The Rainbow Thief (1990)

A petty crook, in search of the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hopes to cash in by befriending the heir to a huge fortune.

Director:

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Writers:

Berta Domínguez D. (story), Berta Domínguez D. (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif, Christopher Lee

Cast

Credited cast:
Peter O'Toole	...	Prince Meleagre
Omar Sharif	...	Dima
Christopher Lee	...	Uncle Rudolf
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jude Alderson	...	Hortensia
Brigitte Barclay	...	Rainbow Girl
David Boyce	...	Clown
Jane Chaplin	...	Lady Jane
Brian Conway	...	Ambulance Attendant
Carolyn Cortez	...	Rainbow Girl
Peter Dennis	...	Winter
Joanna Dickens	...	Ambrosia
Berta Domínguez D.	...	Tiger Lily
Edward Donovan	...	Rolf
Linzi Drew	...	Madame Rainbow
Ian Dury	...	Bartender

Storyline

A petty crook, in search of the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, hopes to cash in by befriending the heir to a huge fortune.

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Plot Keywords:

underground hideout | cult director | dinner | underground | train | 

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Taglines:

You can just live. Or you can live it up.

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Genres:

Fantasy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [Japan]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 January 1994 (France)

Also Known As:

A szivárványtolvaj

Filming Locations:

Pomorskie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rink Anstalt, Timothy Burrill Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Only theatrically released in France in 1994.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dima: [talking to a rat] Oh no. Much to good a fish for you. You're not going to believe this, but I'm even hungrier than you are.

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Crazy Credits

During the end credits 'Boomman' is misspelled as 'Booman'.

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Connections

Referenced in La constellation Jodorowsky (1994)

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Soundtracks

Non, je ne Regrette rien
(uncredited)
Music by Charles Dumont
Lyrics by Michel Vaucaire
Performed by Édith Piaf

User Reviews

Omar Sharif is outstanding

Being a fan of both Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif, I had seen the film before, but I never much liked it. Maybe it has something to do with the general unlikability of all the characters. The only really fun part is Christopher Lee's big scene early on. That's worth seeing at least once for the sheer craziness of it.

When I re-watched the film recently, I still couldn't much like it as a whole, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that Peter O'Toole was in it solely because he had signed a contract and couldn't get out of it. He plays his part, but his heart doesn't seem to be in it. I can't say that I blame him. His part is a rotten one. For his fans, this film is likely to be a disappointment.

But I was struck by Sharif's performance. He owns the film! Right from the beginning his acting is amazing - some of it is almost the stuff of pantomime. What a strange part this is for him, and how wonderful he is in it. And what a great actor he was when he got a chance to show it. A pity that he didn't get parts like this earlier on in his career instead of the playboys and infatuated lovers he played in so many big budget productions.

No, it's not a great film. Not one of Jodorowsky's better ones. But it may be worth watching for the delightful performance of Omar Sharif. If you don't go into it with high expectations, and you don't expect a plot that makes sense (there is none), you might actually enjoy it.