Directed by
Gordon Hessler
Made by
Columbia Pictures
Discover the intricate plot of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.
A mysterious flying creature glides above a ship at sea, clutching a shiny amulet. A crewman takes aim and shoots an arrow, causing the creature to drop the golden treasure. The crew deliberates over whether to discard the item, but Sinbad, the captain, is drawn to it. Upon examining the amulet, he is greeted by a vision of an enigmatic woman with an eye tattooed on her right palm. He decides to wear the amulet around his neck. That night, Sinbad is plagued by dreams of a man dressed in black who calls to him repeatedly, alongside the vision of the woman.
A fierce storm soon propels Sinbad’s ship to the coastal town of Marabia. There, he catches a glimpse of the man from his dreams, who reveals himself as Koura, an evil magician intent on reclaiming the amulet, claiming it rightfully belongs to him. Sinbad narrowly evades Koura and encounters the Grand Vizier of Marabia, who has been ruling in the absence of a sultan. The Vizier, masked to conceal his disfigurement, explains that Sinbad’s amulet is one part of a greater mystery; he possesses another piece. He regales Sinbad with the legend of the three pieces being the key to discovering the Fountain of Destiny hidden in the lost continent of Lemuria. Anyone who unites these pieces will be granted “youth, a shield of darkness, and a crown of untold riches.” Sinbad realizes the two pieces serve as a nautical chart leading to the Fountain.
Joining forces with the Vizier, Sinbad embarks on a quest for the Fountain. Koura, desiring the gifts from the Fountain for himself, is responsible for the Vizier’s disfigurement. The creature that once dropped the amulet was Koura’s minion, a magical homunculus that now spies on their movements, but it meets its end in a fit of destruction when captured.
As their journey unfolds, Sinbad encounters the vision of the woman from his dreams, a slave girl named Margiana. Her master, recognizing Sinbad’s interest, offers him 400 coins along with Margiana in exchange for taking his son, Haroun, on the voyage to challenge him to grow up. Sinbad hesitantly agrees, and their adventure continues. Meanwhile, Koura enlists a ship and crew to pursue Sinbad, using dark magic that takes a toll on his vitality, visibly aging him each time he casts a spell.
Sinbad and his crew face relentless threats, including a wooden siren figure that Koura brings to life to seize their map to Lemuria. After a tense moment, Koura’s minion attempts to thwart them but is ultimately destroyed by Haroun during an attack. The crew soon finds themselves captured by hostile natives, at which point Koura animates a six-armed statue of Kali to instill fear and mayhem among them. In a courageous confrontation, Sinbad and his men battle the statue, and Haroun’s quick thinking leads to its destruction, revealing another piece of the puzzle in the remnants of the defeated figure.
However, they are soon captured by the natives who plan to sacrifice Margiana to their one-eyed centaur deity, the God of the Single Eye and the guardian of the Fountain. Koura manages to get to the Fountain of Destiny first, ultimately dropping one piece of the amulet into its waters to restore his life force. With his newfound power, he summons the centaur, leading to a fierce battle against the guardian griffin. Sinbad and his crew rush to the scene, where Koura’s machinations result in the griffin’s demise.
In the climactic confrontation, Sinbad bravely slays the centaur, while Koura uses the second piece to turn himself invisible. During their duel, Koura’s invisibility gives him an advantage until he steps into the Fountain, rendering him a visible target for Sinbad to fatally strike. Upon dropping the final piece into the Fountain, a magnificent crown rises from its depths. Sinbad presents it to the Vizier, and as he dons the crown, the mask of disfigurement evaporates, revealing his true face. When Margiana questions why Sinbad did not keep the crown for himself, he responds, valuing his own freedom above all else.
Track the key events of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.
The Encounter with the Creature
A mysterious flying creature appears above Sinbad's ship at sea, gripping a shiny amulet. A crewman shoots an arrow at it, causing the creature to drop the golden treasure into the ocean below.
Sinbad's Fascination
Despite the crew's hesitation to keep the amulet, Captain Sinbad is drawn to its allure. Upon examining it, he is greeted by a vision of an enigmatic woman marked by an eye tattoo on her palm, prompting him to wear it around his neck.
Sinbad's Nightmares
That night, Sinbad is haunted by dreams of a man dressed in black, who calls to him ominously. Alongside this figure, he sees the mysterious woman again, deepening his connection to the amulet.
Arrival in Marabia
Suddenly, a fierce storm propels Sinbad's ship to the coastal town of Marabia. Here, he catches sight of the man from his dreams, who introduces himself as Koura, an evil magician intent on reclaiming the amulet.
The Grand Vizier's Revelation
Sinbad narrowly escapes Koura and meets the Grand Vizier of Marabia, who reveals the larger mystery of the amulet. He shares the legend of the three pieces that unlock the Fountain of Destiny, hidden in the lost continent of Lemuria.
Joining Forces
Realizing the importance of the two pieces, Sinbad decides to ally with the Vizier in quest for the Fountain. Koura, however, has dark intentions and is responsible for the Vizier's disfigurement, adding a personal stake to the journey.
The Creature's Demise
Koura sends his magical minion, the creature that dropped the amulet, to spy on Sinbad’s movements. However, the creature meets its end when captured by Sinbad's crew, signaling a victory amidst the mounting challenges.
Meeting Margiana
Sinbad encounters a slave girl named Margiana, who is offered to him along with 400 coins by her master, seeking to have his son Haroun grow from the voyage. After some hesitation, Sinbad agrees to take them along.
Koura's Pursuit
Koura begins his pursuit of Sinbad by enlisting a ship and crew of his own, using dark magic. Each spell comes at a cost, visibly aging Koura, as his desperation for the amulet's power grows.
Threats on the Voyage
Sinbad and his crew face numerous threats during their journey, including a wooden siren figure brought to life by Koura. His minion attempts to thwart them but is ultimately destroyed by Haroun in a fierce struggle.
Confrontation with the Natives
The crew is captured by hostile natives, prompting Koura to animate a six-armed statue of Kali to instill fear among them. A courageous battle ensues, where Sinbad and his men fight back to secure their freedom.
Margiana's Danger
Captured once again, Margiana is threatened with sacrifice to the one-eyed centaur deity, the God of the Single Eye. With urgency, Sinbad races against time to prevent her fate and confront Koura's sinister plans.
The Battle for the Fountain
Koura arrives at the Fountain of Destiny first, using the amulet piece to restore his life force. Sinbad's crew engages in a fierce battle against the guardian griffin summoned by Koura, resulting in chaos.
Final Showdown
In a climactic duel, Sinbad confronts Koura, who uses the second piece to render himself invisible. The tide turns when Koura steps into the Fountain, allowing Sinbad to land a fatal blow, ending Koura's threat.
The Crown Revelation
With Koura defeated, a magnificent crown emerges from the depths of the Fountain. Sinbad presents it to the Vizier, who, upon donning it, reveals his true face. Sinbad chooses freedom over power, declaring his priorities.
Meet the characters that bring The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.
Sinbad
Sinbad is a brave and determined captain known for his leadership and adventurous spirit. He is drawn to the allure of the amulet and embarks on a quest that challenges his morals and sense of duty. His character embodies the classic hero archetype, navigating both physical and ethical challenges.
Koura
Koura is the antagonist of the story, a powerful magician driven by greed and vengeance. His dark magic and relentless pursuit of the amulet define him as a formidable foe for Sinbad. As a character, he embodies the theme of the corrupting nature of power and serves as a reflection of what one can become when consumed by desire.
Margiana
Margiana, a slave girl marked by her mysterious past, captivates Sinbad with her strength and resilience. Her character represents both vulnerability and empowerment, highlighting the struggles faced by those who are often overlooked. Throughout the journey, she becomes integral to Sinbad's mission and personal growth.
Grand Vizier
The Grand Vizier is a wise and strategic figure who guides Sinbad while harboring his own secrets. His character symbolizes wisdom and the burden of leadership, especially in a time of turmoil. He plays a crucial role in revealing the mysteries surrounding the amulet and the quest for the Fountain.
Uncover the settings of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.
Time period
The events of the film unfold in a mythical period characterized by magic, battles for power, and quests for hidden artifacts. It combines elements of ancient and fantastical worlds, where sorcerers wield dark magic and sailors embark on perilous journeys.
Location
Marabia, Lemuria
Marabia is a coastal town that sets the stage for Sinbad's adventures, known for its connection to magic and powerful mystical forces. It operates under the rule of the Grand Vizier in the absence of a sultan, making it a place of both intrigue and danger. Lemuria, the lost continent, is a legendary location amidst the ocean, said to harbor the Fountain of Destiny, an elusive source of ultimate power and treasures.
Explore the core themes of The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.
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Adventure
The narrative follows Sinbad as he embarks on a thrilling quest filled with danger, mystical creatures, and ancient legends. Each challenge he faces tests his courage and resolve, making the pursuit of the Fountain of Destiny an epic journey through perilous waters.
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Desire for Power
The film illustrates the profound effects of the desire for power, as characters like Koura pursue the Fountain of Destiny for personal gain. This longing leads to conflict, betrayal, and ultimately highlights the destructive nature of greed.
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Sacrifice
Sinbad's choices throughout his quest often revolve around sacrifice, where he must weigh his own desires against the needs of others, especially Margiana. The theme of valuing freedom and the welfare of crew members over material gains resonates deeply in his journey.
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