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The Thief and the Cobbler (G, 1995)

common sense media says

A must for family viewing.

parents & educators say
See all 4 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is suitable for everyone except maybe the smallest children, who might be frightened by the hulking bad guys.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence & scariness: Not applicable.
Sexy stuff: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Mild.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Thief and the Cobbler

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why so many animated movies (unlike this one) are tied to toys and other items targeted at kids.

What's the story?

What's the story?
A shy cobbler and a plucky princess save ancient Baghdad in this fairy tale. Shy shoemaker Tack falls for the gorgeous princess Yum Yum, but it seems unlikely that she'll ever take him seriously. But Tack gets his chance to prove himself and win the princess' heart when he's recruited to help put an end to the evil doings of a sorcerer named Zigzag. In his adventures, Tack also tangles with a crafty thief.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Created by the Oscar-winning animator of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, this neglected but absolutely delightful animated musical (released in theaters as Arabian Knight) is a must for family viewing. THE THIEF AND THE COBBLER is one of the most visually inventive animated movies ever made, with dazzling optical illusions and shifts in perspective. Jennifer Beals and Matthew Broderick provide the voices for the leads, with the late Vincent Price's voice providing silky menace as the evil sorcerer. Jonathan Winters as the hilarious thief steals every scene he is in.

The musical numbers are pleasant, with one sensational show-stopper when the desert brigands explain that if you don't go to school you'll turn out like them. Unlike the recent Disney movies, this was not designed to sell merchandise, just to tell a story and entertain, which it does very, very well. It is suitable for everyone except maybe the smallest children, who might be frightened by the hulking bad guys.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Miramax
Director: Richard Williams
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Sean Connery, Vincent Price
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 72 minutes
Theatrical release: August 25, 1995
DVD release: March 8, 2005
MPAA Rating: G
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6

Most useful reviews by all members

nduns
adult
7
 
First of all...
This is not an Aladdin ripoff. It's true that the two are similar, but keep in mind that The Thief and the Cobbler had been in production since the 60's. Aladdin had only started production in the 80's, about 20 years after this one had been started on. With that said, let's get on with the review. It's not a bad movie, but I think CS gives it too much credit. It just doesn't strike me as anything amazing, and the fact that they took Richard Williams' masterpiece and made it into this, giving the originally silent characters dialogue is almost unforgivable in my eyes.
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librarian4little1s
parent of 11 year old
 
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Jemmy
teen, 17 years old
6
 
This was terrible! Please don't see it. The animation was horrible and the characters were dull and not clever at all. The story seemed to copy off Disney's Aladdin. So if you are planning to see it, don't waste your time and money.
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erich
parent of 12 year old
5
 
Not that great
I don't think as highly of this film as the Common Sense reviewer does. The heroine/princess is straight out of Disney: childishly beautiful with inhuman physical proportions. The protagonist/cobbler and she fall in love at first sight, based soley on those inhuman proportions, I think. I mean, I love Vincent Price as the bad guy, but I just can't condone the promotion of this Disney-fantasy of what women, men, and love is all about.
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