A wonderfully atmospheric Arabian Nights adventure for children of all ages. And particularly for young lads who can identify with Sabu singing "I want to be a bandit, can't you understand it?" - part of a marvellous score by Miklos Rozsa, which, incidentally, was the first ever to be committed to record. Producer Alexander Korda, undeterred by the outbreak of war, which meant decamping from England to Hollywood, spared no expense bringing the magic to the screen, and used a total of six directors (including himself). Oscar-winning Technicolor photography and sumptuous art direction make this - Douglas Fairbanks Sr's silent version, notwithstanding - the definitive movie of this particular tale. With a giant genie (Rex Ingram), flying carpets, magical mechanical horses, a beautiful princess (June Duprez), Sabu himself, and a wickedly wicked grand vizier in the person of Conrad Veidt, what more could any adventure-seeker ask for?

When Prince Ahmad is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar, he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess.