Main Cast: Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Alan Badel, Kieron Moore, Carl Duering
Release Year: 1966
Country: US/UK
Run Time: 105 minutes
Plot
An expert in ancient hieroglyphics unexpectedly finds himself involved in a web of international intrigue in this chic, enjoyably tongue-in-cheek espionage adventure. Gregory Peck stars as David Pollock, an American professor whose predictable academic routine is overturned when he is hired to help translate a mysterious message written in an obscure ancient text. The real trouble begins, however, when everyone from a wealthy oil magnate to a foreign government to brutal criminals starts to chase Pollock, desperate to discover the nature of the deciphered message. Along for the ride is Yasmin Azir (Sophia Loren), the gorgeous lover of Pollock's employers, whose loyalties are questionable, to say the least. The tangled narrative proves less important than the film's stylish surface, from the colorful London locations to the Henry Mancini score. Certain touches date the film, like a brief foray into psychedelia, but the modish visuals are generally an appropriate match to the insouciant tone. Not taking itself seriously enough to be truly thrilling, Arabesque nevertheless stands as a witty, well-made example of a particular breed of airy, intentionally superficial comic adventure. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
Reece Pemberton - Art Director, Stanley Donen - Director, Frederick Wilson - Editor, Henry Mancini - Composer (Music Score), Christopher G. Challis - Cinematographer, Stanley Donen - Producer, Vic Armstrong - Stunts, Julian Mitchell - Screenwriter, Peter Stone - Screenwriter, Pierre Marton - Screenwriter, Stanley Price - Screenwriter, Gordon Cotler - Book Author
Professor David Pollock (Peck) is an expert in ancient Arabic hieroglyphics at Oxford University. A Middle Eastern Prime Minister convinces Pollock to infiltrate the organization of a man named Beshraavi (Alan Badel), who is involved in a plot against the Prime Minister. The nature of the plot is believed to be found in a hieroglyphic code. Beshraavi's mistress, Yasmin Azir (Loren) is a mystery intertwined in the plot. Pollock needs her help, but when she repeatedly seems to double cross him in one escapade after another, he can't decide on whose side she is working. Ultimately working together, Pollock and Yasmin decipher the plot and set out to stop an assassination of the Prime Minister.
When AFI named Sophia Loren # 21 on its list of the 25 greatest female American screen legends, Arabesque was the film selected to highlight Loren's legendary career. Co-star Gregory Peck was also named to the AFI screen legends list, ranking 12th among males.
See also
Crumlin, Caerphilly, the location at which the railway bridge action scene was filmed on the historic Viaduct, which was being dismantled at the time.
