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The Thief Lord (2005)

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3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

This adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s kids’ story unravels within a pretty Venetian setting and involves ‘Oliver Twist’-inspired child thieves, a long-nosed roof-top-flitting Peter Pan figure and a magical merry-go-round with the power to reverse or advance the ageing process. The convoluted plot centres on two orphans on the run from their cantankerous uncle and aunt. They hook up with the Thief Lord (Rollo Weeks) and spend most of the film evading their relatives’ hired private dick before a wooden wing belonging to said merry-go-round leads towards a predictable fantasy finale. The story’s dull, the dialogue’s empty, the performances are pretty crummy, the editing’s slipshod, the score’s bombastic, and for some reason everyone speaks with an unmistakably British accent – except for one extra, a maid, who answers the door with a genuine Italian accent. What’s that all about? Most disappointing.

Author: Derek Adams

Time Out London Issue 1866: May 24-31 2006

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User reviews of this film

Rachel said...

Posted on Oct 19 2010 20:13 if you dont like the film ... the book is defiantlly worth a read as it reads itself like jumping into an adventure!

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Steven said...

Posted on Dec 01 2008 00:47 The film was not that amazing, but I believe the book was quite well-done. The story shouldn't be hit so hard. Sure, pick on the rest, But really, the story isn't that bad!

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emille said...

Posted on May 05 2008 17:07 rollos great he should be in more movies!

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