Home
search
more | tips
SHOP 2001: A...
Amazon.com Amazon.ca Amazon.co.uk Amazon.de Amazon.fr
IMDb > 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2001: A Space Odyssey
[Add to My Movies]
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotes
Overview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv schedule
Awards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage board
Plot & Quotes
plot summaryplot synopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotes
Fun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQ
Other Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsnews articles
Promotional
taglinestrailers and videospostersphoto gallery
External Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clips

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

advertisement
Register or login to rate this title
User Rating: 8.4/10 (115,487 votes)
Photos (see all 165 | slideshow)

Overview

Director:
Stanley Kubrick
Writers:
Stanley Kubrick (screenplay) &
Arthur C. Clarke (screenplay)
more
Release Date:
6 April 1968 (USA) more
Genre:
Adventure | Sci-Fi more
Tagline:
Let the Awe and Mystery of a Journey Unlike Any Other Begin more
Plot:
Mankind finds a mysterious, obviously artificial, artifact buried on the moon and, with the intelligent computer HAL, sets off on a quest. full summary | full synopsis (warning! may contain spoilers)
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 10 wins & 6 nominations more
User Comments:
Greatest Movie of All Time more

Cast

 (Cast overview, first billed only)
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
How the Solar System Was Won (USA) (working title)
Journey Beyond the Stars (USA) (working title)
Two Thousand and One: A Space Odyssey (USA) (alternative spelling)
more
Runtime:
141 min | 160 min (premiere cut)
Country:
UK | USA
Language:
English | Russian
Color:
Color (Metrocolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) | DTS 70 mm (2001 re-release)
Certification:
Canada:G (Quebec) | Malaysia:U | Canada:G (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Spain:T | Netherlands:AL (DVD rating) | Italy:T | New Zealand:PG | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (2007) | Australia:G (original rating) | Australia:PG (cable rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Norway:11 | Norway:12 (1969) | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:12 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | USA:G | West Germany:12 | Ireland:G | Brazil:Livre
MOVIEmeter: ?
V 18% since last week why?

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In order to get the relaxed tone for HAL's voice, Douglas Rain spoke his lines barefoot with his feet resting on a pillow. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The notes that Bowman puts on the table where Poole and he have their food. more
Quotes:
[first lines]
Aries-1B stewardess: Here you are, sir, main level please.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Lonely Guy (1984) more
Soundtrack:
An der schönen, blauen Donau, op. 314 (The Blue Danube) more

FAQ

What are some reservations about the Homer Connection?
Is HAL's name a reference to IBM?
What did Kubrick think his movie was about?
more
345 out of 480 people found the following comment useful:-
Greatest Movie of All Time, 3 June 1999
10/10
Author: Michael Torrice (mmt02@mit.edu) from Boston

Instead of writing a paragraph, I'll give four good reasons why 2001 is the greatest cinema experience of all time: 1) It is a visual Odyssey that could only be told on the big screen. The special effects that won Kubrick his only Oscar are the most stunning effects before that age of Jurassic Park and T2. They allow Kubrick to give an accurate (or at least are the most accurate) depiction of space travel to date. The silence that fills the space scenes not only serves its purpose as accurate science, but also adds to the mood of the film (to be discussed in a later point with HAL). The fact that Kubrick shot the moon scenes before the Apollo landing is a gutsy yet fulfilling move. Many have said that upon its original release, it was a favorite "trip" movie. I can think of no other movie that has such amazing visuals for its time and even of all time (sorry Phantom Menace fans!) 2) Kubrick's directing style is terrific. As in all his films, Kubrick likes to use his camera as means to delve into the psychology of his characters and plots. His camera is not as mobile as other greats, such as Scorsese, but instead sits and watches the narrative unfold. Faces are the key element of a Kubrick film. Like classic movies, such as M and Touch of Evil, Kubrick focuses on the characters' faces to give the audience a psychological view-point. Even he uses extreme close-ups of HAL's glowing red "eye" to show the coldness and determination of the computerizd villain. I could go on, but in summation Kubrick is at the hieght of his style. 3) HAL 9000 is one of the most villainous characters in film history. I whole-heartedly agree with the late Gene Siskle's opinion of HAL 9000. Most of this film takes place in space. Through the use of silence and the darkness of space itself, a mood of isolation is created. Dave and his crewmen are isolated between earth and jupiter, with nowhere to escape. Combine this mood with the cold, calculated actions of HAL 9000 and you have the most fearful villain imaginable. I still, although having see this film several times, feel my chest tighten in a particular scene. 4) The controversial ending of 2001 always turns people away from this film. Instead of trying to give my opinion of the what it means and what my idea of 2001's meaning in general is, I'd like to discuss the fact that the ending serves to leave the movie open-ended. Kubrick has stated that he inteded to make 2001 open for discussion. He left its meaning in the hands of the viewer. By respecting the audience's intelligence, Kubrick allowed his movie to be the beginning, not the end, of a meaningful discussion on man's past, present, and future. The beauty of 2001 is that the ending need not mean anything deep, it can just be a purely plot driven explanation and the entire movie can be viewed as an entertaining journey through space. No other movie, save the great Citizen Kane, leaves itself open to discussion like 2001. It is truly meant to be a surreal journey that involves not only the eye but the mind. Instead of waiting in long lines for the Phantom Menace, rent a widescreen edition of 2001 and enjoy the greatest cinematic experience.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this title with other users on IMDb message board for 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Would you have wanted to go through Dave's transformation? laeuferin
1968 aajacksoniv
How many songs did they use for this movie, and what were their names? sinceimetjc
Sir Arthur C Clarke: 90th Birthday Reflections octavarium89
Just watched this again on my HDTV! RockAndOrRoll
Silent Films with Sound CahillSellers
more

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
Star Trek: The Motion Picture The Transformers: The Movie Alien Alien: Resurrection Independence Day
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Add a recommendation | Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb top 250 movies IMDb Adventure section
IMDb UK section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.