Cathryn Harrison, Hugh Millais, John Morley

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66% liked it

1,383 ratings

R, 1 hr. 41 min.

Directed by: Robert Altman

Release Date: December 18, 1972

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DVD Release Date: September 16, 2003

Stats: 65 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (65)


  • August 30, 2009
    Considering that Robert Altman was so universally loved and revered as a master-class film maker, you'd think that this movie would be recognized as the masterpiece it is. Images has, for some reason, fallen to the wayside as a minor entry in his canon - a completely undeserved s...( read more)tatus. As a matter of fact, it is essentially a flawless film, synergizing a complex and robust atmosphere with a rich, imaginative, macabre story. Not since There Will Be Blood have I seen a movie with such a controlled, potent sense of self. No choice here is made in vain. Susannah York nails this shit with a performance that is energetic and serious but never over the top; John Williams composes one of the most exciting scores I've heard in ages; Vilmos Zsigmond's cinematography is cavernous and oppressive and lush in a dreamlike way. The children's book narrative, written by York herself, is a bizarre but suitable frame for the film. And of course, Altman's contributions are not to be ignored. A director known for his sprawling ensemble casts helmed this six-man chamber horror perfectly, with assurance and confidence in his audience.

    My praise might seem a little superfluous, but this film is gravely underseen and I feel it deserves much more attention than it has received. Throw this one on your Netflix queue posthaste.
  • March 8, 2008
    Robert Altman's "Images" must've been as disturbing in 70's as Roman Polanski's "Repulsion" was in 60's and, even if it's considered non-existen in Altman's catalog as of now, there should be no mistake in calling it one of his creative highligts. This exhausting journey into sch...( read more)izofrenic mind is this time much more about lonliness, opression and desperation rather than sexual repression. Altman's approach to the subject is much more realisitic and brutal, so to speak and stunning camera-work catches every nuance of Susannah York's tormented character. Polanski's "Repulsion", although extremely influential, dated very much since its release but Altman's piece - even if it borrows much of its storyline - showcases that there's plenty left to say about the conditions of human mind. Brilliant.
  • March 5, 2008
    Contrasting its undeniable brilliance with its lukewarm critical reputation, "Images" has got to be the most undeservedly neglected film in the Robert Altman canon. Less haunting and less dreamlike than the later "3 Women", it's not quite equal to that film, but it shares the sam...( read more)e theme of mental disintegration and the transference of identity. In its ingenious use of horror movie conventions to emphasise psychological illness, the film which "Images" most reminds me of is Ingmar Bergman's "Hour of the Wolf", but of the two I actually prefer Altman's movie, which is less perplexing and more readily invites repeat viewing. Altman's shock effects are elegantly simple but devastatingly effective, and as befits a movie about a fragmenting personality (Susannah York's), he litters the screen with reflections, refractions and repetitious action and dialogue. Some of his editing transitions are very striking, for example a close-up of a stereoscope which cuts to a circular pair of mirrors in York's bedroom, or a stream of water from a showerhead which becomes a waterfall. In keeping with the theme of blurred identity, each of the five principal actors plays a character named after one of his/her co-stars. Endlessly fascinating, it's also one of the most beautifully photographed films--courtesy of Vilmos Zsigmond--I have ever seen.
  • October 15, 2008
    nominated for best foreign film at the golden globes
  • June 20, 2008
    Not as good as it was 35 years ago, but still quite powerful.
  • March 20, 2007
    Altman tries to do a Bergman and comes up with his worst film, and something which you dont associate with him is boredom, which is what this film has in abundance. But there could be another culprit, that is, any film that is made in Ireland is a turkey, must be to do with the g...( read more)host of DeValera putting a curse on them. This film probably would have failed anywhere it was shot, but Altman's worst just happened to be shot in Ireland, like so many other great directors. Boring!

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Images : Watch Free on TV


Images Trivia


  • This was the first movie to ever have an official website. It was set up by 'Dean Devlin' in 1994 and featured images, trailers and behind the scenes clips and actor information.  Answer »
  • The relationship between Dr. Evil and Mini-Me were inspired by characters in one of these five films. Which one?   Answer »
  • Name the 1988 John G. Avildsen film starring Molly Ringwald and Randall Batinkoff as long-time high-school lovers, struggling to come to terms with having a baby shortly after graduation.   Answer »
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