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?
Costume
Sophia Loren's Christian Dior wardrobe steals every scene.
Direction
Donen's kinetic camera work during the zoo chase sequence.
Cinematography
Psychedelic optical effects that scream 1966.
Director
Stanley Donen
Gregory Peck
Prof. David Pollock
Sophia Loren
Yasmin Azir
Alan Badel
Nejim Beshraavi
Kieron Moore
Yussef Kasim
Carl Duering
Prime Minister Hassan Jena
John Merivale
Maj. Sylvester Pennington Sloane
Duncan Lamont
Webster
George Coulouris
Ragheeb
Ernest Clark
Beauchamp
Harold Kasket
Mohammed Lufti
Windsor Davies
Policeman
Jimmy Gardner
Helmsley
Harry Locke
Zookeeper
Michael Bilton
Microscope Salesman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Donen made this immediately after Charade, essentially trying to replicate its magic with Peck replacing Grant. It didn't quite stick.
The film's Orientalist aesthetic aged poorly—Middle Eastern politics as exotic backdrop for beautiful white people in danger.
US
