The Thief of Baghdad (1961 film)
| The Thief of Baghdad | |
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| Directed by | Arthur Lubin |
| Starring | Steve Reeves |
| Music by | Carlo Rustichelli |
| Cinematography | Tonino Delli Colli |
| Edited by | Gene Ruggiero |
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Production
company |
Titanus
Lux Compagnie Cinématographique de France |
| Distributed by | MGM |
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Release date
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Running time
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100 minutes |
| Country | United States Italy |
| Language | English |
The Thief of Baghdad (Italian: Il Ladro di Bagdad) is a 1961 film starring Steve Reeves.
In the time of the Arabian Nights, the city of Baghdad is ruled by Sultan Ali Bajazeth (Antonio Battistella) but actually controlled by the scheming Grand Vizier Ghamal (Daniele Vargas). The poor of Baghdad are aided by Karim, the Thief of Baghdad (Steve Reeves).
Prince Osman (Arturo Dominici) is due to arrive at the palace to ask for the hand of Sultan Ali's daughter Amina (Giorgia Moll) in marriage. Karim sneaks into the palace, waylays Osman and impersonates the prince, using the opportunity to steal jewels from all of the assembled courtiers. When this is discovered Karim hides in Princess Amina's quarters. When her attendants leave, Karim reveals himself to her and the two are immediately drawn to each other (she believing that he is Prince Osman). That night, Karim secretly returns to the palace. He meets with Amina, and they declare their love for each other. Climbing down into a courtyard to escape the guards, he lands in the middle of a group of prisoners who have been condemned to slave in the Desert Mills and is dragged off with them.
Ghamal gives Osman a potion to make Amina fall in love with him, but she falls dangerously ill. An old man appears and says that the only way Amina can be cured is for her to be given a blue rose by someone who truly loves her and whom she truly loves. The blue rose can only be found by passing through the Seven Doors. The sultan proclaims that the quest for the blue rose is open to all.
At the Mills, Karim learns of Amina's illness and escapes. Returning to Baghdad, he is told by the old man about the quest. He tries to join the assembled suitors, but is recognized. Karim steals a horse and sets off.
The suitors make camp for the night. Karim camps nearby and slips into the camp to steal food and water. Ghamal secretly slits the waterbags of the other suitors.
The next day, the other suitors are beginning to die of thirst. Karim shares his water with them, and the First Door appears. They ride through and find themselves in a forest. That night, the trees come to life and attack them. Most of the suitors flee, but Karim uses a torch to fight off the trees, after which the Second Door appears. It leads to a plain of sulphurous geysers that erupt into a ring of fire. Karim realizes that this is an illusion and uses a rock to smash through, finding the Third Door.
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