Remembering 2001: A Space Odyssey 50 Years Later
It was 50 years ago that the science fiction film 2001: A Space Odyssey opened in theaters across the United States. The film, directed by Stanley Kubrick, was based on a book by Arthur C. Clarke.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the movie is being shown in IMAX theaters across the country. The movie feels as important now as ever.
The almost three-hour long movie received mixed reviews in 1968. Critics said it was too cerebral and slow to be understood by movie goers. Today, it is one of the American Film Institute’s top 100 films of all time. It is remembered for its camera work, special effects, music, and ideas.
Douglas Trumbull was in charge of the special effects on 2001. He describes Stanley Kubrick as a perfectionist who spent four years making the film. Trumbull said that Kubrick started out by planning to make the film like other movies, but over time, 2001 became more experimental.
One of the most famous shots in the movie is of the inside of the space station. The cameras were attached to the rotating set and were filming in 360 degrees. This is how Kubrick created the images of the astronauts walking from the floor to the top of the space station.
2001: A Space Odyssey is also remembered for its use of classical music, instead of music specially created for the film.
Another important part of the film is its ideas. In 1968, movie goers walked away with Kubrick’s message: life on Earth was helped by intelligent life from outer space. The movie also explored the relationship between humans and machines.
