SINBAD, THE SAILOR is a gloriously colourful Arabian adventure that, as per Hollywood tradition, casts a number of western actors in Arabic parts. As somebody who grew up on the Ray Harryhausen Sinbad films, I was hoping for something in a similar vein - or indeed of the same spirit as Sabu's THIEF OF BAGDAD.
Sadly, this turns out to be nothing of the type. Instead it's a romantically-flavoured saga of tall tales and upright heroes, and of course all manner of dastardly Arabic types (including Anthony Quinn's evil emir). Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is a handsome but rather one-dimensional hero, and Maureen O'Hara his stilted love interest.
The problem with SINBAD, THE SAILOR is that it offers little of the escapsim we expect from these Eastern-flavoured tales. The action scenes, while fun, are kept few and far between, and there's a great deal of chinwagging going on. Sure, there are a few plot twists and a nice climax, but it isn't much for a somewhat lengthy film. Even worse, there are no monsters or special effects of any kind. I can imagine kids watching this and getting slightly bored with it; I know I was!
Sadly, this turns out to be nothing of the type. Instead it's a romantically-flavoured saga of tall tales and upright heroes, and of course all manner of dastardly Arabic types (including Anthony Quinn's evil emir). Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is a handsome but rather one-dimensional hero, and Maureen O'Hara his stilted love interest.
The problem with SINBAD, THE SAILOR is that it offers little of the escapsim we expect from these Eastern-flavoured tales. The action scenes, while fun, are kept few and far between, and there's a great deal of chinwagging going on. Sure, there are a few plot twists and a nice climax, but it isn't much for a somewhat lengthy film. Even worse, there are no monsters or special effects of any kind. I can imagine kids watching this and getting slightly bored with it; I know I was!