The Powell & Pressburger Pages Dedicated to the work of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and all the other people, both actors and technicians who helped them make those wonderful films. A lot of the documents have been sent to me or have come from other web sites. The name of the web site is given where known. If I have unintentionally included an image or document that is copyrighted or that I shouldn't have done then please email me and I'll remove it. I make no money from this site, it's purely for the love of the films. [Any comments are by me (Steve Crook) and other members of the email list]

Inside sleeve of Steve's video

'The finest Technicolor effort ever achieved' THE SPECTATOR
'Remains one of the great kitscb adventure films of all time' THE GUARDIAN

This spectacular romantic fantasy, in the best tradition of the Arabian Nights, features the boy thief Abu (SABU) who aids the deposed King of Bagdad, Ahmad (JOHN JUSTIN) to try and thwart the evil usurper Jaffar (CONRAD VEIDT). When Ahmad sets eyes on the beautiful Princess (JUNE DUPREZ), daughter of the Sultan, he fails hopelessly in love. Sadly, she is promised to Jaffar. Abu and Ahmad embark on a series of fantastical adventures, where they encounter a giant spiders web, a mighty genie and a flying white horse, in an attempt to rescue her.

Begun in Britain and, because of the war, finished in America, the film demonstrates remarkable special effects and brilliant exploitation of the new Technicolor techniques.

Vincent Korda's magnificent sets, the strong castings and the amazing photography by the legendary cameraman, Georges Périnal all played their part in the film's success.

In recognition of THE THIEF OF BAGDAD's quality and of the new technical standards it set, the film won three Academy Awards for Special Effects, Colour Art Direction and Colour Cinematography.

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