Appearance
2001: A Space Odyssey
Directed by Stanley Kubrick and co-written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is a landmark of science fiction cinema. The film is a grand, non-linear journey through human evolution, beginning with the "Dawn of Man" and culminating in a voyage to Jupiter and beyond. Centered on the discovery of a mysterious black monolith that seems to guide human progress, the narrative follows Dr. David Bowman (Keir Dullea) as he contends with HAL 9000, a sentient and increasingly erratic computer.
The film is renowned for its scientifically accurate depiction of spaceflight, its minimal use of dialogue, and its groundbreaking practical special effects that remain visually stunning over half a century later.
Locations
While much of the film’s "space" action was achieved through massive sets and miniatures at studios in the United Kingdom, several real-world locations were used to capture the primordial and alien landscapes.
Shepperton Studios & MGM-British Studios, UK
The vast majority of the film, including the iconic centrifuge of the Discovery One, the lunar base at Clavius, and the "Star Gate" hotel room, was filmed on soundstages at Shepperton Studios and MGM-British Studios in Borehamwood. Kubrick’s team built a massive 30-ton rotating ferris-wheel set to simulate the effects of artificial gravity for the astronauts.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
For the climactic "Star Gate" sequence, where Bowman is transported through space and time, the production used aerial footage of the Isle of Skye. The rugged, jagged landscapes of the Trotternish Peninsula were filmed with highly distorted color filters to represent the surface of a distant, alien world. Map Location
Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah
The "Dawn of Man" sequence, depicting the desert environment where the early hominids encounter the monolith, utilized background plates filmed in Monument Valley. These images were projected onto a massive screen in the studio using a pioneering technique called "front projection," allowing the actors in ape costumes to appear as if they were in the American Southwest. Map Location
Namib Desert, Namibia
Additional background plates for the opening sequence were captured in the Namib Desert. The vast, orange sand dunes and desolate plains provided the prehistoric, otherworldly look Kubrick desired for the birth of human consciousness. Map Location
Hebrides Islands, Scotland
Similar to the Isle of Skye, various uninhabited areas of the Outer Hebrides were used for plate photography for the "Beyond the Infinite" sequence. The unique geological formations provided the abstract textures needed for the alien planet surfaces seen during the Star Gate trip. Map Location
Ad Support
Director
Stanley Kubrick
Cast
Keir Dullea
Gary Lockwood
William Sylvester
Douglas Rain (Voice of HAL 9000)
Daniel Richter
Leonard Rossiter
IMDB
Contact Us
For any errors contact us at filmsetseeker@protonmail.me