Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Universal Backlot Series)

DVD of an old movie, very well packaged and arrived on time.

Very, very fun movie. This came dangerously close to what my friend Mike called a Universal Studios "Backlot picture" but that was just the opening, it is excitingly crafted with plenty of outdoor adventure, chases, magical little moments ("Open sesame!" stuff). Lots of sword fighting and a plethora of pretty slave girls in danger. Technicolor print on this DVD is amazing sharp and colorful, audio is excellent. English subtitles available. Will watch many times I am sure.

One of the most viscerally affective adaptations for children- gloriousTechnicolor bonbon supervised by the inimitable Natalie Kalmus; the magical cave full of jewels created by Joseff;Maria Montez velvety voice (who had an airport named after her!);exotic villain; betrayal by a parent; death of another parent; subliminal absorption of all kinds of info(I learned what an oasis is- LOL)Watching it decades later -a pleasure!

Promises long forgotten do not make for a great romance. But if you like bad guys and backstabbing villains, this is the adventure for you. All things considered, any movie featuring Andy Devine is a great movie. No one provides comic relief quite like Andy, which this movie desperately needed.

Another of the half-dozen "exotic" Technicolor extravaganzas starring Maria Montez, John Hall and Sabu from the WWII years! Lots of A-list B-movies fun!

I was very surpised. I was expecting the usual mish mash of the two bros Kassim and Ali Baba, one poor and one rich and the thieves in jars, etc. Instead it was more akin to Thief of Baghdad which was based on the 1922 anime film Prince Ahmed. In fact in many of the Thief films, Ahmed is the name of the prince or the thief in the 1961 version w/ Steve Reeves. I loved the film and the price was much lower than I would have expected for such a rare film.

I've always loved this movie since I was a teen. Jon Hall is a living doll! Maria Montes is such a lovely lady~ Terban Bey is an interesting actor, 'like him. Plus, Maria Montes' lady servant is beautiful as well, n she looks like a promising actress in her time. Kirk Katch played a great jerk of a mongol tyrant! Lol.. An exciting movie with lots of action n suspense! For years I have always liked this movie!~ It was great to locate it again!~ It's on my list to be watching it again soon~👌

Any resemblance between the film and the actual story from the Arabian Nights is purely coincidental. The villains become the heroes, led by Ali Baba who is promoted from a simple merchant (in the story) to a prince (in the film) and leads the pack. Add to that Thieves' uniforms that could be spotted across the desert, harem girls in 1940's shoulder pads, and some stereotyping, lack of cultural knowledge and you have a film far less interesting than the original story. It is a fairly lush period piece and should be taken for no more than that.