DVD details for
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) More at IMDbPro »

When Stanley Kubrick recruited Arthur C. Clarke to collaborate on "the proverbial intelligent science fiction film," it's a safe bet neither the maverick auteur nor the great science fiction writer knew they would virtually redefine the parameters of the cinema experience. A daring experiment in unconventional narrative inspired by Clarke's short story "The Sentinel," 2001 is a visual tone poem (barely 40 minutes of dialogue in a 139-minute film) that charts a phenomenal history of human evolution. From the dawn-of-man discovery of crude but deadly tools in the film's opening sequence to the journey of the spaceship Discovery and metaphysical birth of the "star child" at film's end, Kubrick's vision is meticulous and precise. In keeping with the director's underlying theme of dehumanization by technology, the notorious, seemingly omniscient computer HAL 9000 has more warmth and personality than the human astronauts it supposedly is serving. (The director also leaves the meaning of the black, rectangular alien monoliths open for discussion.) This theme, in part, is what makes 2001 a film like no other, though dated now that its postmillennial space exploration has proven optimistic compared to reality. Still, the film is timelessly provocative in its pioneering exploration of inner- and outer-space consciousness. With spectacular, painstakingly authentic special effects that have stood the test of time, Kubrick's film is nothing less than a cinematic milestone--puzzling, provocative, and perfect.

Experience the works of one of the greatest filmmakers of all time as never before with The Stanley Kubrick Collection, featuring new two-disc special editions of 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, The Shining, and Eyes Wide Shut, along with the deluxe edition of Full Metal Jacket and the documentary Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures. Each film in this ten-disc set has been digitally remastered, and all include commentaries as well as tons of extras. The Director's Series: Stanley Kubrick Collection includes 2001: A Space Odyssey (Two-Disc Special Edition); A Clockwork Orange (Two-Disc Special Edition); The Shining (Two-Disc Special Edition); Eyes Wide Shut (Two-Disc Special Edition); Full Metal Jacket (Deluxe Edition), and A Life in Pictures (documentary).