Watch The Thief of Baghdad: An Animated Classic

The Thief of Baghdad is an animated classic that was released in October 1978. Directed by Clive A. Smith and produced by Richard Williams, the film tells a story of adventure and love set in ancient Arabia. The movie harks back to the days of classic Arabian Nights with its charming story, music and colourful animation. The title character is a mischievous orphan boy named Abu, whose ability to steal anything he wants gets him in trouble with the local merchants; such as the baker, the grocer, the butcher and the brewer. One day, while running away from the city guards, Abu follows a wandering thief named Kasim, who is in the process of robbing a richly decorated palace. In the palace, Abu discovers a beautiful princess named Juliana, who has been imprisoned by her evil ruler, Jaffar.

Abu and Kasim hatch a plan to steal Juliana and make a run for it, but Juliana has other ideas. She convinces Abu to help her find the magical "all-seeing-eye", which Jaffar believes will make him invincible. If they can find the eye and steal it back from Jaffar, they can defeat him and save the city from his tyranny.

In their quest for the eye, Abu and Juliana must navigate through magical lands filled with flying carpets, giant serpents, and enchanted trees. They soon find themselves battling Jaffar and his army of monstrous creatures, in a thrilling race to find the eye before it falls into the wrong hands. Along the way, they receive help from a wise old sage named Omar, who teaches Abu about the power of belief and the importance of friendship.

The movie is filled with memorable characters and witty dialogue that keep the plot moving at a rapid pace. The animation, which was a joint production between Canada and Japan, is beautifully done and enhances the magical atmosphere of the story. The music by Doug Riley is also a highlight, with its smooth jazz-inspired melodies perfectly complementing the Arabian setting.

The Thief of Baghdad received critical acclaim upon its release, with many praising its animation and storytelling. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Score. However, despite its success, the movie is often overlooked in favour of more recent animated films.

Overall, The Thief of Baghdad is a charming, entertaining and beautifully animated film that transports viewers to a magical world of adventure and wonder. Whether you're a fan of classic Arabian Nights stories, or simply looking for a fun and engaging animated movie, this is one that shouldn't be missed.

The Thief of Baghdad: An Animated Classic is a 1998 family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes.