The Thief of Baghdad

6/4/2023

A rather shoddily produced Arabian Nights fantasy with a superbly camp Peter Ustinov - who must have used the same dialogue coach as Olivier did in "Khartoum" - as the Caliph trying his best to make a silk purse from a sow's ear! Despite having a good cast with Roddy McDowell, Frank Finlay, Ian Holm and a marvellously hammy Terence Stamp as the baddie "Jaudur" all trying their best, there is no denying that the script and direction are really poor. Ustinov's daughter, Pavla, adds some glamour as the Princess "Jasmine" and the costumiers and set designers have spared no effort/expense but in the end it's a waste of their craft.