Overview
A magical adventure unfolds in a fantastical realm where love and danger intertwine.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- whimsical
- joyful
- romantic
- family movie night
- classic fantasy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a dazzling, enchanting fantasy marked by magnificent color, joyful storytelling, and strong performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The film emphasizes magnificent color, flying carpets, a flying horse, a giant spider, and a theatrical djinn.
Ahmad enters Bagdad disguised as an ordinary subject before Jaffar overthrows and imprisons him.
Abu helps the imprisoned Ahmad escape and remains central to the pair's magical adventures.
Jaffar combines a coup against the Sultan with magic that blinds Ahmad and transforms Abu.
Films like The Thief of Bagdad, and why
The Wizard of Oz
colorful cinematic fairy tale adventure with magical objects, comic sidekicks, and exuberant escapism
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
family-friendly fantasy spectacle combining romance, adventure, magic, and lavish production design
The 7th Voyage of Sinbad
classic swashbuckling fantasy built around romance, theatrical villains, and visual enchantment
Ladyhawke
romantic fairy-tale adventure with a young hero, supernatural trials, and ornate fantasy imagery
Movie Details
- Directors
- Tim Whelan, Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell
- Release Date
- 1940-02-19
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (310)
Cast
- Conrad Veidt
- Sabu
- June Duprez
- John Justin
- Rex Ingram
- Miles Malleson
- Morton Selten
- Mary Morris
- Bruce Winston
- Hay Petrie
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Thief of Bagdad about?
- A dispossessed sultan and a resourceful thief battle a sorcerous vizier through a dazzling storybook world to restore a kingdom and win a princess.
- 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 moderate 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 the film as a dazzling, enchanting fantasy marked by magnificent color, joyful storytelling, and strong performances.
- Which films are like The Thief of Bagdad?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wizard of Oz, The Adventures of Baron Munchausen, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, and Ladyhawke.
- How long is The Thief of Bagdad?
- The Thief of Bagdad runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Thief of Bagdad?
- In United States, The Thief of Bagdad streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
