The groundbreaking science fiction film directed by Stanley Kubrick (American, July 26, 1928 –
March 7, 1999), was released in 1968. 2001 took more than four years to develop and make, at
a cost of more than $10 million—a very large price tag in mid-1960s Hollywood. Here are some
interesting production facts about this iconic movie:
Filming Locations:
• Isle of Harris, Western Isles, Scotland, UK - alien planet surface
• Spitzkoppe, Erongo, Namibia - "The Dawn of Man" sequence
• Monument Valley, Arizona, USA - alien planet surface
• Stage 6, MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK
• Broadway and W 72nd Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA - space
lights
Production Dates: January 28, 1965 - March 10, 1968
1. Details, Details: Stanley Kubrick was known for his meticulous, detailed approach to
filmmaking, "2001: A Space Odyssey" was no exception. He researched extensively and
consulted with scientists and futurists to ensure the film's scientific accuracy and futuristic vision,
including how to depict the aliens without being too literal.
Carl Sagan, the American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator suggested the film insinuate the beings rather than showing: he seemed to think that the concept of alien life is beyond human comprehension, with no way of interpreting it. Hence, the large monolith, a mysterious black slab recurring throughout the film, represents a tool used by aliens to help advance humankind.
2. Author: The film is based on a short story called "The Sentinel" by Arthur C. Clarke (British,
Dec. 16, 1917 – March. 19, 2008), below left. Kubrick collaborated closely with Clarke to develop the
screenplay, which eventually evolved into a novel and a film simultaneously. Their collaboration
resulted in a story that explores themes of space travel, human evolution, artificial intelligence,
alien life and the nature of existence.
3. Special Effects: The film revolutionized special effects in cinema, employing groundbreaking
techniques such as front projection, miniatures, and practical effects to create its stunning
visuals of space travel and futuristic technology. The creation of the film's special effects took
years of meticulous work and resulted in visuals that were ahead of their time. Green screen in the background for "The Dawn of Man" sequence, below.
4. Awards: Amazingly, Kubrick's only Oscar win was for special effects. He was also crucial in
leading the groundbreaking effects, working closely with artisans Douglas Trumbull, Tom
Howard, Con Pederson and Wally Veevers. Miniature models below.
5. Visual Themes: In addition to the large black rectangle monolith, Circle shapes appear
repeatedly throughout the film. Circles have long been considered significant symbols across
various cultures and history: an endless loop with no beginning or end, it can represent the cycles
of life and death or afterlife.
6. Centrifuge Stage: Kubrick had Vickers-Armstrong Engineering Group build a set resembling a
Ferris wheel for the rotating centrifuge scenes representing the living quarters on Space Station
V at a cost of $750,000 (equivalent to $6,600,000 in 2023). The actor would remain at the
bottom of the set and the entire structure would rotate when the actor would walk or jog to
another part of the centrifuge. The camera was either bolted to a fixed position on the set and
rotated with the set, or it remained at the bottom of the set with the actor as the set moved
around them.
7. A.I.: One of the great movie villains in history, the film introduced the character HAL 9000, an
artificial intelligence computer that controls the spacecraft, Discovery One. HAL's calm, yet
menacing voice and its portrayal as a sentient being became one of the most memorable
aspects of the film. Actor Douglas Rain (Canadian, May 9, 1928 – Nov. 11 2018) provided the mysterious
voice of HAL, with his performance adding to the character's murderous, eerie presence. During
the voice recordings, Rain rested his feet on a pillow for an added calming effect for his voice.
8. Classical music: The film's soundtrack features classical compositions by composers such as
Johann Strauss II, György Ligeti, and Richard Strauss. The use of classical music, particularly
Richard Strauss's "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" and György Ligeti's "Atmosphères," contributed to
the film's epic and otherworldly atmosphere.
9. Visual Storytelling: 2001 relied heavily on visuals and music to convey its narrative. This
unconventional approach challenged traditional storytelling norms and allowed audiences
to participate and interpret the film's themes.
10. Quiet on the Set: Conventional storytelling concepts were thrown out of the window. Haunting
quietness, solitude and loneliness were on full display: no dialogue for the first 25 minutes and no
dialogue for the last 23 minutes. And the main character, Dave Bowman (actor, Keir Dullea,
American, born May 30, 1936) does not appear until 57 minutes into the film.
11. Apes and Bones and Satellites – oh my: The cut from the Dawn of Man sequence (ape throwing
a bone into the sky) to the floating Space Craft is one of the great transitions in film history,
summarizing millions of years of progress with one match cut.
12. Legacy: Despite initially polarizing audiences and critics, "2001: A Space Odyssey" has since
been widely acclaimed as one of the greatest films ever made. Its influence can be seen in
numerous science fiction films and works of art – Star Wars, Alien etc. And it continues to
inspire filmmakers and audiences alike with its visionary storytelling and groundbreaking artistic
visuals. Although there was (and still today) much discussion & confusion about the meanings & themes - the film was not a flop. It was one of the biggest hits in 1968 with $146 million box office – and
one of the most influential films of all time.
Barry Kooser
For more blogs, information and Sci-Fi products, visit: https://www.spacekoos.com/
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