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The Thief of Bagdad

  • 1940
  • Approved
  • 1h 46m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
15K
YOUR RATING
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:40
1 Video
99+ Photos
AdventureFamilyFantasyRomance

After being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.After being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.After being tricked and cast out of Bagdad by the evil Jaffar, King Ahmad joins forces with a thief named Abu to reclaim his throne, the city, and the Princess he loves.

  • Directors
    • Ludwig Berger
    • Michael Powell
    • Tim Whelan
  • Writers
    • Miles Malleson
    • Lajos Biró
    • Miklós Rózsa
  • Stars
    • Conrad Veidt
    • Sabu
    • June Duprez
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    15K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Ludwig Berger
      • Michael Powell
      • Tim Whelan
    • Writers
      • Miles Malleson
      • Lajos Biró
      • Miklós Rózsa
    • Stars
      • Conrad Veidt
      • Sabu
      • June Duprez
    • 143User reviews
    • 74Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 9 wins & 4 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Thief of Bagdad
    Trailer 2:40
    The Thief of Bagdad

    Photos645

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    + 639
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    Top cast41

    Edit
    Conrad Veidt
    Conrad Veidt
    • Jaffar
    Sabu
    Sabu
    • Abu
    June Duprez
    June Duprez
    • Princess
    John Justin
    John Justin
    • Ahmad
    Rex Ingram
    Rex Ingram
    • Djinn
    Miles Malleson
    Miles Malleson
    • Sultan
    Morton Selten
    Morton Selten
    • The Old King
    Mary Morris
    Mary Morris
    • Halima
    Bruce Winston
    • The Merchant
    Hay Petrie
    Hay Petrie
    • Astrologer
    Adelaide Hall
    • Singer
    Roy Emerton
    • Jailer
    Allan Jeayes
    Allan Jeayes
    • The Story Teller
    Chick Alexander
    • Bit Part
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Bacon
    • Palace Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Noble Blake
    • Palace Guard
    • (uncredited)
    Frederick Burtwell
    • Undetermined Role
    • (uncredited)
    Mad Jack Churchill
    • Minor Role
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • Ludwig Berger
      • Michael Powell
      • Tim Whelan
    • Writers
      • Miles Malleson
      • Lajos Biró
      • Miklós Rózsa
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Filming began in Britain, but because of the Blitz - the German air raids on London - the production relocated to Hollywood. There was such a long break in production that Sabu's early scenes had to be reshot because he had grown several inches.
    • Goofs
      In the Land of Legend, the Old King says that he will give two signs of kingship to Abu the thief. Abu is then given three items: a magic crossbow, a quiver, and a small, ornate box, like a jewelry box. No mention is made in the dialogue of this box, but it can be seen in Abu's right hand as he talks to the Old King and also on the flying carpet as Abu flies away to rescue his friends. Apparently the crossbow and quiver were only one, not two, of the Old King's signs of kingship, and the other sign was the mysterious box, whose magical powers and purpose were lost on the cutting room floor.
    • Quotes

      [At the pool]

      Princess: Who are you?

      Ahmad: Your slave.

      Princess: Where have you come from?

      Ahmad: From the other side of time, to find you.

      Princess: How long have you been searching?

      Ahmad: Since time began.

      Princess: Now that you've found me, how long will you stay?

      Ahmad: To the end of time.

      Princess: For me, there can be no more beauty in the world, than yours.

      Ahmad: For me, there can be no more pleasure in the world, than to please you.

    • Connections
      Edited into Your Afternoon Movie: Thief of Bagdad (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      I Want To Be A Sailor
      (uncredited)
      Music by Miklós Rózsa
      Lyrics by Robert Vansittart
      Additional Lyrics by William Kernell
      Performed by Sabu

    User reviews143

    Featured review

    Probably the best "Arabian Nights" film ever made.

    Most of the genre of "Arabian Nights" films were silly, cheesy, low-budget things, like "The Prince Who Was A Thief" starring Tony Curtis as an Arabian prince with a Brooklyn accent. This is an exception: A genuinely magical film, one of the best fantasy films ever made.

    A beautiful film made in the most glowing of technicolors, it tells the simple story of a boy thief (Sabu) meeting a dethroned prince (the gorgeous John Justin), and helping him defeat the wonderfully evil usurper Conrad Veidt. Like "The Wizard of Oz" made the year before, the performances are so good that you believe in what you see on the screen. Flying carpets and horses, towering genies, dancing idols, it all seems perfectly believable and exiting. A classic.
    • otter
    • Mar 5, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1940 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El ladron de Bagdad
    • Filming locations
      • Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, USA(Abu, Djinn & Ahmad in the canyon)
    • Production companies
      • Alexander Korda Films
      • London Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,180,000
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 46 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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