Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1935): A weird little trip

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for stop-motion history or just want to see how they pulled off magic tricks before computers took over everything. If you need pacing that moves faster than a turtle, skip it. It's a bit like watching The Little Match Girl in terms of that specific vintage vibe—charming, slightly stiff, but kind of sweet in its own way.

If you're looking for an epic adventure with modern stunts, you're going to be bored to tears. But if you appreciate the craft of George Pal, there’s enough here to keep you clicking through.

The vibe check

There's this moment when the thieves open the cave door, and you can just feel the effort behind the scenes. It isn't seamless, but that's the point. The puppets have this jerky, rhythmic movement that makes the whole thing feel like a dream you had when you were six.

It’s not trying to be Zaza, that’s for sure. It’s got this weird, contained energy. Like everyone involved knew they were building a tiny world in a box.

Little things I noticed:

• The thieves’ cave looks suspiciously like it was made out of a really nice rock collection.
• The "Open Sesame" moment is less of a grand reveal and more of a quiet, polite request to the mountain.
• Some of the lighting feels like they were using a single candle to save money.
• I’m pretty sure one of the puppets lost an eye halfway through the third scene.

It’s weirdly hypnotic. I found myself staring at the background textures more than the actual plot. Why does the sand look like someone spilled a box of salt? It's fine. It works.

Does it hold up?

Not really, but who cares? It feels like something you’d find on a dusty shelf in a library. It reminds me of the vibe in Edgar, the Explorer—a bit of an oddity, certainly not for everyone, but I’m glad it exists.

The pacing is a bit of a mess. It rushes through the discovery of the gold and then sits on the thief confrontation for what feels like a lifetime. But then again, maybe that’s just me being impatient. 🤷‍♂️

If you’re in the mood for something that isn't trying to be a masterpiece, give it a whirl. Just don’t expect it to change your life. It’s just a nice, dusty artifact. 🎬