ARABESQUE (1966)
60TH ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION
Sixty years ago, Stanley Donen was looking to repeat the success of his 1963 romantic thriller Charade. While several writers struggled with the script for this tale of a hieroglyphics expert (Gregory Peck) pursued by an array of unsavory characters wanting him to translate a coded text, Donen set out to make the film the most visually stunning picture of his career. For a task like that, he couldn’t have asked for a better leading lady than Italy’s Sophia Loren. One of the screen’s great beauties, her stunning visage was matched by her sharp acting abilities. Audiences had no trouble buying her as Yasmin, the femme fatale mistress of a ruthless shipping magnate. She seems to be helping Peck get his information to the right parties, but he can never be fully sure whose side Yasmin is on. The stars’ chemistry helped make the film a stylish, sexy hit.
d. Stanley Donen, 106m, DCP
DCP courtesy of Universal Pictures.