The Thief of Bagdad (1940): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
The Thief of Bagdad is a 1940 romantic adventure film directed by Michael Powell and Ludwig Berger, starring Conrad Veidt as Jaffar, John Justin and Sabu. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes. Stream it on Criterion Channel and HBO Max.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Directors
- Michael Powell and Ludwig Berger
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- London Films Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Thief of Bagdad About?
The premise of The Thief of Bagdad without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After the treacherous vizier Jaffar blinds Prince Ahmad and exiles him from Baghdad, the prince teams up with the witty street thief Abu. Together they embark on a daring quest through enchanted realms to reclaim Ahmad’s throne and win the love of the radiant Princess, confronting magic and danger at every turn.
The Thief of Bagdad Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- genie
- spider
- spiderweb
- giant spider
- giant spiderweb
- arabian nights
- hijab
- sausage
- echo
- baghdad mesopotamia
- muslim
- basra iraq
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- iraq
- based on folk tale
- monster
- creature
- based on the book of one thousand and one nights
- psychotronic film
- camp
- teenage boy
- legend
- statue comes to life
- magic
- blindness
- lightning
- old man
- arrow
- sword
- horse
- falling from height
- evil
- dungeon
- rescue
- flying
- poverty
- murder
- statue
- dog
- place name in title
- hypnosis
- quest
- villain
- embrace
- collector
- chess
- sultan
- king
- thief
- storm
- wish
Where to Watch The Thief of Bagdad
Stream it on Criterion Channel and HBO Max. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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The Thief of Bagdad Cast & Characters
Conrad Veidt leads the cast as Jaffar, with John Justin as Ahmad and Sabu as Abu. Directed by Michael Powell and Ludwig Berger; 27 actors are credited in all.
- Co-director Michael Powell
- Co-director Ludwig Berger
- Conrad Veidt as Jaffar
- John Justin as Ahmad
-
Sabu as Abu - June Duprez as Princess
Also Starring in The Thief of Bagdad
· 23 more- Miles Malleson Sultan
- Mary Morris Halima
- Rex Ingram Djinn
- Robert Greig Man of Basra (uncredited)
- John Salew Fish Peddler (uncredited)
- Leslie Phillips Urchin in Bagdad Market (uncredited)
- Ben Williams Citizen (uncredited)
- Glynis Johns Princess's Maid (uncredited)
- Hay Petrie Astrologer
- Allan Jeayes The Story Teller
- Roy Emerton Jailer
- Frank Tickle Citizen (uncredited)
- Morton Selten The Old King
- Henry Hallett Citizen (uncredited)
- Cleo Laine Urchin in Bagdad Market (uncredited)
- Bruce Winston The Merchant
Show all 27 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Toni Gable Lady (uncredited)
- Mark Stone Masrur (uncredited)
- Miki Hood Citizen (uncredited)
- Adelaide Hall Singer
- Joseph Cozier Man Selling Fish (uncredited)
- Alexander Laine Urchin in Bagdad Market (uncredited)
- Sylvia Laine Urchin in Bagdad Market (uncredited)
The Thief of Bagdad Plot Summary
What happens in The Thief of Bagdad from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In ancient Basra, a blind beggar begins telling the film’s story in flashback, revealing that he is really Ahmad, the young, naive king of Bagdad. Wanting to know more about his people, Ahmad is tricked by Jaffar, his Grand Vizier, into going in disguise into the city. Jaffar then has him arrested and usurps the throne. In prison, Ahmad meets the young thief Abu, who arranges their escape. They flee to Basra, where Ahmad meets and falls in love with the Princess. Jaffar, however, also journeys to Basra, intent on having the Princess for himself.
Full summary
The whole story of The Thief of Bagdad, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know The Thief of Bagdad?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the true identity of the blind beggar who narrates the story?
The Thief of Bagdad Also Known As
28 alternative titles, including “El ladrón de Bagdad” and “Der Dieb von Bagdad”.
- Also known as
-
- El ladrón de Bagdad
- Der Dieb von Bagdad
- Багдадский вор
- Ο Κλέφτης της Βαγδάτης
- The Thief of Bagdad: An Arabian Fantasy in Technicolor
- ばぐだっどのとうぞく
- The Thief of Bagdad: An Arabian Fantasy
- Il ladro di Bagdad
- Le Voleur de Bagdad
- A bagdadi tolvaj
- הגנב מבגדד
- Bağdat Hırsızı
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- O Ladrão de Bagdá
- Багдадський злодій
- 바그다드의 도둑
- Zloděj z Bagdádu
- 巴格达妙贼
- Багдатският крадец
- 月宮寶盒
- โจรในแบกแดด
- Bagdadski lopov
- El lladre de Bagdad
- Hoțul din Bagdad
- バグダッドの盗賊
- Bagdadin varas
- Złodziej z Bagdadu
- Tjuven i Bagdad
- Tên Trộm Thành Bagdad
Seen The Thief of Bagdad?
Movies Like The Thief of Bagdad
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Thief of Bagdad, The Thief of Baghdad and Thief of Damascus.
The Thief of Bagdad FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of The Thief of Bagdad, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Thief of Bagdad?
The Thief of Bagdad runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was The Thief of Bagdad released?
The Thief of Bagdad was released on February 19, 1940.
Who directed The Thief of Bagdad?
The Thief of Bagdad was directed by Michael Powell and Ludwig Berger.
More films by Michael Powell Who is in the cast of The Thief of Bagdad?
The Thief of Bagdad stars Conrad Veidt as Jaffar, John Justin as Ahmad and Sabu as Abu, among 27 credited actors.
Where can I watch The Thief of Bagdad?
In the US, The Thief of Bagdad is streaming on Criterion Channel, HBO Max and Mometu (availability from JustWatch).
Does The Thief of Bagdad have a post-credit scene?
No. The Thief of Bagdad has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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