2001 A Space Odyssey 70mm format screening

[Satchmo]

I had the pleasure today to see a screening of the Classic Sci Fi film 2001 : A Space Odyssey at the sydney Cremorne Orpheum .

The actors Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood who played the astronauts Bowman and Poole were there to talk and Q and A with the audience and sign autograghs ! Keir looks very fit and vibrant for his 70 years he could pass for late 40's.

The print was in original 70mm and breathtaking in its contrast and detail. I saw the original in 1968 when my father took me as an 8 year old boy and I still have the `How and Why Wonder Book of the Stars ' we bought the same day to hopefully answer all my new questions about space.

I suspect if I had been able to find the original Colour program booklet I got on the day which I thought I had kept safely for 38 years I'd have joined the sci - fi geeks and payed $50 for a couple of signatures on it Alas I remember showing it to someone 4 years ago but have turned the house upside down overnight and couldn't find it. Anyhow I realise today it's not about the signatures but buying a breif moment in time to chat with these two stars.

2001 had a great impact on me as a child, no doubt feeding my curiosity about space and was a true technical masterpiece then and now ( before the days of digital special effects ) and still looks as convincing as when it began shooting 40 years ago ..

No doubt other IIS mambers may have some fond memories of the film also.
It has been officially scheduled for release on HD DVD format so that will be something for fans to look forward to.

Mark

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Wow

I too saw the film in 1968. My older brother took me to see it at the George Street Cinema (now Hoyts I believe) and we sat right up the front. I remember being absolutely dazzled by the movie. It set the tone for the rest of my life, and ever since that viewing and then watching Neil Armstrong step on to the moon the following year I've been an avid space lover. I don't care what young people say - I know that I grew up during the best period of the last century.

What a thrill it would have been to meet Keir and Gary. What was the occaision? I still remember being freaked out by Bowmans' ascention to the Star Child....

Probably the best movie ever made.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

A couple of years ago Odyssey was on the telly when my eldest boy was up visiting. Jim hadn't seen nor heard of it before. It was truely enlightening to him. I'm glad to have been there to share it with him.

[Ric]

2001, a classic movie in all respects and has lost none of its appeal. That would have been a real buzz to meet the actors, great stuff Mark.
The movie has to rate in my top twenty list.

cheers

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

That is a must see movie! At least a couple of times! Masterpiece in ever sense of the word.
Thank you Kubrick!!!

[astroron (Ron)]

I have a video of it, but would love to have seen it on the big screen

[Zac Pujic]

Mark,

Wow. You saw Bowman and Poole! That must have been eerie.

BTW I own a 12 inch mirror you made about almost 20 years ago. Its probably the best mirror I've ever used. I've used it many times to image Jupiter and I often think of Discovery in orbit around it.

Zac Pujic
Brisbane, Australia
http://astroimg.org

[GrahamL]

Sk.. sure made a good flick or two .. clockwork orange I remember just
stumped me when I saw it (young).. and when I saw A play of the movie many years later with my girlfriend/wife it felt the same .

2001 .. went the same way for me ,walk out of the cinema,still buzzing from what youv'e seen, a classic bit of film .

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Wow Mark, what a buzz that would be!

I wonder how many times Dullea and Lockwood have seen themselves in the Movie

I remember seeing the original too. I saw it at the Toongabbie Rocket!
I think I have only seen it about 4 times since then though. Can't wait for the DVD. It is a Classic in Cinematography, effects and Wow factor! It has left a mark on millions!!!

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

Great movie, especially for its time, except for the last bit (with all the lighting effects and stuff). I fell asleep during this bit as it just went on, and on, and on! If they cut this down to a few seconds the movie would go up in my opinion.

[33South (Chris)]

Great stuff Mark, wish Id I known about that I saw it in 68 and a couple of other times at a cinema, in-numerable times at home on TV.
Ive got an original release LP of the sound track could have got signed.

Ive got the DVD but still watch the tv if they show it


Anyone else like 2010 - I do.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Originally Posted by OneOfOne

Great movie, especially for its time, except for the last bit (with all the lighting effects and stuff). I fell asleep during this bit as it just went on, and on, and on! If they cut this down to a few seconds the movie would go up in my opinion.

hehe... You have to remember that Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke (who co-wrote the script) were basically just out of hippie school. The "trip" that Bowman took from his existence as a thing to one of thought was meant to be pretty wild. I agree though - a bit shorter would have done me. Besides, when I was 6 it was pretty hard to take sitting in the front row...

Just for the record, I reckon that i've seen the movie over 30 times since then.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I too saw the film in 1968. My older brother took me to see it at the George Street Cinema (now Hoyts I believe) and we sat right up the front.

Yes it was shown at the `Palace' in George St , I remember its internal grandeur, it was even pre- art deco style of the Cremorne Orpheum where I was yesterday. I think some of the foyer was preserved for the building that takes its place ( McDonalds ??) Awesome to think the film was made even before the Moon landing.

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Zac Pujic

Mark,

Wow. You saw Bowman and Poole! That must have been eerie.

BTW I own a 12 inch mirror you made about almost 20 years ago. Its probably the best mirror I've ever used. I've used it many times to image Jupiter and I often think of Discovery in orbit around it.

Yes if you blurred your eyes slightly you could imagine Keir Dullea just having walked off the set. He was very theatrical ( having worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company for many years ) and very entertaining. Gary Lockwood had not looked after himself so much and was not so recognizable. He related the story that an altercation he had with Kubrick resulted in an invite to input the story on the fly and that calling Hal to `rotate the pod ' when they were testing to see he could not hear them was his bit of ad lib to the story ! He apparently was a cast member of Star Trek, and seemed a little dissapointed there were no Trekkies in the audience.

Re your mirror ,great news, yes , wasn't it John Keats who said ' a mirror of beauty is a joy forever ' :-)

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

The "trip" that Bowman took from his existence as a thing to one of thought was meant to be pretty wild. I agree though - a bit shorter would have done me. Besides, when I was 6 it was pretty hard to take sitting in the front row...

Just for the record, I reckon that i've seen the movie over 30 times since then.

Gary Lockwood ( Astronaut Poole ) related that in the USA the film had the longest run ( 16 months ) in San Francisco which of course was at the height of the Height-Ashbury Flower Power scene. He said in one showing a `freak' yelled `its GOD' during the trip sequence and crashed straight through the screen

Keir related that for a whole year John Lennon had his agent buy two tickets for every screening for a whole year, and anyone could walk in off the street and try to claim the tickets if they recited a good reason why .

Sounds like at 30 viewings you may have a local record there !

[Satchmo]

I've enjoyed reading everyones responses and memories.

In hindsite I could have taken my digital camera in and filmed the interviews and Q and A from the audience as many were doing, but I didn't think that far ahead ..too busy looking for that 38 year old souvenir program

Mark