Simbad, el marino

During his film career Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. could probably have done more films along the line of Sinbad the Sailor. But my guess is that he didn't want to be typecast in quite the same way as his father was. Still it's a treat to watch him in this and in other films like The Fighting O'Flynn, The Exile, and The Corsican Brothers where there's more than a hint of his inheritance.

Sinbad the Sailor is the Baron Munchausen of the Islamic world. The stories of his seven voyages are a large part of the Arabian Nights fables.

Fairbanks shows him spinning the tall tales to the listening crowd in Basra and when they tell him to give them something new, Fairbanks relates the latest tale of his eighth voyage. Doing it in flashback that way kind of spoils the ending because it does say that he will survive to tell the tale. Nevertheless it's quite a story involving a greedy emir in Anthony Quinn and an evil magician in Walter Slezak who along with Sinbad is seeking the fabled treasure that Alexander the Great, that noted infidel, amassed during his conquests.

Of course there is that redheaded Kurdish princess played by Maureen O'Hara who has her own agenda working. In her recent memoirs Maureen full realized the ridiculousness of casting her in roles like these. But she said her philosophy was keep working and eventually the good parts will come your way.

It's an enjoyable film however as Fairbanks makes that final journey and finds what true love and happiness are all about.

"Sindbad the Sailor" is a lovely film to look at and it's obvious that RKO really pulled out all the stops to get this made. While this was a lesser studio in Hollywood, here they use nice garish 1940s Technicolor (the type classic movie fans love--despite its being very unrealistic), lavish sets and tons of costumes. It was obviously a prestige picture--and one on which the studio lavished a lot of attention. Because of this, it's odd that the dialog totally stank. All too often, people talked like they were either making speeches or doing an antiquated play--and in the process, the whole thing came off as stilted and silly. It's a shame, really, as I wanted to like this film a lot, but with B-movie writing, it only was mediocre.

In the lead was Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and I assume he was chosen because of his father. Fairbanks, Sr. made a huge mark in the 1920s starring in fabulous action-adventure films like "The Thief of Bagdad" and "The Mark of Zorro" (among many others). His athleticism and wonderful screen presence must have played a huge part in their selecting his son for this 1947 film--especially since Fairbanks, Jr. was a very good actor but really was NOT known for this sort of film. However, despite being far less athletic than Dad, he was quite handsome and very good here...but his dialog....yecch! Overall, the film is an enjoyable escapist film with dialog that will make decent writers cry. The film has action, lovely sets, Maureen O'Hara (playing her rather clichéd petulant woman once again) and is pure escapism. But it plays like a B-movie with a great budget.

This is a cinematic realisation of the lavish Arabian Nights storybooks you read as a child. They don't put a foot wrong: it's all very predictable and undemanding, and everyone plays their appointed parts very satisfactorily. Enjoyable nonsense.

This ¨Sinbad the sailor¨ (1947) displays an all-star-cast formed by Douglas Fairbanks Jr , Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn , among others . Riveting and swashbuckling film with amazing adventures in which Sinbad searches for a valuable treasure located in the Sea of Oman , the course followed by Alexander the Great . The picture talks about the hero Sinbad and his extraordinary and surprising adventures ; being based on loose recounting of ¨The 1.001 Arabian Nights¨ tale . O Masters , o noble persons , o brothers , know you that in the time of the caliph Harum-Al-Rassihd , there lived on the golden shore or Persia a man of adventure called Sinbad . Strange and wondrous were the tales told of him on his voyages . But who, shall we surmise gave him immortality ? . Who , more than all other songs of Allah , spread glory to the name of Sinbad? Who else , o brother but . And now , know ye , all believers of the world of Sinbad , that light voyage , this is the end . This imaginative flick based on ancient legends , deals with Sinbad The Sailor (Douglas Fairbanks) who travels until an island called Deryabar to discover a fantastic treasure of Alexander the Great . Simbad sets off in search for the magnificent treasure and aboard a ship along with a motley crew (Walter Slezak , George Tobias , Mike Mazurki) , but he evil Amir (Anthony Quinn) wants the treasure for himself to own the world. They will have to face off several dangers , villains and henchmen .

In the movie there are mythology , emotions , adventures , fantasy , swashbuckling and it's pretty bemusing . It is an exciting fantasy-adventure and pretty amusing . Self-mocking and hamhanded , but some brief moment boring for its confusion . Don't see this one for the script , which almost doesn't exist ; otherwise mildly fun . Douglas Fairbanks Jr fits perfectly in his eminent daddy's swashbuckling shoes . Support cast is frankly good such as Walter Slezak , George Tobias , Jane Greer , Mike Mazurki , among them .The runtime is adequate with various incidents and sub-plots . Director Richard Wallace works his magic around a well-developed screenplay and engaging acting by the entire performers . The confrontation amongst the protagonist and enemies is mesmerizing and fascinating , plenty of leaps and bounds in which Sinbad runs , hits , fights and smiles . Cinematography by George Barnes is colorful , brilliant and shining . classic music composer Roy Webb creates a magnificent and astounding score . The motion picture was rightly directed by Richard Wallace , though confusing and sometimes dull . It's all in fun , and it is fun . The film obtained much success and achieved enough Box Office . The yarn will appeal to fantasy and fancy imagination buffs , well catching .

Other pictures about the great hero Simbad are the followings : ¨Harryhausen's Sinbad trilogy¨ , all of them full of special effects with great monsters and breathtaking scale models that are made by the Dynamation system and stop-motion created by means of stop-motion technique by the magician Ray Harryhausen , Ray can once again claim credit for the unusual and marvelous mythical creatures springing to life , as : ¨The 7th voyage of Simbad¨ , directed Nathan Juran with Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant ¨ , ¨Simbad and the eye of tiger¨ directed Sam Wanamaker with Patrick Wayne and Jane Seymour , ¨The Golden voyage of Sinbad¨ by Gordon Hessler with John Philip Law , Caroline Munro and Tom Baker . Furthermore , an Italian muscle epic titled ¨Sinbad of the seven seas¨ by Enzo G Castellari with Lou Ferrigno , Alexandra Martines and John Steiner . In addition , Hollywood cartoon movie ¨Simbad the legend of seven seas¨ (2003) produced by Dreamworks , a combo of computer generator and hand-drawn animation by Patrick Gilmore and Tim Johnson with voices from Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta Jones .

The storyteller Sinbad the Sailor (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) is gathered with other men in the harbor telling his adventure seeking the island of Daryabar, where the treasure of Alexander the Great is hidden. In his journey with his friend Abbu (George Tobias), Sinbad rescues and claims property of a drifting boat; he meets the ambitious and gorgeous Shireen (Maureen O'Hara) and falls in love for her; he is chased by the evil Emir (Anthony Quinn) that is seeking the treasure to become one of the most powerful men in the world; and he meets the dangerous Melik (Walter Slezak) that also wants the treasure.

"Sinbad the Sailor" is a delightful adventure, in a type of naive movie that Hollywood seems to have forgotten in the present days. However, the success of the franchise "Pirates of Caribbean" proves that this genre is still attractive for the younger generations. The athletic Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is excellent in the lead role, showing a great chemistry with the gorgeous Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn and Walter Slezak are great villains. The final twist in the very end is extremely pleasant, closing with golden key this entertaining movie. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Simbad, o Marujo" ("Sinbad the Sailor")