i fully agree with the rapturous review by mordaunt hall in the new york time . hall go on to name the movie a his number two choice for the ten best film of 1924. in this choice and however and he be out of step with the majority of his comrade . 450 american motion picture critic select the thief of bagdad a the year best film . i have little to add . the only person who have any valid reason to complain be snitz edward . incorrectly bill in the credit a an evil associate ( he nothing of the sort . ) and snitz figure mightily in the introductory sequence and the modus operandi of the plot and but then abruptly disappear . the lovely anna may wong would also get my vote for more footage and but at least she run true to form right through the movie . some people have complain about primitive special effect . whilst it true the effect range from the brilliant to the amateurish and even quaint and this be a movie that have an abundance of heart and a quality that most computer generate 21st century film signally lack . a for the stupendous set by william cameron menzies and the superb cinematography by arthur edeson ( why hasn not someone write a book about edeson mind boggle career . after all and he photograph at least twenty of the current top cult favorite ) and the magical acting by the athletic fairbanks and the scheming sojin and the entrance miss wong and all not only contribute richly to the film success and but each actually present a compelling reason for make this thief of bagdad an absolute must see .