MovieChat Forums > The Thief of Bagdad (1940) Discussion > Genie in the pond? ****SPOILERS****

Genie in the pond? SPOILERS

posted 8 years ago by Riding46
4 replies | jump to latest

Firstly I'd just like to say that this film is one of the finest and most beautiful I have ever seen.
The sets, the set pieces, the score, acting, direction etc are all top notch.

But, my question is, when the Princess and her ladies in waiting see Ahmed's reflection in the pond they think he is a genie, why? Why don't they just look up and see him hiding in the trees? Surely they are not that dumb to think that a man's face in the water is his reflection and he's not actually in the water!

[–] Steve Crook 8 years ago

They do appear to be that dumb 

However it would spoil the story if they realised that he was in the tree - and he is somewhat obscured by the leaves

Steve

[–] Riding46 8 years ago

I get that the story demanded it, it just made me think, surely you'd look up first!

[–] Steve Crook 8 years ago

People rarely look up. They tend to look downwards or at eye-level. It's a technique that was often used in the spy & secret-agent novels that I used to read as a teenager (I'm now in my 60s)

Steve

[–] rudeboymurray (3270) 5 years ago

They were very naive and had led sheltered lives within the palace walls... it does seem a little silly but I live that scene as much as the rest of this magical film.