The Thief and the Cobbler: Recobbled Cut (11/11)

Enjoy the original version of this lost animation classic, written and directed by three-time Academy Award winning animator Richard Williams (animation director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit).

Nearly 30 years in the making, a labor of love by a team of animation greats, this was to be the masterpiece of Williams' career, perhaps the most ambitious independent animated film ever conceived. Williams funded the film over the years with his millions of dollars of his own money, until after Roger Rabbit, Warner Brothers decided to fund the film. The Thief was the inspiration for Disney's film Aladdin, which proved to be its undoing. After over two decades of work, the film was taken away from Williams when he couldn't meet his deadline. It was eventually recut and destroyed, bought by Disney and destroyed further.

It has never been seen the way it was intended to be seen ... until now. Based on Williams' original workprint, missing scenes have been restored using storyboards and unfinished animation. Restored to its true form, this lost classic can finally be found.

Unofficial restoration by Garrett Gilchrist. (orangecow.org) This is not intended for profit, just a fanmade research project and tribute to this classic film.

Directed by Richard Williams
Screenplay by Richard Williams and Margaret French
Master animator Ken Harris
Produced by Imogen Sutton and Richard Williams

"Animation among the most glorious and lively ever created." - The New York Times

"It is written among the limitless constellations of the celestial heavens, and in the depths of the emerald seas, and upon every grain of sand in the vast deserts, that the world which we see is an outward and visible dream, of an inward and invisible reality ... Once upon a time there was a golden city. In the centre of the golden city, atop the tallest minaret, were three golden balls. The ancients had prophesied that if the three golden balls were ever taken away, harmony would yield to discord, and the city would fall to destruction and death. But... the mystics had also foretold that the city might be saved by the simplest soul with the smallest and simplest of things. In the city there dwelt a lowly shoemaker, who was known as Tack the Cobbler. Also in the city... existed a Thief, who shall be ... nameless."

Also known (in horrifically butchered form) as Arabian Knight and The Princess and the Cobbler.

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[TheMasterTelevision]

I don't know about anyone else, but I love this movie a lot more than other great movies I know. I know that the story is a bit generic and there are some plot holes, but I think the story behind how this was released was good enough to skyrocket my love for this. The poor man who started his life's dream project spent nearly 30 years working on it only to have it bought off and horribly cut and released, but then have his intended version release to praise

That could make a movie right there

[bwyfan19]

This is probably the most amazing non-Disney animated movie that I have ever seen! Thanks TheThiefArchive for giving us access to the movie as it was meant to be!

[squidloveful]

Sean Connery > Matthew Broderick. On every level conceivable. Fuck the edit.

[eax74]

Bravo!

[tenlosol]

Just spent the day watching this movie and it was completely worth it. Great movie.

[Cthulu98]

Truly visually stunning, loved the lack of dialogue, only used to explain plot.. Brings a different element to the storytelling and the amount heart, passion, and creativity. Truly an amazing animated work. Such a travesty that those who attempt such great things can be so wronged. Thank you so much for sharing the film in the original uncut type of format filing the storyboards and using as much actual completed footage from Williams.

Just the animation so vivid and the beauty, awe-inspiring.

[Halloweenfox2]

I have to say, I have my likes and dislikes from both versions. I love the idea that this, the original, had with not having Tac do any of the narrating and not talking at all until the end, but I also liked being able to hear the thief's thoughts throughout the movie as he was dragged through the adventure. I have to say that I do like this one a lot and it was a shame that they cut it so much, I hope that one day they'll wise up and make a remake where they finish up this version completely.

[EspyLacopa2]

Sean Connery as Tack? Awesome.

[SunWukong54]

@booyouharlot Miramax is a subsidiary of Disney.

[YettiYogiBear]

Best animated movie ever. Too bad it's not finished.

[booyouharlot]

@Xriloku It was Majestic Films and Miramax that released it, never Disney. The only part where Disney comes in is that they were working on restoring the film in 2000 (like this version) but the director of that project left the company and its been on hold since 2003.

[EdFugg]

@NeverDoubt1 @purvicide Generally, a cretin will find "something wrong" with whomever disagrees with his wee little opinions about anything. That's how to recognize a cretin. This is a great piece of animation.