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5.7/10
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In Spain, an American skydiver is recruited by Western intelligence agents to recover a lost atomic bomb detonator from hostile foreign agents.In Spain, an American skydiver is recruited by Western intelligence agents to recover a lost atomic bomb detonator from hostile foreign agents.In Spain, an American skydiver is recruited by Western intelligence agents to recover a lost atomic bomb detonator from hostile foreign agents.
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Back in 1967, Raquel Welch's appearance (rather than performance) in "Fathom" helped jump-start the puberties of around 40 million baby-boomer boys. I never got the chance to see this picture back in '67, unfortunately, and had to have MY puberty jump-started the old-fashioned way: by watching James Bond in the movies and Honey West and Emma Peel on TV (not to mention Laurie R. in junior high!). But 40 years after the fact, I finally caught up with "Fathom" last night. And you know what? The picture really isn't half bad. It's got a good, twisty, intelligent script, tongue in cheek though it may be; beautiful Spanish location shooting; and some colorful characters. The picture also moves quickly and features some good action sequences (such as Racky dodging a maddened bull in a bullring and swimming away from a harpooner in a speedboat). Half the fun in the movie comes from trying to figure out who is lying and what the characters' various motivations are (nobody seems to be telling the truth about anything in this film, and poor Fathom is understandably confused throughout). I quite enjoyed the film, and must say that Raquel's acting is much better than she is given credit for, and that she does indeed look sensational in every scene. Now I can finally understand all those raised hormonal levels 40 years ago!
This is the quintessential Raquel Welch movie. In her most beautiful prime (27) and in a plot that allows for many opportunities to display that beauty, she shows why she was the ultimate sex symbol of the sixties, and, for many of us, of all time. Most of her films never fully captured her incredible appeal; this one does!
Raquel Welch, at the peak of sexiness, does the perfect Bond girl one better--she's Bond herself! The flimsy and kooky premise has Fathom caught up in a international hunt for a Red Chinese nuclear device hidden in a Ming Dynasty dragon statuette. She dodges bullets, jumps out of planes, and plays each side against one another, all along looking sensational. This is a stylish little movie directed by the same guy who later delivered such colorful TV fluff as "The Brady Bunch," "Wonder Woman," and "Fantasy Island." But the real draw is the understated almost smirky performance by Raquel. Raquel's Fathom is all woman: a gorgeous fashion-plate, yet strong, smart, and very much in control. Catch her if you can!
Welch looks good in this, to be sure. But she also carries across the oddball charm this movie is attempting to convey. She looked good in Bedazzled and Myra Breckinridge as well, but wasn't given much to do. Here she gets some good dialogue to parry the men with, and she comes across as an exciting heroine that unlike Flynt or Matt Helm, should have been given more than one movie to do her thing. This film is very reminiscent of the more whacked-out Modesty Blaise. Just a little funnier. One could also find the roots of the current Charlie's Angels flix in this movie, albeit without the battering music.
Leslie H. Martinson is a director who should be studied more closely. He did so many TV shows, it would be easy to dismiss him as style-free. But from what I've seen (Hot Rod Girl, PT 109, Batman) he uses simplicity in his favor, and makes good little movies that stick with you.
Leslie H. Martinson is a director who should be studied more closely. He did so many TV shows, it would be easy to dismiss him as style-free. But from what I've seen (Hot Rod Girl, PT 109, Batman) he uses simplicity in his favor, and makes good little movies that stick with you.
Let's face it, unless you are a BIG fan of "B"-grade 60's spy flicks, and can't get your hands on a "Matt Helm" copy, the ONLY reason you would watch this film is for the incredible Raquel Welch. For the most fun, turn the sound down and make up your own dialogue as you go along.
Did you know
- TriviaOne of the few movies that received Roger Ebert's "Zero Stars" rating (0/4).
- GoofsWhilst being chased by a bull, Fathom falls down at least twice. The first time, her underwear is black. The second time, her underwear is white. The third time, her underwear is brown.
- Quotes
Reporter: Señorita, how did you ever get a name like Fathom?
Fathom Harvill: A fathom is six feet. Papa was hoping for a tall son. Papa was disappointed.
- Alternate versionsWhen originally released theatrically in the UK, the BBFC made cuts to secure a 'U' rating. All cuts were waived in 2006 when the film was granted a 'U' certificate for home video.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Greatest Skydiving Scenes in Movies (2015)
- How long is Fathom?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Une nana nommée Fathom
- Filming locations
- Mijas, Málaga, Andalucía, Spain(filmed on location in Spain at Mijas)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,225,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 39 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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By what name was Une fille nommée Fathom (1967) officially released in India in English?
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