2001: A Space Odyssey – 53rd Anniversary
“2001: A Space Odyssey” was first released, on April 2, 1968, is a science fiction film produced and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The screenplay was written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, and was partially based on Clarke’s short story “The Sentinel”. A novel also called 2001: A Space Odyssey, written concurrently with the screenplay, was published soon after the film was released. The film, which follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution, deals with themes of existentialism, human evolution, technology, artificial intelligence, and the existence of extraterrestrial life. It is noted for its scientifically accurate depiction of spaceflight, pioneering special effects, and ambiguous imagery. It uses sound and minimal dialogue in place of traditional cinematic and narrative techniques, and its soundtrack is famous for its inclusion of a number of pieces of classical music, among them.
Today, 2001: A Space Odyssey is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.
Budget: $10.5–12 million
Box office: $138–190 million
Produced by: Stanley Kubrick
Edited by: Ray Lovejoy
Release date
April 2, 1968 (Uptown Theater)
April 3, 1968 (United States)
May 15, 1968 (United Kingdom)