Arabesque (1966)

In the labyrinthine world of international intrigue, Professor David Pollock, an esteemed Oxford scholar and expert in ancient Arabic hieroglyphics, finds himself ensnared in a treacherous web of deception and danger. The story unfolds with the murder of Professor Ragheeb, a scene that leaves behind a cryptic hieroglyphic clue on his glasses as the only evidence. Unbeknownst to Pollock, this mysterious cipher holds the key to an impending conspiracy against the Arabian Prime Minister, Hassan Jena. When Pollock is approached by a stranger to decipher the hieroglyphic clue for the enigmatic and wealthy Nejim Beshraavi, he politely declines, oblivious to the perilous journey ahead. However, fate has other plans as he is abruptly kidnapped by Prime Minister Jena during a routine jog. Jena, operating unofficially on English soil, convinces Pollock to infiltrate Beshraavi's organization, unravel the hieroglyphic mystery, and expose the ominous plot. Reluctantly, Pollock accepts the dangerous assignment, lured into Beshraavi's opulent mansion with a handsome offer of 30,000 dollars. There he encounters the beguiling Yasmin Azir, Beshraavi's mistress, who warns him of his impending doom similar to Professor Ragheeb if he persists in deciphering the hieroglyphic. However, the allure of the beautiful and enigmatic Yasmin, interweaved with the intrigue of the unfolding plot, pulls Pollock deeper into the conspiracy. As Pollock and Yasmin, bound by a tenuous alliance, embark on a daring escape from Beshraavi's mansion with the coveted hieroglyphic, they are ensnared by another player in this deadly game, Yussef Kasim. The professor soon finds himself spiraling in a vortex of deceit, where every ally could be a foe, every step toward deciphering the hieroglyphic could be a step toward his own doom, and the only certainty is uncertainty. Amidst the chaos, one question looms: Can Pollock and Yasmin unravel the truth in time to thwart the assassination of Prime Minister Jena?

Arabesque is an action movie featuring Gregory Peck.

Arabesque is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.