"Affirmative, Dave. I read you." HAL
☆☆☆☆☆ Masterpiece
2001 A Space Odyssey (1968) is a staggering masterpiece that enhances classical music.
Directed and co-written by Stanley Kubrick.
Starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester and Arthur C. Clarke among many others.
The beauty of this film is the simple message that is told via its visuals and classical music. Basically, a superior being provides the key element ( a monolith) to redirect our understanding so we can master our new environments. On earth the monolith directs our intelligence to develop tools to help us live, and grow. In outer space the monolith directs us to shed our earthly tools and bodies.
The first and last 20 plus minutes of the film have no dialogue and it is my favorite. I would have made the entire film without dialogue. Kubrick had commissioned a musical score, but used classical music to help in editing the final film. In a monumental first, the films visuals enhanced the classical music and not vice versa as is always the case in all other films. Stanley kept the classical music he had used to help him frame his visuals and actually enhanced Johann Strauss waltz “Blue Danube and Richard Strauss' Thus Spake Zarathustra in one genius stroke.
I love the scene below, because Kubrick is foreshadowing the utter uselessness of mans earthly body and tools in the new environment of outer space. Note the camera angles that Kubrick uses throughout the scene to make the audience nauseous.
Note: I've included a small section of Pavel Klushantsev film, The Road to The Stars that inspired Stanley Kubrick to make a sci-fi movie.
Trivia - Katharina Kubrick says that, Stanley Kubrick provided the breathing heard in the spacesuits.
Note - If you would like to view 2001 A Space Odyssey to rent or buy please click on the link below the comments. It is sponsored by Google, so it is the safest and most secure way to get a copy for your film library.
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