A.V. Club - 02/20/2013
"THE THIEF OF BAGDAD was a major event in the '20s, and still feels major now." -- Grade: A-
New York Times - 02/22/2013
"Using a panoply of optical and mechanical effects Fairbanks leads the viewer through a range of magical worlds."
Description by OLDIES.com:
In the ancient dream city of Bagdad, Ahmed (Douglas Fairbanks) is a handsome rogue of a thief whose heart is stolen by the beautiful daughter of the Caliph. The ruler declares that the hand of the princess will belong to the one who brings back the world's rarest treasure. Ahmed must compete with the great princes of the earth using only his resourcefulness, bravery, and charm. He embarks on a mystical quest and must overcome horrific obstacles, terrifying monsters and Mongol hordes to survive. This spectacular and award-winning motion picture is a visual feast. With magnificent, imaginative sets and special effects that astounded audiences, it was the most expensive film of the era, costing over $2 million when produced in 1924. This epic features the kind of charismatic performance by Douglas Fairbanks that made him a superstar. The Thief Of Bagdad is recognized as one of the greatest silent films of all time.
Product Description:
In this silent classic, Douglas Fairbanks is superb as a mischievous thief who, with the help of a genie's magic, tries to outwit the evil ruler of Bagdad. A wondrous, fantastic adventure, THE THIEF OF BAGDAD showcases the talents of Fairbanks--the first and greatest of film swashbucklers. With the help of a magic rope and a magic carpet, the hero woos a beautiful princess and faces many mortal dangers, including fierce dragons, blazing fires, and swelling waters, in his quest to prove himself worthy of her love.
ALPHA VIDEO'S SILENT FILMS ARE THE BEST
Movie Lover: john crawford from
FORT WAYNE INDIANA -- October, 28, 2004
AS ALWAYS ALPHA VIDEO HAS DONE IT AGAIN! THEY HAVE RELEASED ANOTHER AFFORDABLE CLASSIC FROM HOLLYWOODS GREAT SILENT ERA. THIS TITLE IS A "MUST" FOR ANY SERIOUS MOVIE COLLECTOR.
Atmosphere, Adventure, and Action
Movie Lover: the Jax from
California -- August, 1, 2004
Very satisfying! A lowly thief falls for the princess, and and competes with her noble suitors--including an evil khan who schemes to conquer the city. Magic is alive in old Bagdad, but love is the strongest enchantment of all. This movie is long but the action keeps galloping along. The actors are very theatrical, as they cannot speak to express their emotions. The sets are lavish, the special effects surprisingly good. The music will get repetetive, but you'll hardly notice. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
Film Collectors & Archivists: Alpha Video is actively looking for rare and
unusual pre-1943 motion pictures, in good condition, from Monogram, PRC,
Tiffany, Chesterfield, and other independent studios for release on DVD. We
are also interested in TV shows from the early 1950s. Share your passion
for films with a large audience.
Let us know what you have.