Capitan Sinbad

For what it is worth, the Arabic is best transliterated as As-Sindibaad Al-Bahri, therefore Sindibad or Sindbad not Sinbad, so the name of the main character in this film is MORE accurate then the other "Sinbad" movies not less. The classic translation of the Arabian Nights remains that of Sir Richard F. Burton, who uses Sindibad. The primary problem with Captain Sindbad is that the special effects are awful even for the time that it was made. The acting is, overall, good. Guy Williams is a better actor then most of the other Sinbads and is a much better swordsman. (He actually could fence, not up to Basil Rathbone, who was superb, but much better then the average.) The plot is much better then usual and certainly as good as that of The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad. It would be interesting to see this film with new effects sequences inserted over the originals.

It's been about 30 years since I saw this as a kid and now I just recently bought it on the new remastered WB Archives DVD. DID I WASTE MY MONEY?...Heck No! It was even better than I remembered. Wonderful fun, beautiful colors, great imagination and those surreal sets, WOW, WOW, WOW. Any lover of fantasy and whimsy will love this movie providing that they have an imagination to make up for any production shortcomings. The computer effects generation of movie goers who need to be spoon fed scene by scene a depressing story with lots of vulgarity should stay away from this one. This is a fine and super fun movie for the whole family.

I saw this film first run at the tender age of 9 in the summer of 1963 at the Loew's State Theater, a downtown movie palace. I loved it so much that I sat through a dreary black and white co-feature just to watch it again. A few weeks later I saw it again when it played our second run neighborhood theater. I even bought a comic book adaptation of it which I own to this day. I just watch the DVD of it and I must say it is somewhat hokey and the special effects were a little cheesy even for its time. I am not some old fogey who degrades todays superior CG effects because I can still enjoy a fantasy film of this period without denegrating the present state of the art. This film has enough color, magic and music, along with luxurious sets, a good cast and solid direction from Byron Haskin (who helmed the original War of the Worlds) to make it a more than pleasurable viewing experience. The nine year old me would have given this 10 out of 10, but the 65 year old me can see how wonderfully cheesy some of it is. Even if some of the wonder I once experienced is gone, I still enjoy this movie a great deal.

CAPTAIN SINDBAD is one of those movies that a generation grew up watching, either on the big or small screen. Preferably the big screen, as this is an epic joy to behold in all of its colorful glory!

This was an especially memorable event for yours truly, at 9-10 years old.

Why? Monsters! Magic! Adventure!

This young lad sat mesmerized as Sindbad (Guy Williams) led his men on a quest to defeat the wicked wizard, El Karim (Pedro Armendariz), by first running his gauntlet of killer creatures. These include a multi-headed dragon, and an enormous, disembodied hand!

Our heroes must fight their way through these formidable freaks, in order to get to El Karim's only weakness. Ah, but said "Achilles Heel" is kept at the very top of a sheer tower of darkness!

If you've ever played Dungeons and Dragons as a bored teen -or adult, then, this movie should give you many ideas for that next campaign! I incorporated (aka: stole) several myself, those long years ago.

Still quite enjoyable today, this movie will take you back to the time before CGI made things look too easy. If your movies must be digitally perfect, then skip this gem by all means...

The reviews/comments listed here are hilarious, especially the one from Karadhe Kahn. Really hilarious. I laughed in genuine appreciation. I just posted a review for THE MAGIC SWORD and could not resist coming here either. I saw CAPTAIN SINDBAD in first release and was completely enchanted as an 8 year old. Some things were unforgettable: the big thumping fist in a glove, the princess becoming a bird, and the 'jelly' heart in a box, pulsating away. We all screamed in 1963 at the lovely Metro Cinema Bondi Junction Australia. I saw it again in the 70s as an adult and was flabbergasted at how easily I could see the strings on everything and how bargain counter all the costumes were. Until tonight I didn't realize the spelling was different to SINBAD either. Jeez 42 years later I still find out weird things about this very enjoyable film. Watch it with kids and have a great time. Yes it is sort of crummy, but the color and the scary fantasy works well and the circus sideshow like faces are great. especially in a turban. Yes, it is the Zorro actor Guy Williams later to be LOST IN SPACE.