Just watched The Golden Voyage of Sinbad movie on YT (free w. ads). It was filmed in 1973. If you pay close attention, you will see some striking similarities between it, and Gygax's 1e AD&D: concepts, spells, monsters, and artwork. I have to believe that Gygax watched this film, and that he took careful notes (mental or with paper and notepad?).
The film shows a seated statue of Buddha, holding a burning brazier in his lap -- striking similarity to the cover artwork of the 1e PHB! Following that quickly, is a scene with green-colored Humans whom Sinbad and his crew battle (1e PHB cover's Lizard men replacing the Humans?), in front of a statue of Khali (Hindu goddess of death): six arms; it is later animated by a Wizard (Tom Baker, of Doctor Who fame), holding six swords.
The Wizard, Koura, employs two Homonculous in his doomed ventures. The second is shown being made by him with alchemy to form its body, and his own blood to give it life. That smacks of the 1e PHB's spell description rather closely.
One not-so-obvious Easter Egg is the character, Margiana, a scantily clad slave girl whom Sinbad sets free: she could possibly be the inspiration for the woman the Efreet is clutching, on the cover of the 1e DMG. Maybe a stretch, but not much of one based on the other similarities found in this film.
In an earlier scene while Sinbad is sailing, the Wizard animates the ship's figurehead, a woman, who breaks free from the keel, and fights the crew; she hilariously ends up falling overboard, sinking, because the Wizard orders her to return to him, on another ship nearby. This stuff is straight out of AD&D.
There are more Easter Eggs suggesting Gygax was directly inspired by this film. It is actually quite good, quite fun to watch. The figurehead sinking, is hilarious, and it fits in with Gygax's 1e DMG advice to screw your players. LOL!
The movie is 1:44:58 long. Well worth the watch. I found it to be one of the best D&D movies I have seen yet. The parallels between it, and Gygax's 1e AD&D, appear to be so obvious… Cheers!
ponders nirvana.
