W2TCH
Arabesque poster

Arabesque (1966)

1966 • 1h 45m • Action, Comedy • Approved
On September 22, 2026
#15134977
15134th by Pulse movie online
29.4PULSEPulse MeterOur daily Pulse Meter measures public activity and popularity signals across the web.How it works →

All reviews

John Chard on Arabesque

7/10 · Sep 25, 2014

Arabesque comes from director Stanley Donen and is credited to Julian Mitchell, Stanley Price and Pierre Marton in its adaptation of Gordon Cotler’s novel The Cypher. It features Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Alan Badel, John Merivale and Harold Kasket. A Panavision/Technicolor film with a score by Henry Mancini and cinematography by Christopher Challis. David Pollock (Peck), an expert in hieroglyphics, finds himself caught up in murky political dealings involving a Middle Eastern Prime Minister, a gorgeous spy, and a shady wealthy man. There are several problems with Arabesque; the casting of white actors portraying Arabs is noticeable, the plot feels unfocused, the ending isn’t satisfying, the antagonist lacks menace, and Peck doesn't quite come across as an action hero! However, if you can overlook these issues and simply enjoy watching the performers, there’s some entertainment to be found. Blending comedy, thriller, and mystery elements, Arabesque moves along at a reasonable pace, with Donen including memorable sequences throughout. From a delightful shower scene to chases in a zoo and on a construction site, it's clear that considerable effort went into making the film. Donen occasionally uses a kaleidoscopic filter and tilted camera angles to highlight David Pollock’s disorientation. These are welcome details, as is Mancini’s music which incorporates Eastern influences. While Peck isn’t typically an action hero, his sense of humor and general sophistication make him easy to support. Loren looks stunning; she's truly captivating with a playful look in her eye. Not every Christian Dior costume works well for the character, but Loren seems to be having a wonderful time herself, and shines throughout the film. The rest of the acting is just okay, with Badel’s villain resembling a pale imitation of Peter Sellers! It's certainly an uneven production, and the shadow of Donen's earlier film Charade, made three years before this one, can feel quite prominent at times, but it provides a pleasant enough experience. 7/10

Source on TMDB

OPTIMIZE & SAVE

Find duplicate catalogs, cut unnecessary subscriptions, and get more from the services you keep.

Start Saving