Performance & Direction: The Thief of Baghdad Review
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Thief of Baghdad (1978) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this TV Movie.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any TV Movie is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Thief of Baghdad features a noteworthy lineup led by Roddy McDowall . Supported by the likes of Kabir Bedi and Frank Finlay , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
Story & Plot Summary: The Thief of Baghdad
Quick Plot Summary: The Thief of Baghdad is a TV Movie, Adventure film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Thief of Baghdad
Ending Breakdown: The Thief of Baghdad attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to tv movie resolution.
The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the tv movie themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Thief of Baghdad reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Thief of Baghdad?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for TV Movies films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Thief of Baghdad
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Thief of Baghdad Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video
Google Play Movies🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoGoogle Play MoviesThe Thief of Baghdad Parents Guide & Age Rating
1978 AdvisoryWondering about The Thief of Baghdad age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Thief of Baghdad is 102 minutes (1h 42m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.2/10, and global performance metrics, The Thief of Baghdad is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1978 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Thief of Baghdad worth watching?
The Thief of Baghdad is definitely worth watching if you enjoy TV Movie movies. It has a verified rating of 5.2/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Thief of Baghdad parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Thief of Baghdad identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Thief of Baghdad?
The total duration of The Thief of Baghdad is 102 minutes, which is approximately 1h 42m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Thief of Baghdad
A rather shoddily produced Arabian Nights fantasy with a superbly camp Peter Ustinov - who must have used the same dialogue coach as Olivier did in "Khartoum" - as the Caliph trying his best to make a silk purse from a sow's ear! Despite having a good cast with Roddy McDowell, Frank Finlay, Ian Holm and a marvellously hammy Terence Stamp as the baddie "Jaudur" all trying their best, there is no denying that the script and direction are really poor. Ustinov's daughter, Pavla, adds some glamour as the Princess "Jasmine" and the costumiers and set designers have spared no effort/expense but in the end it's a waste of their craft.
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This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
