About The Thief of Bagdad (1940)

The Thief of Bagdad, released in 1940, is a magical adventure fantasy film. The story centers around a young thief named Abu (played by Sabu), and his friendship with Prince Ahmad, who was blinded and dethroned by the evil Grand Vizier, Jaffar. The pair embarks on a fantastic journey to retrieve Ahmad's kingdom and his love, the beautiful princess (played by June Duprez).

Making / Production

The production of the film was a challenging task. The London Blitz forced the film to relocate from Great Britain to the United States, causing significant delays. Under the detailed and meticulous direction of Michael Powell and Ludwig Berger among others, the movie was able to showcase stunning visual effects and captivating designs which are still celebrated today.

Actors

• Conrad Veidt as Jaffar – Conrad plays the role of the villain with calculated malevolence and charm.
• Sabu as Abu – The young star Sabu captured hearts with his memorable performance as the witty and adventurous thief.
• John Justin as Ahmad – John Justin portrays the benighted prince with great emotional depth and romantic yearning.
• June Duprez as the princess – June's portrayal of the beautiful and innocent princess caught in dark schemes was admired by audiences.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film's relocation from England to Hollywood was due to the German bombardment of England during World War II.
• The character Abu, played by Sabu, was a young Indian elephant driver when discovered by the film's producer Alexander Korda.
• The fairy-tale city of Bagdad was entirely built in studio.

Awards

The Thief of Bagdad won three 1940 Academy Awards for Best Art Direction (Vincent Korda), Best Special Effects, and Best Cinematography (Georges Périnal).

Quotes

• "True love cannot be denied!" - Ahmad
• "You’re only a man. You’d soon be tired of me." - Princess
• "What I like doing best is Nothing." - Abu

Music, Soundtrack

• "Maiden’s Dream and Awakening" – A misty and romantic tune underscoring the princess's yearning for love.
• "The Market of Basra" – A lively and dynamic piece capturing the bustle of the market city.
• "Abu to the Rescue" – A music score that marks the exciting heroic exploits of Abu.