The Thief of Baghdad (1961)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

I have seen several versions of this story but this one is by far the best in terms of special effects and action.I saw a dubbed version but the film's story line made up for it.Reeves is at his most handsomest but the film is stolen by chap playing the magician.The sets look impressive and very enchanting.The time period is beautifully captured,and Reeves's swashbuckling can be equated with Douglas Fairbanks sr.In those days one could see the whole schedule in a cinema on one ticket and we were so struck with this one that we saw it 3 times every day for one whole week!A good film for all ages and very enjoyable too!Hopefully it will continue to please generations as it encaptured the youngsters in the sixties!

Funny, exciting, visually impressive and a darn good story, too. Most people remember Steve Reeves for his many incarnations as 'Hercules' - but this time he is a totally different character. Karim falls in love with the Arabian princess and sets out on a quest for the Blue Rose which will cure her illness. Along the way he faces trolls, wizards and a flying horse. He finds the rose, but loses it during an epic battle. Faced with the loss of the magic flower, he picks a red rose from a vase and says: "If you love me as much as I love you, the THIS is a Blue Rose..." The rose changes color - not nearly as impressive on the B&W TV I first saw the film on. I would love to own this, or at least see it again.

Like many others who have posted comments on this film, I totally agree it represents one of Reeves' best. It has beautiful color, a pretty score, a great story, fantastic casting, and some really fine scenes that are very atmospheric and go a long ways in creating a magical film experience.Amina's dad is really quite the riot, with some great lines. Georgia Moll looks divine. The little magician guy is cute and funny. And what more can be said of Steve Reeves in those incredible outfits and seeming like he was born to play the part of the roguish but humble Karim.I remember seeing this film when I was eleven at the Saturday matinée and I stayed for the repeat performance, so mesmerized was I by its magic. Years later, I got a copy on VHS and turned my wee ones on to the tale of the blue rose. They loved it. And why not? It has everything.Along with "Morgan the Pirate" and perhaps "Sandokan the Great", this film showcases Steve Reeves at the pinnacle of his stellar looks and acting career. I only wish he had continued making movies.I agree that this title needs to be on DVD so more can enjoy it.

I don't really remember much about this movie except that as a child I really liked the quest for the blue rose. When I went to rent from Netflix I discovered the versions they had were from 1924 and 1940 which are different story lines.It was a movie that made the matinée circuit where kids could plunk down part of their own allowance and go see it on Saturday afternoon, so I expect a lot of us boomers went to see it when we were children.The thing is this movie probably still has a pretty big demographic given the fact that many boomers have delayed having children, but MGM (which has the distribution rights) hasn't made a DVD out of it. They probably should.