Altered States
Ken Russell
(1980)
A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of human consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from Native American shamans, he explores these altered states of cognizance and finds that memory, time, and reality itself are states of mind.
Cast
Crew
Overview and Horror Legacy
While some viewers found its narrative challenging, it has remained a respected and influential film, particularly for its exploration of consciousness and its striking visual style. It was nominated for Academy Awards for its sound and score.
Collector Market and Memorabilia
Ken Russell directing William Hurt's sensory deprivation hallucinations — the transformation sequences are among the most extreme imagery produced for a mainstream studio film. Hurt's devolution and Corigliano's score make associated materials compelling across both horror and prestige cinema collecting.
Cult Status
Directed by Ken Russell, Altered States reflects his distinctive, often provocative visual style. Altered States received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its ambition, performances, and visual effects.
![THE BLOODY BEST OF FANGORIA #1 [1982] Altered States, Scanners VG](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ebayimg.com%2Fimages%2Fg%2Fa94AAeSw59BpxaqQ%2Fs-l1600.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
