Leofwine_draca
THE THIEF OF BAGDAD is the lengthy silent version of the famous exotic adventure, with Douglas Fairbanks taking the title role. Seen today it's a rather slow and creaky affair, although not without interest; there's plenty to savour here, from the sets and the staging to the exotic characters and endless action. Truth be told, I enjoy the remake as it's less dated, but this film still packs a punch which is impressive given that I'm writing this review almost a hundred years after it was first released.
Ian
(Flash Review)This was an epic and entertaining adventure story with impressively creative and massive sets, especially for the era. The protagonist is in fact a brash and clever thief stealing from people in Bagdad. He uses many athletic methods for his thievery, many of which use unique filming effects. The thief later ups the ante and his goals as he changes his quest for material goods to winning over a real princess. However, she has many suiters and the princess's father has a quest for them all. The challenge is for each of them to bring back the rarest 'treasure' they can find over "seven moons"; I guess that means seven days. Will his thieving skills aid him in locating the rarest treasure and the hand of the princess? This was a really fun and amusing quest to watch play out. Fun sets and creative beasts will cross his path. Accompanied by appropriate music and striking cinematography create nice overall effect. This film is still impressive today and fun to see what they could do back then and also to see how Sci-fi adventure romps from the 50's feel a lot like this!
Kirpianuscus
for many of its viewers, it remains unique. yesterday, in the period of early years of childhood, today, in the era of 3D, this "Thief of Bagdad" has not term of comparison. sure, one of the basic motifs is Douglas Fairbanks. and the seductive story, and the Oriental impeccable architecture and the special effects. in one word - its fantastic freshness. because it has the virtues who are out of contemporary examples of success. maybe a coherent , charming story and the naivety and the surprising eroticism and the science to build a story in each detail. maybe the princes and the princess and the flavors of Bagdad are causes of a special emotion when I see it again. because it is magic. and this does it a real fantastic film.
MissSimonetta
I like this one, but I do not feel it represents Doug Fairbanks at his best or even at his most entertaining.Of course, the production is gorgeous, an art deco dream of the Arabian Nights fairy tales. But lush costumes and sets are not enough.My score would be higher were this film one hour shorter, because the paper-thin plot and characters at play in The Thief of Bagdad do not warrant a two and a half hour run-time. The stunts and gags are great fun until 90 minutes roll by. By 100 minutes, you'll already be checking your watch and sick of it.If you want prime Fairbanks, go for The Mark of Zorro or The Black Pirate.
AD
