Evil and treacherous sorcerer Coliph Alquazar (ably played with suavely sinister aplomb by Christopher Lee) convinces noble Prince Hasan (a likeable performance by Oliver Tobias) to embark on a quest to obtain a powerful magical rose that Alquazar needs to achieve his full potential as a cruel ruler.
Director Kevin Connor keeps the enjoyable and engrossing story moving along at a constant pace, maintains an engaging lighthearted tone throughout, stages the exciting sword fights with rip-roaring gusto, and further spruces things up with an amusing sense of amiable humor. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Milo O'Shea as slimy and spineless toady Khasim, Puneet Sira as spunky little boy Majeed, Capucine as helpful genie Vahishsta, Mickey Rooney as zany inventor Daad El Shur, John Ratzenberger as the sniveling Achmed, John Wyman as vicious flunky Bahloul, and Milton Reid as a fearsome brute. The ravishing Emma Samms makes for an extremely fetching and appealing fair maiden as Princess Zuleira. Peter Cushing has a nice bit as resigned prisoner Wazir Al Wuzara. The (not so) special effects are admittedly pretty dodgy, but nonetheless still possess a certain endearingly rinky-dink charm. Ken Thorne's robust score hits the rousing spot. Alan Hume's handsome cinematography gives this picture a pleasing polished look. A real treat.
Director Kevin Connor keeps the enjoyable and engrossing story moving along at a constant pace, maintains an engaging lighthearted tone throughout, stages the exciting sword fights with rip-roaring gusto, and further spruces things up with an amusing sense of amiable humor. Moreover, it's acted with zest by an enthusiastic cast: Milo O'Shea as slimy and spineless toady Khasim, Puneet Sira as spunky little boy Majeed, Capucine as helpful genie Vahishsta, Mickey Rooney as zany inventor Daad El Shur, John Ratzenberger as the sniveling Achmed, John Wyman as vicious flunky Bahloul, and Milton Reid as a fearsome brute. The ravishing Emma Samms makes for an extremely fetching and appealing fair maiden as Princess Zuleira. Peter Cushing has a nice bit as resigned prisoner Wazir Al Wuzara. The (not so) special effects are admittedly pretty dodgy, but nonetheless still possess a certain endearingly rinky-dink charm. Ken Thorne's robust score hits the rousing spot. Alan Hume's handsome cinematography gives this picture a pleasing polished look. A real treat.