Dreamscape (1984)

A young psychic on the run from himself is recruited by a government agency experimenting with the use of the dream-sharing technology and is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of the U.S. president.

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writers:

David Loughery (story), David Loughery (screenplay)

Stars:

Dennis Quaid, Max von Sydow, Christopher Plummer

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dennis Quaid	...	Alex Gardner
Max von Sydow	...	Doctor Paul Novotny
Christopher Plummer	...	Bob Blair
Eddie Albert	...	The President
Kate Capshaw	...	Jane DeVries
David Patrick Kelly	...	Tommy Ray Glatman
George Wendt	...	Charlie Prince
Larry Gelman	...	Mr. Webber
Cory 'Bumper' Yothers	...	Buddy
Redmond Gleeson	...	Snead
Peter Jason	...	Babcock
Chris Mulkey	...	Finch
Jana Taylor	...	Mrs. Webber
Madison Mason	...	Fred Schoenstein
Kendall Carly Browne	...	Mrs. Matusik

Storyline

A government funded project looks into using psychics to enter people's dreams, with some mechanical help. When a subject dies in his sleep from a heart attack Alex Gardner becomes suspicious that another of the psychics is killing people in the dreams somehow and that is causing them to die in real life. He must find a way to stop the abuse of the power to enter dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

dreamscape | shared dream | character's point of view camera shot | sexual fantasy | caught having sex | 

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Taglines:

Close your eyes and the adventure begins.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was the second film to be Rated PG-13 under then new MPAA ratings guidelines following Red Dawn (1984), which had come out weeks prior to this film's release.

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Goofs

As Alex is sneaking back into the facility at the loading dock doors, 2 armed Government agents walk by on patrol with a dog (a Doberman Pinscher). Alex hides behind a nearby bush, while the agents and the dog walk past without noticing him. Obviously, the agents are using the dog to foil anyone simply 'hiding' from them, yet the dog does not notice Alex.

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Quotes

Doctor Paul Novotny: How did you sleep? Have any dreams?
Alex Gardner: You mind if take a leak before I give my deposition?

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Alternate Versions

The US DVD uses an alternate shot of the scene where the short bald guy with glasses finds his wife cheating on him. Normally you see the woman partially naked but on the DVD only her face is shown.

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Connections

References Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

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Soundtracks

Baby, Can't We Take It Home
Composed and Produced by Craig Huxley (as Craig Hundley)

User Reviews

See This!-Tons of Suspense, action, FUN. Don't be a grinch!

One of my favs from the 80's. There are certain pictures that grown-ups look to bring them back to the action/suspense/scare/titillation they felt as teen-agers. This fits the bill perfectly. I saw this as original release in the movies in my 30's, allowed myself to let the teenager within to take over, and have seen it at least 3-4 more times on TV. Just love it. Quaid is perfect as the charming/bumbling psychic recruited to (presumably) help people with dream problems. OK, so Kate Capshaw isn't a great actress, but she was quite good enough in the sexy-hot, yet resistant, scientist role she was meant to play. Max Von Sydow was perfect here as the main scientist. At first I was disappointed in Plummer's underplayed role, but I'm more forgiving in the subsequent viewings. The dream sequences were quite entertaining, some fun and some scares, and David Patrick Kelly (as Tommy Ray Glatman) did a FIRST CLASS job as a despicable psychopathic creep. And the ending was top-notch (on several levels, no spoilers). Despite comments that this seemed to copy others, I actually found this to be quite original. It had a plotline, continuity, and finale, and viewers didn't have to scratch their heads trying to figure out what happened or what would happen. I actually appreciate movies which don't rely on TONS of new wave computerized special effects, just enough from the 80's to set the scenery. I always recommend it highly to those who haven't seen it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 August 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Dreamscape

Filming Locations:

1320 Miller Drive, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,257,627, 19 August 1984

Gross USA:

$12,145,169

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$12,145,169

Company Credits

Production Co:

Zupnik-Curtis Enterprises, Bella Productions, Chevy Chase Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1