Overview
A daring thief embarks on a magical quest to win the heart of a princess, facing treachery and adventure at every turn.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- exuberant
- romantic
- classic cinema night
- fantasy film night
What critics said
Critics broadly regard it as a landmark silent fantasy whose immense design, special effects, and imaginative spectacle remain impressive despite a less compelling later stretch.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film uses enormous sets, costumed crowd scenes, elaborate lighting, and elaborate magical effects to create a sustained sense of grandeur.
The thief impersonates a prince in order to become one of the princess's suitors.
The Caliph's marriage challenge requires suitors to bring back the rarest treasure after seven moons.
The Bagdad palace, Mongol court, magical journey, costumes, and Arabian Nights motifs are presented through 1920s American fantasy conventions.
Films like The Thief of Bagdad, and why
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
lavish silent-era fantasy adventure built around theatrical spectacle, romance, and elaborate production design
The Mark of Zorro
Douglas Fairbanks-led silent swashbuckling adventure combining athletic heroics, disguise, romance, and grand sets
Intolerance
early fantasy spectacle with exoticized settings, magical imagery, and pioneering special effects
Robin Hood
romantic silent-era adventure driven by a charismatic rogue, palace intrigue, and ornate visual spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Raoul Walsh
- Release Date
- 1924-03-18
- Runtime
- 149 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (190)
Cast
- Douglas Fairbanks
- Snitz Edwards
- Charles Belcher
- Julanne Johnston
- Sôjin Kamiyama
- Anna May Wong
- Brandon Hurst
- Tote Du Crow
- Noble Johnson
- Sam Baker
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Cohen Media Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Thief of Bagdad about?
- A roguish thief crosses a dazzling magical world to win a princess through courage, ingenuity, and the rarest treasure.
- What is The Thief of Bagdad like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Thief of Bagdad as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Thief of Bagdad violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Thief of Bagdad as mild.
- What did critics think of The Thief of Bagdad?
- Critics broadly regard it as a landmark silent fantasy whose immense design, special effects, and imaginative spectacle remain impressive despite a less compelling later stretch.
- Which films are like The Thief of Bagdad?
- Films with a similar feel include The Adventures of Prince Achmed, The Mark of Zorro, Intolerance, and Robin Hood.
- How long is The Thief of Bagdad?
- The Thief of Bagdad runs 149 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Thief of Bagdad?
- In United States, The Thief of Bagdad streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Fandor Amazon Channel, Cohen Media Amazon Channel.
