Arabian Nights
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Movie Reviews of Arabian Nights
Movie Review: Arabian Knights is great
Summary: 5 Stars
Such a fun movie, and so well done. I've watched it several times over and enjoy it as much each time.Movie Review: It just doesn't get much better than this
Summary: 5 Stars
The casting alone is to die for. You just have to see it.Movie Review: A fun film for the entire family
Summary: 4 Stars
Until recent times, in this age of terrorists, the Western world's most memorable impression of the Middle East came through Scheherazade and her wonderful tales of "The Thousand and One Arabian Nights." That's why it was a pleasure to leave behind the suicide bombings, beheadings and snarling hatred, to revisit this magical world of romance and intrigue; even if only for one night.
Most of us are familiar with the best-known tales of the Arabian Nights, `Aladdin and the Magic Lamp' and `Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' but as the story goes, there were more, a lot more.
Plot
Emmy award winning, Arabian Nights, is a shortened interpretation of the saga of Scheherazade, an Arab Queen who delayed her scheduled execution by weaving a web of incredible tales for a thousand and one nights. Each night she would tell her enchanting tale, making sure to leave the story unfinished at dawn forcing the king to stay her execution on a daily basis, until finally, he was hopelessly in love with her, and deferred her execution permanently.
The Story
The Sultan Schariar (Dougray Scott) was driven paranoid by his wife's infidelity and collusion in his assassination attempt by his brother Shazanon. (James Frain) - an attack, in which the Sultaness was killed. Needing to take a wife to keep his throne from his brother, and no longer able to trust the women close to him, the Sultan concocts a bizarre plan in which he will execute his bride the morning after their wedding.
Knowing full well, that it is Sultan Schariar's (Dougray Scott) intention to have her executed the morning after their marriage, Scheherazade, (Mili Avital) the Grand Vizar's daughter and childhood friend of the young prince, volunteers to marry the Sultan in an effort to bring him back to his senses while saving other women of the harem from a similar fate.
On the wedding night, Scheherazade begins telling the Sultan a story, which extends far into the night. It is the story of `Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.' By daybreak, the scheduled time of execution, she is at a crossroads in the tale and the frustrated king suspends the execution for a day. So goes the pattern Scheherazade initiated, deftly weaving the fabric of an enthralling story, yet not finishing each night and getting a morning reprieve. This goes on for a thousand nights, until the Sultan not only trusts her but loves her as well.
Arabian Nights was a made for TV movie which aired on Hallmark Theater early in 2000. This condensed version shows only five of the hundreds of tales that Scheherazade ostensibly spins for the Sultan. In a twist, the show tries to portray how these tales later helped the Sultan turn back an attack sponsored by his treacherous brother. For me, this seemed rather forced as the tales only mildly fit the scenario in which they were placed.
Not unexpected, the film takes liberties by varying from both history, being Persian rather than Arab, and the actual story, wherein Scheherazade had a little sister and portraying Scherazade as the first wife chosen, rather than the last of a bloody trail of previously executed women.
As a whole, the show was most enjoyable. Almost but not quite five stars. The acting, especially by Mili Avital was very good, the story flowed well and despite it's extensive length of almost three hours, never loses the viewer's interest.
This is a family movie, suitable for all but the youngest (under six) of children.
Movie Review: Buy the DVD and savour it at night
Summary: 4 Stars
As other reviewers have pointed out, the VHS edition of this movie has been hacked to bits and re-edited. There are a few other versions floating around, one is recorded on EP (bad quality) and the other is in a set and rather expensive. I saved the time by buying the DVD instead. The DVD offers a few extras like cast bios and a making of featurette (which is basically just them patting themselves on the back for a lavish production, something we could tell by ourselves) The movie is the star in this case. If you have any sort of access to a DVD player, buy the movie in this format.The tale of Arabian Nights is an ancient one about the beautiful Scheherezade (played by lovely Israeli actress Mili Avital, best known to Americans from Stargate) who tries to cure the mad Sultan Schahriar (Scottish actor Dougray Scott) through her considerable story telling ability. At first, Schahriar is a suspicious, childish man but then as his wife's tales grip him, he begins to see the lessons she is teaching him. So, what starts as a marriage based on convenience and murder becomes a truly deep relationship.
Scheherezade's tales are brought to life by a variety of stars in a variety of settings. Some of the "Saturday Morning Cartoon" feel of the stories is removed and many of them return to their roots. The tale of Aladdin, for example, was originally set in China with the bad guy as a sort of African Shaman and that is what is used in this version. Also, the fact that there were two genies is brought to light. (American John Leguizamo is very good in the duel roles as the genies of the lamp and ring) Historical findings are also used (the clay sldiers used in a Chinese tomb to guard the dead are incorporated) And lesser known tales such as the story of Bacbac are used.
It is facinating to watch the friendship between Schahriar and Scheherezade develope. He alternately loves her, needs her, hates her and wants to kill her throughout the first half of the movie. And she knows it. Talk about spooky, being in the hands of a homicidal madman who could have her killed at the snap of his fingers. But, self-sacrifice is what make Scheherezade's character so great, she is doing it to save other women, the kingdom but most of all to save Schahriar from himself.
The camera work is imaginative and the sets and scenery (much of this was filmed in Turkey) are lavish. The costumes are breathtaking, particularly anything Scheherezade puts on. The his/hers matching armor at the climax was just too cool. The music is always appropriate without being intrusive. The special effects are pretty good (especially for TV), a few are a bit cheesy but I still liked the movie. All the trimmings aside, the cast of international stars is the main reason to watch this film.
One more note, I found that I enjoyed this movie more when I watched it at night with the lights out. Maybe Scheherezade was right when she said it was hard to create the right atmosphere with the sun shining.
This is the best of the Hallmark mini series that have been on TV lately and I do hope everyone is able to enjoy the complete and unedited version. Find an evening, get some friends, make some tea and I am certain you will be enchanted.
Movie Review: A Classic Tale Well Told
Summary: 4 Stars
"Arabian Nights" tells the timeless tale of Scheherazade and the imaginary stories with which she enthralled her husband, the Sultan Schahriar, in order to save her life, over the span of "a thousand and one Arabian nights." This lavish and visually stunning production brims with fantastic images, fabulous sets and costumes, compelling characterizations, interesting stories and exotic locations. An updated version of five of the classic 2,500-year-old fantasies popularized in the 1800s by Sir Richard Burton, it features such memorable figures as Aladdin, Ali Baba and the genie of the lamp. It is sure to captivate viewers young and old.
I found it especially enjoyable because it was filmed entirely on location in Morocco and Turkey. Having vacationed in both of these countries, I recognized some of the locations, such as the leather tanneries in Fez, Morocco, and the other-worldly rock formations in Cappadocia near Goreme, Turkey. The sets and buildings overflow with the exquisite detailing common to Islamic architecture. It is a treat to the eye to take in all of the rich, delicate decorations in each scene and realize that, in many cases, these are real places, not simply movie sets.
You can easily view the main feature, running just less than three hours, in a single sitting. But more likely you'll split it up over several days, and the 40 convenient chapter stops nicely divide it up into bite-sized segments. The special features include a fairly typical 13-minute "making of" documentary, cast and crew biographies and production notes.
There were just a few areas that I found less than fully satisfying with "Arabian Nights," but none of them detracted from my enjoyment of the story. First, the sound volume and clarity tended to fluctuate, and sometimes it was hard to understand the dialogue (this is a common problem with many DVDs). Second, the computer graphics, while quite good overall, were not up to the latest standards set by the likes of "Lord of the Rings" and "King Kong." For instance, the "dragons" guarding a cave full of treasures discovered by Ali Baba were not particularly well-rendered, and the digital "smoke" that appears in many scenes was too obviously CGI. Finally, there were a few deliberate "modernisms" in speech or actions, or subtle pop-culture references to modern times. At first this was a little jarring, but I soon accepted it in the spirit with which it was probably intended. Think "Xena: Warrior Princess" and you'll understand what I mean.
This is a great DVD for the whole family to enjoy. I heartily recommend "Arabian Nights" to anyone interested in spending a few pleasant hours in a magical world of sibling rivalry, palace intrigue, genies and flying carpets.