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154 of 155 found the following review helpful:
 Buy the DVD and savour it at nightJan 08, 2002
By Gwen Kramer
"gwenhwyvar"
As other reviewers have pointed out, the VHS edition of this movie has been hacked to bits and re-edited. There are a few other versions floating around, one is recorded on EP (bad quality) and the other is in a set and rather expensive. I saved the time by buying the DVD instead. The DVD offers a few extras like cast bios and a making of featurette (which is basically just them patting themselves on the back for a lavish production, something we could tell by ourselves) The movie is the star in this case. If you have any sort of access to a DVD player, buy the movie in this format.The tale of Arabian Nights is an ancient one about the beautiful Scheherezade (played by lovely Israeli actress Mili Avital, best known to Americans from Stargate) who tries to cure the mad Sultan Schahriar (Scottish actor Dougray Scott) through her considerable story telling ability. At first, Schahriar is a suspicious, childish man but then as his wife's tales grip him, he begins to see the lessons she is teaching him. So, what starts as a marriage based on convenience and murder becomes a truly deep relationship. Scheherezade's tales are brought to life by a variety of stars in a variety of settings. Some of the "Saturday Morning Cartoon" feel of the stories is removed and many of them return to their roots. The tale of Aladdin, for example, was originally set in China with the bad guy as a sort of African Shaman and that is what is used in this version. Also, the fact that there were two genies is brought to light. (American John Leguizamo is very good in the duel roles as the genies of the lamp and ring) Historical findings are also used (the clay sldiers used in a Chinese tomb to guard the dead are incorporated) And lesser known tales such as the story of Bacbac are used. It is facinating to watch the friendship between Schahriar and Scheherezade develope. He alternately loves her, needs her, hates her and wants to kill her throughout the first half of the movie. And she knows it. Talk about spooky, being in the hands of a homicidal madman who could have her killed at the snap of his fingers. But, self-sacrifice is what make Scheherezade's character so great, she is doing it to save other women, the kingdom but most of all to save Schahriar from himself. The camera work is imaginative and the sets and scenery (much of this was filmed in Turkey) are lavish. The costumes are breathtaking, particularly anything Scheherezade puts on. The his/hers matching armor at the climax was just too cool. The music is always appropriate without being intrusive. The special effects are pretty good (especially for TV), a few are a bit cheesy but I still liked the movie. All the trimmings aside, the cast of international stars is the main reason to watch this film. One more note, I found that I enjoyed this movie more when I watched it at night with the lights out. Maybe Scheherezade was right when she said it was hard to create the right atmosphere with the sun shining. This is the best of the Hallmark mini series that have been on TV lately and I do hope everyone is able to enjoy the complete and unedited version. Find an evening, get some friends, make some tea and I am certain you will be enchanted.
63 of 67 found the following review helpful:
 ~How Stories Show Us How To Live~Nov 27, 2001
By A. Casalino
"V^^^^^V"
It's very amazing that this was originally presented as a cable mini-series - as I eventually happened to watch it in its entirety and found it to be, in fact, quite extraordinary! I never thought, in all these years of watching movies, that such a film could be made from such a classic and intricate collection of stories - Ah - and how it has come to enthrall me! I truly am undone! Scheherazade (Mili Avital) marries the Sultan Schahriar (Dougray Scott) even though she knows that his mad mind has contrived a plan to execute his new wife the morning after their wedding. After they are married, she proceeds to spend every wakeful night with him, feeding his imagination with wondrous tales! This is based on the classic work of writing - A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS, by Sir Richard Burton. It includes ancient tales that had been passed down for hundreds and even thousands of years! Five of these stories, including the tale of Ali Baba (Rufus Sewell) and Aladdin (Jason Scott Lee) are woven and portrayed upon the screen here in brilliant fashion! The special effects are far beyond what one would ever expect - even from a big-screen movie. I am sure, in fact, that this was only made for cable because it is a captivating 4-hours long! The performances herein are as excellent as ever one can come by - Mili Avital and Dougray Scott are both so lovely and possess a wonderful chemistry - And the settings are nothing less than exquisite! If you have four or so hours of easy leisure - I recommend this for both its insight and its beauty~~
59 of 66 found the following review helpful:
 DisappointmentJul 24, 2000
I watched Arabian Nights on television and I loved it. I loved everything about it: the storyline, the acting, the scenery, the costumes, everything. I was so looking forward to getting this video. I was so disappointed when I realized that the editors of this movie cut out crucial scenes that were inclued in the televised movie. It's basically a choppy mess. Some of the edited out portions were subtle but I knew where the cuts were. A good movie should flow smoothly. For example, the story about Amin the beggar and Abrashield were entirely cut out. That's a crucial part of the movie. It's when the sultan realizes what his brother is doing to him. Without that part, the scene doesn't make sense. Two stars for this video, no stars for the editor.
26 of 27 found the following review helpful:
Absolutely wonderful, unless you get the CUT version!Aug 14, 2000
By Bonnie Bailey
This is an absolutely wonderful movie! We watched it as a family and loved it! Dougray Scott is an amazing actor and very believable as the Sultan going mad. I received this video as a present and my 8 year old daughter pointed out that huge parts of it were cut out! The tale of the beggar and sultan, a huge turning point in the story was gone, among other parts! It didn't make sense! And my husband had ordered the extended play version. We finally rented it and saw it in its entirety. If you watch it make sure you get the full version...it is 175 minutes long. The cut version is 139 minutes long and really takes away from the story. The story is nothing without the crucial parts cut out. I highly recommend the extended play version and feel you are really missing out if you don't watch it at least once!
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
Imaginative and Exciting Family EntertainmentAug 24, 2000
By Angela D. Mitchell
"Paranoid PR"
Just as Sheherazade would like it, "Arabian Nights" is a tale well told. It's a movie filled with color, humor, romance, and fascinating characters -- in short, it's everything those other awful recent "magical" miniseries wish they would've been (only to fail miserably). After suffering through the overcooked disappointments of "Merlin" or this year's "10th Kingdom," I wasn't looking forward to "Arabian Nights." But I watched, and was glad I did. "Arabian Nights" is that rare TV attempt that does justice to the original book it's based on (1001 Nights). The miniseries is told in a tight two nights (175 minutes total on DVD), and is an example of a production in which everything was done right. The DVD itself not only boasts a beautifully rendered and uncut version of the film, it also offers an enjoyable look behind the scenes, plus the standard bios and production notes -- as well as some unusually beautiful interactive menus featuring a hint of magic in each one. The special effects for "Arabian Nights" are beautifully done, and without the overkill usually associated with this kind of TV fare. There's also a poetry missing from most TV family entertainment -- a beautiful score, and a thoughtfully written script (by Peter Barnes). The actors also rise to the challenge: From the graceful Mili Avital, who makes a lovely and spirited Sheherazade, to Dougray Scott's complex, tormented, and surprisingly sympathetic Sultan, and delightful guest appearances from the likes of Jason Scott Lee, Rufus Sewell, Alan Bates, and many more -- Arabian Nights is one of those rare gems whose substance more than matches its style. "In telling a story, get to the end -- then stop," says the wise old storyteller to beautiful Sheherazade. Truer words were never spoken -- Arabian Nights does indeed tell a wonderful, exciting, humorous, and even romantic story that moves with the speed of a thousand genies -- and then stops, in just the right place. Well worth a watch, and for all ages.
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