Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger

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Come on, boys.

Hey, Captain, why the haste?

The city will not vanish.

It is not the city of Charak he wishes

to see, but someone who dwells within.

After a long voyage

it's good to stretch one's legs.

The only good thing about this port

is the inn of Abu Jamil.

I have been dreaming of

his roasted sheep's eyes.

- And I of the eyes of his daughter.

- You're dreaming of more than her eyes.

- Captain, my mouth is dry.

- Let's sample the wines of Charak.

- My thirst is of a thousand men.

- If you drink, you'll go no further.

- Remember the last time?

- You were stripped of your possessions!

Because of that I added

four more eunuchs to the population.

Allah be with you.

All the paradise I seek is here.

Who wants anything more?

I shall stay behind.

All silent, no sound, no lights...

A city of ghosts.

- Why is the gate closed?

- Curfew is not until midnight.

No sentries about.

Ho there! Captain of the watch!

Open the gate!

- Wake, wake, wake, wake!

- It's Sinbad, friend of Caliph Kassim!

And a better friend

to the Princess Farah!

- Captain Sinbad.

- You know me?

I am a merchant. I hope to purchase

some of the cargo you'll unload tomorrow.

No one is admitted to Charak after sunset.

- But why?

- The plague. Many have died.

Every time we reach this port

some misfortune strikes us!

- The Caliph Kassim and his sister?

- They're well. But he's not caliph yet.

I was told in Jerash that

Kassim's father died three months ago.

Kassim has not yet been crowned.

- We'd better return to the ship.

- Yes, let's sell our cargo elsewhere.

I'm not leaving Charak

until I see Princess Farah and Kassim.

- Is there another way into the town?

- No.

But if you wish to take the risk

you may enter at daybreak.

Until then I can offer to relieve

your disappointment.

My tent has wine, food and music.

My people are your servants.

Please, be welcome.

Come.

Hassan, don't drink!

The wine is poisoned. Help Aboo-Seer.

Who are you?

Why have you tried to poison us?

From the depths of the earth,

I command you:
Arise!

Destroy them!

Kill Sinbad!

Everyone back to the ship!

Captain Sinbad! ...Wait.

Princess Farah!

Quickly.

Praise to Allah that I found you.

I must talk to you.

Not here, not now.

And no going back that way.

Come with me.

Keep rowing back to the ship!

Keep rowing, keep rowing!

Make for the open sea!

- Hoist the mainsail... do it!

- But the shoals, Captain.

We will risk them, there is a full moon.

We'll lie offshore

and not return until daybreak.

- You will go back?

- At dawn.

Warm yourself.

Here, take this.

Drink this.

You were searching for me. Why?

I was told of your return.

I need help desperately.

- My brother is in great danger.

- Prince Kassim? I owe him my life.

A spell has been cast upon him.

My uncle Balsora will tell you.

- Why not you?

- I beg of you, do not leave Charak!

- Trust me for my brother's sake.

- For him I would risk my life.

For you... I would give it.

- I was told there was plague.

- Not true.

Balsora rules the city by day...

but by night fear rules Charak.

- People whisper of witchcraft.

- How can I help?

- You will find a way.

- Come... lie down.

- I prayed every day for your return.

- It's been almost a year.

- I was not willing to give up the sea.

- Nor I my life at court.

- Now I've decided to live on land.

- And I to live at sea.

I have returned to Charak to ask Kassim

for your hand. Will you consent?

Willingly.

But only when my brother is able to

stand before you and give his consent.

- When he is himself again.

- Himself?

After my father's death,

Allah protect his soul...

The astrologers had decided that the

first full moon would be auspicious -

- for the coronation of my brother.

On the day of the ceremony,

the procession began, -

- but even as the crown

was being placed upon his head...

Lie back.

It was the last time I saw him

as the Kassim I've known all my life.

Young, handsome...

a true prince.

You talked of a spell...

- Or has he fallen victim to the plague?

- Worse than a thousand plagues!

Do not talk of it now.

Hassan, where is the captain?

- What is it?

- His Excellency is here!

The Vizier Balsora.

Ask the princess to come on deck.

- Excellency.

- Captain... welcome again to Charak.

There she is...

may Allah's name be exalted.

I prayed that Princess Farah

might reach you safely last night.

- Has she told you?

- Yes, this morning.

But is it true, Excellency?

Let's go on board.

My beloved child.

Praise be to Allah you are safe.

Hassan, food and drink for our guests.

The rest of you, back to work.

- You have told him of our misfortune.

- But is it true, Excellency?

Tragically, horribly.

We have consulted

all the wisest men and skilled doctors.

- They can do nothing.

- Come. Sit down.

You have travelled to many lands,

help us.

- Perhaps there is someone somewhere.

- I will do all in my power to help.

But this requires skills

far greater than mine.

It needs an understanding of the black

arts, a great alchemist, a magician.

Wait... Yes, I have heard of

such a man, if he still lives.

- Who?

- A Greek.

Some say the wisest man in the world.

His name is...

- Hassan, you remember.

- Melanthius! The hermit of...

- Maroof?

- Casgar.

A remote haunted island.

- Have you been there?

- No.

His deeds are legendary,

but he may not even exist.

The island is ringed with deadly reefs.

- You must take us to him.

- It would be dangerous.

I cannot allow you to go.

Unless Prince Kassim is crowned

before the passing of seven moons, -

- he will lose forever

his right to be caliph.

- Melanthius is our only hope.

- Some say he's mad.

The island savages eat human flesh

and worship him.

I will send treasure.

Gold and precious jewels for you,

your crew and Melanthius, -

- if only he can restore my nephew.

Should I undertake this voyage,

it would not be for gold or jewels, -

- but for a treasure far more precious.

Oh, my beloved son.

May Allah preserve you.

Keep those horses steady!

- Who is that?

- Zenobia, my stepmother. She hates me!

- She was not at court.

- My mother died when I was born.

It is said Zenobia is a witch

and willed her death.

Allah protect us! Why is she here?

Be on your guard, Sinbad,

she's more dangerous than a scorpion!

Queen, may Allah's blessings be on thee.

We meet at last, Captain.

What brings you back?

To deliver my cargo...

and to visit my friend Kassim.

- And his sister?

- I am bound by love to them both.

I intend to ask the Caliph Kassim

for the hand of Princess Farah.

There's no caliph

to consent to your marriage.

Kassim has not yet been crowned.

Nor is he likely to be.

I have been told of the events

at the coronation.

I shall help if I can.

Kassim is beyond help.

Do not be blinded by love.

Balsora must be made to understand

no one can help him.

- I shall tell him.

- Do not provoke her!

Why do you interfere?

You can do nothing for Kassim.

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