The Thief of Bagdad (The Criterion Collection)

Product Description Legendary producer Alexander Korda's marvel The Thief of Bagdad, inspired by The Arabian Nights, is one of the most spectacular fantasy films ever made, an eye-popping effects pioneer brimming with imagination and technical wizardry. When Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu (the incomparable Sabu, in his definitive role) to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess (June Duprez). With its luscious Technicolor, vivid sets, and unprecedented visual wonders, The Thief of Bagdad has charmed viewers of all ages for decades. Special Features * - SPECIAL EDITION DOUBLE-DISC SET FEATURES: * - New digital transfer, from restored film elements * - Two audio commentaries: one featuring renowned directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorsese, and one with film and music historian Bruce Eder * - Visual Effects,, a documentary about the technical achievements of The Thief of Bagdad * - The Lion Has Wings (1940), Alexander Korda's propaganda film for the English war effort, created when The Thief of Bagdad went into production hiatus * - Excerpts from codirector Michael Powell's audio dictations for his autobiography * - Excerpts from a 1976 radio interview with composer Miklos R?? * - Stills gallery featuring rare images of the film's production and photos shot in Dufaycolor Optional music and effects track * - Theatrical trailer * - PLUS: A booklet featuring new essays by film scholars Andrew Moor and Ian Christie Amazon.com 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 Additional Features Like other classic fantasy films such as Wizard of Oz, The Thief of Bagdad in Technicolor is an experience that many consider formative to their visual senses of cinema. In it, benevolent Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded by Jaffar (Conrad Veidt) out of jealousy over the Princess of Basra (June Duprez), and embarks on adventures with loyal friend Abu (Sabu) to save the Princess and reclaim Bagdad. Famous sequences featuring Abu commanding the genie, Djinn, and riding the magic carpet are ubiquitous in the minds of children and adults alike. Originally screened in black and white, Criterion Collection has, of course, opted to re-package the vivid color version, but the extras invented for this release, namely interviews and commentary with everyone to Ray Harryhausen to Francis Ford Coppola to Martin Scorsese, offer extraordinary insight into the film's making. In turn, the extra disc here is an educational foray into the history of not only this film but of all cinema, from its segue into color to the special effects that make The Thief of Bagdad so famous. Coppola and Scorsese's commentaries range from Coppola's historical trivia about producer Alexander Korda and Hungarian cinema to Scorsese's conceptual ruminations about "eye" imagery throughout the film. But the short documentary, "Visual Effects," starring Harryhausen, Craig Barron, and Dennis Muren is