Ahmed, a thief, tries to make a living in the mythical Bagdad of the Caliphs. He comes across the princess and falls in love with her. Fate has it, that soon after she has to choose her husband from several suitors. Ahmed disguises himself as a prince and manages to win her heart, yet, since he is basically an honest man, confesses to her and her father. The irate caliph wants to have Ahmend killed, but the princess bribes the guards and has Ahmed smuggled out of the palace.
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Meanwhile the Mongol prince, one of the three remaining suitors, plans to conquer Bagdad.
The princess now sets a task - each of the remaining suitors will have to find a rare treasure - he who brings the rarest one will become the happy groom.
The prince of Persia, the prince of India and the prince of the Mongols set out to find treasure - as does Ahmed, who, after an encounter with the holy man of the mosque, has regained his will to fight for the princess.
Ahmed follows a quest through fairyland ( a succesion of mythical places) and ultimately wins a chest full of pure magic - turning him into a great sourcerer.
The three other suitors also have gained treasure - yet to no avail, since shortly after their return the Mongol prince seizes power of Bagdad and threatens to kill the Caliph and marry the princess.
Ahmed and his magic chest return just in time to save the day and - of course - get the girl himself.
A short frame shows the holy man narrating this story to a little boy while delivering the film's message: "Happiness has to be earned".
Note: This is the first, silent film version made in 1924. Most notably remade in the fourties with Sabu and Conrad Veidt and in the nineties (as 'Aladdin') by Disney.
The review of this Movie prepared by Volker van Haren