The biographer and poet Charlies Higham says this is his favourite film; it was also beloved by George MacDonald Fraser. I think if you saw it when young it must have been a magical experience – that amazing colour and sumptuous design (Vincent Korda really was the ace in the hole for his brother). It remains impressive on many levels – it looks incredible - but I’ve got to admit (reluctantly – I’m always hesitant when it comes to criticising films so many love) it didn’t blow my socks off.
For one thing, the script is a bit of a mess. Make that a complete mess – it starts with a flashback, we first meet Sabu as a dog, the genie comes in far too late, the princess is wet, etc. It needn’t have been since the story is very basic and solid – nice prince overthrown by evil adviser, uses thief and genie to triumph. I think other later versions of this tale, like Aladdin, have learnt from it.
Also John Justin is a very wet hero – he’s a funny looking weedy guy, who looks as though he needs a decent feed and charisma injection. The sort of actor you’d cast as a wealthy weakling rather than the heroic lead. Fortunately Sabu is on hand as the thief, and he’s extremely winning; June Duprez is very pretty even if she doesn’t have much to do except look pretty; Conrad Veidt is a brilliant villain and Rex Ingram fun as the genie.
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