Arabian Nights (Universal Cinema Classics)

Amazon.com

Warning: Technicolor silliness ahead, as Universal's nutty series of turban-and-camel movies comes into view. Arabian Nights was the first of these confections, and after it became a big wartime hit it spawned a series of follow-ups, most of them starring some combination of Maria Montez, Jon Hall, Sabu, and Turhan Bey. The story is nonsense, with Hall as a deposed caliph battling his half-brother (Leif Erickson) while remaining incognito amongst a group of traveling players. Montez plays dancing vixen Scheherazade, and her crazy costumes and limited acting range give ample evidence for her later enshrinement as a camp icon. The film's level of seriousness is aptly demonstrated by the casting of Shemp Howard (of the Three Stooges--like there's another Shemp Howard?) as Sinbad; John Qualen plays Aladdin, and vaudeville pro Billy Gilbert plays the leader of the troupe. Coming off best is Sabu, the young star of The Thief of Baghdad and The Jungle Book, whose innate likability is infectious even in these inane circumstances. Arabian Nights probably isn't the most fun of these movies; check out Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and Robert Siodmak's crazed Cobra Woman, too. They work on two fronts: family-movie fodder and high camp. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Arabian Nights.......2007-05-25

Excellent movie from the 40's these old movies are the best with great actors, like jon Hall, Sabu,Shemp,and of Course Maria Montez I think she is one of the most Classical Beauty's of a bygone era I love movies with her in them as well as Jon Hall,Turhan Bay check out Allie Baba and the Forty Theives another great one. Everyone should have this movie.

What can I say Wonderful, Great, good plot ,great actors of a bygone era.

We Want MORE Montez.......2007-04-23

This DVD is absolutely gorgeous. The technicolor is so vivid and beautiful-like an early Disney film. I have watched my new copy already three times- it is so much fun to watch on every level. Lovely to look at and the best campy humor to top it off. While I love this film, it is quite tame compared to some of the wonderful excesses that were to follow in this cycle of cult favorite Maria Montez classics.

Thank you Universal for finally releasing one of your classic "Easterns" onto DVD. But please don't stop!! Maria's fans are legion. Her films are some of the hardest to find and most desireable to collectors. Remember of the six films she did with Jon Hall at Universal, only two were ever even released on VHS. The demand is high. Please Universal- give us a "Maria Montez Collection" with the remaining five Easterns. "Cobra Woman" alone is probably the most famous camp classic to never merrit a DVD release.

We want more!

The Most fun you can have in a film........2007-03-11

This is a great film, and they really dont make them like this anymore. It's funny, has some good action scenes and a light hearted story. It's even got Shemp in it. I saw this for the first time yesterday and I enjoyed it so much i went out and bought it.

Entertaining camp classic is enjoyable "sand and sandals" epic..........2007-03-10

MARIA MONTEZ, JON HALL and SABU made some very entertaining Technicolor "sand and sandals" epics at Universal and this DVD restoration showcases them in brilliant Technicolor.

It's strictly Saturday afternoon matinee stuff, nothing to really ponder in the way of complex plots--just the usual good vs. evil with Hall coming to the rescue of beautiful princess Montez in her usual damsel in distress kind of role.

Exquisitely photographed on desert sands, it's exotic fun fare for adults and children with lots of eye candy to keep things interesting. TURHAN BEY is effective in a brief role but it's Montez and Hall who keep the story moving along at a lively pace. Well worth viewing and nostalgic fun for fans of the Universal series starring this trio of stars.

KNAB, UTAH IN GLORIOUS TECHNICOLOR!.......2007-03-02

Universal's first 3-strip Technicolor feature is stunning to behold with Knab, Utah standing in for the Arabian desert. Technicolor is the highlight of this fun film. Inspired by the success of Alexander Korda's THE THIEF OF BAGDAD (1940), this was the start of a very popular series of fantasy adventure films from Universal with the beautiful Maria Montez and Jon Hall. The film is a lot of fun, but it pales when compared to THE THIEF OF BAGDAD, which not only had Technicolor, but one of the greatest musical scores (Miklos Rosza) ever created for a film as well incredible sets and art direction. The earlier film is the true classic of fantasy films, but the ARABIAN NIGHTS is a lot of fun in its own way -- just not a classic.

Average customer rating:

"That's ffolks. Two small "f"'s." = EXCELLENT!
Who Said Roger Moore Can't Act?
One of the worst moderately high budget movies ever
The great film that no one seems to have seen
Not a typical Hollywood thriller

Ffolkes
Starring: Roger Moore , James Mason , Anthony Perkins , Michael Parks , and David Hedison
Director: Andrew V. McLaglen
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00009AOBJ
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Customer Reviews:

"That's ffolks. Two small "f"'s." = EXCELLENT!.......2007-01-10

I've been a fan of this film since it first aired on cable movie channels here in the US in the early 80's. I still remember some of my favorite lines as, "Cigarette, Kramer?" or the captain saying, "I'm not in the business of making terrorists happy." w/ Kramer responding, "Terrorists are confused. I don't follow politics of any kind, but I do know what I want." And the look in Perkin's eyes right before Moore finishes him off. IMMORTAL!

This movie was well written, scripted and played out by a once in a lifetime cast. Even the "situation" of the bombs and how to diffuse them are totally on the money and not some "hollywood" story.

Moore is fantastic and memorable as ffolkes and will list as one of his best performances. This is a must have film!!

Who Said Roger Moore Can't Act?.......2006-07-12

This is one of the greatest action adventure films ever made. It has so many strong points. The cast and script are far above anything anyone ever expected and unfortunately this film went entirely unnoticed on its release. This is one of director Andrew V. McLaglen's best films thanks to a cast that includes Roger Moore, Anthony Perkins, James Mason, David Hedison, Michael Parks, George Baker and Jack Watson and a superlative screenplay by Jack Davies. What really makes this film work so successfully is how Jack Davies gave each character such depth and distinct and dynamic personality. This keeps the story moving and is as intense and suspenseful as it is entertaining. For instance, David Hedison given what is essentially a minor role has some effective lines bringing his character true realism to the extent that we truly empathize with him making him more than another cardboard figure that he had been relegated to throughout his career. Anthony Perkins turns in one of his best roles and a very villainous and diabolical one at that. Anthony Perkins' character is so unpredictable you just haven't a clue to what he is up to next. He's incredible. But the entire cohesive force that holds this film together is Roger Moore. This is probably the performance of his career, along perhaps with THE MAN WHO HAUNTED HIMSELF. Roger Moore is flamboyant, charismatic and demonstrates a no nonsense tough and hardened side we have never seen. And the best thing about Roger's performance is that he is entirely and thoroughly believable. Every once in a while you have to pinch yourself and remember that this is really not the true life Roger Moore here, he's just playing a character. Roger Moore is that good in this film. The plot too is not standard fare. It has twists and turns and things happen that normally don't happen in your typical action adventure film. You just don't mess with Anthony Perkins in this film. That's all I will say on that. In fact, I don't know what else to say. This really and truly is a good one.

One of the worst moderately high budget movies ever.......2006-05-21

I am not in the habit of giving bad reviews, but this one deserves it. Watching the movie made me wonder if Roger Moore was going to actually say "I'm only doing this for the money".

There are better action movies, better thrillers, and better political commentaries.

Catch this some late night on an obscure cable channel, save your money.

The great film that no one seems to have seen.......2006-01-02

This is a unique film. I agree with my fellow reviewers. The characters are solid and I think the selection of these actors could not be improved upon. There is no wasted dialog, no special effects, no rap music in the sound track. Why it failed to be recognized in the theaters is a mystery, though I suspect it's the "anti-James Bond" approach used in ffolkes. No gadgets, no babes, not a smooth talker in this one, Roger Moore is a much more believable character than 007 ever was. I have never met anyone else who has seen this film. Buy a copy, share it with a friend. Maybe you should buy 2 copies.

Not a typical Hollywood thriller.......2005-10-14

Mention the name Roger Moore to the average moviegoer and they'll most likely immediately associate him with the James Bond franchise. Makes sense to me. After all, Moore took up the mantle thrown down by Sean Connery and eventually made some seven Bond films, beginning with "Live and Let Die" in 1973 and ending with "A View to a Kill" in 1985. I'm partial to Roger Moore because of this very fact. He's definitely my favorite Bond; I enjoy his glib wit, expressions of fear when confronted with daunting situations, and just the way he handles himself onscreen. I never turn down an opportunity to watch one of his films when AMC or another channel runs yet another lengthy 007 marathon. It's natural, considering how much I enjoy his Bond films, that I would seek out other Roger Moore projects. Thanks to DVD, we're starting to see his work on "The Saint" and several other efforts reemerge. I'm still waiting for "The Wild Geese" and, up until a short time ago, I eagerly awaited the arrival of "ffolkes." Finally, I procured a copy and immediately sat down for a watch. I wanted to see if I liked the movie as much as I did ten or fifteen years ago.

"Ffolkes" is the story of Rufus Excaliber ffolkes (Moore, of course, with lower case last name for some reason), a crusty old tar who runs a mercenary security service in his retirement. You could say that this chap is the sort of gentleman businesses turn to when they need top-notch security. You could also say that governments might turn to him as well when faced with threats not easily deterred with conventional forces. And that, my friends, is exactly what happens when a terrorist named Lou Kramer (Anthony Hopkins) hijacks two British oil rigs in the North Sea. With the technical assistance of nerdy looking Harold Schulman (Michael Parks) and a gang of muscle, Kramer rigs the platforms with high explosives and then sends his demands to London. Predictably, the Prime Minister (Faith Brooks) and her cabinet are outraged. The tendency to not negotiate with terrorists, however, places the government in a real bind. Fortunately, certain insurance concerns--quite agitated that the destruction of the rigs could bankrupt the firm--call in Rufus Excaliber ffolkes to save the day. It's the sort of task he and his people relish, as Kramer's carefully prepared plans demand an intellectual as well as a physical response. It's a tough assignment made all the more difficult by the stormy, cold region.

Ffolkes rapidly coordinates his plan of attack with the help of Admiral Sir Francis Brindsen (James Mason). The outfit manages to remove one of the rigs from danger quite quickly and easily, but the second one is a bit harder since Kramer and his thugs float right beside it on a small boat. And Kramer's emotional state is deteriorating as fast as the weather outside. The Nordic crew of the ship, led by Captain Olafsen (Jack Watson), resents their kidnapping by Kramer and constantly irritates the terrorist. This cautious defiance, coupled with the grinding process of negotiating with the British government, soon wears heavily on Kramer. He oscillates between calm and explosive rages, always inches away from the detonator that will blow the rigs sky high. The vast majority of the film takes place on the boat and on the nearby rig, as ffolkes disguises himself as a British naval officer in the hope that he can board the ship as part of the negotiating team and bring the evil Kramer down. Needless to say, the plan doesn't go quite as smoothly as hoped. Can ffolkes and the British government save their oil production facilities in the nick of time? Watch and see.

Moore is great in this movie. He plays a no nonsense sort of guy set like stone in his ways. A misanthrope with a penchant for cats, needlepoint, a love of Scotch, and a loathing for women that runs to the core of his soul, ffolkes makes for an interesting character. As played by Roger Moore, he's hilarious because we immediately realize that this guy is about as far from James Bond as one could get. Less compelling, at least for hardcore action film fans, is the pace and content of the movie. The picture is one of the talkiest action movies you're likely to see, and even when the action breaks out it's not enough to tide over fans of big body counts and massive explosions. There are also several moments of incredulity where the viewer is likely to say, "No way. That would never happen!" But that's o.k. I like Moore so much, and I always enjoy watching Anthony Hopkins go off the deep end, that I forgave the director and writer for not giving us a non-stop action flick. But if you're the sort of filmgoer who eschews character development and tension in favor of cartwheeling bodies and stuff blowing up, you'll likely chafe at the bit with this movie.

I'd like to the give the DVD presentation of the film five stars. I'd like to, but I can't for a couple of reasons. One, nary an extra graces the disc. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Not even a trailer for the film. Ouch! I don't know why "ffolkes" received such shabby treatment, but it's undeserved in my opinion. Second, and probably more germane to the actual film, I didn't enjoy the movie quite as much as I did when I saw it back when I was a younger lad. Like I mentioned in a vague way above, I encountered several unbelievable situations and scenes during my latest trip through the movie. Yet "ffolkes" is still great, still a lot of fun, and definitely worth seeking out not only for Bond fans but Moore fans as well.

Average customer rating:

THE ENDING IS A CLASSIC
A Good Royal Rumble 2007!
WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2007
WWE - Royal Rumble 2007
WWE Royal Rumble 2007 DVD Review

WWE - Royal Rumble 2007
Starring: Chris Benoit , Triple H , Sabu , The Sandman , and Rob Van Dam
Manufacturer: World Wrestling
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ASIN: B000KHX71W
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Description

(Sports) The road to WrestleMania 23 begins at the Royal Rumble, where 30 men compete for a shot at WrestleMania's main event. Superstars from Raw, Smackdown, and ECW compete in one of the most popular events of the year. Starring John Cena, King Booker, Big Show, Edge, Undertaker, Rob Van Dam, Triple H, Batista, CM Punk, Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit, Test, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy, Sabu, Carlito, Lashley, Sandman, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Johnny Nitro, and more.

Customer Reviews:

THE ENDING IS A CLASSIC.......2007-08-15

ROYAL RUMBLE 2007

This is with out a doubt one of the best Royal Rumbles in the history of wrestling; the rumble match itself was a classic, the best actually. I was really impressed with this event. Enough of this lets get to the review.

1.MNM VS THE HARDY'S-excellent way to start off the show, two of the best teams in the business went head to head in this fast paced match. The match went back and forth for the majority of the match. This was a great way to open the show.5/5

2.ECW CHAMPIONSHIP:BOBBY LASHELY VS TEST-this was a decent match up, the thing is that these two had a better match on ECW on the SCI-FI Channel a week or two earlier. This match was ok though, it is not as bad as most make it out to be, I actually like both of these guys. I have always liked Test when he was in a heel role, and even though I think Lashley became a champion to early I still think he did well in this match. The match ended with a count out, and was over fairly quickly for a title bout.3.8/5

3.WORLD TITLE:BATISTA VS KEN KENNEDY-this was actually a really good match, I don't think too many people give it the credit it deserves. I do agree that Mr. Kennedy carried this match but Batista did his thing even though I' am not his biggest fan. This was a very well paced match and I dare say one of the better matches of the night, I really enjoyed this match even tough Batista held on to the belt.4.5/5

4.WWE CHAMPIONSHIP:JOHN CENA VS UMAGA-still not sure how I feel about Umaga but I have always liked Cena, I liked him better as a bad guy though. This was a really good match and is actually what you would have though the ECW match would have been like. The ending for this match was really good, and ended up being better than I thought it would be.5/5

5.ROYAL RUMBLE-this has got to be the greatest Royal Rumble match to ever take place, and if not the greatest it's still one of. The entire match was paced well and very entertaining, but like everyone else I really enjoyed the action when it came down to the TEXAS boys. HBK and The Undertaker gave us one of the greatest endings in the history of this event, I like how they gave each other respect at the end. CLASSIC.5/5

Excellent Royal Rumble, I recommend it.

A Good Royal Rumble 2007!.......2007-07-12

MNM vs. The Hardy Boys:
8/10 This was a good Opener For the PPV !

ECW World Heavyweight Championship
Bobby Lashley [Champion] vs. Test:
6/10 Just a HORRIBLE MATCH!

World Heavyweight Championship
Batista [Champion] vs. Ken Kennedy:
7.5/10 A ALRIGHT MATCH

WWE Championship
Last Man Standing Match
John Cena [Champion] vs. Umaga:
9/10 GOOD MATCH PERIOD !

Royal Rumble Match:
a really good rumble !. 9/10

WWE ROYAL RUMBLE 2007.......2007-07-05

1) MNM VS. THE HARDY BOYS
THIS WAS AN AWESOME OPENER. THESE MEN PUT ON A GOOD SHOW TOGETHER. 8/10

2) BOBBY LASHLEY VS. TEST (ECW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP)
HORRIBLE! ABSOLUTELY GAY!!! 2/10

3) BATISTA VS. MR KENNEDY.....KENNEDY (WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
THIS MATCH WAS BORING TOO. BUT BATISTA WINS WITH A BATISTA BOMB. 6/10

4) JOHN CENA VS. UMAGA (LAST MAN STANDING MATCH FOR THE WWE CHAMPIONSHIP)
THIS MATCH WAS PRETTY GOOD. THE ENDING WAS SWEET WHEN JOHN CENA USES THE RING ROPE (OUT OF ALL THINGS) TO CHOKE OUT UMAGA WITH THE STFU. 9/10

5) 30 MAN ROYAL RUMBLE
THIS WAS THE FIRST ROYAL RUMBLE WITH ECW, SMACKDOWN, AND RAW. I THOUGHT IS WAS COOL HOW THEY USED WEAPONS IN THIS ROYAL RUMBLE. UNDERTAKER FINALLY WINS A RUMBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HIS CAREER 9/10

OVERALL ITS OK FOR A PPV

WWE - Royal Rumble 2007 .......2007-05-08

I recently purchased this DVD for a Easter basket item for my nephew...He loved it. The DVD played excellent...I rec'd it in within the time frame that Amazon said...

WWE Royal Rumble 2007 DVD Review.......2007-04-28

Matt and Jeff Hardy vs. MNM
Rating: 9/10

ECW World Championship: Bobby Lashley vs. Test
Rating: 7/10

World Heavyweight Championship: Batista vs. Mr. Kennedy
Rating: 9/10

WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: John Cena vs. Umaga
Rating: 10/10

The 30 Man Royal Rumble Match:
Rating: 10/10

I just bought this DVD and it was amazing!

Extras Include:

Rated RKO vs. John Cena and Shawn Michaels

Donald Trump and Mr. McMahon

Todd Grisham interviews the Undertaker and Kane

Average customer rating:

Black Narcissus
Great movie
Black Narcissus
The End of the World
An Erotic Ghost Story

Black Narcissus - Criterion Collection
Starring: Deborah Kerr , Flora Robson , Jean Simmons , David Farrar , and Sabu
Director: Michael Powell , and Emeric Pressburger
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B00004XQN4
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Amazon.com

Appropriately enough for a picture named for a flower, Black Narcissus exists in a color-drenched, hothouse atmosphere. The setting is a nunnery in the Himalayas, where sister Deborah Kerr has her hands full with an envious nun (the remarkable Kathleen Byron) and a sardonic Englishman (David Farrar). Director Michael Powell and screenwriter Emeric Pressburger, the team responsible for the mid-forties masterpieces A Stairway to Heaven and The Red Shoes, decided to shoot Black Narcissus entirely in the studio, so they could create their own controlled, slightly unreal world. The choice paid off, as both art director Alfred Junge and cinematographer Jack Cardiff won Oscars for their blazing Technicolor work. The climactic sequence--a murder attempt on the cliffs of the cloister--bears special attention, as Powell "set" the sequence to a preexisting musical track, staging it as though it were a piece of visual choreography. Adding a bit of behind-the-scenes tension to the production was the fact that Kerr was the director's ex-mistress, and Byron his current one. "It was a situation not uncommon in show business, I was told," he later wrote, "but it was new to me." --Robert Horton

Description

Plagued by uncertainties and worldly desires, five Protestant missionary nuns, led by Deborah Kerr's Sister Clodagh, struggle to establish a school in the desolate Himalayas. All the elements of cinematic arts are perfectly fused in Powell and Pressburger's fascinating study of the age-old conflict between the spirit and the flesh, set against the grandeur of the snowcapped peaks of Kanchenjunga. Criterion is proud to present Black Narcissus in a new Special Edition.

Customer Reviews:

Black Narcissus.......2007-06-21

Another great success for "Red Shoes" helmers Powell-Pressburger, "Narcissus" is an absorbing, finely acted British melodrama about the secular problems facing a new mother superior in an unfamiliar, potentially hostile new environment. The directors even stirred controversy by developing a subtle yet credible sexual tension between the luminous Kerr and hunky Farrar. Jack Cardiff's Oscar-winning Technicolor photography and Alfred Junge's hand-crafted art design give this film exceptional production values to boot. And Kathleen Byron's celebrated turn as the unhinged Sister Ruth climaxes in a suspenseful sequence that's hard to forget.

Great movie.......2007-06-04

I loved this movie because of the powerful characters and their struggle for doing some good in the world against the evil and the weakness of our human nature. Even though the film was filmed in a studio, due to budgetary constraints, the feel is of really being in some far off land. The story slowly envelops us in the personal struggles of the charters, their isolation and the remoteness of the nunnery. The understated sexual tension builds slowly until the dramatic ending.

Black Narcissus.......2007-05-08

I saw this film many years ago and enjoyed it very much. I still like reading Rumer Godden's books, though some people may consider them a bit dated-she had a good perception of India- I know because I have been married to an Indian for years. The film was an effective adaption of her book of the same name. Most of the cast acted well. The only one I found a bit unconvincing was Jean Simmons-an unlikely Indian. It was not all her fault-they should have toned down that brown make-up and left her natural looks. Many Indians are just as fair. Contrast her with Sabu, who was a real Indian. The settings were so well done-hard to believe the films was not photographed on location.

The End of the World.......2007-05-04

Black Narcissus, based on the book of the same name by Rumer Godden, is about five nuns who seem to go to the end of the world. They are sent to a palace high in the mountains in the Himalayas to start a Protestant missionary. They find themselves in a lonely, cold, wind swept place. The nuns find themselves haunted by memories they can't stop thinking about and a land that calls out to their flesh and their spirits.
Sister Clodagh, the main character, can't stop thinking about the life she ran away from. Everything seems to remind her of the life she fled, of the emotions she was trying to forget and the man she once loved. Like her, the other nuns find themselves trapped inside their minds, trying to deal with the desolate land, with the beauty of the snowcapped peaks and the ancient ways of the native people.
Mr. Dean, the agent of the Old General, is not very helpful. He has long given in to the strange ways of the people and has learned to deal with the erotic women, the green jungle and the rich culture.
The disc holds a ton of great extras, from audio commentary, a 27 minute documentary, a collection of behind the scene pictures and the original theatrical trailer. This is a must for any DVD library.

An Erotic Ghost Story.......2007-02-22

I loved this film, the characters, the setting, what's spoken, and what's left unsaid. Talk about the wrong place to send 5 women (nuns) who are repressing their sexuality...The Women's Palace. It's not the constant winds that haunts these women, but their desires, their regrets, and the memories of this palace that housed concubines in a harem many years ago. Women who had nothing to think about but sex, and waiting for one man to come and fulfill them, and to compete amongst themselves for his attention. The thing that pained them the most was their forced celibacy and endless days of tedium and ennui, sentiments that soaked those walls, so that many years later all these women experience the same longing and desires. Erotic, most certainly, but a haunting ghost story of the first caliber.

Average customer rating:

Beware of False Advertising!
Very Nice, Until the Real Thing Comes Along...
A Rare Old Classic from the Arabian Nights tales!
ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES (1944)

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

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ASIN: B000BT8VV0

Product Description

SUMMARY: Ali Baba, son of the Kalif of Bagdad is brought up by the 40 Thieves after his father is killed by the soldiers of Hugalu Khan, who received the necessary information by traitor Cassim. Ali becomes the leader of the thieves and they are fighting for the freedom of his land. Per chance Ali captures the fiancée of Hugalu Khan, who turns out to be his girl friend Amara. After a few misunderstandings Ali uses her wedding day with Hugalu Khan as the day for the liberation of Bagdad. [IMDB Stephan Eichenberg] ++++ DVD FEATURES: This officially licensed release from South Korea is All-Region NTSC Code 0 (playable worldwide) with 4:3 Full Screen display, Dolby Digital Surround Sound in ENGLISH with optional (removable) English, Korean, or Chinese subtitles.

Customer Reviews:

Beware of False Advertising!.......2007-09-04

Sabu does not appear in this film. Also, this DVD version omits opening and closing scenes! If you're a credits buff, you'll get none here.

Very Nice, Until the Real Thing Comes Along..........2007-07-20

Hopefully Universal will do an official, remastered release of this title soon (let's hope "Arabian Nights" sells!). Until then, this is a very nice transfer of an un-restored but very clean Technicolor print. Missing only the open and closing titles (and Sabu, who is listed on the cover art and does NOT appear in the film!), this is a well-crafted piece of escapist adventure, with Maria Montez in full Technicolor bloom (and giving what is for her an above-average performance). Snappy direction and an able supporting cast made this a delightful purchase. Now, Universal, how about "Cobra Woman"...

A Rare Old Classic from the Arabian Nights tales!.......2006-12-23

I had a VHS copy of this movie I had taped off the TV a long time ago. I was happy to find this South Korean import--the only DVD of this movie that is possible to obtain. Overall the clarity and quality of tranfer is good. Definately a far better improvement over any VHS version.

The movie itself is full of action and very entertaining, espesially for a 1944 movie. The colors are nice. I noticed that outdoor photography at night tend to be a little dark- probably from the movie itself and the usage of dark filter while shooting in daylight to stimulate nighttime. Other than that, indoor scenes are beautiful and bright as well as outdoor daylight scenes.

Overall, It is not a perfect edition of the movie, but it is the only DVD version of it that I know that is obtainable for a higher price--that is until Universal Studio decide to do a special restoration and release it on DVD sometime in the future?

I rated the movie itself 5 stars, the transfer 3 for missing opening and ending credits.

ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES (1944) .......2006-04-27

aka Al? Bab? & los 40 Ladrones
(Action/Adventure, 1 hr 27 min, Technicolor)
Universal - U.S.A.

DIRECTOR:
Arthur Lubin

CAST:
Scotty Beckett, Turhan Bey, Andy Devine, Jon Hall, Frank Puglia, Kurt Katch, Maria Montez (As: Amara)

COMMENTS:
This Arabian Nights fantasy follows the exploits of the Caliph of Baghdad's son, who runs off into the desert after his father is killed by raiding Mongols.

There he encounters the legendary 40 thieves and watches in amazement as their command, "Open Sesame," magically parts a solid rock wall, revealing a cavernous hiding place filled with treasures.

He is adopted by the thieves, dubbed "Ali Baba," and grows up to be their leader. As an adult, Ali sets out to avenge his father's death and to free his land from the reigning Mongols.

The film is set in the ancient Middle East. Maria Montez stars as Amara, a Baghdad beauty, who is one of the main reasons of the fight between the Mongol Khan Hulagu and Ali Baba.

In this time, Maria demonstrated that she will never accept to do scenes or scene parts against her will. For instance, the director Arthur Lubin tried to convince her of appearing naked inside of a pool, the problem was solved when Lubin accepted to put her in a bubble bath.

Before beginning working in the most popular and commercial movie of its time, Maria said to the media: "According to my horoscope, the name I will have in this movie will not augur me success."

The producers thought Montez wanted to change the name they assigned her and they allowed her to do so.

TNA Wrestling: The Best of the Bloodiest Brawls Volume 1

Average customer rating:

TNA is TRUTHFULLY total nonstop action
Great dvd
I'm not going to get into the TNA Vs. WWE debate, because I like both of them.
one of the best wresting dvds out there
TNA at ITs BEST

TNA Wrestling: The Best of the Bloodiest Brawls Volume 1
Starring: Sabu, Raven, Jeff Hardy Abyss
Manufacturer: Total Non-Stop Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000E6ULCM
Release Date: 2006-03-14

Product Description

TNA WRESTLING:BEST OF THE BLOODIEST BRAWLS VOL. 1 (DVD MOVIE)

Customer Reviews:

TNA is TRUTHFULLY total nonstop action.......2007-08-24

i think tna is one of those things that when people see it they go..."oh thats not wwe, its second rate because its only an hour"...and so on. well i have news for u...tna is much better these days than wwe...and after watching this dvd it seems tna has been better for quite a while...so if u havent seen it actually watch a tna dvd b4 saying its not that good. on this dvd theres so much blood u might wwant those weak of stomach to leave the room, expeccilly during the barbed wire mayham match...which is just as if not more graphic than the terry funk, sabu, shane douglas 3 way dance at hardcore homecoming...which u all should buy also. the match with aj styles and the monster abyss is top notch with aj getting nailed in the head with the cage door, and also the 6 sides of steel with triple x against amw was absolutly brutal and amazing, the 6 man tag with rhino and team 3d vs jeff jarret and amw.., was greta. overall all the matches on this dvd were great and i recommend buying this one

Great dvd.......2007-07-30

While TNA is still a second to WWE for me, they do have some highlights to there shows. This dvd is a must for people who love hardcore wrestling. Abyss seems like a Mankind rip off, but still fun to watch. Monsters Ball with Jeff Hardy doing the dive onto Abyss has to be one of the sweetest wrestling moves ive ever seen. The only downside to this dvd is the Dudley Boyz and Rhino VS Jarrett and AMW. They brawled thru out the building and made it hard to follow the action. They also missed out on some amazing points in the match. When Rhino set Jarrett up on a table on the entrace way, I thought it was going be a friggin sweet gore. No dice and that kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. The Sabu VS Abyss barbwire match was ok but wasnt as good as people say it was. TNA has more wrestling then WWE right now, but I still love WWE. This dvd is a must for fans who love hardcore matches. Check it out!

I'm not going to get into the TNA Vs. WWE debate, because I like both of them........2007-07-27

Even though the WWE is having problems, I like the WWE, and also, I like the new Wrestling company known as...TNA Wrestling. This Dvd is one of the greatest wrestling Dvds out there. I know, because when it comes to Wrestling, there is alot more than bloodshed, and weapons involvement. The matches on this Dvd are fun to watch, because they bring back the old ECW days that made wrestling in the mid 90's very popular to see. The matches in this Dvd are very brutal, including the ones with Sabu, Raven, Rhyno, Abyss, and AJ Styles. Buy this Dvd if you're tired of Vince McMahon's so-called ECW. Highly recommended along with "Bloodsport ECW's Most Violent Matches." Be warned that these Wrestling Dvds are not for the faint of heart, or those who throw up easily.

TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA! TNA!

one of the best wresting dvds out there.......2007-05-05

tna's collection of their most hardcore matches doesn't dissapoint in the least. this is one of the best wrestling dvds i've ever seen, as it combines great hardcore wrestling with some nice high-flying and technical wrestling sprinkled in.

1. raven v. abyss v. monty brown (monster's ball) ~ very short match, but otherwise great. abyss gets powerbombed by raven onto the thumbtacks he brought out (abyss always takes the thumbtack spots it seems), and monty brown wins after pouncing raven through a table. (7/10)

2. america's most wanted v. triple x (six sides of steel) ~ this is absolutely my favorite tag team cage match of all time. all four men bleed, and elix skipper does a sick move, tightrope walking across the top of the cage to perform a hurricanrana onto chris harris. amw win after doing triple x's finishing move onto skipper while christopher daniels was handcuffed to the cage. (9.5/10)

3. abyss v. jeff hardy (falls count anywhere) ~ a decent match between the two, and it made me remember why i still like jeff hardy. he does a nice flip off some structure outside the building onto a table-top abyss. jeff hardy wins, but after the match abyss slams hardy onto some thumbtacks. i've never seen jeff hardy take a thumbtack spot before. (7.5/10)

4. aj styles v. abyss (six sides of steel) ~ awesome match from the beginning, when styles flips out of the cage door onto abyss. aj takes a nasty shot from the cage door. abyss takes out the thumbtacks, but ends up landing in them after aj does a sunset flip powerbomb on him. aj wins after a sytles clash onto the thumbtacks. (8.5/10)

5. raven v. sean waltman(x-pac) (raven's house of fun) ~ weapons abound including kendo sticks and a staple gun. waltman surprised me by putting on a nice hardcore match. some decent table spots during the match. raven wins after throwing waltman onto a fence that breaks sending waltman out of the ring. (7/10)

6. raven v. abyss (dog collar match) ~ this match proves why these two dominate the dvd. some sick table spots are involved, and raven even staples a dollar bill to abyss' head. raven wins by after ddting abyss onto some thumbtacks. (8.5/10)

7. raven and sabu v. jeff jarrett and rhyno ~ not a bad brawl, with raven cutting open jarrett with a pizza cutter at the beginning. sabu shines as usual, and there were some nice chairshots in the match. abyss come out and throws sabu through a table, then jeff hardy comes out and takes out abyss. rhyno and jarrett win after rhyno gores raven through a table as he was about to ddt jarrett. (6.5/10)

8. sabu v. abyss v. rhyno v. jeff hardy (monster's ball 2) ~ a great match with brawling all over the building, some nice table spots including a swanton by hardy and a gore by rhyno. rhyno wins afer doing a piledriver onto hardy off the second rope. (8/10)

9. team 3d(dudley boys) and rhyno v. america's most wanted and jeff jarrett ~ the match began with jarrett and amw spreading out to three sides of the arena, setting the stage for a nice brawl. lots of fighting in the crowd, on the rampways, and elsewhere. some pretty sick spots including bubba powerbombing one of the amw guys onto the floor. team 3d and rhyno win, yet i can't remember how at this time. (7.5/10)

10. sabu v. abyss (barbed wire match) ~ this match was too short, but overall it lived up to it's hype. the ropes were replaced with barbed wire and both men get cut open by the barbed wire (sabu, of course, takes more spots than abyss does). sabu wins by knocking abyss onto a board of barbed wire, putting another board on top of him, and jumping on top. again, too short of a match, but a nice way to end the dvd. (8.5/10)

TNA at ITs BEST .......2007-03-18

Monsters Ball 1
Monty Brown VS Raven VS Abyss
FOR THIS IS THE 1ST EVER MONSTERS BALL THIS MATCH WAS COOL !!!!!!!! 8.5/10

Six sides of steel
AMW VS Triple X
GOOD TAG TEAM STEEL CAGE MATCH 8.5/10

FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE
ABYSS VS JEFF HARDY
I dont care WHAT PEOPLE SAY THIS MATCH RULED!!!! 10/10

SIX SIDES OF STEEL
AJ STYLES VS ABYSS
-GREAT CAGE MATCH AND AJ(AS USUAL) WAS GREAT IN THIS MATCH 10/10

HOUSE OF FUN
RAVEN VS SEAN WALTMAN
- VERY GOOD HARDCORE MATCH, GOOD ENDING...9.5/10

DOG COLLER STEEL CHAIN MATCH FOR NWA TITLE
RAVEN VS ABYSS
BRUTAL MATCH, GREAT TO WATCH, 9.5/10

JEFF JARRETT/RHINO VS SABU/RAVEN A GOOD match 7.5/10

MONSTERS BALL 2
RHINO VS ABYSS VS HARDY VS SABU
GREAT MATCH, HARDYS Swanton Bomb WAS AMAZING!!!! 10/10

6 MAN TAG MATCH
TEAM 3-D/RHINO VS AMW/JARRETT CRAZY BRAWL, 7.5/10

BARBED WIRE MASSACRE
ABYSS VS SABU
BRUTAL!! HARD TO WATCH. TOO bad this match was not LONGER 8.5/10

Average customer rating:

It's a jungle out there kid!
Please, Somebody, Restore This!!!
Great
The great original version of a fantastic movie
The Jungle Book.

The Jungle Book
Starring: Sabu , Joseph Calleia , John Qualen , Frank Puglia , and Rosemary DeCamp
Director: Zoltan Korda
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005RERV
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Amazon.com

Disney has mined Rudyard Kipling's Mowgli stories twice, but it has never topped this elegant, lush classic by the British Korda brothers. Producer Alexander Korda brought director Zoltan and designer Vincent to California, where they used Hollywood's resources to create a storybook India of verdant jungles, beautiful lagoons, and modest peasant villages. Sabu plays Mowgli, the man-cub raised by wolves and schooled in the jungle who returns to civilization as a young man. When greedy villagers discover that he knows of a hidden treasure, they turn the town against him and follow him to the ruins of an ancient palace (a magnificent, crumbling temple of glowing blue stone overrun with vines and vegetation). Sabu gives a vital, energetic performance, leaping and climbing like he was born to the wild and innocent of corruption and fear that infects the village. As the treasure hunters turn on one another and resort to murder for the prize they all desire, the film gets darker and fiercer than Disney ever dared in its remakes. It's still the most glorious of all versions, a grandly realized epic vision with a sense of wonder and a magnificent fantasy landscape of deep, rich colors, like a painting come to life. Joseph Calleia plays the greedy villain with his usual conniving flair. Miklós Rósza wrote the gorgeous score. Be wary of inferior video copies: the film has fallen into the public domain and is available in a proliferation of substandard prints. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

It's a jungle out there kid!.......2007-09-02

As I review this film, I can't help but think back to when I was a boy and how this film affected me when I first viewed it. As a boy, the introduction actually bored me, but the introduction is necessary to the story if you are to understand the character of the animals that are to appear in the story and what they mean.

Who did fascinate me was Mowgli. First off seeing Sabu again as a adult, it's clear Sabu was obviously born to play this role. Physically, he is one beautiful male to watch on the silver screen; a simply lovely specimin of the male human animal. The young man's sex appeal goes without saying in other words. As a boy I was aware of his physical beauty; but equally attracked to his pureness of heart in the character he played. But beyond that, the character of Mowgli, a boy born in the wild, raised by the animals, with the ability to communicate with them, while then experiencing the contrast of the civilized human world, intrigued my mind and heart as a boy, asking the question; how it might have felt to be him, experiencing what he did, next to the world I grew up in.

While Disney's animated version of the Jungle book was more a musical, this adaptation did a great job trying to capture the real ambiance of the original story in my view. The book had an even darker ambiance to it than communicated in this film.

Allot obviously went into the making of this film. The animal scenes are just marvelous to watch and the lessons the story teaches, about the vices and virtues of human nature, are timeless.

By no means is Mowgli a simple character to be dismissed by the viewer. There are complexities going on in this character that defy description and must be viewed to be appreciated.

So if you want a somber, but delightful story one evening, this is one to watch. A great job was done in restoring this old classic: Looks almost new, like the day I first saw it back in the 1960's.

Please, Somebody, Restore This!!!.......2007-06-20

I give this film five stars because it's a gem. I do NOT give the DVD release any stars whatsoever. This is one of those unfortunate films that fell through the cracks into Public Domain (like FLYING DEUCES and ROYAL WEDDING) and has been languishing in shoddy releases ever since. The source print(s)for this DVD leave us with a muddy picture whose Technicolor splendor is reduced at times to sepia or even black and white and whose soundtrack is consistently noisy.

The movie is delightful and in many ways superior to the far more recent remake with Jason Scott Lee (who deserves another good movie, but that's another matter entirely). Sabu, at 18 or so, was delightful and at his boyishly charming peak. So why can't someone take the trouble to locate a pristine print or negative (as they did with FLYING DEUCES) and digitally restore this classic to its original glory? Surely there are enough of us in the world to buy it that the project would be worthwhile!

Great.......2007-06-08

Mom loved it! Revisited her childhood. As good as she remembered it.

The great original version of a fantastic movie.......2006-06-25

This is without a doubt the best version of the original story. A must buy for lovers of classic movies.

The Jungle Book........2005-10-06

A true delight for the whole family. Sabu is a remarkable talent for his age and the overall quality of the film (including excellent colour quality & detail) made it most enjoyable when sharing it with our grandchildren (ages 11 & 15) who reacted with delight from beginning to end. Considering the digital age was a couple generations away, it is a remarkable product of cinematography at its best. I would highly recommend it for any generation to enjoy.

Average customer rating:

Good laugh
Hard Rock Zombies
Wonderfully Awful
Better than Citizen Cane+ Casablanca
JUST AS BAD, AND GREAT AS I REMEMBER IT BEING...

Hard Rock Zombies
Starring: Geno Andrews , Sam Mann , Mick Mc Mains , Crystal Shaw , and Lisa Toothman
Director: Krishna Shah
Manufacturer: Vintage Home Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002TVX0K
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Customer Reviews:

Good laugh.......2006-10-29

We saw this movie a number of years ago and were telling the kids about it. They all have seen it and got a good laugh out of it. Not a great movie, but is a good laugh. Halloween is a great time to view it.

Hard Rock Zombies.......2006-06-08

No star for the worst storyline ever!!!!!!
No star for the raunchiest sex scene that occurred between those 2 old people, YUCK! No star for the cheesiest, scenes ever! 5 STARS FOR THE HARDROCK/HEAVYMETAL MUSIC that was featured in the movie. They were songs written by PAUL Sabu and performed by E.J. Curcio( bass guitarist of Silent Rage), Geno Andrews ( a 1970s heartthrob and rock star of the 70s and 80s) Sam Mann and that othe dude on keyboards. E.J. Curcio had a great voice, he brought those songs to life! Paul Sabu is a great musician who writes amazing songs. Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na , Cassie, Street Angel were tremendous, too bad the soundtrack is not available on cd at this moment because the music is the only thing that's good about the movie. There was a scene to the Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na song which featured those guys goofing off, acknolodging their fans and getting people to notice them, and posing for rock concert promotion pics. Plus there was another scene later on performing the same song as Zombies which wouldv'e been perfect for a music video, that plus the other footage. There was also them performing the Street Angel song as Zombies ( substract the scenes with those people running away from who knows what amd replace it with them singing the song through out and you've got another perfect music video.

Wonderfully Awful.......2005-09-05

Yes, there may be something wrong with me, but I love bad movies. The more times you see the crew in the shot the better. We bought this movie at the local supermarket last night and I have never laughed so hard in my life. The music is pure cheese, the plot is hysterical, the acting is downright scary. I even checked it out on imdb and all the actors had to be the director's friends, because they have not acted in anything since 1984 when the movie came out. This movie + alcohol + friends = a fabulous time!

Better than Citizen Cane+ Casablanca .......2005-07-20

The only reason this doesn't get a 5 star review is because, the audio isn't Dolby 5.1, these songs won Oscars!!!
IN THE FUTURE.

Own this movie. Everyone you know will think you the better person for it.

It's shame about the poor audio quality, but you can still get a glimpse of the aural bliss to complicate this visual feast of a movie.

They just don't make them like they used too, eh?

JUST AS BAD, AND GREAT AS I REMEMBER IT BEING..........2004-10-11

Wow...a film I never thought would get released on DVD. Here it is...and oh boy...it's just as lousy, stupid, and ridiculous as I remember it being. Why did I give it 5 stars you ask? Well, call it nostalgia....nostalgia for renting ratty looking VHS tapes from the local "Mom & Pop" video stores that no longer exist. This movie brings back great memories of those wonderful old days when I would rent ANYTHING with the words "zombie", "horror", or "splatter" in the title. The actual movie is crap, the DVD quality is crap...but the memories are great, and forever(now thanks to DVD).

Average customer rating:

The Thief of Bagdad

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000CCBWDA

Product Description

SUMMARY: This Technicolor Arabian Nights extravaganza is widely regarded as one of the best (if not the best) fantasy films of the pre-computer technology era. The title character, named Abu (Sabu), befriends a ragged young man named Ahmed (John Justin), who happens to be the rightful prince of Baghdad. The prince has been usurped by his evil vizier Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), who hopes to expand his power by marrying the breathtakingly lovely princess of Basra (June Duprez). To win the princess' hand, Jaffar keeps the childlike King (Miles Malleson) preoccupied with mechanical toys. Once the king has promised the princess' hand to Jaffar, he is disposed of by one of those very toys. The prince and Abu try to stop Jaffar, only to be thwarted by the vizier's magical powers: the prince is struck blind, while Abu is transformed into a dog. It wouldn't do for the bad guy to win this early in the game, thus Abu, returned to human form, finds himself on a deserted beach. Stumbling across an odd-looking bottle, Abu inadvertently releases the bottle's occupant: a gigantic, bombastic genie (Rex Ingram). The genie intends to crush Abu to death, but the wily thief tricks him back into the bottle. In exchange for his freedom, the genie agrees to grant Abu three wishes; at this point, the film really begins to percolate. The Thief of Baghdad was used as the model for the 1992 Disney animated feature Aladdin. Even allowing for the much-improved technical wherewithal at Disney's disposal, nothing has dimmed the lustre of the multi-Oscar-winning The Thief of Baghdad, the sort of film that invariably elicits the reaction "They just don't make 'em like that any more!" ++++ DVD FEATURES: This officially licensed release from South Korea is All-Region NTSC Code 0 (playable worldwide) with 4:3 Full Screen display, Dolby Digital Sound in ENGLISH with optional English or Korean subtitles. Includes: Synopsis, Cast & Crew, Trailer, Photo Gallery.

Average customer rating:

Difficult to rate
Arabian Nights
Enchanting fairy tale!
The Thief of Bagdad
A real classic original of a much loved movie

Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Starring: Conrad Veidt , Sabu , June Duprez , John Justin , and Rex Ingram
Director: Zoltan Korda , William Cameron Menzies , and Tim Whelan
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006L931
Release Date: 2002-12-03

Amazon.com essential video

Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda's crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez). From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram's towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Difficult to rate.......2007-02-23

This is the first movie ever that I remember seeing. It has been my benchmark for all others since. A great movie in all ways, and well worth watching.

Note especially the curious mix of Islamic and Hindu themes and the interesting bit players and extras who alternate between the two cultures.

Unfortunately the copy of the DVD I was shipped has very poor color registration, and with blue-screen shots used for special effects, this ruins a lot of the most enjoyable scenes (the temple of the goddess for example). Fortunately, the sound is good and much of my enjoyment comes from the dated, sometimes corny but sometimes moving dialogue and the beautiful music (including wonderful leitmotifs) by Rozsa Miklos.

I would like to rate it at 5 but I have to be honest. If you are a perfectionist, you may be (a little) disappointed.

I only wish someone could make movies like this again!!!!!

Arabian Nights.......2007-02-14

I will always find time to watch this movie several times over. The special effects are simple but beautiful without all the computer digital effects junk.

Enchanting fairy tale!.......2007-01-15

"The Thief of Bagdad" is impressive in the shape of the evil magician Jaffar (Conrad Veidt). He plots with lies and magic spells to obtain the kingdom from its rightful ruler the young King Ahmad, and a gorgeous princess from her father...

He falls victim in the end, as all tyrants do (in books and legends) to love and of the common man whom he ignored, here embodied by the little thief (Sabu).

The armies of good and evil, black and white, are superbly realized in both visual and literary terms...

The script is poetic, simply and very beautiful... The costumes of the magician and his men rising and falling like the wings of black birds, attacking suddenly in the night to inflict destruction and create terror...

The radiant hero wears white turbans and robes, and his princess is dressed in pinks and pale blues...

For spectacular scenes it matched all that had gone before, while through its use of color, it brought to life a world such as had not seemed possible before...

With flying carpet and flying white horse, with a giant genie (excellently played by Rex Ingram), with evil wizards, and with the good acting of Sabu and Veidt, "The Thief of Bagdad" captures the quality and true atmosphere of the Arabian Nights...

The 1940 version remains the screen's finest fairy tale!

The Thief of Bagdad.......2006-11-10

A classic of early special effects with a great story,great acting and entertainment fit for the whole family.

A real classic original of a much loved movie.......2006-11-10

The original version is a classic. The quality of the movie and the great story line is a must have for real movie lovers and collectors.

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