A 1977 re-imagining of Sinbad’s notorious exploits from the nestled story of 1001 ‘Arabian’ Nights, this film is an early Hollywood’s orientalist dream. The costumes and sets are lavishly kitschy, the special visual effects (thank you, Ray Harryhausen, for the insane stop motion) instill a magical exoticism, and the not-so-subtle plot line is as easy to follow as it is over the top.
Though made in the 20th century, you will be transported back to the heyday of orientalism with every pale royal face, every ornamental detail unknowingly committed to identity crises, and every time a wealthy individual doesn’t have to use their own legs to traverse their surroundings.
Heaviness of eurocentrism aside, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (the third in Columbia Pictures’ Sinbad series and a contemporary to the first Star Wars film) could, and should, be the setup for a great drinking game. With some tequila and cultural insensitivity blinders, it’s a fun (albeit ridiculous) film.
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to watch the full film) (…you’ve been warned…)
Director: Sam Wanamaker Released: 14 July 1977 in UK and USA
Subtle. (and, later, hard “WTF”)Sinbad fights myriad villains, including this (time-apropos) blade-wielding insect.Is it just me or were box braids a strange sartorial choice here?Girl gang (my dream entourage). As in regular history, the vizier utilizes one of his highest-ranking generals as a step stool. Because the extensive bounds of modular architecture pales in the face of racism. Honestly? Beautiful fit.How did I not see it before! She has all the keystones of evil: slightly darker skin, slightly hooded eyes, star of Judas on forehead. Yikes!!Ah, yes. A true caliph’s daughter: princess Jane Seymore. (Whose diamonte-embellished bustier has my 90s teen heart melting in envy).Why is someone here, somehow, twiddling their fingers and cawing: “Oh yes, hm, yes.”Don’t get me wrong: this is a key part of the story. It’s just boring. You can ignore.Something gold, something treasure.Me:Also me:Beautiful Petra, Jordan. A true filmic highlight.Subtle.Reminiscent of Lycian Rock-Cut Tombs in Turkiye (worth a google search).Seagulls suck in this movie, as in real life.Somehow, the 70s creep in to try to convince you that seagulls don’t suck. The 70s are wrong.Spoiler: like any other film set in a vaguely Mid-Eastern landscape, you get to experience a pyramid. Congrats!Forcing an accent exhausts me, too.Also an important plot point, but devastatingly boring.Why is princess Jane Seymore accompanying Sinbad on a journey which has been repeatedly called “a journey to hell” ??* Cue foreboding music *How exotic! A no-context-pyramid.The villian’s eyes become those of a cat whilst performing dark magic, but only sometimes. No explanation. Let’s move past it.Veil is good…Veil is bad!! Make up your mind.Flipping the script: in a refreshing break from horror tropes, this scene shows a man in monkey form reasserting his selfhood. It is perhaps the only time writing on a wall has been not horrifying.Honestly? A look.Why is this, of all scenes, 1. included in the final cut; and 2. so badly edited, even for the 70s.Here, the antagonist effuses: “LET HIM SEE HIS FACE!”
L.E. Brown 
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