Brainstorm (1983)

Researchers develop a system where they can jump into people's minds. But when people involved bring their personal problems into the equation, it becomes dangerous - perhaps deadly.

Director:

Douglas Trumbull

Writers:

Bruce Joel Rubin (story), Robert Stitzel (screenplay)

Stars:

Christopher Walken, Natalie Wood, Louise Fletcher

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Christopher Walken	...	Michael Brace
Natalie Wood	...	Karen Brace
Louise Fletcher	...	Lillian Reynolds
Cliff Robertson	...	Alex Terson
Jordan Christopher	...	Gordy Forbes
Donald Hotton	...	Landan Marks
Alan Fudge	...	Robert Jenkins
Joe Dorsey	...	Hal Abramson
Bill Morey	...	James Zimbach
Jason Lively	...	Chris Brace
Darrell Larson	...	Security Technician
Lou Walker	...	Chef
Stacey Kuhne-Adams	...	Andrea
John Hugh	...	Animal Lab Technician
Ira David Wood III	...	Barry (as David Wood)

Storyline

Brilliant researchers Lillian Reynolds and Michael Brace have developed a system of recording and playing back actual experiences of people. Once the capability of tapping into "higher brain functions" is added in, and you can literally jump into someone else's head and play back recordings of what he or she was thinking, feeling, seeing, etc., at the time of the recording, the applications for the project quickly spiral out of control. While Michael Brace uses the system to become close again to Karen Brace, his estranged wife who also works on the project, others start abusing it for intense sexual experiences and other logical but morally questionable purposes. The government tries to kick Michael and Lillian off the project once the vast military potential of the technology is discovered. It soon becomes obvious that the government is interested in more than just missile guidance systems. The lab starts producing mind torture recordings and other psychosis inducing material. When ...

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Plot Keywords:

high tech | experimental technology | virtual reality | subjective camera | character's point of view camera shot | 

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Taglines:

The door to the mind is open!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Gordon Forbes Tapes

Filming Locations:

Riverside International Raceway, 22255 Eucalyptus Avenue, Moreno Valley, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,196,965, 2 October 1983

Gross USA:

$10,219,460

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,219,460

Company Credits

Production Co:

JF Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), SLM Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) Dolby (35 mm prints)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 1973 screenwriter Bruce Joel Rubin was set to direct his script, then titled "The George Dunlap Tape." He raised $400,000, secured filming locations in Indiana (including Indiana University), had props built, cast Laurinda Barrett ("Karen Brace"), Woody Eney ("Michael Brace"), Fred Holliday ("Hal Abramson") and Jacqueline Brookes ("Lillian Reynolds") and assembled an FX team that included Jordan Belson, John Whitney Jr. and Scott Bartlett. Just as shooting was about to commence, the primary investor withdrew their funds and the entire production collapsed.

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Goofs

When Michael gets home from work at the beginning, he walks into his bedroom and turns on the light. Before the light comes on, the wall where the switch is, is illuminated by outside light. This light disappears an instant before the room light comes on.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. Lillian Reynolds: Can you see better if I move it a little closer?
Dr. Michael Anthony Brace: I can see something. It's parts of the grid, but it's still rotating. It's not locking up.
Hal Abramson: Maybe we all need a little break, Lillian.
Dr. Lillian Reynolds: Hal, you take a break.

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Crazy Credits

After the final credit has rolled, 'TO NATALIE' appears for a couple seconds

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Alternate Versions

In the psychotic episode sequence when Michael's (Christopher Walken) son Chris (Jason Lively) wears the headset, there's a slight difference between the 70mm version and 35mm version. In the 70mm version of Chris' hallucination when Michael turns on a lever sending presumably an electrical current to Chris' head, the camera cuts to and remains on a shot of a circular device with electricity running through it as we hear Michael say 'Now you're gonna find out it's mine!'. In the 35mm version, the shot arrangement is the same except that it cuts back to a close up of Michael saying the line 'Now you're gonna find out it's mine!'.

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Connections

References Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931)

User Reviews

Intriguing, disturbing

Brainstorm is an amazing and beautifully crafted film, worth watching more than once. From the opening credits and the music that never quite resolves, it is one of those experiences that leaves one unsettled, but not untouched. The images, the stories, and the issues keep this film from succumbing to the temptation of being more science than fiction. The subtle performances and direction, although sometimes underrated, are intriguing and lend a sophisticated air.

Watch it as an experience rather than as a scientific treatise and you will surely have a great ride.