Arabesque
Seen it?1966 | 105 min | Thriller, Comedy, Mystery, Action
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (74% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing, anyone who wants a laugh and action fans. If you loved Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Provocative satire that goes after everyone, tense.
- The pace
- Fast-moving, at 1 hr 45 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1966: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
When a plot against a prominent Middle Eastern politician is uncovered, David Pollock, a professor of ancient hieroglyphics at Oxford University, is recruited to help expose the scheme. Pollock must find information believed to be in hieroglyphic code and must also contend with a mysterious man called Beshraavi. Meanwhile, Beshraavi's lover, Yasmin Azir, seems willing to aid Pollock -- but is she really on his side?
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
74% on Rotten Tomatoes, 69 on Metacritic
- AudiencesBelow par
6.3 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 1 BAFTA: BAFTA Film Awards: Best Cinematography. Also nominated for 2 more BAFTAs. Plus 1 other award.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
More like this
The Long Kiss Goodnight
Weeknight WatchAnother spy action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Anna Weeknight WatchAnother spy action film, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Hitman: Agent 47
Monday Morning MaybeAnother hitman action film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Mechanic: Resurrection Monday Morning MaybeAnother hitman action film. Fair warning: it's a Monday Morning Maybe.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Saturday SpecialAnother thriller.
Want more like this, picked just for you? Get my picks
Cast & crew
Directed by Stanley Donen
- Gregory PeckProf. David Pollock
- Sophia LorenYasmin Azir
- Alan BadelNejim Beshraavi
- Kieron MooreYussef Kasim
- Carl DueringPrime Minister Hassan Jena
- John MerivaleMaj. Sylvester Pennington Sloane
- Duncan LamontWebster
- George CoulourisRagheeb
- Ernest ClarkBeauchamp
- Harold KasketMohammed Lufti