The Thief of Baghdad (1978 film)

The Thief of Baghdad
Theatrical poster
Directed by	Clive Donner
Produced by	Thomas M.J. Johnston Aida Young
Written by	Andrew Birkin AJ Carothers
Starring	Roddy MacDowall Kabir Bedi Terence Stamp Peter Ustinov
Music by	John Cameron
Cinematography	Dennis C. Lewiston
Edited by	Peter Tanner
Production company	Palm Films, Ltd. Victorine Studios
Distributed by	Columbia-EMI-Warner (UK) Theatrical National Broadcasting Company (USA) (TV) Original Airing
Release date	23 November 1978 (U.S.)
Running time	102 minutes.
Country	United Kingdom France
Language	English

The Thief of Baghdad is a 1978 fantasy film, a British/French co-production. It was directed by Clive Donner, and stars Roddy MacDowall and Kabir Bedi. The film was released theatrically, except for the United States where it debuted on television.

Soon after the death of his father, Prince Taj of Sakkar is persuaded to compete for the hand of Princess Yasmine of Baghdad. He is ambushed by agents of his own Wazir, Jaudur. His royal seal is stolen and an innocent man is murdered in his place. Arriving in Baghdad, dressed in rags and hungry, he befriends Hassan, magician and thief.

Stealing suitable robes, Taj and Hassan present themselves to the Caliph, where Taj makes an immediate impression on Yasmine. Wazir Jaudur arrives on a flying carpet to join the suitors. Jaudur, bearing Taj's royal seal, claims to be king following the alleged murder of Prince Taj; he accuses Taj of being an impostor. Taj challenges Jaudur to a duel, but he loses. Jaudur is protected from injury because his soul is hidden at a secret location, making him immortal.

The Caliph, wanting to believe Taj but bound by custom, is forced to accept Jaudur's claim. Perizidah reminds him of a prophecy given at Yasmine's birth that her wedding would bring great wealth. Using this as an excuse to stall for time, the Caliph sends all the suitors on a quest "to find that object in all the world that has the most value", and return in three moons.

Hassan, convinced of Taj's sincerity because of Jaudur's repeated murder attempts, joins him on the quest. Perizidah, acting on Yasmine's behalf (and attracted to Hassan) guides them to a place where they can overhear Jaudur force information from traveling holy man Abu Bakare. They learn of the existence of an all-seeing eye that will help Taj defeat Jaudur.

They steal Jaudur's flying carpet, but when Taj commands, "Take me to where my heart would go," the carpet doesn't leave Yasmine's side. Hassan commands, "Carpet, take us where I would go." The carpet takes them to the temple of the all-seeing eye.

At the temple, the gatekeeper warns that Taj must not allow anything to lure him from the path or he will be turned to stone. Taj sustains insults about his parentage, and resists rescuing a man being devoured by a serpent. He nearly succumbs to a fire trap, but sees a statue of someone who failed before.

Within sight of the temple, Taj is lured away by an image of Yasmine and is turned to stone.

Hassan reluctantly follows Taj with the gatekeeper's blessing: "May your knowledge of lies lead you straight as an arrow to the truth." Hassan resists the insulting chants with more humour than Taj, and his fear prevents him from intervening with the serpent illusion. He is nearly turned aside by chests of treasure, but the sight of the statue of Taj refocuses him.