A gem of adventure fantasy cinema to rediscover
Simbad e il califfo di Bagdad is a gem to be rediscovered. Not because it’s the most refined work to ever be produced, indeed some may even consider it a little rough around the edges. But that’s not the point. The film is a veritable production line of fun and adventure, flavoured with a pinch of fantasy. What more could one possibly hope for in a film like this? It has clever heroes, evil caliphs, mysteries, plot twists, belly-dances that concentrate more on the bellies than the dancing, loud colours, crazy costumes, likeable scoundrels… Pietro Francisci, the great alchemist of genre cinema (sword and sandal, but not just), knows exactly where to take us and we’re more than happy to follow him. If one evening, you don’t feel like challenging yourself with ponderous philosophical questions, then treat yourself to this fun entertainment.
Upon returning from a long voyage, Sinbad finds Baghdad at the mercy of the evil caliph. He is enslaved and forced to leave again. On a boat, he meets Sherazade, the promised bride of the tyrant and falls hopelessly in love with her. He will have to go through a series of adventures before eventually restoring justice and triumphing in love.
A gem of adventure fantasy cinema to rediscover
Simbad e il califfo di Bagdad is a gem to be rediscovered. Not because it’s the most refined work to ever be produced, indeed some may even consider it a little rough around the edges. But that’s not the point. The film is a veritable production line of fun and adventure, flavoured with a pinch of fantasy. What more could one possibly hope for in a film like this? It has clever heroes, evil caliphs, mysteries, plot twists, belly-dances that concentrate more on the bellies than the dancing, loud colours, crazy costumes, likeable scoundrels… Pietro Francisci, the great alchemist of genre cinema (sword and sandal, but not just), knows exactly where to take us and we’re more than happy to follow him. If one evening, you don’t feel like challenging yourself with ponderous philosophical questions, then treat yourself to this fun entertainment.
Upon returning from a long voyage, Sinbad finds Baghdad at the mercy of the evil caliph. He is enslaved and forced to leave again. On a boat, he meets Sherazade, the promised bride of the tyrant and falls hopelessly in love with her. He will have to go through a series of adventures before eventually restoring justice and triumphing in love.
