The Magician of Samarkand is a children's book by Alan Temperley which was made into a special three-part television program in 2006 for the British series '' Jackanory''. The television special starred

Ben Kingsley Sir Ben Kingsley (born Krishna Pandit Bhanji; 31 December 1943) is an English actor. He has received various accolades throughout his career spanning five decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, a Grammy Award, and tw ...

and was produced and directed by

Nick Willing Nick Willing (born 1961) is a British director, producer and writer of films and television series. Early life Willing is the son of Portuguese painter Dame Paula Rego and English artist Victor Willing and was largely brought up in Portugal, ...

. The special was nominated for a BAFTA Children's Award in the category of drama.

Plot

An evil magician moves into a small town in Asia and becomes enamored by Anahita, a poor girl who is in love with the local prince. The magician wishes to enslave Anahita, so she and her friends scheme to overthrow him.

References

BBC children's television shows Children's fantasy novels 2000s British children's television series {{2000s-child-novel-stub