Kismet (1955): cast, story & where to watch

1955 · Film · ★ 4.9

Kismet poster

Released in 1955, Kismet is a fantasy, adventure, romance and music film directed by Vincente Minnelli, running about 113 minutes. “FAMED STAGE HIT GLORIFIED ON THE SCREEN!” — that tagline sets the tone.

What it’s about. A roguish poet is given the run of the scheming Wazir's harem while pretending to help him usurp the young caliph. Kismet (The will of Allah), is the story of a young Caliph who falls in love with the beautiful Marsinah poet's daughter, in ancient Baghdad. Origin : Stranger in Paradise is a popular English song. The melody is an adaptation of the Polovtsian Dances (Prince Igor), popular in Russia.

Who’s in it. Kismet stars Howard Keel as The Poet, Ann Blyth as Marsinah, Dolores Gray as Lalume and Vic Damone as Caliph, among others.

How it landed. With an audience score of 4.9/10, Kismet has proved divisive with audiences.

Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Kismet page.

If you liked it. Fans of Kismet tend to enjoy The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Green Mile, Spirited Away and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Frequently asked

Where can I watch Kismet (1955)?
In US, Kismet is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
Is Kismet worth watching?
Kismet holds an audience score of 4.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy fantasy, adventure, romance and music. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
Who stars in Kismet?
Kismet stars Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Dolores Gray, Vic Damone and Monty Woolley.
When was Kismet released?
Kismet was released in 1955, with a runtime of about 113 minutes.