THE THIEF OF BAGHDAD

UK/France, 1978, 96 minutes, Colour.
Roddy Mc Dowell, Peter Ustinov, Kabir Bedi, Frank Finlay, Terence Stamp, Pavla Ustinov, Ian Holm.
Directed by Clive Donner.

This has been a popular story for films - and variations of the story have been used in a thousand and one Arabic and Arabian Nights stories. Douglas Fairbanks was the thief in the spectacular silent version. Alexander Korda's production of 1940 was the masterpiece presentation of the story -with the vivid characterisations especially from Conrad Veidt as the evil Vizier. Sabu also starred. There were excellent special effects. This version is more straightforward but capitalises on the atmosphere of the older English version. A variation on the theme was made in Arabian Adventure by Kevin Connor - with Christopher Lee at home in the role of the soulless Vizier.

This is a British/French co-production with a varied cast including Peter Ustinov and his daughter Pavla. Terence Stamp was make a come-back in the late 70's with this role as well as Meetings With Remarkable Men and Superman II. Direction is by Clive Donner, a director with a mixed career including versions of Pinter's The Caretaker in 1963, Raphael's Nothing But The Best 1964, What's Up Pussycat 1965. In the 70's he directed such scripts as Vampira and The Nude Bomb as well as a tele-movie of Rogue Male starring Peter O'Toole.

1. Popular ingredients for stories, films? The background of the Arabian Nights? The fairy-tale and fantasy aspects of the plot - and their popularity? Scope for visual imagination for the screen?

2. A re-make of the story for the 70's? The adaptation of the basic story, the use of Arabian nights conventions, stock characters and plot? The reliance on impact for the special effects?

3. The quality of the international production - the international star cast? Colour, costumes and decor? Special photographic effects? The score?

4. The straightforward presentation of the plot: introduction of characters, the natural momentum of the intrigue? The adventure aspects, comedy, quest, romance, magic? The confrontation of good and evil?

5. The appeal of fantasy - what if? The possibilities of the control of nature? Loyalty, the ordinary people? The thief and the use of his wits? The Prince and his quest? The soulless evil Vizier? The build-up to the confrontation between good and evil? Evil destroyed, good rewarded? The basic ingredients of so many stories?

6. Prince Taj as hero - his father's adviser, the confrontation with Jaudur? The quest for the Caliph's daughter, the voyage to Baghdad, the attack by the bandits, Taj's escape, the stealing of the melon, the chase through the streets, his being saved by Hasan and his not being believed? His impact on the Caliph, on the Princess? The confrontation with Jaudur, the duel? The quest and the travels of Taj? The help of Perizadah? The temple? Taj looking back and being
turned into stone? Hasan's rescuing him? The encounter with the genie? The wishes and the return and saving the Caliph and Jasmine? The confrontation with Jaudur and his destruction? The happy ending? The ingredients for the romantic hero? His dashing style? Audience identification with him?

7. The contrast with Jaudur? His lack of justice, ambition? His using the old King's adviser? his capacities for magic? His having no soul? His persecution of Taj? The duel? His exercising his magic powers? His seeking for the all-seeing Eye for the Temple of Truth? His stealing the eye? The evil spell for his marriage to Jasmine? Taj and his confrontation? His dissolving? The special effects associated with his magic - the carpet, the horseman, the gifts?

8. Hasan and the title of the film? His tricks, his encounter with Taj, his role in the market place, accompanying him? The attraction of Perizadah? The adventures with the all-seeing Eye? His success in not being turned to stone? His being rescued? His humour and wit?

9. Peter Ustinov's comic style as the Caliph - his hamming up his role? Love for his daughter, encounter with Jaudur, Taj? The advice? Treaties? His being under the spell? The happy ending?

10. The conventional princess and her role in the court, love for her father, fascination for Taj, the spell to marry Jaudur? Happy ending?

11. The character of the old gatekeeper, his vision of the truth, his advice?

12. The genie and his coming out of the bottle, the three wishes, his being tricked by Taj? Helping him?

13. The visual impact of the battle sequences, the violence, the magic?

14. The background of the film - the atmosphere of Arabia, the landscapes of desert, temple and mountain, the evil?

15. The culmination of excitement in the confrontation, the battle, the death of Jaudur? The basic ingredients of the legend and folklore? The perennial appeal?