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Adventure Cult Classic

Spies, disguises, and farce collide as Israeli and Arab rivals trade intrigue for hijinks.

THE HAREM BUNCH

The picture that made the sphinx wink!

1969 · 1h 17m · R · Adventure / Comedy · IMDB TMDB

Three beautiful Israeli spies go undercover and infiltrate a terrorist training camp, but are discovered, captured and interrogated, in various stages of nudity.

Quick Answer

What is The Harem Bunch about?

The Harem Bunch is a 1969 American adventure-comedy film directed by Paul Hunt about three Israeli spies who go undercover behind Arab lines, only to be captured and entangled in a farcical plot involving espionage, disguises, and unexpected alliances.

Programmer's Pick

If your idea of spy games involves more slapstick than stealth and a wardrobe of questionable disguises, The Harem Bunch delivers. Where else do international tensions dissolve into farce, with secret messages divided among seductively undercover agents?

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In The Harem Bunch, former enemies Ali and Irving recount the time their rivalry played out on a much grander—and more absurd—stage. Set in Tel Aviv, the film follows Irving, now a general in the Israeli Army, as he orchestrates a plan to provoke an Arab attack by sending three undercover female spies behind enemy lines. Each woman carries a fragment of a secret message about a fictitious supply shipment, disguised in various guises from harem girl to camel boy. Their mission quickly goes sideways when they're captured and imprisoned in the tent of the Arab leader, setting the stage for a series of misadventures, double-crosses, and comedic interrogations. With farce, nudity, and espionage, this adventure-comedy delivers its intrigue with a wink.

Details & Specs

Director
Paul Hunt
Writers
Bob Cresse, Paul Hunt
Release
1969
Runtime
1h 17m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Also Known As
Desert Odyssey, Undercover Vixens, War and Peace, The Harem Bunch (original title)

Why Cult

Spy Farce Setup

The film turns Cold War espionage on its head, sending three Israeli spies on a comedic, covert mission behind enemy lines.

Elaborate Disguises

From harem girl to camel boy, the spies’ disguises are as absurd as they are entertaining, fueling the film's comedic tone.

Sexploitation Hijinks

Bondage, nudity, and farcical interrogation scenes mark this as pure 1960s sexploitation with a satirical edge.

Arab-Israeli Conflict Satire

The film lampoons real-world tensions with a comedic take on the Arab-Israeli conflict, trading seriousness for slapstick.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was The Harem Bunch released? +

The Harem Bunch was released in 1969.

Who directed The Harem Bunch? +

The Harem Bunch was directed by Paul Hunt.

How long is The Harem Bunch? +

The Harem Bunch has a runtime of 77 minutes.

What genre is The Harem Bunch? +

The Harem Bunch is an adventure-comedy film.

Where can I watch The Harem Bunch? +

The Harem Bunch is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips