The Golden Blade

The Golden Blade

Year: 1953

Runtime: 81 mins

Language: English

Director: Nathan Juran

AdventureFantasy

A legendary golden blade and a decisive kiss set the stage for a high‑stakes quest. Basra merchant Harun Al‑Rashid seeks vengeance for his father's murder, traveling through ancient Baghdad. The adventure draws on the exotic tales of One Thousand and One Nights, blending swordplay, romance and intrigue.

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Timeline & Setting – The Golden Blade (1953)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Golden Blade (1953). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Basra, Baghdad

The story moves between the harsh desert frontier separating Basra and Baghdad and the opulent heart of Baghdad, where a Caliphate, a palace, and a bustling bazaar frame the action. Barcus runs a shop in Baghdad where Harun discovers a magical sword, anchoring the city as a center of commerce and legend. The setting blends militarized desert warfare with courtly intrigue, grand halls, and public spaces filled with villagers and soldiers alike.

🏜️ Desert landscape 🕌 Imperial city 🛍️ Market and palace life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

Main Characters – The Golden Blade (1953)

Meet the key characters of The Golden Blade (1953), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Harun (Rock Hudson)

A brave Basran soldier who discovers invincibility with the golden sword and gradually accepts the burden of protecting Khairuzan and guiding their quest for peace. His loyalty to the common people drives his decisions, though the sword’s power tempts him toward decisive, sometimes reckless action.

🗡️ Sword-wielder 💖 Romantic lead

Khairuzan (Piper Laurie)

The Caliph’s headstrong daughter who disguises herself as a boy to move freely. She creates her own agency within a rigid court, sparking a forbidden romance with Harun while challenging traditional gender roles. Her actions push the plot toward a choice between love, duty, and power.

👑 Princess 🎭 Rebel

Barcus (Steven Geray)

A shopkeeper who notices the fateful sword’s magic and agrees to help Harun unlock its inscriptions. He provides crucial guidance and becomes a steady, cautionary voice as the plot thickens with palace intrigue.

🧭 Mentor 🪄 Relic dealer

Jafar (George Macready)

The vizier who schemes to undermine the Caliph and seize power through manipulation, deceit, and political plots. He colludes with Hadi to steal the sword and prove his mastery over court politics.

🗡️ Villain 🧠 Mastermind

Caliph (Edgar Barrier)

Ruler of Baghdad whose authority is tested by Jafar’s machinations. He seeks stability for his realm but is eventually drawn into the danger surrounding the sword and the palace intrigue.

👑 Ruler ⚖️ Authority

Captain Hadi (Gene Evans)

Vizier’s son who engineers the attempt to marry Khairuzan and challenges Harun with deceit and gambling in the tournament. His schemes reveal his vanity and readiness to use others for power.

🤴 Prince ⚔️ Rival

Bakhamra (Kathleen Hughes)

Khairuzan’s handmaiden who reveals the plot to steal the sword and collaborates with Hadi to manipulate Harun and the Caliphate. Her actions showcase stealth and strategic influence behind palace walls.

🗝️ Insider 🤐 Secret-keeper

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

Major Themes – The Golden Blade (1953)

Explore the central themes of The Golden Blade (1953), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗡️ Power

A magical sword grants invincibility and the promise of a throne, driving ambition and danger. The inscriptions hint at fate and a reward buried in a grave of stone, testing loyalty, courage, and the costs of leadership. The pursuit of rule exposes vulnerabilities among rulers and courtiers alike. Duty and desire clash as Harun navigates political schemes to protect those he cares about.

💘 Love

Harun and Khairuzan’s relationship forms amid disguise, danger, and political manipulation. Their bond crosses social boundaries and complicates loyalties within a treacherous court and tournament atmosphere. Their romance endures betrayals while challenging the idea of arranged power. Love becomes a counterweight to ambition and a source of hope for ordinary people.

🧭 Intrigue

Jafar and Hadi orchestrate plots to seize the throne, using deception, theft, and political maneuvering. The magic sword sits at the center of power struggles, turning every encounter into a strategic move. Alliances crumble as schemes collide in a climactic struggle for control of Baghdad. The pursuit of power creates a tense, unstable political landscape.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:39

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The Golden Blade Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Golden Blade, 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.

The Golden Blade Summary

The Golden Blade Timeline

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The Golden Blade Timeline

More About The Golden Blade

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Explore More About Movie The Golden Blade

The Golden Blade (1953) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

The Golden Blade (1953) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

The Golden Blade (1953) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow