After the release of Dr. Strangelove in 1964, Kubrick set his sights on Science Fiction.

At that time, America and Russia were fully engaged in a space race that had already witnessed the first men (and woman) in space, and the first unmanned probes to the moon.

The first space walks were only one year away. But more importantly, in the context of 2001, theories abounded about extra terrestrial life and the possibility of ‘alien’ intelligence in the cosmos.

Kubrick was fascinated by this concept and decided it was time to make a serious film about the relationship between Man and the Universe.

He did not take any of the previous science fiction films seriously and was eager to create a vision that would be perfectly plausible and convincing. He enlisted the help of one of the most praised science fiction writer and scientific mind of that time, Arthur C. Clarke. They embarked on 18 months of preparation, with Clarke first writing a novel based on one of his short stories from 1948 (The Sentinel).

Visually, Kubrick had been influenced by both a short animated film called “To the Moon and Beyond”, which he had seen at the 1964 New York fair, and by a documentary called “Universe”. Created by the National Film Board of Canada in 1960, “Universe” used a process called fluid-field photography, which, along with Douglas Trumbull’s slit-scan photography, was used in early tests (as well as in the Beyond the Infinite sequence) to impress and convince the MGM folks that their $10.5 million would be well spent.

Kubrick’s motivation to ensure that every single facet of the film was as realistic as possible was greater than ever in light of NASA’s plans to put men on the moon, possibly even before 2001 would be released. Thus, every scene was shot to create the sharpest possible picture (one scene of a hatch opening took 5 hours to film). Never had such renditions of space been seen on the big screen. Audiences and critics, while divided (and often confused) by the message of the film, were unanimous in their praise of its visual beauty. The images, matched beautifully by Kubrick’s bold decision to use classical music, were stunning in sharpness and realism.

Many have criticized the film for providing more questions than answers, which was probably exactly what Kubrick was aiming for. He intended to create a beautiful but highly visceral and metaphorical spectacle that would leave the audience mesmerized, and at times confused and uncomfortable.

Synopsis. Attention: spoilers ahead!

It is the dawn of man. Groups of apes roam the barren land in search of food and shelter. They regularly fight, competing for the right to survive in an environment where only the fittest survive.

One group, led by Moonwatcher, seems to be on the verge of starvation as they are unable to assert themselves over their rivals. They retreat to their cave, hungry and incapable of changing their situation.

When they wake the next morning, they discover a black monolith standing not far from their cave. Confused and scared, but also curious, they approach it slowly until Moonwatcher eventually touches the surface of the monolith.

Later, Moonwatcher picks up a bone from the skeleton of an animal and starts using it with determination to crush other bones. The ape is developing a sense of the concept of a weapon and decides to use his new tool to kill a wild boar, which he does successfully. His group avoids starvation by becoming carnivores.

Strengthened by their newly found source of food and by their weapon, Moonwatcher’s tribe is now able to exert their dominance and superiority over the other groups of apes in the region.

Three millions year later, an American crew led by Dr. Floyd is sent to the now colonized moon to investigate reports of a mysterious apparition on its surface. His craft makes a stop by the orbiting space station where Floyd addresses a group of scientists. He is also questioned by Russian scientists who are heading back to earth but are concerned about rumors of an epidemic on the moon.

Once on the moon, Floyd and the crew approach the site and discover a black monolith. The data shows that the monolith has been standing in this excavation for the past 3 millions years. Slowly, they draw closer until Floyd touches its surface with his gloved hand. Immediately, the monolith emits a deafening piercing signal.

18 months later, the ship Discovery is en route to Jupiter. Its crew consists of David Bowman, Frank Poole and 3 others held in a state of suspended animation. The crew is assisted by HAL, the onboard computer, the most sophisticated artificial intelligence built to date.

At some point into the 9 months journey, HAL reports that a system will fail. Bowman and Poole investigate the unit in question, only to discover that it is functioning properly. They run the same tests through another ‘HAL’ on earth, and are told once again that the unit is running correctly. HAL maintains that the unit will fail.

Bowman and Poole become concerned with HAL’s behavior and try to discuss the situation privately, agreeing that the safest course of action might be to disconnect HAL. But their attempt at hiding their plan is unsuccessful. While Pool is doing a space walk, HAL severs his safety cable, sending him hurling into space. Bowman is able to rescue Pool but is not allowed back into the ship by HAL, who disconnects the life support of the other 3 crew members. Eventually, Bowman has to let go of Pool’s body in order to re-enter Discovery. Once inside, Bowman proceeds to disconnect HAL. He also finds out the true nature of his mission, which is to investigate the origin of the transmission heard on the moon by Floyd and his crew.

As Discovery approaches Jupiter, Bowman leaves the ship and heads towards the black monolith orbiting the planet. As he approaches the monolith, he enters a ‘star gate’. He is transported through worlds, galaxies, stars and various cosmic landscapes of mountains, explosions, new born suns and planets, his journey ending in an 18^th century furnished room. He now witnesses himself at as an adult and as an old man, until he finally dies and is sent back to earth as an unborn child.