The Thief of Bagdad (1924)

Douglas Fairbanks brings to the sivler screen his masterpiece. After years of producing films, his heroic persona, and co-creating United Artists as a production company that gave his creative control of his films, Fairbanks goes all out for The Thief of Bagdad.

Building up through the films such Zorro, The Three Musketeers, and Robin Hood, Fairbanks has developed the handsome and swashbuckling persona that made him a huge star on screens across America and world. Here at his pinnacle he would put up over $2 million (a humongous amount for its time) to make his epic which included massive sets, countless extras, dazzling effects, and of coarse the charm and physical prowess that he so naturally brought to his films. It is clear that Fairbanks wanted this to be the massive film of epic proportions that would make his audience say that this was the greatest film they had seen.

The movie is an enjoyable story of the Thief (no name given for Fairbanks' character) as he tries to win the heart of a princess first as dressing as a prince then through actually earning her love while battling for her heart with other suitors. Think of it as a really early version of Dinsey's Aladdin. Filled with the running, jumping, tumbling, and falling stunts that make a Douglas Fairbanks film, this one does not disappoint. On top of that you get great massive sets and special effects, including a magic rope that springs up in the air and Fairbanks is able to climb (with the ease he usually presents to us) and a magic carpet that flies above the crowds and cityscape.

This picture was the true adventure/fantasy film of its time and another gold star for the career of Fairbanks. As most films are from that time this film has aged. The effects are not as awe inspiring and the ever smiling hero is a bit dated, but put in perspective of its time period this picture must have been a true spectacle to watch. The screen is filled with magic as Fairbanks makes soldiers appear out of nowhere for the climatic finale.

If there were to be a film to watch to show all that Fairbanks tried to bring to the big screen, I would say this one would be it. He tries to use every camera trick in the book to make this a great film and for me it was one to enjoy. If you wish to watch an old adventure/fantasy film this is the one to start with, but for those not so easy to enjoy silent films it would be difficult to watch as it includes many of the flaws we see retrospectively from today, with the big, broad gestures and over acting, but let us remember that this was made for a different time period.

"Happiness must be earned" is the moral of this story and Fairbanks had earn to make this movie, and from the looks of it enjoyed it as much as Fairbanks did making it.