Arabesque (1966)
Genre: Thriller
Duration: 105 minuten
Alternative title: Stanley Donen's Arabesque
Country:
United States
Directed by: Stanley Donen
Stars: Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren and Alan Badel
IMDb score:
6,4 (9.102)
Releasedate: 4 May 1966
Arabesque plot
"Ultra Mod. Ultra Mad. Ultra Mystery."
Egyptologist Professor David Pollock (Gregory Peck) becomes involved in a plot against a Middle East head of state. In his efforts to prevent the attack, he is assisted by an exotic beauty Yasmin Azir (Sophia Loren). But is she on his side?
Actors and actresses
Prof. David Pollock
Yasmin Azir
Beshraavi
Yussef Kasim
Hassan Jena
Maj. Sylvester Pennington Sloane
Webster
Ragheeb
Beauchamp
Mohammed Lufti
Reviews & comments
Filmkriebel
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- 10206 messages
- 4774 votes
A fast-paced film, but I found the plot to be quite unclear and contrived; for instance, it remains unclear why Pollock is being asked to decipher the message and why that prime minister exactly had to be kidnapped when the message stated the intention was to assassinate him . I actually found the mix of James Bond-style action and clumsy humor quite successful, and the film certainly has a few moments that stand out. Just too many irritating elements, and therefore a mediocre film.
Translated from Dutch · View original
Film Pegasus (moderator films)
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- 31401 messages
- 5579 votes
A spy thriller with a comedic touch. The film was originally written for Cary Grant, but he backed out due to the weak script. Eventually, director Stanley Donen also lost interest in making the film, but once Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren were on board, he could hardly refuse. Peck—however good he is as an actor—does not possess Grant's sense of humor. And that is noticeable at times. Donen then tried to compensate for the somewhat weaker script by making something of it visually. The film has a certain resemblance to 60s spy movies and series. Besides the beautiful setting and costumes, Donen filmed primarily by playing with shots, mirrors, and reflections. The accompanying music by Henry Mancini fits well. It elevates the film somewhat, even though it will never be a true classic.
Translated from Dutch · View original
thunderball
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- 5969 messages
- 1426 votes
Watched this again this past week (old German Blu-ray) in good quality.
I have always found this to be a somewhat strange adventure/spy film, in which the odd camera angles were what stuck with me the most, while I remembered absolutely nothing of the story.
In short, it concerns a piece of paper with an inscription in hieroglyphic script that Peck must decipher, but he is subsequently attacked and pursued by all sorts of malicious figures, including the owner and commissioner of the writing itself.
The photography is truly outstanding, making use of all kinds of unusual camera angles and shots, reflections, and montage.
The script is quite messy and the one-liners are significantly weaker than those of Charade by the same director, but the Peck and La Loren tandem works very well and Sophia looks like a beautiful pearl, as usual.
Henry Mancini's musical score is strong once again, and the opening titles of Mr. 007 Maurice Binder are, if possible, even more hallucinatory than those of Charade.
A very enjoyable way to pass the time, although you will have forgotten the story quite quickly afterwards.
A solid seven, or 3.5 stars.
Translated from Dutch · View original
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