EddieVilliers
'Arabian Nights' is by far one of the best fantasy movies I've ever seen. Most so-called sci-fi movies are actually fantasy movies which need us to suspend our imaginations. Hence, as plot devices scientifically dubious not to mention laughable 'futuristic' technologies are thrown in. That's why in the sci-fi/fantasy genre I like to watch movies based on various mythologies. Those stories have stood the test of time - by having being refined in the most subtle ways. Arabian nights is one such set of stories and I am truly satisfied with the way this movie took to the stories. If some creative liberty was taken, it did not appear forced (says the unlettered! I have never read all the original stories and cannot attest to the authenticity of the stories presented.)In all the reviews I write on this website, I always write for movies that have good scripts and this one fits that category to the T. The direction, casting and the acting were also all very good. I have like Mili Avital since I first saw Stargate (1994) (a true disaster that spawned not one but two Sci-fi series no less). Her role was the cheese that held the movie's macaroni together. Some of the best scenes were between her and the storyteller the ones where he is giving her tips how to hold the Sultan's/audience's attention. I specially liked the one where the story teller tells her about the night when he came face to face to death. It was funny, yet gripping - the exact effect the storyteller was trying to achieve. I am not a big fan of any of the men in the movie but all did a great job. All the stories were done with a great sense of humor - the genies in Aladin's story, the sultan who switches places with a drunk (and meets his end with a smile on his face), Bac-bac's story - all done really well.Great movie and I would recommend anyone who come across this review.
propertravel
I have been worked in the production in this movie, pity my name is not on credits being Assistant to Production Manager and somewhere, transport coordinator and 2nd. unit assistant at war scene's.The whole production was a great experience for me and fun most of the times if you ignore the non stop work and run....Unfortunately it was the only movie shoot at Antalya Film Studios which is a great and brand new studio. We have been working over 3 months at locations in Cappadocia where I live now.I do watch the film time to time and still enjoy fully, knowing the inside information the set and the characters etc.I did buy a lot of props from the movie and have pictures, raw video materials etc. Do you think one can sell those on e-bay etc. I have more than plenty... So I can spare some out.If you did not watch the movie yet its well worth it to find a copy and watch.Happy viewing, Murat
Charles Herold (cherold)
Since much is made in Arabian Nights of a cliffhanger ending that keeps you wanting more, it's ironic that after being thrilled by part one of Arabian Nights, Part 2 was not shown in New York when a war between ABC and Time Warner caused the ABC station to go off the air the night part two was supposed to air. I've been seething about it ever since, but at long last I have seen the whole thing (on the sci-fi channel, even though there's nothing remotely science fiction about the Arabian Nights) and I am thrilled.Arabian Nights is one of the best of those elaborate, special effects-laden fantasy TV movies Robert halmi Sr. has been producing since the success of Gulliver's Travels. The bookend story of the original book has been expanded, so the loose-knit collection of stories feel tightly woven together by the urgency of Scheherazade's plight. The stories themselves are wonderful, beautiful and magical and displaying the amazing sort of imagination one sees in the movies of Hayao Miyazaki. The movie is less star-studded than a lot of Halmi's films, or at least, many of the stars, being of eastern or African origin, aren't famous in the U.S., although for all I know they are all huge stars somewhere in the world. The cast is marvelous, particularly Mili Avital as Scheherezade and John Leguizamo in two very funny roles as as the movie's genies (although the genie of the lamp is a bit too hard to understand).This movies that is so amazing that it seems a shame it's TV movie status means it gets less notice than some inferior Hollywood fantasy. It is a must-see movie.
miksko
Normally I put TV productions into a category of their own; very few of them stand a comparison with productions made for the big screen. There are however a notable few exceptions; most of them Brittish, like "Prime Suspect", "Walking with Dinosaurs" and "Queer as Folks"."Arabian Nights", a Jim Henson Production, is yet another one. I won't try to fool you; there are tracks left from the TV format and its commercial breaks. But the casting is good, the acting is excellent and the story is told in a quick but relaxed pace, with some interesting quirks.In short: It has all the sence of wonder you expect from a good story book.
AD
