On its release in 1968, Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey perplexed, inspired, infuriated and astounded audiences. Virtually a mind trip without hallucinogenic substances, its pioneering special effects deservedly won Kubrick an Oscar, and even 40 years later, it can still give many CGI-heavy movies a run for their money. The FX, combined with a strong musical score, make it a must-see movie.
So many theories abound about the film's plot, its meaning and its conclusions, that it's hard to be precise over its intentions. Frankly some of the theories are so utterly pretentious that it's best, especially if it's your first viewing, to let the film sweep over you and simply enjoy it as a cinematic experience.
Co-written by Kubrick and the late Arthur C Clarke (and based on The Sentinel, a short story by Clarke), the film initially focuses on a tribe of apes who are gradually putting two and two together. Inexplicably, a black monolith appears in their midst, which seems to vastly increase their brain power.
Through one of the finest jump-cuts in film history, we leap forward in time and space to a shuttle craft that's en route to a space station. Once the shuttle has docked, we learn that something inexplicable has happened on the Moon. A black monolith has been found beneath the lunar surface. This event seems to be linked to a discovery on Jupiter, and an investigatory team, headed by David "Dave" Bowman (Keir Dullea, pictured) is duly despatched to that planet. That's where events become incredibly bewildering, and if you thought the FX so far have been good, nothing can prepare you for what's to come...
Esssential viewing.
2001: A Space Odyssey is a Film programme that first aired in 1968 and has been classified a U certificate.
