Viagem Fantástica (1966)

A scientist is nearly assassinated. In order to save him, a submarine is shrunken to microscopic size and injected into his blood stream with a small crew. Problems arise almost as soon as they enter the bloodstream.

Director:

Richard Fleischer

Writers:

Harry Kleiner (screenplay), David Duncan (adaptation)

Stars:

Stephen Boyd, Raquel Welch, Edmond O'Brien

Won 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stephen Boyd	...	Grant
Raquel Welch	...	Cora
Edmond O'Brien	...	General Carter
Donald Pleasence	...	Dr. Michaels
Arthur O'Connell	...	Col. Donald Reid
William Redfield	...	Capt. Bill Owens
Arthur Kennedy	...	Dr. Duval
Jean Del Val	...	Jan Benes
Barry Coe	...	Communications Aide
Ken Scott	...	Secret Service
Shelby Grant	...	Nurse
James Brolin	...	Technician
Brendan Fitzgerald	...	Wireless Operator

Storyline

Scientist Jan Benes (Jean Del Val), who knows the secret to keeping soldiers shrunken for an indefinite period, escapes from behind the Iron Curtain with the help of C.I.A. Agent Grant (Stephen Boyd). While being transferred, their motorcade is attacked. Benes strikes his head, causing a blood clot to form in his brain. Grant is ordered to accompany a group of scientists as they are miniaturized. The crew has one hour to get in Benes' brain, remove the clot, and get out.

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Plot Keywords:

miniaturization | scientist | blood clot | submarine | traitor | 

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Taglines:

The most amazing science fiction ever conceived!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

M/6

Did You Know?

Trivia

During filming, one of the two three-inch "Proteus" models used in the miniaturization sequence was left by an open window and was subsequently carried off by a crow.

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Goofs

When taking on oxygen in the lungs, the theory was that the pressure when Dr. Benes inhales would force air into the tanks. Air enters your lungs when you expand your chest cavity. The lower internal pressure causes atmospheric pressure to push air into your lungs. Therefore the pressure in the lungs would be slightly lower than atmospheric pressure. Certainly insufficient to force air into the tanks.

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Quotes

Cora: I think it's very exciting. We're going to see things no one has ever seen before. Not just something under a microscope. Think about it.
Grant: That's the trouble; I am. Being shrunk!

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Alternate Versions

The DVD edition has the following prologue: "The makers of this film are indebted to the many doctors, technicians and research scientists, whose knowledge and insight helped guide this production" The TV/Video version features this prologue instead: "This film will take you where no one has ever been before; no eye witness has actually seen what you are about to see. But in this world of ours where going to the moon will soon be upon us and where the most incredible things are happening all around us, someday, perhaps tomorrow, the fantastic events you are about to see can and will take place."

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Connections

Spoofed in Weird Science: Swallow 13 (1996)

User Reviews

A Great Thriller

This is not only a great science fiction film, it is also a great thriller as well. I especially loved the fact that this was supposedly done in "real time" and that the characters and that it was not only a mission to save the scientist life, but a race against time before the miniaturization wore off. Also, even though the effects are dated, they still were pretty good for the era they were produced in.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1966 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Viagem Fantástica

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena - 3939 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,115,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1