The Thief Of Bagdad (DVD 2002)

I bought this film as I'm a big fan of Michael Powell (who, incidentally, was only one of three directors to work on this film). I was not disappointed. It's aimed at kids, but I'd bet that most adults would be charmed by it too. The basic plot is that a deposed king finds an ally in a boy thief to defeat his userper who, inconvieniently for them, has magic powers that are repeatedly used against them. Don't let the fact that it was made in 1940 put you off; it's in colour and the special effects are superb. It really has everything; action (but not particularly violent), romance, with a genie and flying carpet thrown in. Conrad Veidt is the best baddie of the generation; you might remember him from Casablanca. This is the only film I can remember seeing that truly captures the magic of the Arabian Nights. A must see.