Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

📖 SYNOPSIS

"Ali Baba to 40-hiki no Touzoku" presents a unique twist on the classic tale. The film follows a boy, a descendant of the leader of the 40 Thieves, who seeks to reclaim his rightful treasure. He is joined by a band of 38 cats and a mouse in his quest. Their adversary is Ali Baba XXXIII, the descendant of the original Ali Baba, who now rules the kingdom with an iron fist. The film inverts the traditional good guy/bad guy dynamic. The story is set in a world that is presented in an outrageously cartoonish style, breaking from Toei's usual mold. The film also features a spectacular lineup of animators. At one point, the original story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves is recounted in an unexpected way using shadow-puppets.