Arabian Nights (2000): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript

What news?

There's a man to see you from Baghdad.

Chief Execution...

what brings you here?

Sayyidi, in his sickness,
your brother, the Sultan,

planned to kill his bride
after the wedding.

You see, he's mad!

But he can't go through with it...
the Sultana is still alive.

Better, he's weak...

the people will follow a
madman but never a weakling!

I'm not here to betray the Sultan,
but to protect my own interests.



The Sultan's too soft for killing...

which leaves me out of work...

on the other hand I never saw you
shrink from using rope, axe or knife...

so, if you should change
places with the Sultan...

Never fear, there'll be much
for you to do when I win.

The streets of Baghdad will
be lined with nooses...

there'll be gallows on every corner.

It'll be a golden time, I promise.

Thank you, Sayyidi.

Thank you.

Prepare to march on Baghdad.

We will be revenged, my love...

- But he wasn't laughing, was he?
- No that's right. He wasn't.

I let you live so you could
finish the story of Aladdin...



you should at least get it right.

Now...

there was a storm, wasn't there?

Yes, there was...

You were saying?
I am your humble and obedient servant.

What? I didn't get that!

Oh, nothing, just a mere technicality...

the fine print on my contract,
so to speak.

- You have to obey me, don't you?
- I, obey you?

I should cast you
into a sea of torment...

I should have you trampled in...

yes, you can have
everything you ever wanted.

How about stopping the rain?

I'm sure there must be another...

wish I can grant your exalted Lord
and Master Aladdin...

I'm in love with
the Princess Zubaïda...

the Caliph's daughter...
- Love?

I don't know her, but I've seen
her across a crowded street...

It's usually across a crowded room,
as strange as that may seem.

- I want her!
- I can give you things, Master Aladdin...

but when it comes
to the human heart, I am powerless.

You can have anything in the world

you want and all you can
think of asking for

is for some young chit of a girl
who isn't good enough for you!

- Genie, you can give us things?
- You've got it in one, Mother.

Not so much of the "Mother".
I'm young enough to be your granddaughter.

- Things, like money...
- I've never heard that request before.

You would be the first
to ever ask for that.

Bushels and bushels of money!

With money, you don't need magic!

Are you sure that's
the way you want to go?

I mean, money is great and all,
but everybody asks for money.

Why not ask for something
new and exciting?

Okay, how about some
sort of flying machine?

What?

A flying machine?

So you could fly all over the world?
You could have drinks...

and someone could serve us peanuts!

A flying machine! Maybe we should
just stick with the money.

Make way for the lovely
Princess Seleh Alcouz of Souman...

Aladdin's mother put on an extraordinarily...
vulgar display of wealth...

but as usual, it worked.

We have more petitions,
Your Majesty, they're important.

Your son Gulnare doesn't think so.

Your exalted majesty,
His Highness Aladdin Ebn Alcouz...

and his mother,
the Princess Seleh Souman...

These aren't on my list...

they shouldn't be here. I don't know
anything about them, Your Majesty.

That must be very
disturbing for you, Assad.

How did you get past my guards
and into the Court?

- We had introductions.
- What introductions?

Irresistible introductions.

Indeed, these are introductions
no courtier could resist.

My Mother and I have
brought them from Zourman.

They meet with your approval, Majesty?

- Flawless!
- They're yours, Sir.

This is a most generous gesture, Prince.

You will always be most
welcome here at Court.

And if we can make your
stay more pleasant...

My son is too shy to ask...

but we've heard of the beauty of
your daughter the Princess Zubaïda...

my son, the Prince Aladdin, would
formally like to ask for her hand...

in marriage.
- This is outrageous!

Two strangers from Zourman
asking to marry the daughter...

of the great Caliph Beder!

We wouldn't come empty handed.
Two million gold pieces!

The Caliph doesn't need
your vulgar gifts!

I wouldn't say two million
was ever "vulgar", Assad.

- As a start...
- Your Majesty...

my son, your daughter...
- Oh, yes, yes.

I'm sorry you came a little late.
The Grand vizier's son Gulnare...

is pledged to my daughter.

Indeed, they're to be wed in three days.

- Father.
- We were just talking of you, my dear.

This is Prince Aladdin of Zourman.

- He asked for your hand in marriage.
- Too late, I fear.

Haven't I seen you somewhere, Prince?

I've been "somewhere" but I would've
remembered you, Princess.

I have a marriage gift for you
Your Highness...

You're too generous,
Prince Aladdin.

- Yes, I'd say that too!
- He has a generous heart!

You may wish to withdraw
these magnificent gifts now...

No, no, no, they're yours, Sir.

How do I stop that idiot Gulnare
from marrying the Princess?

Let's turn him into a pig...

or better yet, a roast pig.

It's tempting,
but it's just not me.

What about an accident?

- Too crude.
- Then, before you do anything...

Master Aladdin...

I suggest you find out if the Princess.
Zubaïda whatever her name is...

has feelings for you. She might
be in love with that eunuch Gulnare.

Women often love men
who are unworthy of them.

The reverse is also true.

Men often love women
unworthy of them...

why?
- Love has nothing to do with worth.

Love is a madness... prince
or beggar, we have no control.

Was it the Genie who said
"Women often love men unworthy...

of them" ...or was it you?

No, it was the Genie.

What is it, Giafar?

This is too early for affairs of
state. You put me in a bad mood.

My news will only make it worse. Your
brother is raising an army against you.

He's finally come into the open.
How big, how big?

Big enough.

Schahzenan! Kill him!

Kill him!

Traitors!

Guards!

Guards!

You're right about women
loving men unworthy of them.

Perhaps she loves Gulnare and not me...

but there's still time to find out.
They don't marry until next week.

Wrong! Gulnare and the Princess are
being married tomorrow!

Where did you come from little fellow?

He's a darling.

Come here, little fellow.

I'm getting married tomorrow...
to the Grand vizier's son, Gulnare.

It's all signed, sealed and delivered...

you wouldn't understand, affairs of state.

But I did meet a charming
young man, he...

there's no point in thinking
about him, is there...

only...
the saddest words in any language...

"if only"...

What did you learn, Master Aladdin?

She doesn't love Gulnare.
She loves me!

You always were a terrible young monkey!

I was just telling Mother about...

The Princess and
Gulnare were married...
I was just telling Mother about...

The Princess and
Gulnare were married...

an hour ago, in secret.

- No!
- The Grand vizier won't let...

a little thing like magic monkeys stop
him making his son heir to the throne.

Of course he won't!
Look at her...

clever... beautiful... wealthy...
flexible...

Have they consummated the marriage yet?

Not yet, but any moment now.

I hear he's quite the acrobat
in the sexual arena.

If Gulnare had his life to live again,
he'd still fall in love with himself.

What has to be, cannot be changed.

I'll think of something pleasant...

Iike that young prince from Zourman.

My dove... it's me... your husband...

Who else...

I'm here!

My love, why you look
as beautiful as...

as beautiful as... as... um...

That's okay.
I'll guess the rest.

Gulnare?

Gulnare?

Where are you?

It's an insult to my daughter,
and worse, and to me!

Your Majesty...

You stink!

So would you, Sayyidi, if you'd
spent all night in a privy.

He prefers a stinking privy
to a beautiful young woman...

I tell you there's something
seriously wrong with this boy, Assad!

The marriage is annulled!

Get out!

Three million in gold
is most generous

Prince Aladdin for my
daughter's hand in marriage.

- I love her, Your Majesty.
- Good, that always helps.

But I can't sanction this marriage
unless I know my daughter

is going to live in the style
to which she is accustomed,

- and you haven't even got a palace.
- I'm building one.

You can marry her when
I see it with my own eyes.

It'll be ready in a week's time.

You don't know builders, my boy.
My own palace took over a year to build.

- Mine will take a week!
- A week?

I like you, Master Aladdin...

believe it or not, I've had some
two hundred odd Masters in my time,

and you're the noblest of them all,

but remember, I still have
Solomon's curse in my face,

and I will betray you at the drop
of a turban, if it suits me.

- Of course... no hard feelings.
- No hard feelings...

- I have to survive.
- Don't we all?

Perhaps...
Palace!

Well, mortals,
where are my compliments, please?

Magnificent!

It is my best work since the Taj Mahal!

Let's go and feed the sturgeon!

Yes, much better!

This was perhaps the happiest
day of Aladdin's life.

He should have been a bit
more pessimistic...

he always said a pessimist is someone
who really knows what's going on...

Mustappa, you're
working too hard!

Too hard!

You're right, Hector.
But there's so much to learn...

Ahhh, I'm naked. Naked!
What's going on, Chief?

- I once swore by Hector's feathers.
- I want them back!

Tell me harp, is that rogue
Aladdin dead in the cave?

No, he is not dead
on this very day.

He is to be wed.
Losing your temper

Mustappa, didn't pay.

- Who's he marrying?
- The fairest flower in the land

He must be very smart and plucky

to wed the Princess of Samarkand.
He finally got very lucky.

No, he finally got the lamp!

New lamps for old!
New oil lamps for old oil lamps!

That's right, I'm exchanging
new lamps for old lamps!

Come and see for yourself!
New lamps for old...

It's too early.

That ring... is beautiful!

It's yours!

You're so generous, my love.

Have you always been rich?

Always, always. My father was
rich, and his father before him...

our title is one of the
most ancient in Zouman.

Well, it suits you. You're
everything a prince should be,

but never is... you're handsome,

you're gallant, you're
generous... but your mother...

My mother's what they call an eccentric...
after all, she can afford to be.

No, I love her for it... she's different...
Iike a breath of fresh air...

I've never known anyone like her.

And I've never known anyone like you!

They were in love and only
had eyes for each other...

so they didn't see what
was going on around them.

Why are you giving new oil lamps
for old? There's a catch, huh?

No, no catch, no catch... just
the bargain of the year.

You see, where I come from, we
prize old and ancient things.

Hey, can I trade in my wife for a new one?

No, my friend, only oil lamps
this trip, eh? New lamps for old!

Didn't Aladdin sense something was
wrong? He must've sensed some danger?

Normally he would've
done... but he was in love.

And that changes everything?

Yes, men and women act out of character.

You, for example?

Oh, yes, my father thought
I'd never get married...

he said when two people marry, each
of them has to make sacrifices,

and I was too strong-willed for that...

but I've changed.

That must be love.

Tell me about Aladdin.

New lamps for old!

I'm giving away new oil lamps for old!

- A once-in-a-lifetime offer!
- Did you say new lamps for old?

It's a bargain!

Everyone loves a bargain.

Here we are, thank you!

Everyone loves a bargain...

- What happened?
- What happened?

- Where's the lamp?
- Gone. Vanished.

Mustappa! Now my Princess
will find out I'm not a Prince.

Worse, what happens when the
Caliph discovers all the money

we gave him has turned to dust?
Worse, what happens when the
Caliph discovers all the money

we gave him has turned to dust?

- Time to run, my son.
- No one runs in our family!

Where did you hear that rubbish?
Taste my dust!

What's going on?

Where is everyone?

- Where's the palace?
- Gone...

like the snows of yesteryear!
It was all a fake...

there's no palace, no riches,

and this your husband is no prince...
he's a thief

- from a family of thieves!
- It's a lie! Tell him, Aladdin!

- Well, it's a bad way of putting it.
- Don't be ashamed, son!

We are proud of our heritage, daughter.
Our family are aristocrats, too...

descended from the finest
rogues in all Asia!

That's for telling me you were a prince!

It's Mustappa!
Don't believe everything he says!

He's got no reason to lie...
you do!

Hey, smart boy!
You're in trouble, oh...
He's got no reason to lie...
you do!

Hey, smart boy!
You're in trouble, oh...

Where did the palace come from?
And the money?

Magic!

Ingrate!

Genie... Genie... how could you
possibly team up with this African squelch.

I couldn't warm to him
if we were cremated together!

What do you want?
What do you want?

I just got off my sick bed to come here.
What this? Oh.. Pretty slave girl.

Allah! What in the name of
evil are you doing here?

- And you?
- You two know each other?
Allah! What in the name of
evil are you doing here?

- And you?
- You two know each other?

Yes, yes unfortunately.
We're distant, distant cousins

- on my father's side.
- I've hated you for centuries!

Yes, that's right, you lying, bullying dog!
You turn my stomach!

It would take the whole Persian Army
to turn your stomach... you pimple!

You grease spot on the backside of a camel!
I've waited for you for so long...

You wouldn't hit a fellow wearing
whatever... these are, would you?

- Hold still while I think about it.
- Okay, well then, bye!

No, no, no, no, my Genie
will challenge your Genie...

- winner takes all!
- This sounds interesting...

No, no! He's feverish,
he's babbling on....

Done!

Done? You do not understand,
I cannot fight him,

his magic is stronger than mine.

Shows you how unfair the Genie world is,
doesn't it?

Ouch.. Toothache!
I have a toothache, I can't fight.

No, let's do this right...
we must have the proper setting.

No, no, no, no, no,
I'm not in good shape,

I've never been in good shape...

as a matter of fact I'm in the worst
shape now than I have ever been.

- This is not good for me.
- You can do it, Master Genie!

You're our man!

Okay, I'm ready, Allah,
exalted parent, creator of all...

granter of wishes,
you are my sufficiency...

pray for me in this moment.

Help me!

Thank you.

No!

Here! Here! Here!

Don't send me out there again,
I'm no match for him, please!

You're a pro.
Get in there and fight!

Aladdin, did you love me,
or was that another lie?

- Not now my love...
- Do you love me?

- Did you?
- Always!

You heard him,
get in there and fight!

No! No! No! No!

- No! Don't!
- Cheese!

Let me out of here!

Let me out of here!
Let me out of here!

I win!

Get your chattel...
Out! Out! out!

Out! Out! Out! Out!

Mercy for my wife and my mother,

No! Winner take all!

But Mustappa had already lost
and didn't know it.

He couldn't beat a man like
Aladdin when it came to stealing.

He was a master.

You cheat! Next time I will show no mercy,
I will kill you.

- I will squash you, like a bug...
- This time...

he had stolen Mustappa's victory.

So Aladdin had won.

He had picked his last pocket.

Something I'd expect from a rogue.

He gets it from his mother!

He gave the Ring Genie his freedom.
He didn't need to be told twice.

Sayonara! Bye bye!

- The Genie of the Lamp...

- My freedom?
Refused the gift.

What would I do with that? I would have to
get a job, a fat wife and lazy children...

no thank you!

I've got power here,
I've got total control...

I'll decide when I want to be free...

He was always contrary,
it was.. part of his character.

Would Aladdin really offer the Genies
their freedom and give up all that power?

- Power isn't that important.
- What is?

Happiness.

That's something poor
Amin Adbur didn't have.

In fact he had nothing.
No peace, no comfort...

no happiness.
- Who is Amin Adbur?

A young beggar in Cairo.

You're starting another story.

I was going to tell you
about Amin...

because I thought you'd be
particularly interested.

Why?

Because he looked exactly like you...

Like me?

But the extraordinary thing
about this story...

is that the other leading figure
in it is Sultan Abraschild...

and Abraschild looked exactly
like your brother, Schahzenan.

Like my brother?
So I'm the beggar in this story...
and my brother is the Sultan of Cairo?

But you'll want to save that
for tomorrow night.

Some years ago, never mind how long...

just remember that all...

There's a competition tomorrow, sponsored by
the Baghdad Story-Teller's Association...

I'm President.
You should enter it, Your Highness.

We're only competing for money...

you've been competing for your life!

I've told him an adventure story,
a comedy, a fantasy,

and now I want to tell something tragic...

I hooked his interest by saying
the main characters

resemble him and his brother,
but where do I begin?

You begin at the beginning and go
on to the end, and then stop...

just make sure he doesn't
know what will happen next.

I don't know what happens next,
so I'm sure he won't, but should I go on?

His brother Schahzenan is
marching against him...

- is this the time for storytelling?
- It's the perfect time!

Stories show us how to win...

and in your case,
defeat... death.

Sayyidi, your brother's army
is only two days away.

What are you going to do, Sayyidi?

Wait.

You need strong nerves to wait.

Well I've been taught
what strong nerves really are.

Amin the beggar still had a few coins left,
and headed straight for the nearest tavern.

Meanwhile, Sultan Abraschild prowled
the streets of Cairo in disguise,

Looking for adventure.

Abraschild was accompanied
by Commander Nouz,

and his Grand Vizier Moussel
who looked just like my father.

Being Sultan is the most boring
job in the world, Moussel.

Is that why Sayyidi has to disguise himself
and rub shoulders with his subjects?

- I find it amusing.
- As Commander of your Guard...

Sayyidi. I have to say it's
a very dangerous enjoyment.

That adds spice to the joke!

When I mingle with the ordinary folk...
I'm laughing inside.
If only they knew who I was!

What tricks, what jests I can play
on the poor fools...

here's entertainment to please
the most jaded palette!

Let's go in here and see what jollies
I can conjure up.

I'll do the same for you, friend,
when my ship comes in.

What ship is that, friend?

That's my ship. That's my destiny.

I have a destiny, that's why I drink.
I drink while I'm waiting for my destiny.

- Which is?
- Oh, I don't know, but it'll be great!

If you could choose your destiny,
what destiny would you choose?

Oh..
I'd choose to be.. Sultan.

But look at you!
Do you think you're fit to be Sultan?

What do you mean "look at me"?
What's fitness to do with it anyway?

Sultan Abraschild was born he was
born with a silver spoon in his mouth...

everyone else had a tongue...

he's about as useful
as a glass eye at a keyhole!

- That's what you think of him, is it?
- Friend, if only I was the Sultan...

if only I was the Sultan,
you'd see, yeah...

Perhaps it's your destiny after all...

Are you all right, Sayyidi?

Never better. The jest, the jest!
Come on, take him to my palace!

- But, Sayyidi...
- Oh, Moussel, you dry stick...

you desert cactus! Quick,
I can't wait to start the game!

It was a sick joke.

He was washed and perfumed,

so that even his mother
wouldn't have recognized him.

Everyone remembers what
to do when he wakes?

- Yes, Sayyidi, but...
- No one spoils my fun. No one!

I want wine.

No, I don't.

This is the drink. I've had
daylight dreams before, but...

Go!

Go!

- Where, where am I?
- In the palace, Sayyidi.

- What palace?
- Your palace.

My palace? Who am I?

Commander of the Faithful,
Monarch of the World...

the Prophet's voice on Earth.
You are the Sultan Haroun Abraschild.

This is madness.

I want to talk to someone in authority.

You were up drinking
late last night, Sayyidi.

It has affected your memory.

I do drink.
And I do have a terrible head.

- Your Majesty.
- Who am I?

You're Commander of the Faithful,
Monarch of the World...

No, I'm not! I'm Amin the Beggar!

Is this another one of Sayyidi's jokes?

No, I'm Amin. Amin the Drunkard.
They know me in every tavern in Cairo!

I'm you Grand vizier, Moussel.
Don't you recognize me?

Yeah. I've seen you
riding through the streets.

And I'm Abu Nouz, Commander of the
Palace Guard for the last ten years.

Why would you say I'm Sultan Abraschild?

- Because you are.
- But I'm not!

Have you ever seen His Majesty,
Sultan Abraschild?

- No.
- So how do you know you're not him?

'Cause I'm me... I know me, don't l?

It's the wine, Sayyidi.
It's clouding your brain.

Through the lingering alcoholic
fumes in his wine-stained brain,

Amin was already half-inclined to agree
with Vizier Moussel and the others.

The whole Palace went along
with the Sultan's cruel jest.

They had to... it was more than
their lives were worth to object.

Pray silence for His Majesty, Sultan Haroun
Abraschild, Commander of the Faithful,

Monarch of the World, the
Prophet's Voice on Earth...

I'm not any of those things... not Commander,
I'm not Monarch, I'm not the Prophet's Voice,

and I'm not Sultan Haroun Abraschild!

It is one of Sayyidi's jokes?

No. I'm just a drunk from
the backstreets of Cairo.

Then why would the whole Court
say that you were Sultan?

Look at yourself, Sayyidi...
that's not the face of a drunkard...

that is the face of a king!

The only thing Amin thought about for years
was where the next drink was coming from...

but everything had changed...
he was a different man.

Then there is the matter of
the Chinese Ambassador...

we have already decided to resume
negotiations with the Great Khan...

Ah, you say I'm Sultan?

Of course you are, Sayyidi.

And I have absolute power?

By Divine Right.

Then instead of talking about
the Great Khan,

we should be talking about my people.
Their needs. Their happiness...

Scribe: I, Sultan Abraschild, institute
the building of new schools...

in each of the major cities.
- But, Sayyidi...

we must consult and
ponder this matter.

If I consult and ponder,
I'll do nothing.

Scribe another decree.

We will reduce the people's taxes...
by half!

- But, Sayyidi, the Treasury...
- Can afford it.

Now, Commander, do you believe
the Army is underpaid?

Undoubtedly. I have submitted reports
indicating we can't expect troops...

to defend the nation
if they're poorly paid.

I accept all your recommendations,
Commander...

and we'll start by doubling
the pay of all the troops.

How will we finance this,
Sayyidi?

Cut out all the waste
and extravagance...

particularly here in the Palace.
Now vizier, I've read your reports too.

The state bureaucracy needs
a radical overhaul.

Now, I propose to put you ideas
into practice immediately.

What a fool!

We've got more done today
than we have in years.

This time Sultan Abraschild
wasn't laughing.

Amin the Beggar was taking
his role very seriously...

feed a grub royal jelly...

and he will turn into an Emperor
butterfly in an instant.

Sultan Abraschild now
wanted to complete the joke.

What a jest, eh?

I doubt he'll enjoy it, when he wakes.

I enjoyed it,
that's what is important.

Besides, he's had a day of power.
That's more than most get in a lifetime.

What will you do with him now, Sayyidi?

Throw him back.
That's the best part of the joke!

It was a rude awakening...

it was terrible.

From extreme wealth, to extreme poverty.

That's enough to send any man mad.

Oh, no... no... this is a dream...

this is a dream.
I'm the Sultan.

I'm the Sultan.
I'm the Sultan.

I'm the Sultan.
I'm the Sultan.

I give orders. I give orders.
I give orders. I give orders.

It's the demons.
It's the demons.

It's the demons.
It's the demons.

Only a madman could think
he was ruler of the world.

But it was so real to me.
So real.

But it all grew less and less
real as the days past.

Soon Amin began to doubt
if it had ever happened.

But fate and Sultan Abraschild
hadn't finished playing with him yet.

You should eat.

I'm not hungry.

Stay and talk

Stay and talk.
No one will talk to me...

they think I'm mad.

Are you?

I was. I thought I was
Sultan Abraschild...

I dreamed of being
the Sultan for so long...

it became real for me.

Were you better than Sultan Abraschild?

Only in my dreams.

Thank you, friend, thank you...

thank you, thank you.

Laughter's the cure
for all our ills.

He thinks he's cured.

Now you've found out what happened to
him, he can be left alone, Sayyidi?

He thought he did a pretty good
job as a one-day Sultan...

I think I'll give him another crack at it.

You're going to repeat the jest?

A good jest is worth repeating.

But Sayyidi, it could send him
mad for the rest of his life.

You two have no sense of humour.

Compliments of the Sultan
himself. It's his birthday...

every prisoner is given a free cup
of wine to celebrate the occasion.

Long live Sultan Abraschild!

And so Amin's torture continued...

It was a terrible nightmare...

which was happening again.

I'm mad again! Save me!

- What is it, Sayyidi?
- I'm Amin. This is a prison cell...

I'm mad!

Calm yourself, Sayyidi.
You had another bad dream!

But which is the dream and which is real?
Is this the dream or was that the dream?

We'll send for the Royal Physicians.

It's the demons! They carried me here...
they're in the air... Demons! Demons!

Listen, listen, it's the demons,
they're laughing at me!

- Death to all demons!
- No! No!

Death!

Perhaps he should have remembered...

never tell the same joke twice...

Dead!

Well, there's one good thing...
no more jokes.

And he died with a smile on his face...

What do we do now?
Who's his heir?

He has none. There'll be
a fight amongst the nobles,

it'll mean civil war...

- unless... we act.
- In what way?

Well, Sultan Abraschild ordered us
to treat Master Amin as Sultan.

Yes, but he meant he was
to be Sultan for a day.

We know that, but others don't.

Well, if he keeps cutting taxes,
he has nothing to fear from anyone.

We'll say Sultan Abraschild has gone
on a holy pilgrimage to Mecca...

and asked his friend to take his place.

Well, it's true, in a way.

True or false, it's plausible,
that's the important thing.

Your physicians will see
you later, Majesty.

- You've been ill.
- I have?

Who's that?

That, oh that was the Royal Jester.

What's the matter with him?

His last joke was a killer!

What's so funny?

He always said we had no sense of humour!

Amin became one of the most
beloved Sultans in history...

and Abraschild was completely forgotten.

I saw myself as Sultan Abraschild...

he was consumed by laughter...

I was consumed by fear of betrayal,

and I was prepared to do
anything to feed...

that fear while Abraschild
fed his cruel humour.

That wasn't you...

that was the darkness inside you.

Is it still there?

Look into my eyes...
who do you see, Scheherazade?

Me...
looking at you, my love.

Sayyidi, your brother's army
is camped outside the city.

Soon, my love.

It's too low.

I'm hot.

One of my stories will help.

No, the only danger you face now
is from my brother...

you won't be able to tell him one
of your tales to save yourself...

he'll have cut your throat.

This isn't the time, Scheherazade.

It's the perfect time. It's the
incredible story of three brothers...

who fought each other
like you and Schahzenan.

It happened long ago in far Yemen...
before recorded time.

And he had three sons...

Princes Ahmed, Hussain and Ali.

Prince Hussain was the best
swordsman in Yemen.

Ahmed, on the other hand,
was a master bowman.

Prince Ali had extraordinary
strength in his hands.

Oh, they're at it again!

It's just youthful exuberance,
my love, they'll grow out of it.

You've been saying that
for the last ten years...

Look! No my prize hibiscus!

Not the palms! Not the palms!
You vandals!

Vandals!

Go back, you sissy.

What was the fight about this time?

- Princess Fatima loves me.
- No, she loves me.

No, she loves me.
She said so!

Rubbish! You could lose ten
pounds of surplus fat if someone...

would just cut your head off!
- Everytime you look into the mirror...

you take a bow!
- Oh yeah!

What's going to happen when I die?

You'll tear the country apart!

See what you boys've done...
all this talk of dying...

your making your father ill.

We didn't mean anything, Mother...

Father's not really dying, is he?

But when I am dying,
I will have to name my heir.

You should do it now, Father.

Don't forget, I'm the eldest.

And don't you forget that I have
the final say, according to law.

Who do you favor, Father?

I have three blockheads for sons,
how can I favor anyone?

Let it be proclaimed
throughout, Yemen...

I'm sending my sons on a quest...

whoever brings back the greatest
wonder in the world...

will be my heir.

How long have we got?

One year.

You must all leave together
and return together.

Wrap up warm, boys.
And don't get lost.

Yes, Mother.

And so the brothers went forth
into the unknown...

to find the greatest wonder in the world.

We should meet back here on the same day
next year, and travel home together.

And may the best man win!

- What are you smiling at?
- Well, I'm obviously the best man.

The only thing you're best
at is shovelling camel dung.

They had no maps
to guide them...

they were going to countries
where traveller's said...

"There be dragons!"

Losers!

Ali found himself in a fabled land...

the Bronze City of Zirog.

It's all gone now...

the bronze rusted and
the fountains dried up...

but then... return together but then...
it was a wonder to behold.

So, my brothers
and I are searching the world...

for wonderous objects for my father.

I have something wonderous.

I have seen a telescope before,
Master Schaca.

Not like this.
Put it to your eye...

you only have to ask, and you'll see
anything you wish to see.

I'd like to see of
Princess Fatima of Yemen.

That's her!

That's Fatima!

You're right, Master Schaca,
it's a wonder. Can I buy it?

It's not mine to sell.
I'm delivering it to Hari ben Karim.

But would he sell it?

Ask him.

The telescope's not for sale.
As you can see

I have no need of the money but

I might give it to you as a gift.

And what could I give you in return?

Entertainment. Schaca tells me
you're a master fighter.

Would you fight my champions
for the telescope?

Gladly.

The telescope's mine.
I've killed your champions.

What makes you think they're dead?

This time, knives.

Knives? That's cheating.

That's cheating...

Fair game, Master Schaca.

As Ali made his way back to "The Traveller's
Rest" with his magical telescope,

Ahmed was heading North...

I am Prince Ahmed of Yemen.

I've learned you have a rare fruit...

a holy green apple that is said
to cure all illnesses...

I'd like to buy it.

It is not for sale.

Is there something
I can give you...

Is there something
I can give you...

in exchange for it?

Perhaps...
you have a special skill?

With the bow.

Then you will undergo a test...

to see if you are fit
to own the apple of life.

I'm impressed, Ahmed.

I have one more test...
and the apple of life is yours.

It's a risk.

- The prize is worth it.
- Not for the boy.

- Then you lose,
and go away empty-handed.

I lose.

No, you win.

What?

You win by losing.
You weren't prepared to win at any cost.

The apple of life is yours.

The Holy Seer gave Ahmed the apple
and some words of advice...

before he left.

Hussain was riding towards
the fabulous city of Petra.

That Petra disappeared under the sand,
but then, she was the jewel of the East.

Hussain discovered the most amazing thing
about Petra. It was two cities.. not one.

The second city lay under the first.

Underground Petra survived
many years after the other one...

but that too, is gone...
swallowed by the sand.

Is this the only carpet you have to sell?

Fifty pieces of gold.

You must be mad!
Have you gold enough to pay for it?

- If I want it.
- You'll want it. Follow me.

Why're you out there trying to
sell this one old carpet...

when you've got hundreds like these?
Because it's a Flying Carpet...

it can take you anywhere.

I may be a stranger in Petra, but I'm no child.
There is no such thing as a Flying Carpet.

But there are thousands, and this..
This is one of them. Rise, carpet, Rise!

Down! Down!

Come to rest!

All you have to do is tell
it where you wish to go.

Fifty in gold you say? It's worth
every penny. I'll pay cash.

- What's this?
- We're going to rob and kill you.

It's nothing personal...

I can't sell a magic carpet
for a paltry fifty in gold...

it wouldn't be good for business.

Kill him!

Stop thief!

Come on!

Take me...
to the "Traveller's Rest"!

We've done well...

a magic apple, a flying carpet,
and a wonderous telescope.

Tell me, have you actually
tested this yet, Ali?

Of course I've tested it!
Just tell it what you want to see.

I'd like to see our father,
Sultan Billah, please.

It's Father!

He's dying.
We have to be there.

The brothers learned a simple
but abiding truth...

men united were better
than men divided.

- It'll take us a week to get home.
- No.

I have a better way!

They arrived in time to save their father
with Ahmed's Apple of Life.

United now, and for the rest
of their lives...

they ruled in peace and harmony.

What advice did the Holy Seer give Ahmed...

when he handed him the magic apple?

He said the world was an inferno
full of darkness and evil...

and there were only two ways
of dealing with it...

the first was easy and wrong,
to accept it and become part of it...

the second way was harder
and right, you fight it...

and recognize those who aren't evil
and help them endure.

You've taken me the second way...
you've helped me...

and saved me from
the darkness. Why?

I loved you.

Is that the answer?

It'll have to do until something better...

We've had reports the enemy
is being led by Schahzenan...

and the former Sultana.

The Sultana is dead.
I killed her.

Even dead she can still
help to destroy you.

The army thinks she's good luck...

they make a powerful combination.

Tell them we have one even more powerful,
I'll be riding into battle beside my husband.

- No, it's too dangerous.
- You don't have to prove your love.

It would raise the spirits of our men.
They have a dead Queen and...

we have a live one.

It was a cold desert morning
as the city gates opened and

the great army came forth to do battle.

Sultan Schahriar planned to
take his enemy by surprise...

there was no fear in his heart
as he went boldly on the attack.

Guard my wife! She is more
precious to me than my life.

A small group led by Sultan Schahriar led
the main party to make a daring raid.

They say fortune favours the brave, and
those who can learn from their mistakes.

The story-teller always said,
stories can save us.

I guess he only meant was...

they can save us,
if we use our imagination.

- Gather your men!
- Yes, Sayyidi.

Rise your swords!

Open sesame!

Schahriar!

It's time to take responsibility
for your actions brother and die!

Arrows...

Schahzenan's troops were caught
in a pincer movement...

with hostile forces
in front... and back.

Death comes in many shapes and disguises.

Now, it was Schahzenan's turn.

The battle was over.

- And Father won?
- Yes, Father won...

and saved Baghdad.

That was very exciting
your good at stories, Mummy.

- Tell us another one!
- Another one, Mummy!

- Another one!
- Oh, tomorrow night...

I'll tell you another
story tomorrow night...

just wait till tomorrow night.