Watch The Thief of Bagdad

The Thief of Bagdad is a 1940 adventure film directed by Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, and Tim Whelan. It stars Conrad Veidt as the evil Jaffar, Sabu as the titular thief, and June Duprez as the princess whom the thief falls in love with. The film tells the story of a young thief who uses his cunning and athleticism to steal from the wealthy citizens of Bagdad, until he is caught by Jaffar, the powerful and malevolent Grand Vizier of Bagdad. Jaffar threatens to execute the thief unless he carries out a mission to retrieve a magical lamp from a remote temple.

The thief, aided by a flying horse named Rajah, travels to the temple and acquires the lamp, but is betrayed by Jaffar and left stranded in the desert. Using the powers of the lamp, the thief makes his way back to Bagdad and begins a dangerous and exciting adventure to defeat Jaffar, win the heart of the princess, and restore order to the city.

The film is known for its lavish production design, stunning visual effects, and impressive action sequences. It was one of the most successful films of its time, and it continues to be beloved by audiences and critics today.

One of the standout performances in the film comes from Conrad Veidt, who portrays the villainous Jaffar with great intensity and charisma. His performance perfectly captures the malevolence and ruthlessness of the character, and he commands the screen with every scene he is in.

Sabu, who was only 14 years old at the time of filming, delivers a charming and lively performance as the thief. He imbues the character with a sense of mischief and humor, as well as athletic prowess and bravery. His chemistry with Duprez is also noteworthy, as their romantic subplot provides a touching counterbalance to the film's action and adventure.

The special effects in the film are also remarkable for their time, with scenes of the thief flying on the back of the magical horse Rajah and battling gigantic monsters in the desert. These sequences were accomplished using a combination of practical effects and matte paintings, and they still hold up today as thrilling and visually stunning moments.

Overall, The Thief of Bagdad is a classic adventure film that stands the test of time as a thrilling and entertaining movie. Its combination of action, romance, and fantasy create a unique and engaging experience, and the performances of its cast, particularly Veidt and Sabu, make it a joy to watch from start to finish. If you're a fan of classic fantasy or adventure films, The Thief of Bagdad is a must-see.

The Thief of Bagdad is a 1940 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.