Straight out of the studio vaults and into the light, this fascinating four disc set showcasing five timeless adventure films of a bygone era. This first collection of “Tales of Adventure” brings you five Arabian style genre features rich with the mystic wonder in lavishing Technicolor. Step onto the magic carpet into a world of fantasy and adventure.
Limited 4 Disc Hardbox edition with unique artwork on the first 1500 copies.
Arabian Nights (1942) – Imprint Collection #214
Prepare for every wish to be answered in the dazzling film spectacular Arabian Nights! See the passionate romance, lavish riches and exotic splendor of this classic fable that was “beautifully mounted in Technicolor” (Leonard Maltin), and nominated for four Academy Awards.
Jon Hall, Maria Montez and Sabu star in this lush, epic story of two half brothers who battle each other for the power of the throne and the love of a sensual, gorgeous dancing girl, Scheherazade. It’s a thrilling adventure you can’t afford to miss!
Starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall & Sabu.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan from the original negative
- NEW Audio commentary by film historians Michael Schlesinger and C. Courtney Joyner
- NEW Video essay on “Maria Montez” by film historian Phillipa Berry
- NEW Video featurette on composer Frank Skinner with film music historian Preston Jones
- NEW Interview with author & film historian Kim Newman on Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Sabu adventure films.
- Introduction by Turner Classic Movies Host Robert Osborne
- Trailer
- Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HOH subtitles
The Desert Hawk (1950) – Imprint Collection #215
A dashing hero battles impossible odds in the lavish Technicolor adventure The Desert Hawk. To prevent the evil Prince Murad (George Macready) from gaining more power by marrying Shaharazade (Yvonne De Carlo), the Caliph’s daughter, the freedom fighter known as the Desert Hawk (Richard Greene) tricks her into marriage. Enraged to discover the Hawk has stolen both Shaharazade and her dowry, Murad plots to have the princess killed and her husband framed for her murder. Learning that Shaharazade escaped her death only to be sold into slavery, the Hawk soars into action to find a way to defeat Murad and save the royal princess.
Starring Yvonne DeCarlo, Richard Greene & George Macready.
Premiere Blu-ray release worldwide.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2023 2K scan from the original negative
- NEW Audio commentary by film historians Phoeff Sutton and Mark Jordon Legan
- NEW Audio commentary by film historians Jonathan Rigby & Kevin Lyons
- NEW Video featurette “Jeff Chandler at Universal” with film historian/author C. Courtney Joyner, film historian Michael Schlesinger, and more
- Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
- English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English subtitles
Zarak (1956) – Imprint Collection #216
Zarak Khan (Victor Mature, Kiss of Death) is banished from his village after it’s revealed that he is in love with his father’s youngest wife, Salma (Anita Ekberg, La Dolce Vita). He becomes the ruthless leader of an outlaw band on the India-Afghanistan border, and the British colonial government dispatches Army Major Ingram (Michael Wilding, Stage Fright), to hunt down Zarak and his men. The outlaws enlist a sadistic tribal leader to aid their fight against the British. Terence Young directs the adventure, made all the more entertaining by its cast of old British standbys: Finlay Currie, Patrick McGoohan, and Andre Morell, to name a few.
Starring Victor Mature, Michael Wilding, Anita Ekberg & Bonar Colleano.
Premiere Blu-ray release worldwide.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan from the original negative
- Special features TBC
- Original Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HOH subtitles
A Thousand and One Nights (1945) – Imprint Collection #216
A clever, self-parodic version of the Aladdin tales has Aladdin (Cornel Wilde) trying to win the heart of Adele Jergens (Princess Armina). Nothing goes right for him until he discovers the magic lamp that houses the genie (Evelyn Keyes). She, in turn, falls for her new master and successfully thwarts his would-be royal romance. Loosely based on the One Thousand and One Nights medieval story.
Starring Cornel Wilde, Evelyn Keyes & Phil Silvers.
Premiere Blu-ray release worldwide.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a 2K scan from the original negative
- Special features TBC
- Original Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HOH subtitles
Omar Khayyam (1957) – Imprint Collection #217
Omar Khayyam was among the greatest of Persian poets. He was also a brilliant mathematician. Though his quatrains were written in the 11th century, they are still popular the world over. The details of his life are unknown, so this movie invents a biography for him and includes in it his real achievements – the invention of a new calendar and the penning of those epigrammatic poems. This film has him losing the love of his life to his ruler, and foiling an assassin sect’s plot to kill that ruler, the empire’s shah. …Omar Khayyam.
Starring Raymond Massey, Anthony Caruso, Cornel Wilde, Michael Rennie & Debra Paget.
Premiere Blu-ray release worldwide.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a new 2022 6K scan from the original negative
- NEW Audio commentary by film historian Phillipa Berry
- NEW Interview with film historian Sheldon Hall
- More special features TBC
- Original Aspect Ratio 1.37:1
- Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
- Optional English HOH subtitles
