It proved to be a rather pleasing romantic thriller, allowing both Gregory Peck – portraying an unfortunate academic – and Sophia Loren, playing the deceptive girlfriend of Alan Badel’s villain, to deliver strong performances. The basic story is somewhat tangled; a professor is asked to assist in locating and translating an ancient scroll that could potentially stop the planned killing of a Middle Eastern leader. Numerous misleading details and briskly delivered lines—which brought to mind some of the stronger installments of "The Man from UNCLE"—serve to entertain as he finds himself caught up in international political maneuvering, also experiencing a rather quick romance. While the plot isn’t groundbreaking, it offers Loren more substantial material; and even though Badel's portrayal of “Beshraavi” is excessively theatrical, there are still enough hints and false leads to confuse even the most astute viewers!

Source on TMDB