TheLittleSongbird Love thriller with a touch of comedy and have a lot of respect for Gregory Peck, Alan Badel, Sophia Loren, Stanley Donen and Henry Mancini. Plus the comparisons to 'Charade', a wonderful film and the very definition of the distinction "The Hitchcock film that Hitchcock never made". So 'Arabesque' had a lot going for it.Getting the inevitable and often made comparisons to 'Charade', and any made out to Hitchcock (such as 'North By Northwest') quickly out of the way, 'Charade' is the much better film. Neither is 'Arabesque' in the same league with Hitchcock at his best, like 'North By Northwest' is. Donen has also done better, with 'Charade' being one of them. With that being said, 'Arabesque' to me was a good enjoyable film in its own right, with lots to admire but it is not hard to see why it won't be everybody's cup of tea.'Arabesque' could have been better. As good an actor Peck was, amazing at his best (like his performance for the ages as Atticus Finch in 'To King a Mockingbird'), he is completely out of his depth in this film. 'Roman Holiday' showed that he could handle comedy and romance well, but here he looks continually puzzled and is at his most uncomfortable looking since 'The Parradine Case', lacking the suavity, smoothness and urbane charm needed, things that, as much as it is regrettable that it's being said, Cary Grant would have pulled off perfectly (being the king of that acting style).Story-wise, 'Arabesque' is intriguing and entertaining, but it is also over-convoluted with parts not feeling explored enough. There are too a few nonsensical scenes (like the fainting guard) that seemed to be an indication of parts being written or re-written in a rush. Kieron Moore's dialogue jars a little bit somewhat.However, 'Arabesque' looks a dream, late 60s Technicolor has rarely looked this incredible. Have not seen cinematography this inventive in a long time, while the colours dazzle and the settings and costumes define glamorous to a tee. Henry Mancini's music score is typically luscious and jaunty in Mancini's own unmistakable way. Donen directs at a good pace.The script crackles in wit and sophistication while the story has enough entertainment value, tense suspense and intrigue to stick with it. Thanks to some memorable scenes, especially the incredibly clever opening titles sequence, the shower scene and the truly exciting climax.Excepting Peck, the performances are very good. Sophia Loren has never looked more stunning or been this classy, while Alan Badel is oily menace incarnate. Moore is fun in his role despite some jarring dialogue.Overall, good glamorous fun but with such amazing ingredients and assets it had the makings of a great film. 7/10 Bethany Cox

HotToastyRag If you're looking for a particularly mysterious, complex, dramatic international spy movie, you might want to look for a film that didn't come from the 1960s. Arabesque, in full 60s prime, is really cute. It is very 60s, though, so know what you're getting into. There are zooms, jokes about nudity that couldn't be shown, and outrageous hair and eye makeup.But best of all, the movie stars the infinitely handsome Gregory Peck and the unrealistically beautiful Sophia Loren. They're magical on screen together. Peck plays an American professor, and when he's recruited to help stop an assassination attempt on a Middle Eastern Prime Minister, he meets Sophia Loren. Is she in league with the bad guys? Will he solve the mystery in time? It's a really cute movie, with some genuinely exciting scenes thrown in—and I'm not just talking about the sparkling tension between the two costars. If you like movies like Gambit, Charade, or the Sean Connery James Bond flicks, you'll like this one!

Kirpianuscus after more than a half of century, important remains the cast. the story reminds others from the Cold War, the intrigue is the same like others films about secrets, espionage and innocent victims. but Sophia Loren and Gregory Peck are good ingredients for memories about a seductive woman, a professor and a long pieces of complicated puzzle. and this is the motif, the basic motif, for not ignore a story who gives the chance to the actors to do a beautiful work. and to remember the atmosphere of a Hollywood more interested by real seductive subjects.

DKosty123 When James Bond was so successful, a lot of folks went to the London studios are tried to make their own film. This one enlisted a top director, Stanley Roper (kidding), Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Christian Dior, and the MGM British Unit of the 1960's.The best features of this film - the cast, the opening and closing credits and the scenery. The worst part is the script. I mean if your going to try and clone James Bond, at least find someone who can write a good script to do so. If your going to fake Hitchcock, well even Hitch knew the writing was super important in his work. Most clever touch in the film - Peck using a wooden ladder to take down the bad guys helicopter. Worst touch, the total insane crazy plot and the way the sequencing was done. It was kind of cool seeing a bad guy blast open a fish tank in an aquarium but that touch could have been done more effectively.Sometimes, imitation of success does not really come off. The cast looks like they have fun, and I envy Peck being able to look at Loren nude and taking a shower in front of him. Could this have been better, yes and 007 did so. Legend has it Peck was supposed to be Cary Grant. I think in 1966 that Peck was the better option. He can even make bad lines sound like they have real authority.