I came to this documentary knowing relatively little about the subject except having heard of Watts, Leary and Huxley, but left having really enjoyed both the information presented and the way the film was put together.
The film is broken down in to 3 parts with short excerpts written by Aldous Huxley, Timothy Leary and Alan Watts describing their early psychedelic experiences. These narratives are set to animation that captures both the linear story and the 'journey' they are going through in their heads. All of them experience deep revelations; about themselves, society and the very idea of consciousness and the human mind. After the animation these experiences are then discussed by eminent psychologists, sociologists etc. who discuss both the cultural impact of these experiences on western society, and why, under controlled conditions, that psychedelics could form part of treatment for certain psychological conditions.
That is not to say that this film advocates uncontrolled use of these psychedelics, quite the opposite, and the dangers of doing so are discussed in some detail. However, the conclusion is that shamanic cultures have used psychedelics for millennia, but only under 'guidance', so if we are to use them clinically, we would need to take the same approach.
So these three eminent western figures stumbled across these substances, which were all but forgotten or unknown at the time. They had transcendental experiences that helped kick-start the post-war cultural shift. Ultimately though there was reaction against this shift, and the stigma of these substances being 'drugs', has blocked what could be a new area of treatment for deep rooted psychological illnesses that, until recently, have been considered practically untreatable.
The experts speak passionately and clearly and this is fascinating, but what really makes the documentary is the animation which is incredibly visually arresting. This makes the whole experience of watching the film very enjoyable as well as interesting.
