American smuggler Guy van Stratten decides to investigate the mysterious Mr. Arkadin (Orson Welles) after hearing about the wealthy man from a prison cellmate. Van Stratten befriends Arkadin’s daughter Raina but Arkadin himself claims amnesia about his own life sending van Stratten off to investigate his past. The search spans many countries and characters but the real purpose of the mission is not what it seems.

“It is, in turn, baffling, exciting, infuriating, original and obscure. It is also, from start to finish, the work of a man with an unmistakable genius for the film medium. In other words, it is typically Orson Welles. As an actor, he is as flamboyant as ever, pouring out metaphors in his mellifluous voice and tilting formidably at the camera every time it swerves in his direction. His Arkadin is less a performance than a presence, and, on screen or off, it overwhelms a film, which, for all its strangeness, is seldom less than brilliant.” 
– The New York Times

“EXTRAORDINARY, AND UNJUSTLY UNRECOGNIZED.” 
– Richard Brody, New Yorker

“There is greatness in it—a greatness harshly criticizing itself.” 
– Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader