The Thief of Bagdad

A wonderfully atmospheric Arabian Nights adventure for children of all ages. And particularly for youngsters who can identify with Sabu singing "I want to be a bandit, can't you understand it?" - part of a marvellous score by Miklos Rozsa, which, incidentally, was the first ever to be committed to record. Undeterred by the outbreak of war, producer Alexander Korda decamped from England to Hollywood to complete it, sparing no expense to bring the magic to the screen, and using a total of six directors (himself included). Oscar-winning Technicolor photography and sumptuous art direction make this - Douglas Fairbanks Sr's silent version, notwithstanding - the definitive movie of this particular tale. With a giant genie (Rex Ingram), flying carpets, magical mechanical horses, a beautiful princess (June Duprez), Sabu himself, and a wickedly wicked grand vizier in the person of Conrad Veidt, what more could any adventure-seeker ask for?