Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
pure enchantment, 5 Jan 2003
If you've seen Disney's Aladdin, you'll have some idea of how much other film-makers have ripped off this consummate version of 1001 Nights. A sorceror disembarks to listen to the sad tale of a blind beggar, once a Prince, and his dog, once a little thief. The sorceror is Jaffa, formerly advisor to the Prince who, like him, loves a beautiful Princess, and who has cursed them so that neither will regain their true form until the Princess lies in his arms. How the lovers defeat the evil sorceror involves a flying carpet, a genie, and the All-Seeing Eye from a goddess on the highest peak of the world - which must be stolen by the little thief, Sabu.Even to a modern audience the special effects are glorious, and if you can see the strings on the magic carpet, Sabu's fight with the giant spider and the King's assasination by a many-armed statue remain breath-taking. It's funny, it's moving, and it's completely captivating for children of 6+.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best of all Arabian Nights' adventures for all ages, 24 Mar 2001
By A Customer
Begun just prior to the outbreak of WWII and resited to Hollywood, this outstanding Denham lavish remake of the Douglas Fairbanks'silent classic couldn't be bettered with Korda's carefully picked cast & his family of technicians to craft it. Ever one of my top favourites, I can't overpraise it. My favourite star,Conrad Veidt,tall,sinister but at the time,every woman's dream,the evil sorcerer,Jaffer,coveting both the stunning June Duprez and usurper to the kingdom of Basra was great as ever. The popular new star, ex- Elephant Boy,Sabu, was captivatingly charming and spirited with the rest of its mainly stage performers completely united in this highly entertaining fantasy. Somewhat different from the original,it has everything - splendid sets, outstanding technicolor and lots of magic effects,most of which still stand up amongst which is the memorable lethal 6-armed "toy" buddah doubled by an evillooking Mary Morris & Sabu's "conversion" into an alley-dog. Like Korngold in "Robin Hood" a year earlier, the Hungarian composer,Miklos Rozsa,added the icing to this cake with an outstanding score. Korda's costliest production,it remains a memorable souvenir of his once magnificent British factory that rivalled Hollywood with its appeal to world stars,dedicated technicians and sometimes stylish & theatrical output. Other later remakes carry this title with scant resemblance to either the original or this treat. And how about that giant spider? And how did the genii, Rex Ingram, get back into the bottle?
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best adventure movie ever, 26 Jan 2001
By A Customer
If we must describe this film in one word, it is "enchantment".The 1001 nights tale is told with a highly effective, beautiful and dramatic use of colour, and special effects that are truly amazing for its time. Conred Veidt has here one of the best performances of his career, as a "bad guy" hopelessly in love with the princess. There is a toy-loving prince that suffers an astonishing death at the hands of a murderous doll. And there is Sabu, and the beautiful sets, and the fabulous genius, the adventure, the excitment, and one could go on forever praising the wonders of this film. It is truly the best adventure film of all time, and one of the best British films ever.
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