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Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights
Actors: Ninetto Davoli, Franco Citti, Franco Merli, Tessa Bouché, Ines Pellegrini
Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Drama
NC-17     1998     2hr 10min

Legendary director Pier Paolo Pasolini (Canterbury Tales) combines the heroics and hedonism of the classic Arabian tales with his dreamlike vision of bawdy pleasures and sublime sensuality to create "Arabian Nights," the m...  more »

     
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Movie Details

Actors: Ninetto Davoli, Franco Citti, Franco Merli, Tessa Bouché, Ines Pellegrini
Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Creators: Giuseppe Ruzzolini, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Nino Baragli, Tatiana Casini Morigi, Alberto Grimaldi, Dacia Maraini
Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Drama
Sub-Genres: Action & Adventure, Indie & Art House, Love & Romance
Studio: Image Entertainment
Format: DVD - Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed
DVD Release Date: 10/07/1998
Original Release Date: 01/01/1974
Theatrical Release Date: 01/01/1974
Release Year: 1998
Run Time: 2hr 10min
Screens: Color,Widescreen,Letterboxed
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 21
MPAA Rating: NC-17
Languages: Italian
Subtitles: English
See Also:

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Movie Reviews

Outstanding, poetry in cinema...
Anna Shlimovich | Boston, MA United States | 02/17/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been recently watching this movie again and I was so glad that I went through the expense and bought this out of print DVD. This is the movie that is bigger that its genre, it is a poem indeed. This is the case with other films that are art and not just entertainment. I actually find Arabian Nights more exotic and romantic that Canterbury Tales, but I would not judge which is my favorite among the three of them (i.e. plus Decameron). Each has its own character and I believe Pasolini excelled in conveying that special air and mood that each book represents. I find Arabian Nights also the most melancholic and mysterious, and I think that it was Pasolini's goal, also. I wouldn't say that the people in this film are necessarily beautiful - Pasolini aesthetics are quite controversial and might not be universally accepted. This is the case with all his films. The incredible result, though, is that with non-professional actors and himself not having any cinematography education, he achieved the pinnacle of cinema art. For me, films like this is the same to cinema as Michelangelo's creations are to sculpture, and it is only incomprehensible how come that it's almost impossible to buy Pasolini's DVDs at a reasonable price, especially when looking at the mass production garbage that occupies shelves of video stores. The irony is that Pasolini was tormented by the same question about the role of crude and mindless entertainment being served from TV. I hope that despite everything, his art will live and win over people minds...Last advice for viewers - steer clear if you don't like "boring foreign movies with subtitles and without action". This is exactly it."
ARABIAN NIGHTS -
07/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"My first experience with Pasolini was his "Salo" movie and it was a mixed experience I am still contemplating. However, "Arabian Nights" was my second outing with this director and I found this film to be an enchanting, atmospheric work of art. This is what the real tales of the Arabian Nights must have resembled. No Hollywood glitz, no gilding of any lillies, only alluring scenery filled with lurid tales of love, lust, revenge and fulfillment. Really try to see this masterpiece! Next for me will be the "Decameron" and then, "Canterbury Tales". Thank you."
DON'T LISTEN TO THE CRITICS AND BUY IT!
Roberto Gamberini | Italy | 03/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Don't listen to se people who says that this movie is not well-done and there's a bad acting. This is the poetique of Pasolini, one of the most intellectual writers-poets-directors- of Europe. Difficult to appreciate in a first moment, you will understand his kind of direction (poor and with non professional actors, a sort of refusal to the capitalistic cinema) probabily when you will read his books about his movie-theories. This is one of his best movies, but Salò is definitively the best, a summary of his controversial ideals (he was communist and catholic at the same time, and his little movie 'La Ricotta' was excommunicated by the Pope). His movies testify a tormented age of politics and ideals in Europe during the '60 and the '70."
REFRESHING FILM
no longer a customer | 04/05/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful scenes of exotic, beautiful people and a wholesome, human approach to sexuality. Passolini allowed the landscape and the actors/actresses to speak for themselves rather than direct and stage his film to death. Relax and enjoy this film as a journey to distant lands with a more relaxed approach to life and storytelling."