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2001: A Space Odyssey poster

2001: A Space Odyssey

year 1968decade 60sdirector Stanley Kubrickgenre Epic science fiction

139 minutes

IMDb
Cast

Selected cast credits · Film reference

Keir Dullea Dr David Bowman
Gary Lockwood Dr Frank Poole
William Sylvester Dr Heywood Floyd
Daniel Richter Moonwatcher
Leonard Rossiter Dr Andrei Smyslov
Robert Beatty Dr Ralph Halvorsen
Sean Sullivan Dr Roy Michaels
Douglas Rain the voice of HAL 9000
Frank Miller mission controller
Edwina Carroll lunar shuttle stewardess
Penny Brahms stewardess
Heather Downham stewardess
Ed Bishop Aries 1B lunar shuttle captain
Alan Gifford Poole's father
Ann Gillis Poole's mother
Maggie d'Abo stewardess (Space Station 5 elevator)
Chela Matthison Mrs Turner, Space Station 5 reception
Vivian Kubrick Floyd's daughter, "Squirt"
Kenneth Kendall BBC announcer

2001: A Space Odyssey | The Rewatchables

host Bill Simmonsguest Steven Spielberghost Sean Fennesseyproducer Craig Horlbeckproducer Chia Hao Tatproducer Eduardo Ocampoproducer Matt Pevic format Filmmaker guest
Explore episodeClose episode

Most Rewatchable Scene

HAL reading the astronauts’ lips is one explicit favorite; HAL’s disconnection and the Clavius monolith sequence receive other final preferences after a long candidate list.

In the discussion (12)
Approx. transcript time · 01:14:30Read transcript
  • Dawn of Man, including the apes and real-leopard encounter, is nominated.
  • The ape discovering the bone as a weapon and the ensuing rival-gang fight are nominated.
  • Floyd and the astronauts inspecting the buried artifact is nominated.
  • Floyd’s meeting with the Russians is nominated as a second summit of rival groups.
  • The jogging scene, eating scene, and HAL interview are separate nominations.
  • HAL reading the astronauts’ lips is selected as one favorite, with the cut to HAL’s red eye called its best moment.
  • HAL attacking Poole and Bowman beginning to disconnect HAL are nominated.
  • HAL saying “Stop, Dave,” expressing fear, and singing “Daisy” is praised as a character moment.
  • The Stargate approach and Bowman passing through stages of life are nominated.
  • The Clavius monolith scene, including the astronauts’ selfie, piercing signal, and cut to silence, is nominated.
  • Bowman disconnecting HAL is selected as another participant’s favorite.
  • The spacecraft landing is praised for its 4K detail, design, and possible resemblance to an Egyptian head.

What’s Aged the Best?

HAL 9000 is the consensus answer, with the film’s influence on realistic space travel and solitary-astronaut stories also praised.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:36:56Read transcript
  • HAL 9000 is immediately agreed to be the easiest aged-best choice.
  • The movie’s influence on later lone-astronaut films and the realism of its space imagery are additional answers.

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

The slow-motion ape discovering weapons and the bone match cut lead; Spielberg explains what he learned from Douglas Trumbull.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:41:35Read transcript
  • The slow-motion ape with the bone and the bone-to-satellite match cut are the leading shot choices.
  • Spielberg credits Douglas Trumbull with teaching him effects techniques and discusses his own use of the dolly zoom.

What’s Aged the Worst?

The vanished intermission, Kubrick’s BBC-channel forecast, the possibility of shutting down AI, and modern inability to disconnect are debated.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 01:51:09Read transcript
  • The intermission is named as a theatrical convention that would not survive today.
  • Kubrick’s forecast of twelve BBC channels is checked against eleven current services and judged one short.
  • The notion that people could simply shut down AI is questioned, leading to an argument for regular days disconnected from digital life.

Casting What-Ifs

Alternate casting and music contributors are discussed, with uncertainty preserved around Pink Floyd.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:53:26Read transcript
  • Casting possibilities are reviewed as reported production history.
  • Pink Floyd is said to have been approached for music, but the claim is explicitly doubted.

Recasting Couch

The participants agree not to add name actors.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:05Read transcript
  • They would not put any name actors in the movie.

Half-Assed Internet Research

The discussion covers names, effects-shot counts, Kubrick’s writing, tablets, a suffocation hazard, production costs, and Ligeti’s music rights.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 01:57:05Read transcript
  • An astronaut name prompts a Janusz Kaminski anecdote, followed by reports that Kubrick approached other writers.
  • The 205 effects shots, tablet-prior-art dispute, endangered stuntman, set cost, and unauthorized Ligeti music are reported.

Apex Mountain

2001 is selected as Kubrick’s public breakthrough and the Big Bang for serious science-fiction cinema.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:00:46Read transcript
  • The guest selects this as the point when the public discovered Kubrick.
  • The film is described as the Big Bang for serious science-fiction movies.

Cruise or Hanks?

Hanks is the immediate overall choice; a split casting of Cruise as Bowman and Hanks as Floyd is proposed, followed by Cruise as the lead ape.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:02:37Read transcript
  • Hanks is selected because of his astronaut association with Apollo 13.
  • A second answer casts the transcript’s “Cruz” as Bowman and Hanks as Floyd.
  • The transcript’s “Cruz” is proposed as the lead ape for his physical commitment.

Picking Nits

Ape suits in 4K, HAL’s lip-reading, the title year, HAL’s tactical failures, and the G rating are questioned.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:03:49Read transcript
  • The ape suits, HAL’s lip-reading ability, and whether 2001 denotes a literal year are examined.
  • HAL’s failure to anticipate or prevent Bowman’s shutdown is challenged and then interpreted.
  • The movie’s G rating is questioned and compared with Jaws.

Just One Oscar

Kubrick receives Best Picture and Best Director despite the one-award premise; Douglas Trumbull is also proposed for effects.

In the discussion (1)
Approx. transcript time · 02:08:03Read transcript
  • Kubrick is chosen for picture and director, and Trumbull is added for special effects.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

HAL’s breakdown, the monoliths’ origin, the moon-landing resemblance, and the disappearance of the name Hal are debated.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:08:29Read transcript
  • The group offers competing explanations for HAL’s breakdown and asks who delivered the monoliths.
  • The moon-landing resemblance and whether the movie ruined the name Hal are raised.

What Piece of Memorabilia Would You Want From This Movie?

The guest owns and donated Bowman’s spacesuit; HAL’s eye and the lost monolith are other choices.

In the discussion (2)
Approx. transcript time · 02:11:14Read transcript
  • The guest says he bought Bowman’s spacesuit and donated it to the Academy Museum.
  • Peter Jackson is said to own HAL’s eye, while stories about destroyed props are questioned.

Best Double Feature

A.I., Destination Moon, Disclosure Day, and The Shining are four distinct pairing choices.

In the discussion (3)
Approx. transcript time · 02:13:45Read transcript
  • A.I. is chosen for its lineage and relationship with 2001.
  • Destination Moon is chosen as an earlier scientifically credible lunar film.
  • Disclosure Day is a promotional choice; The Shining is the backup Kubrick pairing.

More from the conversation

Steven Spielberg discusses his personal relationship with Kubrick, their creative exchanges, and Kubrick’s unrealized A.I. project.
Approx. transcript time · 00:56:52Read transcript
Modern digital tools are said to weaken the legend and tactile quality of the movie’s handmade effects, while also eliminating hundreds of practical-effects jobs; practical production on Project Hail Mary is offered as a hopeful counterexample.
Approx. transcript time · 01:46:28Read transcript