Movies - Sinbad the Sailor

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	Movies - Sinbad the Sailor

Sinbad the Sailor is a 1947 movie starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Maureen O'Hara, Anthony Quinn, and Walter Slezak. The story is a timeless tale of treasure seeking concerning the "eighth" voyage of Sinbad where he discovers the lost treasure island of Alexander the Great.

::"O Masters, O Noble Persons, O Brothers, know you that in the time of the Caliph Harun-Al-Rashid, there lived on the golden shore of Persia a man of adventure called Sinbad the Sailor. Strange and wondrous were the tales told of him and his voyages. But who, shall we surmise, gave him his immortality? Who, more than all other sons of Allah, spread glory to the name of Sinbad? Who else, O Brother, but - Sinbad the Sailor! Know me, O Brothers, for the truth of my words, and by the ears of the Prophet, every word I have spoken is truth!" :::- from the opening title card of Sinbad the Sailor.

Plot summary

The story begins with Sinbad regaling a group of travelers around a night-time campfire. Bored with his often repeated tales, Sinbad then tells them a new story of his "eighth" voyage. With his friend, Abbu, Sinbad rescues an abandonned ship which contains a map to the lost treasure of Alexander the Great. Sailing the ship to a port, it is confiscated by the local Kahn, to be sold at auction. Sinbad obtains an agreement that he may keep the ship if there are no bids. He scares away all the bidders with not-so-sublte comments about the ship being cursed. At the last moment, one bidder appears, a veiled woman born by four servants. She is Shireen, part of the harem of a powerful Amir. Sinbad bids against her and ends up owing a huge sum he cannot pay. He steals the auctioneer's own money to pay for the ship. Visiting Shireen that night in her garden, Sinbad learns of a mysterious and deadly person known as Jamel, who will stop at nothing to acquire the treasure. Jamel, only vaguely seen behind a curtain, makes an attempt on Sinbad's life. Sinbad escapes and steals the ship, acquiring a rough crew to man it. During the voyage, stange stories of the evil Jamel circulate among the crew, but no one alive has ever seen him. After several days, Sinbad sails to another port and goes, at risk of death, to visit Shireen in the harem. He is captured, but because the Amir believes him to be the Prince of Dariabar, he is the "guest" of the Emir, who desires Sinbad to take him to the treasure island. With his smooth words and some trickery, Sinbad once again escapes, taking Shireen with him. They set sail for Dariabar, but are overtaken and captured at sea by the Amir. It is then revealed that Sinbad's ship's barber is none other than Jamel, who alone has memorized the map to Dariabar. Forming an allicance of convenience, they all arrive at the treasure island and attempt to convice the lone guardian that Sinbad is his lost son, owing to a medallion Sinbad once found, and tell them where the treasure is hidden. Threatening Sinbad's life, the Amir and Jamel learn the location of the treasure. Jamel dies from poison originally intended for the Amir and his crew. Sinbad escapes once again and boards the Amir's ship, freeing his former crew and taking the ship. The Amir is killed by the Greek fire from his own ship. The movie concludes with Sinbad wrapping up his tale to the audience around the campfire. When he finishes, they don't believe him and accuse him of telling yet another tall tale. They soon change their minds when Sinbad distributes precious jewels and gold and shows them the beautiful Shireen, who is now (presumably) his wife.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., played the part of Sinbad with intentionally dramatic physical movements - leaping, jumping, almost dance-like in many scenes. While not realistic, it contributes to the movie's flair and storytelling mood.

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