These are 3 descriptive words that I'd say would best describe the production side of this 1940, Technicolour, Romeo & Juliet story - Erratic - Uneven - Disjointed.
And the reason for this film's overall visual inconsistency and instability has to do with the fact that it took 6 directors (Yes - 6!!) to finally bring "Bagdad" to its corny-but-cute "happy ending".
As the story goes - It was skinflint, Alexander Korda who produced this picture. And he was totally obsessed with keeping this fantasy-extravaganza film under a tight budget and remaining in full control of its simpering story-line.
This, of course, placed Korda in repeated conflict with each subsequent film-maker who took over the direction and, in turn, who Korda promptly fired for non-compliance.
Anyway - With "The Thief Of Bagdad" now being 77 years old - I really did try to cut it some slack (even though its visuals didn't even come close to those of 1939's "The Wizard of Oz") - But - The truth is - This picture really did stink, big-time.
*Note* - I'd say that the absolute, most hilarious highlight of this picture was the totally cheesy "monster spider" scene.
And the reason for this film's overall visual inconsistency and instability has to do with the fact that it took 6 directors (Yes - 6!!) to finally bring "Bagdad" to its corny-but-cute "happy ending".
As the story goes - It was skinflint, Alexander Korda who produced this picture. And he was totally obsessed with keeping this fantasy-extravaganza film under a tight budget and remaining in full control of its simpering story-line.
This, of course, placed Korda in repeated conflict with each subsequent film-maker who took over the direction and, in turn, who Korda promptly fired for non-compliance.
Anyway - With "The Thief Of Bagdad" now being 77 years old - I really did try to cut it some slack (even though its visuals didn't even come close to those of 1939's "The Wizard of Oz") - But - The truth is - This picture really did stink, big-time.
*Note* - I'd say that the absolute, most hilarious highlight of this picture was the totally cheesy "monster spider" scene.