Il fiore delle mille e una notte (Flower of the Arabian Nights) (Arabian Nights) (1974)
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80% of critics liked it
(10 reviews) -
37% want to see it
(1,646 ratings)
This lush anthology of erotic tales was filmed in four countries (Iran, Nepal, Yemen, and Eritrea) over a period of more than two years. Completing the literary cycle begun by Pier Pasolini in Il Decamerone and I Racconti di Canterbury, this one is perhaps the most controversial of the lot,… More This lush anthology of erotic tales was filmed in four countries (Iran, Nepal, Yemen, and Eritrea) over a period of more than two years. Completing the literary cycle begun by Pier Pasolini in Il Decamerone and I Racconti di Canterbury, this one is perhaps the most controversial of the lot, engendering reactions from admiration to dismissal. The connecting story deals with Mur el-Din (Franco Merli), a prince searching for his slave girl lover, Zumurrud (Ines Pellegrini), who has been kidnapped, only to disguise herself as a man, take a wife, and become ruler of a great city. Mur el-Din's quest carries him to the ends of his known world, where he listens to several stories of carnality and betrayal. The continuity and fluidity of the film depend entirely on the version screened, because several different cuts exist; producer Alberto Grimaldi insisted on a 130-minute release, whereas Pasolini and United Artists preferred the unexpurgated 155-minute version with its ten stories all intact. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Directed By
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Written By
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Critic Reviews
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
A typical puzzlement from Pasolini, a major figure who never made a major film.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
while Arabian Nights has its share of impressive vistas and narrative trickery, its fundamental emotional disconnect renders it inert--a beautiful bit of exotic fantasy that quickly dissipates
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Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
As art films derived from classic literature brimming with erotic interludes, Pasolini's "Trilogy of Life" still provides a great way to both look smart and look at naked bodies.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Though not emotionally involving, it's visually beautiful and the stories have a dazzling magical appeal.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A lyrical celebration of polymorphous sexuality.
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Cast
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Ninetto Davoli
as Aziz
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Franco Merli
as Mur el-Din
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Ines Pellegrini
as Zumurrud
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Tessa Bouché
as Aziza
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Franco Citti
as The Demon
- Margareth Clémenti
- Luigina Rocchi
- Franca Sciutto
- Luigi Antonio Guerra
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Alberto Argentino
as Prince Shahzmah
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Francesco Paolo Governale
as Prince Tagi