words hardly describe it ill brief the thief bagdad favorite movie child never ceased astound enchant me loved film first moment saw it boy six started reading the arabian nights remember walking tv room middle sabus battle giant spider instantly beguiledbr br rarely much beauty magic wonder captured film sabu john justin superb dashing heros conrad veidt throughly delightful wicked villain jaffar rex ingram joy watch sardonic genie georges perinals photography best use technicolor one three credited directors michael powell filmmaker rightfully heralded critics often overlooked audiences remarkable films including a matter life death aka stairway heaven the red shoes one true masters camera right david lean akira kurosawa orson wellesbr br as great works art beauty the thief bagdad lies detail every frame magical charm story never lags characters actions always involving film never grow old