A lot has been said about the way the film company 'butchered' Richard Williams' original vision of this film, and the way they basically turned an 'art film' into a Disney rip-off. Let me say 'phooie' to that.
I guess it's true that Williams intended the thief to be silent. But the voice of Jonathan Winters mostly enriches the story, instead of making it less worthwile. True, it was no doubt a commercially inspired choice, and some other commercially inspired choices in this film (such as the tacky songs) are certainly nerve-wrecking. But in all, 'Arabian Knight' provides a beautiful blend between personal vision and commercial know-how. And let's face it, without the latter, this wonderful film might never have had a chance to begin with.
I guess it's true that Williams intended the thief to be silent. But the voice of Jonathan Winters mostly enriches the story, instead of making it less worthwile. True, it was no doubt a commercially inspired choice, and some other commercially inspired choices in this film (such as the tacky songs) are certainly nerve-wrecking. But in all, 'Arabian Knight' provides a beautiful blend between personal vision and commercial know-how. And let's face it, without the latter, this wonderful film might never have had a chance to begin with.