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      Namu, the Killer Whale

      1966 1h 28m Kids & Family Drama List
      Reviews 46% 50+ Ratings Audience Score After fishermen off the coast of Washington state slay a killer whale, the dead animal's mate founders in the coastal waters. Marine biologist Hank Donner (Robert Lansing) finds the surviving whale and forges a bond with the animal while documenting his scientific observations. Though some believe killer whales are vicious, local woman Kate Rand (Lee Meriwether) and her young daughter, Lisa (Robin Mattson), warm to Hank's new pal, even as fishermen state their plans to kill the whale. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered May 21 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Audience Member A superior children's film that adults might also enjoy. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member I loved this film as a child & just thought about it yesterday. Many times better than "Free Willy" in my opinion. The theme song really reflects the way I feel about nature & brings a tear to my eye when I think about it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member I was 9 years old when I saw this movie in the theatre and I can still remember the words to the theme song. Cried, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Basically a kid's movie, so it is difficult to really trash it. As a children's film primarily, it's ok. As an adult film it is barely interesting. Terribly mistitled, this orca whale is NO threat to anybody. It isn't all that big either, maybe 12 feet long. The movie portrays this whale like a dolphin. The movie was later released as "Namu, My Best Friend" (more accurate). The soundtrack is pretty lame. The camerwork is very basic, tv like. The story is true, which is a plus. Marine biologist (Robert Lansing, veteran TV actor) studying the whale defends it from hostile native fishermen who believe their salmon industry is being threatened by the big fish. Those familiar with Robert Lansing and John Anderson will recoginize them from dozens of 60's television and movie appearances. Anderson almost always plays a villain, as he does again in this "whale" of a movie. Great for whale lovers, sea life lovers, kids and easily entertained adults. A family film first rate. Directed by László Benedek Produced by László Benedek, Lamar Boren, Ivan Tors Written by Arthur Weiss Starring Robert Lansing ... Hank Donner (veteran tv actor) John Anderson ... Joe Clausen (veteran Western actor) Robin Mattson ... Lisa Rand Richard Erdman ... Deke Lee Meriwether ... Kate Rand Joe Higgins ... Burt Michael Shea ... Nick Clara Tarte ... Carrie Edwin Rochelle ... Charlie Music by Samuel Matlovsky (original music), Tom Glazer (theme song) Cinematography Lamar Boren Editing by Erwin Dumbrille Studio United Artists Distributed by United Artists (theatrical), MGM Home Entertainment (video) Release date(s) August 1966 (1966-08) Running time 89 minutes Country USA Language English Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member I wouldn't say this is the worst film I have ever seen, however in the world of "Orca movies" it ranks as both a "classic" and as well as one of the worse stories about an orca. This is a classic because by watching this film you are literally watching the first orca to ever have a movie made around him. The story of Namu is by far one of the most interesting things to happen in the past 50 years, more interesting than the story that the movie insists on showing. Namu wasn't just the first orca to have his own movie, he was also the first orca to successfully be in captivity for almost a year, he was the first orca to have a show where he preformed, but, most importantly, he was the first orca to swim with a human being. Before Namu came along orcas were feared much in the same way we fear sharks. Many people believed them to be vicious pests that competed with fisherman but would also kill anything that happened to fall into the water with them nearby. To say that this orca, and anything associated with him is incredibly important to the human-orca relationship would be an understatement. That doesn't excuse this terrible movie. This movie is rather pretentious. It tries to push this message about the beauty of nature and how evil man with his greed and inability for compassion and understanding will ruin innocent creatures such as Namu and his mate. Yes, this is VERY much an early green-peace movie that just insists on hitting you over the head with its environmental message. The song that opens up this movie pretty much sums it up with it's folksy tune and clunky lyrics: "Live and let live, let nature be your teacher. Respect the lives of your fellow creature. Live and let live, whatever you do. And always remember the killer whale, Namu." (Yes, I do have that memorized...it never leaves.) I really wish I could explain the story, but there really isn't much of one. The orca is captured by humans. But they don't know what to do with it. A girl comes along and "understands" the creature. And soon they set out to free the whale. The end. It doesn't help that this story was rushed...the filming was rushed...everything was rushed. Namu was the first orca...sorry, KILLER WHALE to ever swim with a human being. This is the modern equivalent someone jumping into a tank with a crocodile and all the croc does is let the guy ride on his back like some reptilian jet ski. Everyone was trying to make money off this amazing event. So, if you really love orcas and are fascinated by one of the most pivotal moments in human-orca history, I don't think I have to say you should see it. For everyone else, you might want to avoid this one. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member not bad, but nothing special or exciting Rated 2 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      Tracy Moore Common Sense Media 1960s whale adventure has some peril, but teaches tolerance. Rated: 4/5 May 10, 2013 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...ideal family entertainment. Rated: 2.5/4 Apr 14, 2005 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews I found it to be a whale of a film, a superior children's film that adults might also enjoy. Rated: B Nov 12, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis After fishermen off the coast of Washington state slay a killer whale, the dead animal's mate founders in the coastal waters. Marine biologist Hank Donner (Robert Lansing) finds the surviving whale and forges a bond with the animal while documenting his scientific observations. Though some believe killer whales are vicious, local woman Kate Rand (Lee Meriwether) and her young daughter, Lisa (Robin Mattson), warm to Hank's new pal, even as fishermen state their plans to kill the whale.
      Director
      Laslo Benedek
      Producer
      Ivan Tors
      Screenwriter
      Arthur Weiss
      Production Co
      Ivan Tors Productions
      Genre
      Kids & Family, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 1, 2017
      Runtime
      1h 28m
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