Altered States [DVD] [1980]

What a film. Brilliant story about scientists who take a mind altering drug and then shut themselves in a sensory deprivation tank.

The effects are dated . Early religious imagery in the beginning but not related in later part in the movie .

With the recent proliferation of paranormal/parapsychological interest, this film is prescient in its promotion of - literally - altered (shamanic) states of consciousness to make some kind of meaning if our existence. One of Ken Russell’s best films and unjustly overlooked.

Excellent treatment of the old Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde theme, taking it to new levels of quantum physics/nature of reality as a high flying American science professor combines the effects of Ayahuasca with electro magnetism on the human brain using himself as guinea pig much to the consternation of his doubting colleagues. 80% of this film script is scientific, exploring scientific possibilities of quantum realities and how to access them, the drama only coming in at the end, exploring the notion of whether the internal subconscious can be actualised into external reality via dimensional access. Some spectacular filmic druggy imagery similar to Kubrick's "2001 ~ A Space Odyssey". His experiments do go beyond his expectations with reverse time travel merging with the present day. A very interesting treatment of alternate realities for anyone interested in ayahuasca, psy-ops, remote viewing, esp, extra sensory consciousness. parallel universes etc. Thinky thinky as opposed to Hammer Horror. A thinking man's "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde" .

Mad as a box of frogs. Love it!

quite good. pass the acid when watching. might change your mind

Brilliant Blu-ray version of Ken Russell’s Altered States starring William Hurt, Blair Brown, Charles Haid, Bob Balaban with a first appearance by Drew Barrymore. Frenzied, hallucinogenic and body-morphing results come from disaffected Harvard professor Jessup’s attempts to locate the primordial self via a route of self-deprivation (isolation tank) and sensory augmentation (peyote). His hallucinations build in intensity over time until his very physical structure morphs into an horrific series of proto-human and cellular transformation, while hisfamily and colleagues reactions escalate into dismay and panic. The answers he gets provide a climactic reunion with the essential and ecstatic glue of the universe, i.e. love. A moral battle between scientificobsession and human concerns, the pace is breakneck, the horror-fantasy intense and the visuals astounding. Don’t think, just see it.

This film first scared me about 12 months before I saw it - there was an article in OMNI magazine featuring a selection of stills, which freaked me out.It was, therefore, with some trepidation that I approached a chance to see it at the cinema. I have it at home now and it really is so well-made that it still "does it to me" even after all this time. This is largely due to the marvellous score by John Corigliano.I think that Blair Brown's performance as the hapless wife is hugely underrated. The FX were groundbreaking then and still highly effective now.My personal scariest moment is the one where one of Jessup's subjects "trips out". Her facial expression and the words of the script conspire to make me uneasy even now.