The Trailblazing Fantasy Remake that Pioneered Blue Screen Technology
The groundbreaking film 'The Thief of Bagdad' revolutionized cinema with its invention of the blue screen process This timeless fantasy remake remains a classic, showcasing the influential work of Michael Powell in shaping the world of filmmaking
The Big Picture
The Thief of Bagdad was the first movie to use the blue screen technology, pioneering the use of special effects on a large scale.
The movie is a timeless fantasy film that takes inspiration from One Thousand and One Nights. It showcases enchanting elements such as a magical flying carpet and a colossal Djinn. Michael Powell, the film's director, was a pioneering filmmaker who made significant contributions to the industry. Notably, he was involved in the creation of influential movies and even played a pivotal role in the establishment of the slasher genre through his work on Peeping Tom.
When cinephiles think of Michael Powell, they often associate him with his collaborations with Emeric Pressburger and their amazing Technicolor spectacles. However, they should also recognize him as an industry-changing expert in visual effects. In fact, his 1940 remake of The Thief of Bagdad, which he co-directed with Ludwig Berger and Tim Whelan, was the first movie ever to use blue screen. While The Red Shoes still offers the beloved Technicolor experience, The Thief of Bagdad takes it to another level with its groundbreaking special effects. Although it may not have the distinction of being the first color movie like The Wizard of Oz, it remains the first film to feature such all-consuming special effects. Even so, with over 80 years having passed, can it still measure up to the VFX-heavy films of today?
Inspired by the 1924 silent epic starring Douglas Fairbanks (which is renowned as one of the greatest classic fantasy movies), this remake draws heavily from the folklore and mythology of One Thousand and One Nights. It is worth noting that the source material itself originated from the Islamic Golden Age, adding to its rich historical roots. Set in ancient Basra, a city in southern Iraq, the story follows a blind beggar named Ahmad (played by John Justin) who reflects on his past life as a king, accompanied by his loyal dog. In his youth, he was a skilled thief named Abu (portrayed by Sabu).
The two encountered their misfortunes after being cursed by the malevolent sorcerer Jaffar (played by silent screen legend Conrad Veidt), who had seized control of the kingdom of Bagdad. Jaffar was determined to win the affections of the Princess (portrayed by June Duprez), despite her love for Ahmad. If this story sounds familiar, it's because Disney's Aladdin heavily borrowed from this film and its original folklore, with many of its beloved characters inspired by those in The Thief of Bagdad, including the Genie, the Magic Carpet, and the Sultan.
