Arabian Knights is an animated segment of The Banana Splits Adventure Hour, created by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The series is based on Arabian Nights, a classic work of Middle Eastern literature.
Set among the fantasy-set lands that surround the high city of Baghdad, the show follows the adventures of a group of extraordinary people, who have banded together to fight against a corrupt ruler of Baghdad.
The rightful ruler of Baghdad is young Prince Turhan, until the evil Sultan Bakaar and his minions usurp the throne. Turhan becomes a wanted man and must flee the city. He encounters a magician, Fariek, who transforms Turhan and himself into blue wisps of smoke to hide them from Bakaar's minions. Fariek then enchants a table so that it can fly.
After leaving the city, the companions hide in a cave, where they meet strongman Raseem the Great, who befriends them once he realises that they are enemies of Bakaar. The three new allies then set off on the back of a small donkey called Zazuum to enlist the aid of Turhan's uncle, the Caliph. They reach the Caliph's city to find he has been deposed by Bakaar. His daughter Nida, Turhan's cousin, is about to be sold into slavery. The allies manage to free Nida, but are cornered by Bakaar's men until assistance arrives in the form of Bez, a man who is able to transform into any animal at will. Turning into an elephant, he charges through the guards and carries everyone to safety.
Once away from Bakaar's minions, the group decides to form a heroic band, to hopefully one day overthrow Baakar and restore Turhan as Sultan once more. Thus begin their adventures.
[edit] Series direction
The Arabian Knights series was one of several animated mini-series, used as filler segments for Hanna-Barbera's Banana Splits Club show. For the most part, it competed with the other series, The Adventures of the Musketeers, Micro Ventures and the live-action Danger Island segments.
Often, the general thrust of the Arabian Knights adventures deals with the Knights trying to effect some action against Bakaar’s soldiers, finding a means to further complete their goal of turning the tables on the evil dictator, or dealing with another villain set within the Knights' universe.
For the most part, these adventures were done with a semi-serious slant, with a goodly portion of action and comedy mixed in. Hardly anyone was injured or harmed — save for Baakar's minions (in a usually comic effect), and the episodes usually had an upbeat, happy ending for the Knights.
[edit] Characters
- Turhan: A young teenaged boy, a Prince and rightful heir to the throne of the Sultan; he is the de facto leader of the Knights. Brave and handsome, he is the driving force behind fighting Bakaar and ending the usurper’s reign. He has acrobatic agility and quickness, he is also skilled with a scimitar, enough to best Vangor in a contest.
- Nida: A lovely teenaged girl, cousin to Turhan and daughter of the Caliph; she is far from your typical ‘damsel-in-distress’ (though she can be and is captured often during the series). She can fight, but her real talent comes from her ability to disguise herself and alter her voice to mimic others. She uses this talent often to confuse Bakaar’s men and throw them off their guard.
- Raseem: A tall, muscular man — shown wearing a brief costume and fez — who is the token ‘strongman’ of the Knights; also called ‘Raseem the Great’, he first meets Turhan when he and Fariek hide in a cavern he occupies. He mistakes them for Bakaar's men and attacks them. When asked to be friends states "I have no friends". However upon learning they are against Bakaar he befriends them, and together he goes with them to find the Caliph (to get his aid against Bakaar). He often boasts of his strength saying he is as strong as 30 men. At one time he said he was as strong as seven elephants. Strong enough to shatter stone walls, lift and catch boulders, catch and throw back cannonballs and fight off scores of Bakaar’s soldiers at a time. Raseem’s power makes for a good equalizer in the Knight’s battles. He also has a companion in Zazuum; a small donkey (see entry below).
- Fariek: A short, tubby little man who is a somewhat skilled practitioner of the mystical arts; he is the first to offer aid to Turhan after the Prince is deposed by Bakaar. A jolly soul, Fariek is somewhat portrayed as a bit of a bungler when it comes to casting spells or using magic against the Knight’s foes, but he always comes through in the clutch. His magic can cast illusions, make objects fly and change one thing into another, etc., but it can be disrupted by either counter-spells or when he himself is interrupted (having his eyes covered, etc.). He often provided the transportation (a flying carpet, flying pillows or flying chairs) for the knights. Sometimes, magic is getting very difficult, it can take a lot of energy out of him.
- Bez: A dark-skinned man who is often portrayed as wearing a turban and green clothing; he is also known as ‘Bez the Beast’, for his ability to transform his body into the form of any animal known to man. Often, he triggers this ability by speaking the phrase “Size of a-!” and speaking the name of the animal he wished to turn into. If the creature is small enough he can turn into multiple versions of them. Such as turning into a million bees. He can also transform into creatures like Winged Horses and Rocs. His shapeshifting makes him a handy spy for the knights.
- Zazuum: A small donkey with long ears, who was Raseem’s companion before the muscle-man joined Turhan’s crusade against Bakaar. Often just a cute sidekick, Zazuum proved to be a bit of a secret weapon, because if one pulled his tail, it would make the little donkey go berserk; spinning and kicking out like a miniature tornado. This mistake was often made by Bakaar's men who triggered Zazuum's secret ability. Zazuum often was shown as having some intelligence, as he would at times give aid to his fellow Knights (often by distracting guards, getting keys to unlock prison doors, etc.).
- Bakaar: The series' evil ruler, who usurps Turhan’s father's throne and takes control of Baghdad. Clearly wishing to command all of the kingdom that bows to Baghdad, he sets all of his forces to the goal of capturing Turhan (and later all of the Knights) to secure his place on the throne. While cruel, Bakaar does not usually involve himself directly in the fight against the Knights; preferring to let his soldiers and minions to do the job (often with much failure). When he does try to do it himself, he is met with the same failure.
- Vangore: Bakaar's main henchman and captain of his guards. Often hatches plots to capture the Knights with no real success. He is often blamed and punished for his failures by Bakaar. Apparently, Vangore's father was a camel driver.
- Sundar: Bakaar's court magician.
[edit] Episodes
- Joining of the Knights -
- The Ransom -
- A Trap for Turhan -
- The Great Gold Robbery -
- The Wizard Ramnizar -
- Sky Raiders of the Desert -
- The Challenge -
- Isle of Treachery -
- The Sultan's Plot -
- The Reluctant Empress -
- The Coronation of Bakaar -
- The Great Brass Beast -
- The Fabulous Fair -
- The Desert Pirates -
- The Jewels of Joowar -
- The Spy -
- The Prisoner -
- The Royal Visitor -
[edit] External links
