This event is part of Forbidden Worlds Film Festival 2026. Visit www.forbiddenworldsfilmfestival.co.uk to see the full line-up as well as buy Weekend/Day Passes.

Dirs: Ludwig Berger, Michael Powell, Tim Whelan | UK | 106 mins | Cert. U

Legendary producer Alexander Korda's marvel The Thief of Bagdad, inspired by The Arabian Nights, is one of the most spectacular fantasy films ever made, an eye-popping effects pioneer brimming with imagination and technical wizardry.

When Prince Ahmad (John Justin) is blinded and cast out of Bagdad by the nefarious Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), he joins forces with the scrappy thief Abu (the incomparable Sabu, in his definitive role) to win back his royal place, as well as the heart of a beautiful princess (June Duprez).

With its luscious Technicolor and pioneering effects work, The Thief of Bagdad has charmed viewers of all ages for decades, however the film’s production was plagued by all sorts of turmoil including creative differences and the outbreak of World War II.

Ultimately, six directors contributed to the film’s final release, including Michael Powell, who handled spectacular sequences like the djinni’s release; Tim Whelan; Zoltan Korda; and William Cameron Menzies.

Aiming to rival Walt Disney’s fantasy films,The Thief of Bagdad pioneered large-scale colour effects (that won an Academy Award) and innovative techniques such as blending matte paintings, miniatures, and optical effects to create the film’s dazzling visuals - plus it made a star of Sabu, who in his role as Abu, would become Britain's first star of Indian origin… and for many years, India's only truly international star. It is also a clear influence on Disney's animated classic Aladdin.

The film will be preceded by a special talk from Vanessa Harryhausen and Connor Heaney of The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation about the film's influence on Ray Harryhausen’s work such as the Sinbad films.

There will be a 15 minute intermission between the presentation and the film.

Content warning: This film contains dated depictions of racial stereotypes