A Thousand and One Nights

A Thousand and One Nights

Year: 1969

Runtime: 128 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Eiichi Yamamoto

DramaHorrorAnimationFantasy

Aldin, a vagabond water vendor, embarks of a series of fantastical and tragic misadventures through the Middle East in search of love, fortune, and power.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – A Thousand and One Nights (1969)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Thousand and One Nights (1969). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Fantasy ancient era

The film sits in a mythic past that fuses ancient Middle Eastern city life with magical, supernatural elements. Djinns, genies, sea voyages, and talking ships place it outside any precise historical year, in a fairy-tale mood. It presents a timeless period where fortunes rise and fall with danger, romance, and wonder.

Location

Baghdad, Lotus Island, the Desert, the Sea

The story unfolds across a mythic Middle Eastern setting, starting in the bustling, perilous markets of Baghdad and moving through hidden mansions, treacherous seas, and legendary islands. It traverses deserts and oceans as characters flee oppression, seek treasure, and chase freedom. The blend of urban centers, magical realms, and nautical journeys gives the tale a timeless, Arabian Nights-inspired feel.

🏜️ Desert 🕌 Baghdad setting 🌊 Sea voyage 🗺️ Mythic island

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:42

Main Characters – A Thousand and One Nights (1969)

Meet the key characters of A Thousand and One Nights (1969), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Aldin

A poor, traveling water seller who dares to rescue Miriam during a brutal slave auction. He is resourceful, impulsive, and driven by love, often acting first and considering later. After a life of danger and fortune, he becomes king but ultimately relinquishes power to pursue a quieter, freer existence.

🧭 Adventurer 💔 Romantic 🚶‍♂️ Fugitive

Miriam / Jaris

A beautiful slave woman on auction who captures Aldin's heart. She endures capture and heartbreak, and dies in childbirth, leaving a legacy through her daughter, Jalis. Her life fuels Aldin's choices and the unfolding conflict over love, inheritance, and power.

🌹 Empath 🛡️ Victim 🗝️ Legacy

Badli

The right-hand man of the chief of police, a ruthless and jealous figure who rapes Madia and murders others to protect his position. His actions catalyze Miriam's fate and drive much of the story's escalating conflict. He embodies betrayal and cruelty that haunt the protagonists.

🗡️ Antagonist 💣 Ruthless 🧭 Opportunist

Kamarkim

Leader of the Forty Thieves, a cunning figure who disperses his crew during a raid and serves as a catalyst for the treasure-seeking arc. He personifies lawlessness and the lure of wealth that pushes the plot forward. His choices intersect with Aldin's quest for fortune and escape.

🗝️ Leader 🫡 Thief 🧭 Opportunist

Aslan

A genie who, along with his fellow genies, influences the wanderings of the heroes and navigates the magical landscape. His presence adds a supernatural layer to travels across deserts and seas, representing whimsy, danger, and intervention from higher powers.

🧞️ Genie ✨ Magical ally 🗺️ Mentor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:42

Major Themes – A Thousand and One Nights (1969)

Explore the central themes of A Thousand and One Nights (1969), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love and Sacrifice

Aldin's love for Miriam drives him to rescue her from slavery, shaping his choices in a world that brutalizes the weak. Their relationship faces oppression, surveillance, and coercion, culminating in Miriam's death during childbirth. The romance becomes the emotional core that tests loyalty, courage, and the costs of freedom.

🗺️ Adventure and Fortune

The couple's flight from danger leads them across deserts, seas, and magical landscapes in pursuit of safety and wealth. Treasure, a sentient ship, and encounters with thieves propel the journey and temptations forward. Greed and luck intersect, forcing characters to weigh ambition against trust and consequences.

👑 Power and Freedom

Aldin's rise to kingship tests the lure of authority versus personal liberty, sparking a rebellion and a reckoning with responsibility. The story probes the pull of power and the toll it takes on happiness and autonomy. In the end, Aldin relinquishes the throne to reclaim a life of freedom and peace.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:42

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A Thousand and One Nights Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Thousand and One Nights, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Thousand and One Nights Summary

A Thousand and One Nights Timeline

Track the full timeline of A Thousand and One Nights with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

A Thousand and One Nights Timeline

More About A Thousand and One Nights

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More About A Thousand and One Nights