Iznogoud

Set in a sunlit, comical version of Baghdad, the Caliph Haroun al Plassid rules with a steady hand while the scheming Iznogoud longs for the throne. The Grand Vizier keeps cooking up schemes to unseat the ruler, hoping a new reign will be his. He banners each plan with magical tricks, talking lamps, and fantastical gadgets, only to watch them derail in spectacular fashion. The capital becomes a playground of pratfalls and misfires as illusions misfire, disguises go awry, and bad luck seems to outwit every clever ruse. The tone stays breezy and playful, leaning on visual gags and wordplay rather than dark plots, so the comedy lands through energy and timing rather than menace for local audiences everywhere.

Directed by Patrick Braoudé, this film adapts the comic world created by Jean Tabary with input from Rene Goscinny, bringing Iznogoud to the big screen in a live action fantasy comedy. The cast includes Michaël Youn and Jacques Villeret prominently.

Box office numbers are not provided in the available data, so its worldwide performance cannot be evaluated here. The production carried a budget around 30 million dollars, but reliable grosses are not cited in the supplied information today for audiences.

As an adaptation of a long running Franco-Belgian comic, the film nods to fans with familiar characters and playful visual jokes while trying to translate the adventurous feel to cinema. It contributes to the ongoing cultural footprint of Iznogoud in popular culture. Fans of the comics may notice clever nods.

Critics noted a brisk pace and energetic delivery, though some found the jokes uneven. The movie leans into ambition and luck as recurring themes and keeps the tone light through rapid gags and bright sets that emphasize humor over menace. The humor aims to be inclusive and accessible across ages.