Rent Altered States for FREE

Start your 30 day FREE trial » Find out more

+70,000 other titles and counting

NO late fees or long term contracts - cancel anytime
FREE first class post for DVD, Blu-ray & Games rental
1000's of films to stream instantly to your PC, TV or PS3^TM at no extra cost

Altered States Reviews

1980

60
from 1459 members

In this 1980 sci-fi horror film, William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup, a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end, he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory-deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs, Jessup hopes to explore .. Read more

Starring	William Hurt, Blair Brown
Director	Ken Russell
Genres	Horror, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Sign up Altered States DVD

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

Critic's review of Altered States
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Amusing elaboration of Jekyll and Hyde (qv), not to mention the Karloff mad doctor second features of the forties. All very po-faced now, and certainly impeccably done.
- 35275
- - Halliwell's Film Guide
  - 02 Mar 2006 at 15:44
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Altered States
View all members' reviews (21)
- - 11
  - 1
  Cult Classic
  
  This is a great film, bear in mind its age and forgive it for being visually slightly dated.
  
  What you have here is one mans exploration of his ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 289971
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Micthetic
  - 103 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 28 Sep 2006 at 14:46
Most recent members' reviews of Altered States
View all members' reviews (21)
- - 0
  - 0
  Cheesy, visionary, interesting!
  
  found it entertaining..if a little cheesy at times. A visionary film, with some really interesting (to me at least anyway!) ideas about consciousness, reality, ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1006963
- - a customer
  - 19 Jun 2011 at 15:40
- - 0
  - 0
  BEAST WITHIN
  
  The usual romanticism from Ken RUSSELL (the lapsed Anglican) only this time it does not work as well as it used to. In an advanced technological culture like ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 859662
- - a customer
  - Tonbridge
  - 09 Feb 2010 at 17:37
- - 1
  - 0
  Dated but watchable
  
  Years ago before digi boxes, this is the kind of film you would see on TV in the early hours when you had took acid or something. Bad but good at the same time... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 767036
- - spotlitekid
  - 3 reviews
  - Lochgelly
  - 06 Jun 2009 at 02:06
- - 0
  - 0
  Still amazing...
  
  Ken Russell directs William Hurt (in his impressive debut) in a film that is still as trippy as it was back in 1980. Based (loosely) on Paddy Chayefsky's ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 756716
- - wikkidsmyle
  - 438 reviews
  - Newmarket
  - 13 May 2009 at 10:20
- - 0
  - 0
  Some good scenes but ultimately disappointing
  
  Promising story of a super-genuis dabbling in the effects of mind altering drugs but it soon descends into a thin retelling of the Jekyll and Hyde story with a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 643659
- - Rich
  - 219 reviews
  - London
  - 14 Oct 2008 at 11:29
- - 1
  - 0
  Disappointingly silly
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Starts out as an interesting psychological thriller, with some good anthropology / parapsychology / academic research / drug culture / inner self hooks - and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 639583
- - a customer
  - Daventry
  - 05 Oct 2008 at 22:42
- - 0
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  Are you looking for something different? This film is most definitely that. I am writing this in a post-hypnotic buzz after just watching this film and I'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 581926
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 3
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This is one of the silliest films I have ever seen. Set against that, I rarely watch American films so there are probably worse. At best Altered States is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 581927
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 0
  - 0
  Altered States
  
  Absolutely brilliant- great idea- acting excellent- really good effects given its age.
  
  Report this review
- 561865
- - Jenkins
  - 43 reviews
  - Swansea
  - 04 May 2008 at 10:22
- - 1
  - 0
  Psychedelic waffle
  
  Histrionic acting and psychedelic visuals add up to a rambling sci-fi/horror that comes across more as a pretentious lecture than it does as a serviceable film... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 558948
- - Selfy
  - 105 reviews
  - Newcastle upon Tyne
  - 26 Apr 2008 at 13:11
View all members' reviews (21)

- - 11
  - 1
  Cult Classic
  
  This is a great film, bear in mind its age and forgive it for being visually slightly dated.
  
  What you have here is one mans exploration of his ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 289971
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - Micthetic
  - 103 reviews
  - Manchester
  - 28 Sep 2006 at 14:46
- - 8
  - 0
  Altered States of perception ? - yes please!
  
  This film is a classic piece of entertainment. Wardrobe and acting may give a bit of an old b-movie atmosphere at the start, but stick with the story this is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 109761
- - a customer
  - Flintshire N.Wales
  - 01 Jun 2005 at 22:37
- - 5
  - 0
  Stands the test of time
  
  I loved this when it was first released and it doesn't look dated at all. (apart from the very ending which is a little daft, if pleasingly so) Other than ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 271828
- - Gary Howe
  - Uxbridge
  - 05 Aug 2006 at 21:23
- - 4
  - 0
  Altered Perceptions
  
  We got so bored we gave up watching. Poor acting, dated filming... You'ld need altered perceptions to watch this film.
  
  Report this review
- 533677
- - a customer
  - London
  - 02 Mar 2008 at 11:12
- - 4
  - 2
  Disappointed
  
  Eagerly awaiting this film as it came highlly recommended. Found it slow moving and farcical. Very disappointing. Didn't wait for ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 399424
- - a customer
  - Berwickshire, Scotland
  - 06 Jan 2007 at 10:16
- - 3
  - 0
  Customer Review
  
  This is one of the silliest films I have ever seen. Set against that, I rarely watch American films so there are probably worse. At best Altered States is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 581927
- - a customer
  - UK
  - 23 Jun 2008 at 15:22
- - 1
  - 0
  Psychedelic waffle
  
  Histrionic acting and psychedelic visuals add up to a rambling sci-fi/horror that comes across more as a pretentious lecture than it does as a serviceable film... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 558948
- - Selfy
  - 105 reviews
  - Newcastle upon Tyne
  - 26 Apr 2008 at 13:11
- - 1
  - 0
  Disappointingly silly
  
  THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS | Show review anywayHide
  
  Starts out as an interesting psychological thriller, with some good anthropology / parapsychology / academic research / drug culture / inner self hooks - and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 639583
- - a customer
  - Daventry
  - 05 Oct 2008 at 22:42
- - 1
  - 0
  Dated but watchable
  
  Years ago before digi boxes, this is the kind of film you would see on TV in the early hours when you had took acid or something. Bad but good at the same time... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 767036
- - spotlitekid
  - 3 reviews
  - Lochgelly
  - 06 Jun 2009 at 02:06
- - 2
  - 2
  Avoid!
  
  I really wanted to like this. But perhaps what I really wanted was a documentary on altered states. Although it started all very solemnly with long words and ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 265540
- - a customer
  - South West England
  - 18 Jul 2006 at 18:51

< Prev
1
2
3
Next >

Agree or disagree? Write your own review

Review title: Give it a rating:

Write your review:

Tips for writing helpful reviews

Only review titles you've actually seen!
Talk about what you liked and disliked
Compare this title with other similar titles
Provide plenty of detail - at least 20 words
Space things out - use blank lines between paragraphs.
Be appropriate - no adult content, libellous statements or naughty words
Don't SPAM! No promoting of other websites or services
Don't plaguerise! Your submission must be your own original work
Don't talk about LOVEFiLM by name

Give it a title:

Tips for an eye catching title

Don't just repeat the name of the title you're reviewing
Don't summarise your entire review in one word - a minimum of 2 words please.
Give people a reason to read your full review - create a sense of intrigue or curiosity!

Keep me anonymous Keep me anonymous Contains spoiler? This review contains spoilers (or might spoil it for someone who hasn't seen it yet)

New users register here

Email address:
Password:
Preferred user name:
I agree to LOVEFiLMs Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
I'd like to receive film news and reviews as well as info about all the other good stuff LOVEFiLM offers

Already a member? Sign in here

Email address:
Password:Forgotten password?

By clicking Preview review you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Altered States
  
  In this 1980 sci-fi horror film, William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup, a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end, he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory-deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic ...