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Robert Bathurst, Jim Carter, Caroline Goodall, Bob Goody, Vanessa Redgrave ... see more see more... , Alexei Sayle , Aaron Johnson , Rollo Weeks , George MacKay , Jasper Harris , Alice Connor , Lathaniel Dyer , Carole Boyd

A thieving band of orphans who steal from the rich simply to survive encounter a supernatural merry-go-round with mysterious powers in this screen adaptation of award-winning author Cornelia Funke's p... read more read more...opular series of children's books. Left in the care of their abusive aunt following the death of their mother, two young boys flee to Venice, Italy in hopes that life will be easier on their own. Times are tough in Venice though, and after meeting mysterious young thief Scipio the desperate runaways soon agree to join his band of pint-sized pickpockets. When a detective assigned the task of bringing the youngsters in becomes privy to their impoverished plight, he joins them in solving the mystery of a powerful merry-go-round that appears to have special powers. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Flixster Users

69% liked it

8,613 ratings

Critics

40% liked it

5 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Richard Claus

Release Date: January 5, 2006

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DVD Release Date: March 14, 2006

Stats: 569 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (569)


  • February 17, 2012
    This adventure film set in the beautiful city of Venice aims primarily at a young audience. That does not mean there is nothing for adults here, but they may have a harder time connecting to the story, what with very few believable grown-up characters in the story and a rather di... read moresjointed way of telling it. The plot gets surprisingly complex for a kids adventure, but the dialog remains rather shallow and simplistic. The soundtrack often makes things sound more exciting and bombastic than they actually are. The movie's biggest asset is the setting, which is primarily real Venice and oozes the atmosphere of the city (even if obviously filmed in winter). The characters do remain rather flat. Now, kids certainly don't mind all that, there is plenty of stuff happening and glimpses of magic between the adventure plot. So the target audience should have fun with it, as an adult there have been more coherent films to watch with children than this.
  • July 5, 2009
    I like this movie when I first watchedit, however it was my sisters and she got rid of it because she though it was boring, I would like to see it again.
  • December 19, 2008
    wat a gr8 movie, luv the actors. i've always luved the story, but i think the movie is way betr!! jasper harris is the cutest kid EVR!!!
  • July 15, 2008
    i love this movie Rollo weeks is so cute!!!!!!iwish he would be in alot more movies he is such a good actor and still so cute or as a grown women would say it handsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • July 24, 2007
    Totally great. Magical right down the the very end. The best book I've read in a long time done justice in a movie.
  • July 3, 2007
    that was such a good, movie that it surprised me, movies usaully don't lve up to the greatness of the book they r based off of
  • June 27, 2007
    The Thief Lord is a great book and a wonderful movie!!!!
    And I love Rollo Weeks and Aaron Johnson!!!!
  • June 9, 2007
    This was my fav movie at one time (not much now) But Rollo Weeks, Aaron Johnson, and George MacKay were cute.
  • June 4, 2007
    not to bad! good kids movie! they'll think its great! not quite sure why its rated R... i guess i missed somethine!! idk! lol
  • June 4, 2007
    Aaron Johnson you rock! Great book also! I asked my teacher if he would wed me and the book and he said sure. Rollo Weeks also is good in it. "So the thief is just a little rich boy's game?" - Prosper/Prop

Critic Reviews


Rich Cline
September 23, 2006
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

The kind of entertainingly gonzo storyline that completely disarms us, simply because anything could happen. Full Review

John J. Puccio
March 30, 2006
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis

...too simplistic, too episodic, and too disjointed for this adult to enjoy, but...kids will probably like its intrigue and most of its generally sweet nature. Full Review

David Cornelius
March 29, 2006
David Cornelius, eFilmCritic.com

The Thief Lord is a magical little story, lovingly and expertly crafted. What an absolute delight. Full Review

September 23, 2006
Empire Magazine

Click to read the article Full Review

Joe Utichi
September 23, 2006
Joe Utichi, FilmFocus

Click to read the article Full Review

September 23, 2006
BBC

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September 23, 2006
Time Out

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Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Thief Lord Trivia


  • In what movie do a group of Italian orphans/runaways live in an old abandoned movie theatre in the heart of Venice?  Answer »
  • Who played Scipio in The Thief Lord?  Answer »
  • In the movie 'The Thief Lord', what are the kids looking for to give to the Count?  Answer »
  • Who portrays Prosper in The Thief Lord?  Answer »

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