“The Thief Of Bagdad” (1940) is a wonderful colorful film about beggars, princesses, genies, evil wizards… everything a magical Arabian story needs. Produced by widely known Alexander Korda, this movie was first set to be produced in England, before its production was taken to America. When Korda’s trustful composer Miklós Rózsa asked about how long he would have to stay in Hollywood, he got the reply: “About two or three months” and as the composer recalls in an 1990 interview: “... I am still here”. As fantastic and magical as the imagery of the movie is, so is the music, celebrated to this day. However, Rózsa’s original recordings stay unpublished (probably lost to time) but in 1983 the composer himself re-recorded highlights of the score with the Nürnberg Symphony Orchestra in splendid stereo to which we will take an appreciative listen now, as this recording takes us as close to the original as possible. Enjoy!
Hello, Fred! Truly magnificent music, with a main theme extremely melodic and with a strong British accent. As Rozsa was a dedicated researcher, the oriental chants were written with the help of the British Chief Advisor on Diplomatic Affairs Sir Robert Vansittart. Thrilling score and _ yes! _ timeless! If composers haven't thought the way for a long time, so much the worse for them, as they have lost the ability to reach our hearts!... Thanks and bye!!
A stunning score by Rozsa. In fact it’s my favourite score by the composer. The film itself is just a feast for the eyes and that coupled with this glorious soundtrack makes it’s absolutely splendid 👍🏼
I got to see this film on the big screen at a recent Film Festival. Great experience. A wonderful score by Miklós Rózsa for a wonderful film. Thanks Fred.
This is wonderful music and your suite is well-constructed. Thanks for doing it. One can hear how much of the magic and sparkle of the movie can be credited to the musical accompaniment.
Sin duda alguna Miklos Rozsa es un muy excelente compositor de corte histórico . Incluso cuando empieza la música, suena cómo cuando empieza la música de el CID
Another of the wife's favs! Loves the movie, especially the Flying horse and the genie! What a gem, her father had a soundtrack album from the 1970s?. She sends her many thanks as usual!
This is one of my favourite movies I did watch with my late Dad. The Jinn and the fight with the spider and the mechanical horse were pretty impressive although the movie was already really old in the 80s. The other one were The Time Machine from 1962 (I guess) and Lawrence of Arabia. Soundtracks for movies were so much unique, better and thoughtful than those for a lot of modern movies.
Lunes 27 de julio de 2020: Se cumple un Cuarto de Siglo del fallecimiento del Maestro Miklos Rozsa, veinticinco años. El Mejor Compositor del Cine. Para mi. Vivira inmortal en su Música. Sus Mejores Score-Rozsa: Ben Hur. Quo Vadis. El Cid. King Of Kings. Julius Caesar. Ivanhoe. Knights Of The Round Table. Sodom And Gomorrah. The Thief Of Bagdad. Double Indemnity. Spellbound. Fedora. Providence. Y Muchos Scores más.
Great Fred❤👏🏻 Great Miklós Rózsa, who takes us to the "Arabian Nights"!💖👳🏾👸🏾🧞♂️👏🏻😍 I've seen the movie a few times. In the Italian dubbing, the film was unfortunately redubbed, so I know the film not with the original dubbing of the time but with the redubbing done in the 80s. I also remember Sabu for playing Mowgli from "The Jungle Book" and he died prematurely. Research: One of the most beautiful and fascinating versions of the famous fairy tale "One Thousand and One Nights". Magical and brilliant, full of inventions (the Genie, the flying carpet) and colours, the film won three Oscars (cinematography, production design, special effects). The Korda brothers produce, with the help of William Cameron Menzies. The film was produced by London Film Productions (uncredited). Producer Alexander Korda had initially chosen the German Ludwig Berger as director but then turned to Powell when he realized that he did not share Berger's stylistic choices. The director, however, refused to leave and Korda, in a last-ditch attempt, wanted to direct all his scenes together with Berger. The result was that no fewer than six directors were involved in the production of the film. Powell shot some of the most spectacular scenes including that of the Genie coming out of the bottle. Tim Whelan shot the action scenes and Berger the love scenes, many of which were remade by Korda. When production moved to the United States after the start of the war, Zoltán Korda and William Cameron Menzies shot added scenes. The creation of the film posters for Italy was entrusted to painter Anselmo Ballester. In British and American cinemas, the film was released during the Christmas period.
“The Thief Of Bagdad” (1940) is a wonderful colorful film about beggars, princesses, genies, evil wizards… everything a magical Arabian story needs.
Produced by widely known Alexander Korda, this movie was first set to be produced in England, before its production was taken to America. When Korda’s trustful composer Miklós Rózsa asked about how long he would have to stay in Hollywood, he got the reply: “About two or three months” and as the composer recalls in an 1990 interview: “... I am still here”.
As fantastic and magical as the imagery of the movie is, so is the music, celebrated to this day. However, Rózsa’s original recordings stay unpublished (probably lost to time) but in 1983 the composer himself re-recorded highlights of the score with the Nürnberg Symphony Orchestra in splendid stereo to which we will take an appreciative listen now, as this recording takes us as close to the original as possible. Enjoy!
Marvelous....Thanks so much....BRAVO from Mexico City!
Wonderfull, this OST IS one of my favorite !
While the movie is my beloved one.
Hello, Fred! Truly magnificent music, with a main theme extremely melodic and with a strong British accent. As Rozsa was a dedicated researcher, the oriental chants were written with the help of the British Chief Advisor on Diplomatic Affairs Sir Robert Vansittart. Thrilling score and _ yes! _ timeless! If composers haven't thought the way for a long time, so much the worse for them, as they have lost the ability to reach our hearts!... Thanks and bye!!
A stunning score by Rozsa. In fact it’s my favourite score by the composer. The film itself is just a feast for the eyes and that coupled with this glorious soundtrack makes it’s absolutely splendid 👍🏼
I got to see this film on the big screen at a recent Film Festival. Great experience. A wonderful score by Miklós Rózsa for a wonderful film. Thanks Fred.
Thanks for the post. I am a huge Miklós Rózsa fan. I love all his film music scores as well as his classical works.
The man was phenomenal.
A very special man who has brought great joy to millions. Love his music.
This is wonderful music and your suite is well-constructed. Thanks for doing it. One can hear how much of the magic and sparkle of the movie can be credited to the musical accompaniment.
Sin duda alguna Miklos Rozsa es un muy excelente compositor de corte histórico .
Incluso cuando empieza la música, suena cómo cuando empieza la música de el CID
The most soulful music ever composed....
Wow, i love this beautiful and marvelous film. The soundtrack is perfect. ❤🎧
This recording contains some of Miklos Rozsa's most inspired work. It's always a great listen!
Many thanks Fred, best music and best score by best composer of film music
This movie is fantastic acting and soundtrack truly are amazing for a 1940s movie and especially when they put the horse together and made it fly
This is Master at his best!!!
wow - another great composition by Rozsa - I have not heard this before - thanks for posting!!!
Another of the wife's favs! Loves the movie, especially the Flying horse and the genie! What a gem, her father had a soundtrack album from the 1970s?. She sends her many thanks as usual!
Thanks,Fred,a good idea🎉!
This is one of my favourite movies I did watch with my late Dad. The Jinn and the fight with the spider and the mechanical horse were pretty impressive although the movie was already really old in the 80s. The other one were The Time Machine from 1962 (I guess) and Lawrence of Arabia. Soundtracks for movies were so much unique, better and thoughtful than those for a lot of modern movies.
Genial
❤
Lunes 27 de julio de 2020: Se cumple un Cuarto de Siglo del fallecimiento del Maestro Miklos Rozsa, veinticinco años. El Mejor Compositor del Cine. Para mi. Vivira inmortal en su Música. Sus Mejores Score-Rozsa: Ben Hur. Quo Vadis. El Cid. King Of Kings. Julius Caesar. Ivanhoe. Knights Of The Round Table. Sodom And Gomorrah. The Thief Of Bagdad. Double Indemnity. Spellbound. Fedora. Providence. Y Muchos Scores más.
An outstanding score by the incomparable Rozsa. An epic musical extravaganza.
This is delightful music. :)
Wonderful !
Great Fred❤👏🏻
Great Miklós Rózsa, who takes us to the "Arabian Nights"!💖👳🏾👸🏾🧞♂️👏🏻😍
I've seen the movie a few times. In the Italian dubbing, the film was unfortunately redubbed, so I know the film not with the original dubbing of the time but with the redubbing done in the 80s.
I also remember Sabu for playing Mowgli from "The Jungle Book" and he died prematurely.
Research: One of the most beautiful and fascinating versions of the famous fairy tale "One Thousand and One Nights". Magical and brilliant, full of inventions (the Genie, the flying carpet) and colours, the film won three Oscars (cinematography, production design, special effects). The Korda brothers produce, with the help of William Cameron Menzies.
The film was produced by London Film Productions (uncredited). Producer Alexander Korda had initially chosen the German Ludwig Berger as director but then turned to Powell when he realized that he did not share Berger's stylistic choices. The director, however, refused to leave and Korda, in a last-ditch attempt, wanted to direct all his scenes together with Berger. The result was that no fewer than six directors were involved in the production of the film. Powell shot some of the most spectacular scenes including that of the Genie coming out of the bottle. Tim Whelan shot the action scenes and Berger the love scenes, many of which were remade by Korda. When production moved to the United States after the start of the war, Zoltán Korda and William Cameron Menzies shot added scenes.
The creation of the film posters for Italy was entrusted to painter Anselmo Ballester.
In British and American cinemas, the film was released during the Christmas period.