Sinbad the Sailor (1947 film)
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- This article is about the 1947 film. For other uses please see 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
The story begins with Sinbad (Fairbanks) regaling a group of travelers around a night-time campfire. When his listeners become bored with his often repeated tales, Sinbad tells them about his "eighth" voyage. With his friend, Abbu (George Tobias), Sinbad salvages an abandoned ship which contains a map to the lost treasure of Alexander the Great.When he sails the ship into 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-subtle comments about the ship being cursed. At the last moment, one bidder appears, a veiled woman borne by four servants. She is Shireen (O'Hara), part of the harem of a powerful Emir (Quinn). 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 (Slezak), 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. Strange 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, risking death, to visit Shireen in the harem. He is captured, but because the Emir believes him to be the Prince of Dariabar, he becomes his "guest"; the Emir hopes that Sinbad will take him to the treasure.
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 by the Emir. It is then revealed that Sinbad's ship's barber is none other than Jamel, who has memorized (and then destroyed) the map to Dariabar. Forming an alliance of convenience, they travel to the treasure island.
There they convince the lone guardian that Sinbad is his lost son, owing to a medallion Sinbad had since childhood. By threatening Sinbad's life, the Emir and Jamel learn the location of the treasure from the man. Jamel is forced to take the poison he had intended for the Emir and his crew. Sinbad escapes again and boards the Emir's ship, freeing his crew. The Emir is killed by Greek fire catapulted at him from his own ship.
The movie returns to the disbelieving audience around the campfire. They accuse him of telling yet another tall tale, but 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.
See also
Reference
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