There is a bunch of ways that people will, after watching these films, will come at them. I have been given a massive 1000 words to discuss this! The first position is the most common. It is the ‘quality’ film watcher. These people often watch a film because it has credentials. Here it would be ARABIAN NIGHTS because it was a hit, show on screens occasionally and was nominated for 4, yes 4 Oscars. The second would be that of the alternative auteur, adventure loving, serial junkie who may (or may not) have seen these films either on TV (likely) or on the big screen (I doubt it!). These are very likely to have seen THE DESERT HAWK, a film that has all these elements plus a beauty and a beast (kind of, he is a man!) The third person is the one now called an Orientalist but what I would call a person interested in the East and all it might offer to them in its difference from their life. ZARAK and ONE THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS would have been seen by them. Both revel in the glorious worlds of the east and equally play on ideas of them being classics of the region (both in story and in theme.) Finally it is the film student.  OMAR KHAYYAM is a historical film I saw as a wayward A Level film that was seen as a Hollywood adaptation from the classic period that took a ‘real’ (read reel) person, Omar Khayyam and produce a classic…ish piece of American cinema.

But what did I think about all these?

ARABIAN NIGHTS (1942) – Imprint Collection #214

Jon Hall and Maria Montez star in this classic of two half brothers who battle each other for the power of the throne and the love of a Scheherazade. The best of the set by a slight margin, ARABIAN NIGHTS is a fun, colour rich (which the 2K 1080p picks up on wonderfully) romance that delves into a classic fable but with the usual excesses of Hollywood. Reigned in by intelligent and energetic direction. The old introduction from TCM sets the scene but its the Audio Commentary, which fills out the whole event out ranges of film making, translation of classics, 40s Hollywood style and how the A and B films are still able to hold their head up today. There are other good extras here, they dive into specifics but the commentary gives a broad reach and I found it so varied and valuable to be informative to my own film history knowledge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wajlpnEWrg

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan of the original negative
• NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Michael Schlesinger and C. Courtney Joyner
• Introduction by Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne
• NEW Author/film historian Kim Newman on Arabian Nights
• NEW Man of a Thousand Themes: Frank Skinner at Universal – featurette with author/film historian Preston Neal Jones
• NEW Maria Montez: Queen of Technicolor – video essay by film historian Phillipa Berry
• Theatrical Trailer
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HOH subtitles

THE DESERT HAWK (1950) – Imprint Collection #215

Sexy and dashing hero battles impossible odds. Takes on an evil Prince Murad (George Macready) and hopes to marry Shaharazade (Yvonne De Carlo), the Caliph’s daughter. This is the worst film on the set but a small margin. You can see its sales pitch. Its got a few famous faces. A classic story and a romance. But it lacks imagination. In truth though it looks the best of the set. Though it has a few white out issues on the stock because, I think, age. To the greatest extra. Audio Commentary by authors Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons. When I see this, my heart sings. Now the gruesome twosome are back and at their actual best for the set. They do something as they talk, laugh and reel off detail with sheer enjoyment at the film they are watching. I don’t feel that they could better their work on the recent Eureka set but…well here I am…

Worldwide first on Blu-ray!

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2023 2K scan of the original negative
• NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Phoef Sutton and Mark Jordan Legan
• NEW Audio Commentary by authors Jonathan Rigby and Kevin Lyons
• NEW Man in the Shadows: Jeff Chandler at Universal – featurette
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
• English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HOH subtitles

ZARAK (1956)   – Imprint Collection #216

Zarak Khan (Victor Mature) banished from his village after falling for his father’s youngest wife, Salma (Anita Ekberg). He becomes ruthless and an outlaw on the India-Afghanistan border. This upsets the British colonial government, who dispatches Army Major Ingram (Michael Wilding), to hunt him down The great Terence Young directs in a film that should be an auteur fans viewing. Sadly they wont see it but should. There are layers and as with most of his work, cinematic skill. There is little extras here sadly but the film is quality, looks great and is the 2nd best thing here.

Wiorldwide first on Blu-ray!

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan of the original negative
• Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HOH subtitles

A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS (1945)   – Imprint Collection #216

The most irrevent of takes, Aladdin (Cornel Wilde) is trying to win the heart of Princess Armina (Adele Jergens not Jasmine). Nothing goes right for him. Then a magic lamp that houses a genie (Evelyn Keyes) is found. You know the rest right? Phil Silvers of all people appears in this rather fun but equally throw away film that looks so so, lacks any extras and in the end feels a little filler. I love Wilde and feel they should have at least looked at his work….

Worldwide first on Blu-ray!

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan of the original negative
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HOH subtitles

OMAR KHAYYAM (1957) – Imprint Collection #217

Omar Khayyam was among the greatest of Persian poets. He was also a brilliant mathematician. That is all I should say. Listen to Sheldon Hall talk about the film, Omar and the Hollywood machine at the later end as the new wave lapped at its feet (1960 to 1969) but these big blockbusters were lacking something. Berry is more abstract in her adulation but its Hall, the great scholar of cinema that is big and bold, who gets his academic teeth into this gem. Both commentary’s are stellar mind and lead the set out in style

Worldwide first on Blu-ray!

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a new 2022 6K scan of the original negative
• NEW Audio commentary by film historian Phillipa Berry
• NEW Film historian Sheldon Hall on Omar Khayyam
• Original Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
• Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
• Optional English HOH subtitles

https://viavision.com.au/shop/tales-of-adventure-collection-1-imprint-collection-214-217/