WHAT'S IT ABOUT?

Adapted from the Arthur C Clarke best-seller, this unique sci-fi unfolds the evolution of mankind, culminating in a shuttle mission to Jupiter. Mad computers, hyper-space travel and really weird going-ons all enter the equation!

COOL FACTOR:

Dark, poetic, mesmerising, sublime, extraordinary... Kubrick's masterpiece was no mere film, it was a cinematic opera that makes neck hairs stand up like little plant stalks.

SCENE:

A space ship docks with almost balletic beauty

MAXIM SAYS:

Mysterious and powerful, the ultimate sci-fi film!

TRIVIA!

•    A score for the film was composed but Kubrick, under pressure form studio bosses to show some progress with the film, showed them some footage without dialogue over which he had dubbed famous pieces of classical music; and the classical music stuck.

•    A  very unusual feature of the film is the complete absence of dialogue for the entirety of both the first and last 20 minutes or so of the film.