Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #43566 in Books
• Published on: 2000-03-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Synopsis
This is made up of testimony from Kubrick's collaborators and commentary from critics and historians. This is the most complete book on the film to date.

Customer Reviews

2001: A classic explained?
2001: A Space Odyssey is undoubtedly a milestone film in science fiction, but what is it all about? Well, don't read this book if you want a full explanation because you won't get one. However, you will gain a detailed insight into the processes that led to the films creation. The book is full of detail of the special photographic effects developed for the film, written mostly by the technicians involved. There are many interviews with all the main people, from Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, to the cast and production staff, as well as sections detailing the shooting process. The interview between Kubrick and Playboy magazine is particularly revealing. Clarke's short story "The Sentinel" which was the basis of the story is also included. It's not all an easy read; the section of reviews at the time of the films release can be hard going, especially as each reviewer seem to be trying to put their own subjective interpretation onto the film. In some places you wonder if they were watching the same film! However this is perhaps not surprising as the meaning of the film does vary for each persons viewpoint. The interviews with Kubrick constantly show him refusing to be drawn on the meaning of the film - he always leaves it up to the viewer - something that very few mainstream films do today. Overall a rewarding read. Those who prefer a more pictorial history may prefer Piers Bizony's (who contributes a couple of chapters to this book) excellent 2001: Filming The Future, or Jerome Agel's The Making of Kubrick's 2001.