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2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Starring Keir Dullea, William Sylvester, Gary Lockwood, and Douglas Rain. Cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth. Edited by Ray Lovejoy. Produced by Stanley Kubrick. Written by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke. Directed by Stanley Kubrick.
A small panel of experts from around the world meets at the Clavius moon base to examine an unprecedented discovery. Excavations in the Tycho crater have uncovered a large black monolith that appears to have been deliberately buried there over four million years ago. The scientists quickly make their way to the artifact hoping to observe its first exposure to sunlight since its entombment. When the first rays of natural light hit the smooth black surface, it shoots a signal towards Jupiter. Eighteen months later the spacecraft Discovery I is en route to Jupiter to investigate the signal’s mysterious recipient. When Discovery’s onboard computer malfunctions, it attempts to exterminate the small crew in what it sees as self defense. After narrowly escaping death, Dave Bowman, the sole survivor is witness to the next evolution of mankind.
Stanley Kubrick first contacted author Arthur C. Clarke in April of 1964. Only weeks after releasing his highly acclaimed Dr. Strangelove, Kubrick was already in search of a larger and more ambitious project. He offered to collaborate with Clarke, who was also in New York editing a Time/Life book on space exploration titled Man and Space, on what he envisioned to be a “good science fiction movie”. Kubrick had already optioned a BBC sci-fi radio play titled Shadow on the Sun, but Clarke quickly made it known that he was not interested in developing anyone else’s ideas. The two began to sort through Clarke’s own bibliography and eventually landed upon “The Sentinel”, a short story he had penned in 1948 for a BBC writing competition. Though the premise of “The Sentinel” was only a small fraction of what would eventually become 2001: A Space Odyssey, it provided a crucial building block upon which the epic film would be developed.
Clarke and Kubrick would spend the next two years assembling 2001: A Space Odyssey. The idea was for the two craftsmen to mold their grand tale into two mediums, with Kubrick working on the screenplay and Clarke on the novel. They initially planned to complete the novel before to the film’s production and then adapt the screenplay from the book, but as Clarke moved into the later stages of the book Kubrick had already started his script. And as Clarke was wrapping up his efforts, Kubrick had already launched into production. This may not have been the sequence they intended, but the situation gave Clarke a unique opportunity to see what Kubrick was doing with the film and edit his novel as he saw appropriate (it would finally follow the film by three months). The strengths and limitations of each format are fully explored as Kubrick and Clarke both defy and challenge conventional narrative. By experiencing both mediums, the 2001 enthusiast can absorb a fuller perspective on the story. 2001: A Space Odyssey is undoubtedly one of the most intelligent, thought provoking, and timeless films every created. It will be studied, analyzed, and pondered for many years to come.
Budget: $10,500,000
Total US Gross: $56,700,000
Genre: Science Fiction
Runtime: 141 Minutes
US Release Date: 4/6/68
Aspect Ratio: 2.2:1
Awards: Academy Awards: Won for best visual effects. Nominated for best art direction/set decoration, best original screenplay, and best director. Directors Guild of America: Nominated for the Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures. Winner of the American Film Institute’s top one hundred movies of all time: number twenty two.
Tagline: An Epic Drama Of Adventure And Exploration.
Quote: “I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going…”
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