The Thief of Bagdad

One of the most spectacular fantasies ever made, legendary producer Alexander Korda’s opulent Arabian Nights epic is a vision of cinema as a medium of magic tricks and amazement, in a showcase of Technicolor vibrancy and astonishing visual effects. Alongside the romantic adventure story of the Bagdad prince triumphing over the wicked Vizier are the flying horse, the genie released from a bottle, the magic carpet… remarkable illusions made ‘real’ through technical wizardry. The motif of gaze – from the painted eye on the ship to the All-Seeing Eye on the gigantic statue – has since become a thematic consistency with Powell’s work. The young Sabu’s energetic performance is pitch-perfect to the fabulous run of miracles, brimming with imagination and visual wonders that turn the film itself into a myth.

Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction and Best Special Effects

15/9 (Sun): Film talk with Keeto Lam