Thief of Bagdad, The, British motion picture about a thief who helps the deposed king of Baghdād win the love of a princess and regain power, based on the Arabian Nights fables. Released in 1940, the film earned Academy Awards for interior decoration, cinematography, and special effects. While in jail, Abu (played by Sabu) meets Ahmad (John Justin), the usurped king of Baghdād. Abu helps him break out of jail and escape to a distant land, where Ahmad falls in love with a princess (June Duprez). The new ruler of Baghdād (Conrad Veidt) also loves the princess. When he discovers that Ahmad is also pursuing her, he blinds the former king. Abu finds a genie in a bottle (Rex Ingram), who helps him locate the prince but strands him on a cliff in the middle of nowhere. Abu finds a magic carpet, which propels him to Baghdād and helps him save Ahmad’s life. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. starred in a silent version of this film in 1924. Other versions were released in 1961 and 1978.

Directors

• Ludwig Berger
• Michael Powell
• Tim Whelan
• Zoltan Korda
• William Cameron Menzies
• Alexander Korda

Cast

• Conrad Veidt (Jaffar)
• Sabu (Abu)
• June Duprez (Princess)
• John Justin (Ahmad)
• Rex Ingram (Djinni)
• Miles Malleson (Sultan)
• Morton Selten (King)
• Mary Morris (Halima)
• Bruce Winston (Merchant)
• Hay Petrie (Astrologer)
• Roy Emerson (Jailer)
• Allan Jeayes (Storyteller)
• Adelaide Hall (Singer)

Awards

• Academy Award for Best Interior Decoration—Color (1940): Vincent Korda—Art Direction
• Academy Award for Best Cinematography—Color (1940): Georges Périnal
• Academy Award for Best Special Effects (1940): Lawrence Butler—Special Effects (Photographic), Jack Whitney—Special Effects (Sound)

Quote

• Djinni (to Sabu, after he has squandered his three wishes): “You’re a clever little man, little master of the universe, but mortals are weak and frail. If their stomach speaks, they forget their brain. If their brain speaks, their hearts. And if their hearts speak—(laughs)—if their hearts speak, they forget everything!”