This is often cited as the worst Elvis movie and it probably is. The first half especially is seriously cringe worthy. The songs are lousy and the setting is ridiculous: it's supposed to be the middle east but it's some part of the middle east that allows them to use Ali Baba and the 40 thieves type costumes and scenery. They obviously should have just had it set in that time period. Perhaps because of our current debacle in the middle east, I kept imagining George Bush in Elvis's role. it was surreal and often hysterical.
One infamous scene is Elvis receiving a personal bellydance from a girl who appears to be about 9. I actually thought it was entirely innocent and it seemed to give the movie a shot in the arm as the second half the ball gets rolling a little bit with some action sequences, a woman who sees Elvis face singing to her in the water, and elvis wearing a creepy caul thing like some evil priest. There are some very pretty girls in harem outfits so let's all go on a "harem holiday" as Elvis as Johnny something sings!
