchecked by conventional thinking, no monkey (or dog) he. Rex Ingram as the genie makes a real impression, too, even in a diaper. And Conrad Viedt's villain is silkily repulsive.
    Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 12, 2010
    Colorful hooey has committed performances from the cast who remain straight faced amid preposterous situations. However you know that going in so just sit back and enjoy, with kids preferably, the beautiful technicolor, costumes and actors.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Dec 29, 2009
    Very cute classic with great special effects for movie made in 40`s
    Wahida K Super Reviewer
  • Dec 11, 2009
    Watching this film I realized that those kind of movies like the Thief of Bagdad" reminds us that sometimes--not often, but sometimes--our perceptions of the world are challenged by those few film artists who know how to make movies properly. A great director is one who instinctively imposes his vision on us, and as a result, our way of observing the commonplace is transformed into something singularly akin to the artist's. We can never observe certain people and places or things in quite the same way again? Now about the film. This is a pure fantasy movie from start to finish it has everything from flying horses and genies until flying carpets and wizards. The production designs are just stunning in this movie. Even though this movie is about 70 years old, the production design is far better than most of the crap that gets tacked on in today's cinema. The music and songs are also well done. Anyone who sees it will no doubt hail, "I want to be a sailor sailing on the seas" as one of the great musical moments in movies. And of course it's literally impossible to watch this movie and not notice where the makers of "Aladdin" got their inspiration?.
    Arianeta L Super Reviewer
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