William Hurt makes his film debut in this flawed but inventive and original movie from Paddy Chayefsky, the brilliant writer of Network and Ken Russell, mad genius of iconoclastic cinema.
Hurt stars as "Jessup", a screwed up science prodigy obsessed with exploring the depths of his own consciousness through untested hallucinogens and sensory deprivation in an attempt to become a human singularity.
Some of the film is downright daft but it's played with such seriousness and commitment by Hurt and a fine ensemble cast that you'll stick with it. The special effects are dated as you might expect but Ken Russell is the perfect director to concoct a memorable depiction of primordial inner space full of religious imagery and tripped out visuals.