Silly '60s spy caper Fathom stars Raquel Welch as curvaceous skydiving dental assistant Fathom Harvill, who becomes involved in all manner of espionage shenanigans after she is approached by Colonel Campbell (Ronald Fraser), chief of H.A.D.E.S. (Headquarters Allied Defences, Espionage & Security), and his assistant Timothy (Richard Briers), who need her help in locating the Fire Dragon, a missing H-Bomb component that is also being sought by Red Chinese agent Peter Merriwether (Anthony Franciosa). All is not as it seems, however, and Fathom soon realises that she cannot take anyone at face value.
From the opening sequence, in which the camera lingers lovingly on Welch's body as she carefully packs her parachute, it is abundantly clear that director Leslie H. Martinson's main priority is to exploit his sex symbol star's impressive physique; it certainly isn't telling a coherent tale, the twisting plot for Fathom requiring far too much concentration for a frivolous spy romp with the constant distraction of such a gorgeous lead. Still, with Welch slipping into a variety of sexy outfits for her undercover activities, including a dress that is like a red rag to a bull, and a green bikini guaranteed to impress, the film is never a chore, I suppose.
From the opening sequence, in which the camera lingers lovingly on Welch's body as she carefully packs her parachute, it is abundantly clear that director Leslie H. Martinson's main priority is to exploit his sex symbol star's impressive physique; it certainly isn't telling a coherent tale, the twisting plot for Fathom requiring far too much concentration for a frivolous spy romp with the constant distraction of such a gorgeous lead. Still, with Welch slipping into a variety of sexy outfits for her undercover activities, including a dress that is like a red rag to a bull, and a green bikini guaranteed to impress, the film is never a chore, I suppose.