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.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.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
- Writers
- Bruce Joel Rubin(story)
- Robert Stitzel(screenplay)
- Philip Frank Messina(screenplay)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Bruce Joel Rubin(story)
- Robert Stitzel(screenplay)
- Philip Frank Messina(screenplay)
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 wins & 6 nominations
Videos1
Ira David Wood III
- Barryas Barry
- (as David Wood)
Mary Fran Lyman
- Realtoras Realtor
- (as Mary-Fran Lyman)
- Director
- Writers
- Bruce Joel Rubin(story)
- Robert Stitzel(screenplay)
- Philip Frank Messina(screenplay)
- All cast & crew
- See more cast details at IMDbPro
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 actually 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 of 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 one of the researchers dies and tapes the experience of death, Michael is convinced that he must play back this tape to honor the memory of the researcher and to become enlightened. When another researcher dies during playback the tape is locked away and Michael has to fight against his former colleagues and the government lackeys that now run his lab in order to play back and confront the "scariest thing any of us will ever face" - death itself. —Eric van bezooijen <eric@webmethods.com>
high techexperimental technologyvirtual realitysubjective cameracharacter's point of view camera shot145 more
- Taglines
- ...The Ultimate Experience
- Genres
- Certificate
- K-16
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Natalie Wood died near the end of principal photography, studio executives tried to kill the film and claim the insurance, saying that director Douglas Trumbull could not complete the film. However, Trumbull's contract gave that decision to him, and he insisted on completing it, using a stand-in and changing camera angles for the few remaining shots of Wood's character. The resulting hostility between Trumbull and the studio executives meant that this would be Trumbull's last Hollywood film. He has since devoted his efforts to effects work for IMAX films, theme park rides and the like.
- GoofsThe soldering iron that Dr. Reynolds accidentally burns her wrist on is a battery-operated, rechargeable model; it would not have been hot unless she had been holding it and pressing the button.
- Quotes
Dr. Michael Anthony Brace: [whispers to statue] That's the girl I'm gonna marry.
- Crazy creditsAfter the final credit has rolled, 'TO NATALIE' appears for a couple seconds
- Alternate versionsIn 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's hallucination when Michael flips a lever presumably sending an electrical current to Chris's head, the camera cuts to and remains on a shot of a circular device with electricity running through it, as Michael is heard to 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 closeup of Michael saying the line 'Now you're gonna find out it's mine!'
- ConnectionsEdited into Trumbull Land (2018)
Top review
Excellent science fiction
What are the boundaries of science fiction? This film explores them. Like the thirteenth floor, dark city or the matrix the film leaves a lingering uncertainty as to what out ultimate destiny or origin is. Good science fiction probes us and questions our limitations.
helpful•337
- fan_no2
- Dec 8, 2001
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,219,460
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,196,965
- Oct 2, 1983
- Gross worldwide
- $10,219,460
- Runtime
- 1h 46min
- Color
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