Altered States
Warner Bros. (1980)
Drama, Horror, Science Fiction, Fantasy
In Collection
#275
0*
DVD
102 mins
IMDB

William Hurt Professor Eddie Jessup
Blair Brown Emily Jessup
Bob Balaban Arthur Rosenberg
Charles Haid Mason Parrish
Thaao Penghlis Eduardo Eccheverria
Miguel Godreau Primal Man
Dori Brenner Sylvia Rosenberg
Peter Brandon Alan Hobart
Charles White-Eagle The Brujo, Hindris Indian
Drew Barrymore Margaret Jessup

Director Ken Russell
Producer Stuart Baird
Daniel Melnick
Writer Paddy Chayefsky
Sidney Aaron
Cinematography Jordan Cronenweth
Musician John Corigliano

Research scientist Eddie Jessup (William Hurt) believes that other states of consciousness are as real as everyday reality and may hold the key to another universe. Using sensory deprivation tank, he experiments with a hallucinatory mushroom, he finds in Mexico, and explores these altered states. As result, he starts to experience wild religious visions, such as visions of his goat-head flying through the stratosphere and consumed by a flaming crucifixes; a beautiful sequence with naked bodies being eroded by sandstorms; damned souls diving into flaming pits, etc. But soon, his mind-altering experiments get out of control and he endures experiences that make madness seem a blessing. The situation becomes even worse as an unexpected link of events causes him to regress genetically. Other cast members include: Blair Brown (Emily Jessup), Bob Balaban (Arthur Rosenberg), Charles Haid (Mason Parrish), and Drew Barrymore as Hurt's daughter (Margaret Jessup) in her film debute. Eddie's magical and horrific journey is paced like a rollercoaster ride. It has inspired many sci-fi films that followed, and even a song. It's an ultimate, visually striking and breathtaking picture with great performances and mind-blowing special effects of the time, one of the best science fiction tales ever put to film, featuring a number of Academy Award Nominations.

Edition Details
Audience Rating R (Restricted)
Country USA
Language English
Distributor Warner Home Video
Barcode 085391107620
Region Region 1
Release Date 8/15/2000
Packaging Snap Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3)
Fullscreen (4:3, Letterboxed)
Widescreen (1.85:1)
Subtitles English; French; English (Closed Captioned)
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital 5.1 [English]
Dolby Digital Surround [French]
Layers Dual Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 1

Features
Digitally Mastered Audio & Video Interactive Menus Production Notes Scene Access Theatrical Trailers TV Spots
Personal Details
Seen It Yes
Links Amazon US
Altered States at Movie Collector Connect
IMDB