Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Chirphymium
It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional
Deanna
There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.
mrwritela
Like other reviewers here, I first saw this as a child in the late 50s- early 60s on TV in black-and-white. (Can we all say "Million-Dollar Movie"?) And even then, without the sumptuous color but with frequent commercial interruptions, I was captivated by the performances – Fairbanks and O'Hara, naturally–but also the supporting cast, from the creepy Slezak and strutting Quinn to George ("Abner? Abner!") Tobias, Mike Mazursky, and Sheldon Leonard in minor roles. And let's not forget Alan Napier, the original Alfred the Butler on the "Batman" TV series, who even as a kid I thought was doing a loose-limbed Boris Karloff. The miniatures are wonderful, and when I finally saw it in full-blown Technicolor, I was blown away all over again. (Yeah, the mynah bird is unconvincing to the point of being laughable, but since the movie never takes itself seriously, you sort of go with it.) And the score, by underrated RKO house composer Roy Webb, sticks with you for – in my case – decades. It's pure cornball Hollywood hokum of the highest degree, and we will never see it's like again. Watch it, give into it, be a kid again, and enjoy.
MartinHafer
"Sindbad the Sailor" is a lovely film to look at and it's obvious that RKO really pulled out all the stops to get this made. While this was a lesser studio in Hollywood, here they use nice garish 1940s Technicolor (the type classic movie fans love--despite its being very unrealistic), lavish sets and tons of costumes. It was obviously a prestige picture--and one on which the studio lavished a lot of attention. Because of this, it's odd that the dialog totally stank. All too often, people talked like they were either making speeches or doing an antiquated play--and in the process, the whole thing came off as stilted and silly. It's a shame, really, as I wanted to like this film a lot, but with B-movie writing, it only was mediocre.In the lead was Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and I assume he was chosen because of his father. Fairbanks, Sr. made a huge mark in the 1920s starring in fabulous action-adventure films like "The Thief of Bagdad" and "The Mark of Zorro" (among many others). His athleticism and wonderful screen presence must have played a huge part in their selecting his son for this 1947 film--especially since Fairbanks, Jr. was a very good actor but really was NOT known for this sort of film. However, despite being far less athletic than Dad, he was quite handsome and very good here...but his dialog....yecch! Overall, the film is an enjoyable escapist film with dialog that will make decent writers cry. The film has action, lovely sets, Maureen O'Hara (playing her rather clichéd petulant woman once again) and is pure escapism. But it plays like a B-movie with a great budget.
thinker1691
Out of the studios of R.K.O. comes this fantastic tale of the legendary seaman who cannot remember his beginnings and has so many titles, he has forgotten some of the lesser ones. The one title he can recall is 'Prince of Dairabar.' He remembers it well, as it is also the fable island location of Alexander the Great fabulous' treasure. If ever there was a role fitted to a Hollywood movie star, this is one. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. plays Sinbad the sailor a part which fits him like a velvet glove. Although there are many other films portraying the legendary character, this is the best. This movie springs to life from the mouth of the heroic character himself. To be sure, it actually begins with a fabled king called Shahryar who's remarkable daughter, Scheherazade, was able to weave a tapestry of amazing stories to enthrall anyone who cared to listen. Through the passage of time, her stories have come to be called, " A Hundred and One Arabian Nights." This then is one of the most memorable characters who inspired a collection of movies which still excite the imagination of both young and old. In this 1947 version we are given beautiful Maureen O'Hara as Shireen, the woman who captures Simbad's heart. Walter Slezak who plays Melik, the oriental wise man from the East who's sole ambition is to 'hold the Earth in his hands.' Anthony Quinn (exceptional acting) plays the Emir (from this word we get, Admiral) an equally ambitious man who wants the treasure of Alexander to help him rule the world. George Tobias is Abbu, Simbad's side kick, Sheldon Leonard is great as the Khan's Auctioneer. Mike Mazurki has a brief role as Yusuf, who is quite believable in this supporting role. Together, the assembled cast is superb and have created a lasting film of such quality that it has no trouble asserting itself as a lasting Classic from a bygone era where cinematic dialog created the special effects which fed the minds of an attentive audience. ****
rwdrex
Simply stated, Douglas Fairbank, Jr. makes this film an effective tribute to his father's much more enjoyable classic "The Thief of Bagdad". Everything from the setting, the story, and the characters mirror that classic silent film. Fairbank, Jr.'s gestures, movements, and most notably his mock laughter towards his adversaries denote his father's performance.Sadly, the film itself does not so nobly mirror "Thief". From bad dialog, poor effects, and an uninspired story we're left with an average adventure film. Only the performances of the actors and the beautiful Technicolor photography raise this film from mediocrity.Maureen O'Hara as the "princess" provides a strong, sexy female lead to this male dominant cast. Walter Slezak chews up the scenery as a slimy heavy. Even Anthony Quinn gets into the act as a competitor to Fairbanks for O'Hara and the inevitable "treasure".Fairbanks provides the best performance of the cast, one more compelling if you've seen any of his father's films. He captures his father's charm brilliantly. Unfortunately, he lacks his father's physical prowess as is evident by the abundant use of stunt doubles.I casually recommend this film to anyone who enjoys Fairbanks, Sr. films, pirate films, or to anyone who just likes looking at Maureen O'Hara--in Color! If you can find a copy of this film on video check it out.
