The reviews/comments listed here are hilarious, especially the one from Karadhe Kahn. Really hilarious. I laughed in genuine appreciation. I just posted a review for THE MAGIC SWORD and could not resist coming here either. I saw CAPTAIN SINDBAD in first release and was completely enchanted as an 8 year old. Some things were unforgettable: the big thumping fist in a glove, the princess becoming a bird, and the 'jelly' heart in a box, pulsating away. We all screamed in 1963 at the lovely Metro Cinema Bondi Junction Australia. I saw it again in the 70s as an adult and was flabbergasted at how easily I could see the strings on everything and how bargain counter all the costumes were. Until tonight I didn't realize the spelling was different to SINBAD either. Jeez 42 years later I still find out weird things about this very enjoyable film. Watch it with kids and have a great time. Yes it is sort of crummy, but the color and the scary fantasy works well and the circus sideshow like faces are great. especially in a turban. Yes, it is the Zorro actor Guy Williams later to be LOST IN SPACE.
20 Reviews
Silly fun with lack of mystical creatures but fun for matinée audience.
mark.waltz10 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
You can't take films like this as art. I choose to watch them on a Saturday or Sunday morning, because that's the type of film I remember being taken to as a child. Had this been not so obviously cheap, I would have been a lot tougher on it, so I can go into these with the intention of having a good time, maybe a laugh or two at its expense, but fill the need of why I watch these sword and sandal films on occasion in the first place.
Once again, there is an evil man on the throne of a fictional country, upsurbing the throne from the rightful ruler with the intent of marrying his daughter who is really in love with the hero. Guy Williams of "Lost in Space" fame is the hero who is first visited by the princess in the form of a bird. Man-eating birds attack carrying boulders, capsize the ship, sending Sindbad and his men to shore to deal with the nasty villain (who is in possession of a magical ring) and ultimately head to the tower surrounded by a spooky forest filled with dangerous traps. The goal is to get to the upsurber's protected heart which prevents him from being killed if stabbed. It is here where the hero faces (only briefly) a mystical creature which actually looks like a tree with eye-filled branches and obviously not of the same expense as those found in Ray Harryhausen's adventure fantasies.
Nevertheless, this is still a fun reminder of the kinds of films we had long before someone started doing special effects via a computer. So grab some popcorn, sit back and re-visit an era of movies that could be silly yet ultimately delightful fun.
Once again, there is an evil man on the throne of a fictional country, upsurbing the throne from the rightful ruler with the intent of marrying his daughter who is really in love with the hero. Guy Williams of "Lost in Space" fame is the hero who is first visited by the princess in the form of a bird. Man-eating birds attack carrying boulders, capsize the ship, sending Sindbad and his men to shore to deal with the nasty villain (who is in possession of a magical ring) and ultimately head to the tower surrounded by a spooky forest filled with dangerous traps. The goal is to get to the upsurber's protected heart which prevents him from being killed if stabbed. It is here where the hero faces (only briefly) a mystical creature which actually looks like a tree with eye-filled branches and obviously not of the same expense as those found in Ray Harryhausen's adventure fantasies.
Nevertheless, this is still a fun reminder of the kinds of films we had long before someone started doing special effects via a computer. So grab some popcorn, sit back and re-visit an era of movies that could be silly yet ultimately delightful fun.
Sindbad's Greatest Challenge
bkoganbing27 April 2009
After completing his voyages Sindbad the Sailor and his hearty crew have come home to find a palace coup d'etat has occurred and his home city is being run by a brutal dictator played by Pedro Armendariz. He's got designs on the beautiful young princess, Heidi Bruhl both lustful and political.
Captain Sindbad which appears to be a joint German-American production stars Guy Williams who if he had come along a decade earlier might well have inherited the mantle of Errol Flynn. He certainly was a dashing Zorro for Walt Disney television.
Williams's greatest challenge was keeping a straight face through a lot of very hokey dialog which he does admirably. Armendariz is invincible, we see proof of that when Williams runs a scimitar through him and he doesn't flinch. Finding out the secret of Armendariz's invincibility and rescuing his princess from a fate worse than death is the sum and substance of the film.
I remember seeing this in the theater when it first came out and liked it. I still like it somewhat, but I certainly was a lot younger in 1963.
The special effects are good, not DeMille or Harryhausen quality, but still good. I fear though that the hokeyness of the script will probably limit Captain Sindbad to the juvenile trade.
Captain Sindbad which appears to be a joint German-American production stars Guy Williams who if he had come along a decade earlier might well have inherited the mantle of Errol Flynn. He certainly was a dashing Zorro for Walt Disney television.
Williams's greatest challenge was keeping a straight face through a lot of very hokey dialog which he does admirably. Armendariz is invincible, we see proof of that when Williams runs a scimitar through him and he doesn't flinch. Finding out the secret of Armendariz's invincibility and rescuing his princess from a fate worse than death is the sum and substance of the film.
I remember seeing this in the theater when it first came out and liked it. I still like it somewhat, but I certainly was a lot younger in 1963.
The special effects are good, not DeMille or Harryhausen quality, but still good. I fear though that the hokeyness of the script will probably limit Captain Sindbad to the juvenile trade.
Loads of fun for Sinbad and fantasy fans
pmsusana6 February 2001
Through many viewings I've enjoyed this Sin(d)bad film much more than any in the better-known Columbia/Harryhausen series, which I thought had great monsters but dull stories and heroes. This one has it all: gorgeous color photography, interesting plot and characters, and unusual monsters (including an invisible (!) dragon. The late Guy Williams is fine as Sinbad, and more mature and dignified than any in the Columbia films. And Pedro Armendariz, in one of his last roles before his untimely cancer-related death, is simply wonderful as the villain, El Karim. This film (produced by the same folks who gave us "Gorgo") is aimed at young audiences, but I've watched it with viewers of varying age, and never run across anyone who wasn't delighted with it.
kitschy B
SnoopyStyle24 October 2019
In Baristan, the magician Galgo is experimenting with weather. He shows Princess Jana a vision of a storm which cause havoc on Captain Sindbad and his ship The Golden Lion. The king is tired. The soldiers led by the ruthless El Kerim has returned after putting down a rebellion. Using a ring stolen from Galgo, El Kerim takes over the kingdom.
This is a B-movie of a certain era. It is terribly kitschy. The sets are garish. The special effects are old fashion and wide-ranging. Whether it's the miniature creature or the elongated arm, the product looks a little cheap. The aim is high but it inevitably falls back to earth. It has its fun but its inferior quality eventually wins out.
This is a B-movie of a certain era. It is terribly kitschy. The sets are garish. The special effects are old fashion and wide-ranging. Whether it's the miniature creature or the elongated arm, the product looks a little cheap. The aim is high but it inevitably falls back to earth. It has its fun but its inferior quality eventually wins out.
Great Fun for those with Imagination
action-express26 November 2010
It's been about 30 years since I saw this as a kid and now I just recently bought it on the new remastered WB Archives DVD. DID I WASTE MY MONEY?...Heck No! It was even better than I remembered. Wonderful fun, beautiful colors, great imagination and those surreal sets, WOW, WOW, WOW. Any lover of fantasy and whimsy will love this movie providing that they have an imagination to make up for any production shortcomings. The computer effects generation of movie goers who need to be spoon fed scene by scene a depressing story with lots of vulgarity should stay away from this one. This is a fine and super fun movie for the whole family.
Captain Sort-of-Bad
sgilbert-1125 July 2021
I agree with most of the reviews posted. I too saw it when it first opened. I was a huge fantasy fan, especially the Harryhausen movies, and I worshiped Disney's Zorro. But this one may not quite reach their class. Despite the lavish costumes and sets it's easy to see how cut rate many of the special effects were, stock background music, hokey dialogue, and acting that ranges from wooden to over the top. It also becomes apparent that Guy Williams' square-jawed looks, and not his acting, were responsible for most of his success.
Sympathetic and witty adventure with a good-looking and intrepid adventurer , Sinbad : Guy Williams
ma-cortes21 August 2017
Mildly fun movie based on ancient legends , being a loose retelling of the ¨Arabian nights¨ or ¨1001 nights¨ . Swashbuckling/legendary movie with a valiant hero , Sinbad/Guy Williams , who proves some his feats , as fighting , batting , and sword-play against the heinous enemies , but he buckles his way gallantly through this stirring actioner . Here Sinbad (Guy Williams who passed away in 1989 at age 65) must destroy the evil El Kerim (Pedro Armendariz) and his hoodlum Col. Kabar (Henry Brandon) in the peaceful kingdom of Baristan . Kerim schemes to capture his rival , Sinbad , who will soon go back from far seas along with his crew (Bernie Hamilton , Walter Barnes , John Crawford , and Helmut Schneider who died at 51) . Meanwhile , the wonderful Princess Jana (Heidi Brühl married to actor Brett Halsey and died early at 49) convinces the wizard Galgo (Abraham Sofaer) to transform her into a small bird . As Sinbad and his sailors sail towards Baristan , the Princess-Firebird descends and lands on the ship . But before she can deliver the message , El-Carim turns his warriors into giant human falcons , to drop rocks onto Sindbad's ship sinking it.... Later on , Sinbad must tackle a lot of dangers , such as an invisible monster , a many-headed hydra , quicksands , man-eating fish , crocodiles , a large fist clad in a spiked glove , and more . To kill the nasty Visir , Sinbad must slash his heart , which is kept in a tower with no entrance . Sinbad helped by the magician Galgo will have to face off several risks , villains and Kerim's henchmen .
Swashbuckling adventures of Sinbad the sailor accompanied a group of engaging adventurers . An enormous , epic US/Germany co-production lavishly shot in Bavaria studios , Múnich , recreated with matte-painting , and a great number of special effects , FX , in traditional and primitive style . Riveting and swashbuckling film with amazing adventures in which Sinbad rescues the beautiful princess and searches for destroy a heart located in a terrifying island . Stars Guy Williams who was no stranger to swashbuckling , as he also performed ¨The Prince and the pauper¨ , ¨The Golden blade¨ , "Damon y Pitias" and especially Zorro on the ¨El Zorro¨ (1957) TV series . Guy Williams fits perfectly in this eminent swashbuckling . Gorgeous Heidi Bruhl as Princess Jana , and excellent Pedro Armendariz as evil ruler named El Kerim . Support cast is frankly good , such as : Bernie Hamilton , Helmut Schneider , Walter Barnes , Guy Doleman , James Dobson , John Crawford and Henry Brandon , among them .
In the movie there are emotions , mythology , adventures , fantasy , swashbuckling and results to be pretty amusing . It is an exciting fantasy-adventure , though hamhanded and self-mocking , with some brief moments excessive , for its confusion and mayhem . Don't see this one for the script , which almost doesn't exist ; otherwise mildly fun . The runtime is adequate with various incidents and sub-plots . Director Byron Haskin works his magic around a well-developed screenplay and charming acting by the entire performers . The confrontation amongst the protagonist and enemies is mesmerizing and fascinating , plenty of leaps and bounds in which Sinbad runs , hits , fights and smiles . Cinematography by Günther Senftleben is colorful , brilliant and shining . Evocative music composer Michel Michelet creates an attractive and astounding score . This huge and high-budgeted motion picture was well directed by Byron Haskin , delivering a great sense of wonder . It's all in fun , and it is fun . The yarn will appeal to fantasy and fancy imagination buffs , well catching .
Other pictures about the great hero Simbad are the followings : ¨Sinbad the sailor¨ (1947) by Richard Wallace , it displays an all-star-cast formed by Douglas Fairbanks Jr , Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn ; ¨Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad trilogy¨ , all of them full of special effects with great monsters and breathtaking scale models that are made by the Dynamation system and created by means of stop-motion technique by the magician Ray Harryhausen , Ray can once again claim credit for the unusual and marvelous mythical creatures springing to life , as : ¨The 7th voyage of Simbad¨ , directed Nathan Juran with Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant ¨ , ¨Simbad and the eye of tiger¨ directed Sam Wanamaker with Patrick Wayne and Jane Seymour , ¨The Golden voyage of Sinbad¨ by Gordon Hessler with John Philip Law , Caroline Munro and Tom Baker . Furthermore , an Italian muscle epic titled ¨Sinbad of the seven seas¨ by Enzo G Castellari with Lou Ferrigno , Alexandra Martines and John Steiner . In addition , Hollywood cartoon movie ¨Simbad the legend of seven seas¨ (2003) produced by Dreamworks , a combo of computer generator and hand-drawn animation by Patrick Gilmore and Tim Johnson with voices from Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta Jones . In addition , TV series as ¨Adventures of Sinbad¨ (1996-1998) with Zen Gesner , George Buza and ¨Sinbad¨ TV series (2012) with Elliot Knight , Marama Corlett and Elliot Cowan .
Swashbuckling adventures of Sinbad the sailor accompanied a group of engaging adventurers . An enormous , epic US/Germany co-production lavishly shot in Bavaria studios , Múnich , recreated with matte-painting , and a great number of special effects , FX , in traditional and primitive style . Riveting and swashbuckling film with amazing adventures in which Sinbad rescues the beautiful princess and searches for destroy a heart located in a terrifying island . Stars Guy Williams who was no stranger to swashbuckling , as he also performed ¨The Prince and the pauper¨ , ¨The Golden blade¨ , "Damon y Pitias" and especially Zorro on the ¨El Zorro¨ (1957) TV series . Guy Williams fits perfectly in this eminent swashbuckling . Gorgeous Heidi Bruhl as Princess Jana , and excellent Pedro Armendariz as evil ruler named El Kerim . Support cast is frankly good , such as : Bernie Hamilton , Helmut Schneider , Walter Barnes , Guy Doleman , James Dobson , John Crawford and Henry Brandon , among them .
In the movie there are emotions , mythology , adventures , fantasy , swashbuckling and results to be pretty amusing . It is an exciting fantasy-adventure , though hamhanded and self-mocking , with some brief moments excessive , for its confusion and mayhem . Don't see this one for the script , which almost doesn't exist ; otherwise mildly fun . The runtime is adequate with various incidents and sub-plots . Director Byron Haskin works his magic around a well-developed screenplay and charming acting by the entire performers . The confrontation amongst the protagonist and enemies is mesmerizing and fascinating , plenty of leaps and bounds in which Sinbad runs , hits , fights and smiles . Cinematography by Günther Senftleben is colorful , brilliant and shining . Evocative music composer Michel Michelet creates an attractive and astounding score . This huge and high-budgeted motion picture was well directed by Byron Haskin , delivering a great sense of wonder . It's all in fun , and it is fun . The yarn will appeal to fantasy and fancy imagination buffs , well catching .
Other pictures about the great hero Simbad are the followings : ¨Sinbad the sailor¨ (1947) by Richard Wallace , it displays an all-star-cast formed by Douglas Fairbanks Jr , Maureen O'Hara and Anthony Quinn ; ¨Ray Harryhausen's Sinbad trilogy¨ , all of them full of special effects with great monsters and breathtaking scale models that are made by the Dynamation system and created by means of stop-motion technique by the magician Ray Harryhausen , Ray can once again claim credit for the unusual and marvelous mythical creatures springing to life , as : ¨The 7th voyage of Simbad¨ , directed Nathan Juran with Kerwin Matthews and Kathryn Grant ¨ , ¨Simbad and the eye of tiger¨ directed Sam Wanamaker with Patrick Wayne and Jane Seymour , ¨The Golden voyage of Sinbad¨ by Gordon Hessler with John Philip Law , Caroline Munro and Tom Baker . Furthermore , an Italian muscle epic titled ¨Sinbad of the seven seas¨ by Enzo G Castellari with Lou Ferrigno , Alexandra Martines and John Steiner . In addition , Hollywood cartoon movie ¨Simbad the legend of seven seas¨ (2003) produced by Dreamworks , a combo of computer generator and hand-drawn animation by Patrick Gilmore and Tim Johnson with voices from Brad Pitt and Catherine Zeta Jones . In addition , TV series as ¨Adventures of Sinbad¨ (1996-1998) with Zen Gesner , George Buza and ¨Sinbad¨ TV series (2012) with Elliot Knight , Marama Corlett and Elliot Cowan .
A Wonderful Memory
imlong549 June 2019
I saw this film first run at the tender age of 9 in the summer of 1963 at the Loew's State Theater, a downtown movie palace. I loved it so much that I sat through a dreary black and white co-feature just to watch it again. A few weeks later I saw it again when it played our second run neighborhood theater. I even bought a comic book adaptation of it which I own to this day. I just watch the DVD of it and I must say it is somewhat hokey and the special effects were a little cheesy even for its time. I am not some old fogey who degrades todays superior CG effects because I can still enjoy a fantasy film of this period without denegrating the present state of the art. This film has enough color, magic and music, along with luxurious sets, a good cast and solid direction from Byron Haskin (who helmed the original War of the Worlds) to make it a more than pleasurable viewing experience. The nine year old me would have given this 10 out of 10, but the 65 year old me can see how wonderfully cheesy some of it is. Even if some of the wonder I once experienced is gone, I still enjoy this movie a great deal.
Great fun, full of action, fantastically imaginative effects
curtis-87 August 2008
People who complain about the special effects in this 1963 adventure flick just don't understand how different the state of film fx was 45 years ago. I suspect that they're all too young to know much of anything. Back in the day, it wasn't the quality of your CG artists that counted. It was "how do I find simple photographic tricks that tickle the imagination, still tell the story and are fun"? This movie is full of well done yet low budget effects that beat all hell out of all the crappy, cookie cutter CG stuff out there today. Tell me you didn't smile when the magician's arm grew out about two miles long. Go on, tell me. And if you're answer is "I didn't" then why are you even watching this movie? Go somewhere and crow about how great the effects in that snorefest remake of King Kong was and leave the fun to the rest of us. I mean, really--so it's not Harryhausen. Get over it. It's still great fun.
Good Acting, good plot, lousy effects
tome_m24 November 2007
For what it is worth, the Arabic is best transliterated as As-Sindibaad Al-Bahri, therefore Sindibad or Sindbad not Sinbad, so the name of the main character in this film is MORE accurate then the other "Sinbad" movies not less. The classic translation of the Arabian Nights remains that of Sir Richard F. Burton, who uses Sindibad. The primary problem with Captain Sindbad is that the special effects are awful even for the time that it was made. The acting is, overall, good. Guy Williams is a better actor then most of the other Sinbads and is a much better swordsman. (He actually could fence, not up to Basil Rathbone, who was superb, but much better then the average.) The plot is much better then usual and certainly as good as that of The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad. It would be interesting to see this film with new effects sequences inserted over the originals.
Extremely Energetic Fantasy...Dense Color Drenched Playfullness
LeonLouisRicci2 November 2016
Gaudy and Cheesy, but Charming and Colorful Fantasy aimed directly at the Children's Matinée. This is an Outrageously Ambitious (for its minuscule budget) Fun-Fest that is Energetic and almost Every Scene is Punctuated with Chintzy SFX and Puppetry with a Background of Candy-Colored Costumes and Sets.
The Small and Confined Studio is Loaded and Crammed with Wild Wonderment and Claustrophobic Calamity. It is one of those that is Fondly Remembered by Youngsters who were Entertained in Theatres and on TV.
Never Reaching the Artistry of Ray Harryhausen's Signature Series and had No Hope of Achieving Anything Near the Respect or Money Making Ability of other Similar Movies that were Popular at the Time, it made up for it with Audacity and Flaunted its Limitations Front and Center for Everyone to Ogle.
Guy Williams (TV's "Zorro" and "Lost in Space") seems to be having Fun, Frolicing through the Staged Fantasyland and Racing to Rescue the Princess. There are Villains about and Monsters to be Slain and Everyone, including the Audience, is having a Grand Ol' Time while it is all Unreeling.
The Small and Confined Studio is Loaded and Crammed with Wild Wonderment and Claustrophobic Calamity. It is one of those that is Fondly Remembered by Youngsters who were Entertained in Theatres and on TV.
Never Reaching the Artistry of Ray Harryhausen's Signature Series and had No Hope of Achieving Anything Near the Respect or Money Making Ability of other Similar Movies that were Popular at the Time, it made up for it with Audacity and Flaunted its Limitations Front and Center for Everyone to Ogle.
Guy Williams (TV's "Zorro" and "Lost in Space") seems to be having Fun, Frolicing through the Staged Fantasyland and Racing to Rescue the Princess. There are Villains about and Monsters to be Slain and Everyone, including the Audience, is having a Grand Ol' Time while it is all Unreeling.
As a kid
box00431 December 2014
Saw this on TV in the 1960s. So I was 10 or younger. Here's what I remember. Sindbad asking one of his mates for use of his hook hand to climb the big (tree trunk size) up rope into the mist. My thoughts: "Lucky the guy carries spares, and how does a hook for an amputee fit into Sindbad's good hand? Now he's climbing up - how far? They can't see the top. Looks like miles. That's pretty risky, betting you're not going to slip or get tired on the way up. Not safe." When carnivorous vines reach down and grab one of Sindband's sailors when going through the swamp: "How horrible! Did you hear him scream?! Wow, Sindbad is sure writing him off quick. They're just walking away. Guess life and death are like that. Out of sight, out of mind." Lastly, when the big bad guy's (separately located) heart is destroyed, it sure looked like he made an effort to stagger over to the railing and climb over it in order to make a dramatic fall to his death. I thought, gee - if he has that much still in him, why doesn't he kill Sindbad or the girl or someone with his last moment? Whatever, seared into my brain for almost fifty years. Can't remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, though.
A Good Fantasy Film
Uriah4322 September 2019
This film begins in a kingdom known as Baristan where a beautiful woman named "Princess Jana" (Heidi Bruhl) is anxiously awaiting the return of "Captain Sindbad" (Guy Williams) from a long voyage upon the sea. However, an evil tyrant by the name of "El-Karim" (Pedro Armendariz) has recently seized power and wants Princess Jana all for himself. To that extent, he has his magician "Galgo" (Abraham Sofaer) cast a magic spell which unleashes monstrous birds upon Sindbad's galley resulting in its sinking. Fortunately, Sindbad survives and after discovering what has happened in Baristan resolves to go to the palace there and kill El-Karim in order to end his cruel reign. But what he doesn't know is that El-Karim is much more formidable that he could possibly realize. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that what follows is an entertaining story which features excellent costumes and sets along with a couple of splendid dance routines mixed in as well. That being said, I found this to be a decent fantasy film for the most part and have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
My Favorite Sin(d)bad
horrorfilmx1 August 2013
I'm referring to Guy Williams, not the movie. The movie itself, though not up to Harryhausen's SEVENTH VOYAGE OF SINBAD, is nonetheless a lot of fun and far more entertaining that either GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD or the awful SINBAD AND THE EYE OF THE TIGER. Williams is excellent in the title role, physically perfect and far more dashing than any other actor I can think of in the part. And those who carp about the cheap special effects are (as usual) totally missing the point. Aside from the absurdity of using CGI as your yardstick (does anyone actually think the effects in AVATAR or LORD OF THE RINGS look real? Come on...) the manifestly theatrical menaces in CAPTAIN SINDBAD are part of the fun. The villain's pulsing disembodied heart, like a big satin pillow, is a clear tip-off: none of this is MEANT to be real! It's like an elaborate Christmas pantomime. And that giant mechanical hand is terrific. A cross between this movie and SEVENTH VOYAGE would have been the perfect Sinbad movie. Or Sindbad. Take your pick.
Fun, imaginative and cheesy
Stevedollar-139-33657930 November 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Admittedly, nostalgia is coloring this review, since I remember it fondly from my childhood. Who could forget the giant fist in the tower, trying to crush Sinbad as he tries to stab the evil ruler's satin pillow of a heart? Or Sindbad climbing a six foot thick diameter rope? We looked for years for the "Sinbad" movie with the magician who lengthens his arm, and hit upon it by chance one day. Who knew there was a Sindbad movie among the later Sinbad movies?
Sort of like the cheesy space movies that preceded the earth shattering Sci Fi classic, Star Wars, you have to suspend your sense of disbelief, not fixate on the fact that the special effects are not lifelike. Just try to remember what it was like, having fun watching a movie on Saturday, like when you were eight years old, and lucky enough to get money and a ride to the movies. This is an antidote to movies with computer special effects overload, like Transformers. Back to the age of innocence? Maybe not, but still good clean fun.
Sort of like the cheesy space movies that preceded the earth shattering Sci Fi classic, Star Wars, you have to suspend your sense of disbelief, not fixate on the fact that the special effects are not lifelike. Just try to remember what it was like, having fun watching a movie on Saturday, like when you were eight years old, and lucky enough to get money and a ride to the movies. This is an antidote to movies with computer special effects overload, like Transformers. Back to the age of innocence? Maybe not, but still good clean fun.
Go Ahead, Be A Kid Again...
azathothpwiggins5 July 2021
CAPTAIN SINDBAD is one of those movies that a generation grew up watching, either on the big or small screen. Preferably the big screen, as this is an epic joy to behold in all of its colorful glory!
This was an especially memorable event for yours truly, at 9-10 years old.
Why? Monsters! Magic! Adventure!
This young lad sat mesmerized as Sindbad (Guy Williams) led his men on a quest to defeat the wicked wizard, El Karim (Pedro Armendariz), by first running his gauntlet of killer creatures. These include a multi-headed dragon, and an enormous, disembodied hand!
Our heroes must fight their way through these formidable freaks, in order to get to El Karim's only weakness. Ah, but said "Achilles Heel" is kept at the very top of a sheer tower of darkness!
If you've ever played Dungeons and Dragons as a bored teen -or adult, then, this movie should give you many ideas for that next campaign! I incorporated (aka: stole) several myself, those long years ago.
Still quite enjoyable today, this movie will take you back to the time before CGI made things look too easy. If your movies must be digitally perfect, then skip this gem by all means...
This was an especially memorable event for yours truly, at 9-10 years old.
Why? Monsters! Magic! Adventure!
This young lad sat mesmerized as Sindbad (Guy Williams) led his men on a quest to defeat the wicked wizard, El Karim (Pedro Armendariz), by first running his gauntlet of killer creatures. These include a multi-headed dragon, and an enormous, disembodied hand!
Our heroes must fight their way through these formidable freaks, in order to get to El Karim's only weakness. Ah, but said "Achilles Heel" is kept at the very top of a sheer tower of darkness!
If you've ever played Dungeons and Dragons as a bored teen -or adult, then, this movie should give you many ideas for that next campaign! I incorporated (aka: stole) several myself, those long years ago.
Still quite enjoyable today, this movie will take you back to the time before CGI made things look too easy. If your movies must be digitally perfect, then skip this gem by all means...
Captain Sindbad
coltras3511 February 2024
The sorcerer El Kerim usurps the city of Baristan from its weak king. The princess Jana tries to warn her beloved, Sindbad. Her intentions are discovered by El Kerim who turns men into rocs to bomb Sindbad's ship with boulders. Sindbad survives and comes to Baristan disguised as a thief to stop El Kerim. However, El Kerim has removed his heart and cannot be killed. And so Sindbad must undertake a perilous journey to the tower where El Kerim's heart is guarded by a hydra.
In Captain Sindbad you get flying rocs, miniature storms, the hydra, a hand that extends several metres, an invisible dragon (great cost cutting excercise), giant-gloved fist trying to smash the hero, and a head-spinning effect - Some of them are pretty good in a workmanlike and dreamy fashion and have offbeat ideas, but the hydra, though, definitely isn't in the Ray Harryhausen league. Nevertheless, this is a thoroughly entertaining fantasy romp with lavish sets (a chintzy palace with vaulted purple ceilings, and blood red carpets), costumes, a strong imagination, an ostentatious show of splendor, sword fights, riots, shipwrecks, magic - the long arm scene is chintzy and campy. The plot is sharp, flows really well and there's nary a boring moment. The garish proceedings are tight and a sense of a dreamy fantastique is thrusted in the forefront.
Guy Williams is suitably dashing as Sindbad, Heidi Bruhl is beautiful and charming as the princess, Abraham Sofoar is funny as the eccentric magician who is entrapped by the villain, and, speaking of which, Pedro Armendariz is a pure pantomime villain as El-Karim. He chews the scenery with relish.
Captain Sindbad isn't going to give Ray Harryhausen's Sinbads a run for their money in monsters/FX but purely on an imaginative and entertainment level they are on the same playing field.
In Captain Sindbad you get flying rocs, miniature storms, the hydra, a hand that extends several metres, an invisible dragon (great cost cutting excercise), giant-gloved fist trying to smash the hero, and a head-spinning effect - Some of them are pretty good in a workmanlike and dreamy fashion and have offbeat ideas, but the hydra, though, definitely isn't in the Ray Harryhausen league. Nevertheless, this is a thoroughly entertaining fantasy romp with lavish sets (a chintzy palace with vaulted purple ceilings, and blood red carpets), costumes, a strong imagination, an ostentatious show of splendor, sword fights, riots, shipwrecks, magic - the long arm scene is chintzy and campy. The plot is sharp, flows really well and there's nary a boring moment. The garish proceedings are tight and a sense of a dreamy fantastique is thrusted in the forefront.
Guy Williams is suitably dashing as Sindbad, Heidi Bruhl is beautiful and charming as the princess, Abraham Sofoar is funny as the eccentric magician who is entrapped by the villain, and, speaking of which, Pedro Armendariz is a pure pantomime villain as El-Karim. He chews the scenery with relish.
Captain Sindbad isn't going to give Ray Harryhausen's Sinbads a run for their money in monsters/FX but purely on an imaginative and entertainment level they are on the same playing field.
Not Nathan Juran but Byron Haskin instead
searchanddestroy-16 February 2024
For an early sixties fantasy adventure flick starring Sinbad, we were more used to Nathan Juran than to Byron Haskin, more known for his science fiction movies such as WAR OF THE WORLDS, CONQUEST OF SPACE, FROM EARTH TO THE MOON; but he was en eclectic film director, he offered us everything except comedies or musicals. I prefer that anyway. This one is pretty good, agreeable, in the mood of the fifties Universal studios yarns for such kind of films. I would have expected some Ray Harryhausen work here, but maybe the budget was not big enough. Anyway, it proves that Byron Haskin, was a good professional film maker.
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