Ali Babá e os Quarenta Ladrões
Ali Babá e os Quarenta Ladrões

Movie spotlight

Ali Babá e os Quarenta Ladrões

1972
Movie
96 min
Portuguese

Ali Baba falls for a former trapeze artist who was paralyzed in an accident and wants to get money to make the girl recover their health. Ali Baba discovers a hidden deposit of 40 thieves, and finds many bars and diamonds too fake money.

Insights

Director: Victor de OliveiraGenres: Adventure, Fantasy

Plot Summary

Ali Babá, a humble woodcutter, stumbles upon a cave containing the treasures of a band of forty thieves. Using a magic phrase, he gains access to the riches, but soon finds himself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the thieves who want their treasure back. The story follows Ali Babá's attempts to protect his newfound wealth and his family from the greedy outlaws.

Critical Reception

This Portuguese production is a lesser-known adaptation of the classic tale. It is generally considered a modest B-movie effort, notable for its period setting and attempts at adventure storytelling within its budget. Critical reception tends to be sparse, with audiences often recalling it as a simple, family-friendly fantasy film.

What Reviewers Say

  • A straightforward, if somewhat primitive, adaptation of the well-known story.

  • Offers some visual charm typical of Portuguese cinema of the era.

  • Lacks the polish and grandeur of larger international productions.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available generally describe it as a charming, albeit simple, retelling of the Ali Baba legend suitable for younger viewers or those with nostalgia for classic Portuguese cinema.

Fun Fact

This film is one of several adaptations of the 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves' story that have been produced throughout cinematic history, often reflecting the production values and storytelling styles of their respective eras and countries.

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