2001: A Space Odyssey

Overview

In 1968 Arthur C Clarke and perfectionist director Stanley Kubrick pushed the limits of narrative and special effects with their landmark science fiction epic, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The film charts the progress of civilisation in four distinct movements - involving prehistoric apes, encounters with mysterious black monoliths, secret voyages to Jupiter and a murderous space computer. With the first spoken word almost a half hour in, and less than 40 minutes of dialogue in the entire film, the cinematic experiment was intended to present its story almost entirely with only pristine visual imagery; the silence also an accurate depiction of the absence of sound in space.

The film was released at the height of the space race between the USSR and the US, and served as a prelude to man landing on the Moon in 1969. As well as pre-empting the influence computers would have on civilisation, it exposed a gap between young moviegoers who wanted to see something new and challenging and oldsters who "didn't get it." Chemically enhanced viewing experiences of the film were suggested as a way to free one's mind.

Between mixed reviews, it received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Director, Best Art Direction, and Best Original Story and Screenplay. It won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

2001: A Space Odyssey will screen at The Embassy on Saturday 16 May at 5:30pm and Sunday 17 May at 5:30pm.