The Thief of Baghdad with Douglas Fairbanks: DVD Cover
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The Thief of Baghdad
a.k.a. Thief Of Bagdad Director: Raoul Walsh Cast: Douglas Fairbanks, Snitz Edwards, Julanne Johnston, Anna May Wong

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  • DVD Release Date: 03/18/2003
  • Original Release: 1924
  • Rating: Not Rated

Viewer Rating: (3 ratings)

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  • Overview
  • Editorial Reviews
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  • Customer Reviews
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Full Product Details

Scene Index

Side #1 --
1. Chapter 1 [20:56]
2. Chapter 2 [26:33]
3. Chapter 3 [24:10]
4. Chapter 4 [23:51]
5. Chapter 5 [24:41]
6. Chapter 6 [27:33]

Scene Index

Editorial Reviews

Douglas Fairbanks is at his most graceful and charismatic in one of the classic silent films of the 1920s. As the thief of Baghdad, his movements are dance-like -- nothing like the athletics he performed in most of his other films. In this Arabian take, the thief ignores the holy teachings and sneaks into the palace of the Caliph (Brandon Hurst). All thoughts of robbery slip away, however, when he sees the beautiful princess (Julianne Johnston). Princes have come from many faraway lands to win the princess' hand (and it's amusing to watch her face growing ever more alarmed at their arrival, because each one is uglier than the last). The thief disguises himself as a prince and the princess falls in love with him. After having a pang of conscience the thief confesses all to the Holy Man (Charles Belcher), who sends him to find a magic chest. He braves many obstacles to get it, and when he returns he discovers that the Mongol Prince (So-Jin) has taken over the city. Using the chest, the reformed thief creates armies of men out of nothingness and recaptures the city. He then uses the cloak of invisibility to spirit the princess away on a magic carpet. Fairbanks stole some of the special effects for his film from Fritz Lang's Der Mude Tod, which he had purchased for American distribution. Thief of Baghdad, with its look of unrealistic beauty (courtesy of art director William Cameron Menzies), was not fully appreciated in its day. Because of its huge cost ($2 million -- a real fortune in those days), it made little money. After that, Fairbanks stuck closer to the swashbuckling persona he felt his audience wanted. Available now on DVD, the re-mastered film features a new score by Carl Davis. Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

Thief of Baghdadby Anonymous

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August 07, 2007: I think never heard of 1924 version before because I has 1978 version and borrowed 3 days of the library in Vernon, CT called "The Thief of Baghdad" a 1981 Video Gems edition and out of print. A tale about the magic carpet, the arabian nights, and one man has a thief of baghdad. Just like in the movie, Aladdin and The Thief and the Cobbler, Good pick from the movie about Handsome Prince Taj and the evil Jaudur are rivals for the hand of a beautiful princess. Her father set a formidable task for the suitors: to bring back "the most valuable thing in the world" for his daughter. Accompanied by a rogue known as " the thief of Baghdad," Taj sets out to bring back the magnificent All Seeing Eye, aided by a grateful genie whom Taj frees from his bottle.

Thief of Baghdadby Anonymous

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April 28, 2006: This movie was first at most things whe movie goers take for granted. "Thief.." used stop photography, a reapeating back drop for the flying horse sequence, and a flying carpet that used a steel wire under each corner that could hold one ton per wire! A lot of "gimmicks" not used until the 1950's! And have since gone by the wayside. Black and white of the silver screen give, I think a deapth of realism to what we are viewing and I think an unvarnished honesty to the story.Within a few short years of the completion of this film the Depression set in and those who could afford to see a film did not want to see such a fanciful film. "thief.." is my favorite silent film.

This review was written about the DVD edition.


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common sense media

This item Rated Appropriate for Ages 8 and Up

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Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 8 and UP

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Jaffar murders the sultan of Basra in a scene that isn't gory but unsettling.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drugs:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About TheThief of Baghdad

Parents need to know that Jaffar kills the sultan of Basra, the princess' father. The scene is not graphic, but it's disturbing; the sultan walks willingly into the arms of a magic statue that strangles him.

Families Can Talk About

Families can talk about role models in this story and what makes a heroic character. How does the father in this story differ from the dads in most other family films? Does the princess have any control over her future? In what ways do her father, Jaffar, and Ahmad objectify her? Who's really the star of the film, and what makes someone a leading character?