Did anybody realize the triangle conflict between Amara, Ali and Prince Cassim in this film? I read some reviews and comments on the film which are not so bad in general or even very good, but this underlying conflict and the interesting problem arising from it - although unfortunately not worked out in the film because of limitations of genre - is never mentioned. I would like to discuss this, if there were anybody who is interested in it.
shareSure, it's something to discuss (4 years later!), but since the Prince didn't really love her it isn't so interesting.
"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.
Hi, nice to get a reply at all!
I don't think that this is the point; the interesting thing is the conflict arising from the following situation: Amara loves Ali, Ali hates Cassim, Amara loves Cassim. If Cassim had not been killed by Hulagu, there would have been a major problem either for Ali or for Amara or for both to deal with their conflicting feelings. The solution to have Cassim killed by the Khan avoids this problem at the end. That's why I said it is not worked out in the film, but the story itself had the potential to become much more interesting this way.
True it would have been more interesting, because Amara was willing to sacrifice herself for her father (the marriage). But wouldn't she have given herself over to Ali, anyway, even if Cassim had lived?
"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.
Yes, she would. But Ali was burning to kill Cassim. Could he do that without hurting Amara? What would have been stronger: his hatred against Cassim or his love for Amara? And Amara: Would she have sacrificed her father or would she have persuaded Ali to spare him? And as it is clear that there had to be some form of punishment for Cassim which had to be enacted by Ali as the ruler: How would that be realized if Cassim is going to be Ali's father-in-law? On the other hand, if there had been no punishment, then how about justice?
In my opinion, the story is interesting because you see emerging all these psychological and moral conflicts revolving around love and hatred, guilt and justice and vengeance. Although I like the movie since my childhood, I think it is a pity that the genre of the film didn't allow to develop this potential. Perhaps they didn't even see it.
But there are some interesting features also in Cassim which may show a deeper level: a feeling of guilt and fear as well as weakness as motivation for his deeds, not mainly greed or wickedness. This could have been a truly three-dimensional character.
Perhaps that is why this movie was so fascinating for me when I was a child - besides its exotism, of course ;-).
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