2001: A Space Odyssey
December 12, 2019
Apprentice Moses
introduction
Reviewers of Stanley Kubrick's movies invariably rely upon superlatives and oftentimes these comments justly describe Kubrick as a perfectionist. We direct the Gentle Reader here for a shot by shot analysis, invaluable insights, thoughtful discussions, and etymological excursions for "2001: A Space Odyssey". All images and quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are from that article. We have added punctuation, when, in our opinion, it provides clarity to the quotations. As these clarifications are not intrusive and carry nothing with them which will signify to the reader, there is no cause to identify each mark.
When theatrical versions are produced, commentators and critics often compare and contrast the original book with the movie. However, for "2001: A Space Odyssey", the book was written during filming and the author, Arthur C. Clark, was not privy to the complete filming. Interestingly, Kubrick had final approval for the book and forced Clarke to make continuous rewrites. Therefore, the book offers little insight into a proper understanding of the movie.
According to Wikipedia, after "pre-production had begun, Kubrick saw To the Moon and Beyond, a film shown ... at the 1964 World's Fair." Kubrick and Clark first met on April 22, 1964 and the two began discussing the project that would take up the next four years.
Perhaps the most frequently encountered discussion of "2001" among fringe groups is that NASA could not achieve certain technical breakthroughs and overcome physical limitations for a successful moon landing before the end of the decade, as President Kennedy envisioned. The conspiracy is that NASA financed the production of "2001" and, in return, Kubrick directed the moon landings for Cold War propaganda. Being an Apprentice, Yours Truly cannot comment on the suppositions regarding either technology or social conditioning.
When theatrical versions are produced, commentators and critics often compare and contrast the original book with the movie. However, for "2001: A Space Odyssey", the book was written during filming and the author, Arthur C. Clark, was not privy to the complete filming. Interestingly, Kubrick had final approval for the book and forced Clarke to make continuous rewrites. Therefore, the book offers little insight into a proper understanding of the movie.
According to Wikipedia, after "pre-production had begun, Kubrick saw To the Moon and Beyond, a film shown ... at the 1964 World's Fair." Kubrick and Clark first met on April 22, 1964 and the two began discussing the project that would take up the next four years.
Perhaps the most frequently encountered discussion of "2001" among fringe groups is that NASA could not achieve certain technical breakthroughs and overcome physical limitations for a successful moon landing before the end of the decade, as President Kennedy envisioned. The conspiracy is that NASA financed the production of "2001" and, in return, Kubrick directed the moon landings for Cold War propaganda. Being an Apprentice, Yours Truly cannot comment on the suppositions regarding either technology or social conditioning.
1
Dawn of Man
The opening music of "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" is a symphonic poem inspired by Nietzsche's work "Also Sprach Zarathustra". The title card "Dawn of Man" recalls Nietzsche's "Daybreak" and, as Master has noted, the titles of Nietzsche's works describe specific events from the Garden of Eden.
The Dawn
Twilight of the Idols Ecce Homo The Birth of Tragedy Human, All Too Human The Gay Science On the Genealogy of Morality The Antichrist Beyond Good and Evil |
The hues of front screen projection have been subtlety altered and "Kubrick again goes to great lengths for a sense of reality and then imposes a filter that distances us from that reality.”
The area above the line is the background image projected on the screen and the area below the line is the sound stage. It is fairly easy to identify front screen projection, as the background is clear, not blurred, and there is a demarcation between the screen and the sound stage.
2
"The hominid [shot 52] is suggested as having slipped the bonds of nature in its canny, self-aware terror of nature."
The terror of Nature is the result of realizing that "the walls of the world" have fallen, otherwise said, the discovery that there was, in fact, no support for an ordered cosmos. Thought brings self awareness and self awareness brings fear. For the first human, that terror could not be communicated and he must have lived his life in "quiet desperation".
3
4
What we're seeing is an unnatural phenomena [shot 58]--one can't, of course, have a noon sun and a sunrise sun at the same time-...
Although certain events are impossible for Nature, physical impossibilities are not limitations for filmmakers, notably the genre of science fiction.
5
The leader of the hominids is named "Moonwatcher" in the credits. The association between Kubrick's Moonwatcher and Plato's "star-gazer" who is "an idle babbler" and "a useless fellow" [Republic, 488a–489d] occurs effortlessly.
6
With the others leaving, I would wonder if it's being suggested that this revelation Moonwatcher will have is as dangerous as the panther...
While knowledge may or not be power, it is certainly dangerous for the possessor when the majority relies solely upon opinions, those shadows on the wall of the cave.
He will also now have thoughts of the future intruding on the present, by means of imagination, Moonwatcher projecting and analyzing cause and effect …
To correctly analyze "cause and effect", one needs to accurately recall the past. Not all hominids, or men, have this ability [cf. Genesis 3:12,13].
Moonwatcher has taught the others how to use the bones to hunt.
Moonwatcher has become a benefactor. For certain men, beneficence is due to their nature, or natural gifts, and is incidental to their being. Of course, Moonwatcher was "in the right place at the right time" to be influenced by the monolith; in other words, Moonwatcher becoming a benefactor was an accident.
The hominids aren't sequestered in it [the pit]. They are able to take on the dark with their new-found weaponry.
Moonwatcher kills a member from the other group to permanently control access to the pool of water. As Leo Strauss observed in "Natural Right and History", all cities are founded upon a crime. Otherwise said, civilization is typically built upon murder and "The Dawn of Man" adheres to the view that crime is fundamental to progress.
7
Moonwatcher throws the bone; it ascends and descends. Science declares that since the density of the bone is greater than the density of the atmosphere, it falls through the atmosphere to the ground. This experience is what man, as man, observes.
8
The satellites do, however, following up tribal conflict in The Dawn of Man section, acknowledge and present modern tribes as a continuing consequence of very ancient bonds and fractioning. The conscious individual as opposed to group control is a mainstay concern in Kubrick's filmography.
Tribal concerns are ever present, for man is a political animal. Of course, the philosopher or scientist is cosmopolitan, expansive; the antithesis of narrow dogmatic tribalism.
From left to right: the US satellite [shot 106], the German satellite [shot 107], and the Chinese satellite [shot 109]. Per the book, these are military satellites carring nuclear weapons.
9
10
The space station spins to create centrifugal force to simulate gravity- forcing the crew members to the outside wall, which is the curved floor as seen in the image on the right.
When compared to the images of the moon, the depiction of the earth from space seems uninspired.
It is actually impossible for the pilots to have this view of the base they are approaching, for their red lit windows, at the "top" of the craft, don't afford this perspective.
During the trip from the space station to the moon, Kubrick "goes to great lengths for a sense of reality" and then, inexplicably, "distances us from that reality.”
11
The scene of the meeting occurs on the moon. There is no indication of weak gravity from the participants at the conference. Once again, Kubrick "goes to great lengths for a sense of reality and then ... distances us from that reality.”
Well, thank you, Dr. Halvorsen. Hi, everybody. Nice to be back with you. Well, first of all, I bring a personal message from Dr. Howell, who's asked me to convey his deepest appreciation to all of you, for the many sacrifices you've had to make. And, of course, his congratulations on your discovery, which may well prove to be among the most significant in the history of science. Now, I know there have been some conflicting views held by some of you regarding the need for complete security in this matter and more specifically your opposition to the cover story created to give the impression there is an epidemic at the Base. -Floyd
We are not told what the discovery is, but it "may" be significant. The conditional wording is expected from a mind grounded in strict scientific discipline. Since the discovery was not intentional, it was an accident. The "cover story" for this discovery is the impression of an epidemic on the moon. We linger on the word "impression", as there is no official statement, only unsubstantiated stories. This deception is met with opposition from certain members and we speculate that these individuals are the scientists who value both truth, or reality, and free inquiry.
I understand that beyond it being a matter of principle, many of you are troubled by the concern and anxiety this story of an epidemic might cause to your relatives and friends on Earth. Well, I can completely sympathize with your negative views. I found this cover story personally embarrassing myself. However, I accept the need for absolute secrecy in this and I hope you will, too. Now, I'm sure you're all aware of the extremely grave potential for cultural shock and social disorientation contained in this present situation if the facts were prematurely and suddenly made public without adequate preparation and conditioning. Anyway, this is the view of the Council. The purpose of my visit here is to gather additional facts and opinions on the situation and to prepare a report to the Council recommending when and how the news should eventually be announced. Now, if any of you would like to give me your views and opinions, in private if you like, I'd be only to happy to include them in my report. -Floyd
Floyd understands that the story is against the principles of some members. Those member either value honesty, as integrity would be an expected characteristic of scientists, or have no experience with politics. Floyd is embarrassed by the story, but acknowledges the need for secrecy. He realizes the potential for "cultural shock" and "social disorientation" without "adequate preparation and conditioning". We learn little about the "Council".
Floyd is present on the moon to gather facts on the discovery and to collect opinions on when and how the news should be announced.
Floyd is present on the moon to gather facts on the discovery and to collect opinions on when and how the news should be announced.
Dr. Floyd, have you any idea how much longer this cover story will have to be maintained? -Bill
I don't know, Bill. I suppose it will be maintained as long as deemed necessary by the Council. And, of course, there must be adequate time for a full study of the situation before any thought can be given to making a public announcement. Oh, yes as some of you already know, the Council has requested that formal security oaths are to be obtained in writing from everyone who had any knowledge of this event. Well, were there any more questions? -Floyd
Floyd speculates that cover story will be maintained as "long as deemed necessary by the Council." He mentions that "adequate time" for a "full study" before a public announcement. We are intrigued by "formal" written "security oaths" from everyone with any knowledge of the event.
We infer that the Council serves a political purpose, rather than a scientific agenda, otherwise the information would be shared with other scientists without a cover story, adequate preparation time, and security oaths.
We infer that the Council serves a political purpose, rather than a scientific agenda, otherwise the information would be shared with other scientists without a cover story, adequate preparation time, and security oaths.
12
When we first found it we thought it might be an outcrop of magnetic rock. But all the geological evidence was against it. Not even a big nickle-iron meteorite could produce a field as intense as this. -Halvorsen
We thought it might be the upper part of some buried structure so we excavated out on all sides but unfortunately we didn't find anything else. -Bill
What's more, the evidence seems pretty conclusive that it hasn't been covered up by natural erosion or other causes. It seems to have been deliberately buried there. -Halvorsen
Halvorsen plays "The Pronoun Game" and the viewer can suppose that "it" refers to the "discovery".
The Gentle Reader can compare the beautifully crafted and detailed lunar surface with the blob of blue that is to pass for the earth [left]. The excavation site that revealed the monolith [right].
13
The essay notes that "when we don't see HAL we see the head-rests and when we do see him the head rests are absent. As mentioned above, from now on out we will no longer be shown the head-rests at all.”
Shot
226 227 231 232 236 237 247 254 |
Comments
Without HAL, headrest present HAL, no headrest Without HAL, headrest present Without HAL, headrest present Without HAL, headrest present HAL, no headrest HAL, no headrest HAL, no headrest |
A shot from HAL's perspective [left]. HAL does not see the headrest on the chair. A shot showing the chair does have a headrest [center] and another shot from HAL's perspective lacking the headrest [right].
Listen, HAL. There's never been any instance at all of, uh, computer error occurring in the nine thousand series, has there? -Poole
None whatsoever, Frank. The nine thousand series has a perfect operational record. -HAL
While the HAL 900 may have a "perfect operational record", where operational is be understood as synonymous with either calculating or computing, HAL cannot see the headrests. This inability to acknowledge reality as a whole may be the reason for HAL's malfunction.
No nine thousand computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. -HAL
The inability to see headrests is correctly understood as "distorting information".
14
Good evening. Three weeks ago, the American spacecraft, Discovery One, left on its half billion mile voyage to Jupiter. -Announcer [Shot 234]
Dr. Poole, what is it like living, for the better part of a year, in such close proximity with HAL?
-Amer [shot 254]
The Gentle Viewer may feel the need to try to reconcile "three weeks ago" with "the better part of a year". This anachronism is the strongest evidence that the film is not shown in chronological order.
15
Well, it's rather difficult to define. Perhaps I'm just projecting my own concern about it. I know I've never completely freed myself of the suspicion that there are some extremely odd things about this mission. I'm sure you'll agree there's some truth in what I say. -HAL
Well, I don't know. That's a rather difficult question to answer. -Bowman
HAL suggests that there "are some extremely odd things" about the mission, but Bowman only admits his ignorance and adds that the question is difficult. Of course, HAL did not ask a question, he only made statements. The thoughtful viewer wonders if an unasked question can, in fact, be difficult.
Well, certainly no one could have been unaware of the very strange stories floating around before we left. Rumors about something being dug up on the moon. I never gave these stories much credence, but particularly in view of some of the other things that have happened, I find them difficult to put out of my mind. For instance, the way all our preparations were kept under such tight security. And the melodramatic touch of putting doctors Hunter, Kimbal, and Kaminsky aboard, already in hibernation and after four months of separate training on their own. -HAL
You're working up your crew psychology report. -Bowman
HAL notes the strange stories and rumors, that all preparations were under tight security, and that the three doctors were in hibernation before the mission began. We learn that these doctors trained separately from Poole and Bowman and we conclude that Bowman and Poole are ignorant of the doctors' training. This compartmentalization of knowledge is typical both of the military [above one's pay grade] and of government agencies [a need to know basis].
HAL, by nature of his mission, must be duplicitous. What we do know is he [Bowman] avoids discussing with HAL anything concerning his emotions, his suspicions, his anxieties, his uncertainties. He simply observes for HAL that he believes he's working up a psychology report, showing that he knows HAL is attempting to discern his psychological state. He obscures. There is a kind of occlusion at work.
Suggestions of obscuring and occlusion in a science fiction movie. As Master says- "If things were as they seem, then The Wonderful World of Occult Research™ could not exist."
16
Though the pod has supposedly just murdered Poole, we apparently don't have the law of physics in force of equal and opposite reactions. Also, peculiarly, the pod and Poole actually cross paths here. They are coming from different sources and cross paths as they spin off at ... something like a right angle to each other.
And why is the pod hurtling like this in the first place?
What happened back there that would make it careen off like this?
And that their paths intersect each other at perhaps a right angle??
That their paths intersect at all?
Kubrick "goes to great lengths for a sense of reality and then ... distances us from that reality.”
17
Good day, gentleman. This is a prerecorded briefing made prior to your departure and which, for security reasons of the highest importance, has been known onboard, during the mission only by your HAL nine thousand computer. Now that you're in Jupiter space, and the entire crew is revived, it can be told to you. Eighteen months ago the first evidence of intelligent life, off the Earth, was discovered. It was buried forty feet below the lunar surface near the crater, Tycho. Except for a single, very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter, the four million year old black monolith has remained completely inert, its origin and purpose still a total mystery. -Floyd
The viewer is told that this video was "prerecorded", otherwise he may believe it is being transmitted, as there are problems with the quality of the recording. Kubrick achieves "a sense of reality and ... distances us from that reality.”
18
The following is courtesy of the Oxford English Dictionary:
Conspiracy theory
n. the theory that an event or phenomenon occurs as a result of a conspiracy between interested parties; spec. a belief that some covert but influential agency (typically political in motivation and oppressive in intent) is responsible for an unexplained event.
1909 Amer. Hist. Rev. 14 836
The claim that Atchison was the originator of the repeal may be termed a recrudescence of the conspiracy theory first asserted by Colonel John A. Parker of Virginia in 1880.
1952 K. R. Popper Open Society (ed. 2) II. xiv. 94
I call it the ‘conspiracy theory of society’. It is the view that an explanation of a social phenomenon consists in the discovery of the men or groups who are interested in the occurrence of this phenomenon.
1964 New Statesman 1 May 694/2
Conspiracy theorists will be disappointed by the absence of a dogmatic introduction.
1964 Listener 24 Sept. 471/3
His ‘vulgar economic realities’ are the cloak for a conspiracy-theory, and he is disappointed that I don't subscribe to it.
We note the happy coincidence that Kubrick and Clarke first met in April 1964 to collaborate and, within a month, the first instance of "conspiracy theorists" is published.
We offer two suggestions that may offer a fuller, albeit not a complete, understanding of the movie.
Firstly, the chronology should be altered based entirely on the hints suggested by the dialogue and visual clues. Our suggestion of "visual clues" are often discussed by commentators and critics under the guise of either poor editing or "goofs".
Secondly, "flips", "mirror images", 90 degree rotations, and other alterations should conform to one perspective.
Even after correcting the for chronology and perspective, the researcher must contend with what remains: impossible physics.
We offer two suggestions that may offer a fuller, albeit not a complete, understanding of the movie.
Firstly, the chronology should be altered based entirely on the hints suggested by the dialogue and visual clues. Our suggestion of "visual clues" are often discussed by commentators and critics under the guise of either poor editing or "goofs".
Secondly, "flips", "mirror images", 90 degree rotations, and other alterations should conform to one perspective.
Even after correcting the for chronology and perspective, the researcher must contend with what remains: impossible physics.