2001: A Space Symphony

2001: A Space Odyssey is the rare movie that transcends its genre, generation and even cinema itself. Just as a beautiful painting or an enchanting piece of music without explanation from the author, 2001 is a movie that will be forever analyzed, but never fully understood. It’s a film that’s meant to be experienced, rather than seen.
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Recommended:
2001: A Space Odyssey - Ending Explained: • 2001: A Space Odyssey ...
2001: A Space Odyssey - What’s the Difference?: • 2001: A Space Odyssey ...
Perhaps no other film continues to be as enigmatic as Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, the ultimate science fiction film. Undeniably epic in scope and riddled with mystic symbolism, 2001 operates on a level much closer to abstract art than a traditional film, without the reliance on words, as the film contains no dialogue for roughly the first and last 20 minutes. The language of Kubrick’s masterpiece is an elegant dance of music and images, of complex concepts and abstractions. Together, they build a beautiful bridge connecting experimental and traditional plot driven films, an experience unlike any other in cinema.
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[@AMatterofFilm]

Special thanks to our supporters on Patreon! If you would like to further support our channel and get some pretty sweet benefits in return, check out our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/amatterofilm . When we reach our goal, we'll make a video on one of the best T.V. Series today (and one of our favorites): Mr. Robot! By the way we just got to 40k Subscribers! How amazing is that? Thank you for the support you have given us, we're incredibly happy to see that you enjoy our content. But we're just getting started and we have a long way to go. You ain't seen nothing yet. So stay tuned for more videos like this one! We upload every week. We'll see you then!

[@arandonnelly5673]

A Matter of Film Hi Gus, just curious, great analysis but it seems to focus a lot on the music, what would be the best video essay on 2001 for those looking for an analysis on story and characters? Just curious, that's all!

[@AMatterofFilm]

Hey Aran, thanks so much! Hmm, not sure as to whether which analysis is the best regarding the story of 2001...I'm a big fan of Chris Stuckmann's channel, Wisecrack has a pretty solid video on this as well and Screenprism has a nice video explaining the film. There are so many resources when it comes to 2001, so I can't really point to one specific analysis :) the ones I mentioned are good starting points, though.

[@zumzoom6368]

Kubrick is definitely one of the few true genius directors.

[@reviewswithgayden3232]

*was. Sadly.

[@jqyhlmnp]

ZumZoom Nolan, the guy who made primer, and possibly pta

[@triceratops7084]

@@jqyhlmnp Nolan lmfao

[@JohnDouille]

@@jqyhlmnp Imagine comparing Nolan to Kubrick

[@jamesburgess2k]

I was just planning on watching this in IMAX today. This movie is more art than film, with so many different interpretations open to the viewer and vast amount of inferences it poses about the future of humanity. Not personally my favorite Kubrick film, but by far his greatest masterpiece.

[@dancollins3999]

All film is art

[@chrisaguilera1564]

Saw it in IMAX over the weekend. It was a visceral experience. The music does make it timeless because this films fails to get old. It looks amazing in Imax.

[@mpbiuastico2369]

These videos are amazing you put too much work into your videos you deserve at least 1 mil subs

[@AMatterofFilm]

That means a lot Martim. We'll get there :)

[@Screened]

This was very enjoyable. Feel like watching the movie again!

[@prsnheretodo]

Saw this yesterday on #IMAX. An awe unforgettable experience.

[@bryanchu5379]

I just saw this in imax. It was epic.

[@jaysway9251]

Saw this film in IMAX and I have never felt more engulfed by a film. Truly an experience that all film buffs should live through

[@braderickson9996]

Likely the best 8.5 minutes of film analysis, I have ever seen and heard. 50 years from now, it will indeed still be analyzed and still not fully understood. The music selected, is a masterstroke. Kubrick had the vision to reach beyond the orchestral scores of the day. The classical music selected, truly speaks to the vastness and the infinite of space. I can only think of a handful of composers today, maybe even fewer, that might get close to the classical music Kubrick selected. It does indeed make the movie...timeless.

[@Noah-pq8rv]

Space: The Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the subscribers of A Matter of Film. It's mission: to explore strange new films. To seek out new subscribers and new film analyses. To boldly go where no man has gone before!

[@jordanrockwell]

Amen, Noah!

[@gracielaherrera4466]

Bravo

[@AMatterofFilm]

Always a pleasure to read your comments, Noah :)!

[@alexanderengland933]

Great video! I love this film and this is a fantastic analysis to match it.

[@jacobcleaver7256]

I wish I could like this video twice! Fantastic video about what I consider the greatest movie of all time! Keep up the good work👍

[@thegrimelite]

I can't believe you "only" have 40k subs tbh... you deserve way more because every video you do is 100% quality

[@seppothedestroyer731]

Dam this video is good. Really well edited.

[@Tiki7391]

The use of Ligeti’s Requiem in the skydiving scene in Godzilla 2014 was also amazing

[@AMatterofFilm]

Definitely! It fits the atmosphere of not knowing the scale and dread of Godzilla!

[@matthewbadillo8628]

🎵Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy, all for the love of you🎵

[@ne0nle0n25]

Amazing video, subscribed. You definitely showed why me and many other people consider ''2001: A Space Odyssey'' the greatest film of all time.

[@KB-jr9bd]

I just found your channel from the fmj vid and I really love your style of videos, especially the editing lol. Keep it up dude!

[@felipezambrano3271]

The G.O.A.T. of SciFi movies

[@andrewscott4518]

Can’t wait for this channel to skyrocket I’m surprised it hasn’t yet

[@blueknight5754]

The shining in space...I never grasped this movie it was beyond me, Kubric was either a genious or a certified wacko. Great video guys..thank you for breaking this one down!

[@sebastiansanchez2776]

First Dislike for no reason

[@adamclark5956]

You absolutely nailed it on this analysis. Most people will be disappointed it's not about some faked moon landing conspiracy or whatever but Kubrick's films are more about philosophy/psychology and creating an experience beyond just seeing a film. Nietzsche in 2001, Hobbes in A Clockwork Orange, Sigmund Freud in The Shining, Carl Jung in Full Metal Jacket to name a few. Great observation on the choice of Thus Spoke Zarathustra in the film. I also noticed Kubrick attached just one Beethoven piece to Alex in A Clockwork Orange (unlike in the book). He chose Ode to Joy which is Beethoven wrote to accompany the well known poem but the original title to that poem which Beethoven would've known was actually Ode to Freedom. The poem was an ode to the enlightenment and this knew movement for freedom. Alex represents Freedom without any boundaries or as Hobbes would call it The State of Nature. The Ministry and Ludivico treatment represent the Social Contract gone too far. Kubrick argues that while he believes man is inherently evil in his state of nature but that freedom is still the preferred option to being a total slave to the government.

[@pulaksardar983]

Sir You really really deserve more subs....never seen like this b4..

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thank you very much Pulak. We appreciate it.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Cool video. Loved your intro. Did you guys catch any of the IMAX showings last weekend?

[@AMatterofFilm]

We didn't catch the IMAX showing (unfortunately). However we did see the movie a bunch of times on blu ray for this analysis so hey, not too bad. Did you catch a screening?

[@EyebrowCinema]

Yeah I went twice. Pretty amazing experiences. I wasn't lucky enough to catch one of the handful of 70mm showings, but just to be able to see it on the big screen with great sound and in a distraction-free environment was pretty mesmerizing.

[@oeloel2653]

The Mona Lisa of films - 2001. A true masterpiece

[@jordanrockwell]

Another home run for a truly beautiful and haunting cinematic masterpiece!

[@benpohlmann2352]

such epic editing

[@racerhex2690]

It fell on my son's birthday last weekend that they were showing this here in Dallas at the Texas Theater we went to watch it awesome ! it's now his Favorite movie.

[@Laloarv]

Loved it, keep up the great work!

[@tommyross7529]

Hot Damn you people add value to my life! Some WELL deserved praise and engagement! Love you guys! Thanks for making life more beautiful with your insights into these masterpieces!

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thanks Tommy! We're glad you continue to enjoy our content :)

[@torbengobel5167]

This is an amazing youtube channel, keep it up

[@vlixvlix9520]

Truly excellent analysis!

[@AMatterofFilm]

Much appreciated!

[@johngotti4286]

Thank you!

[@princessozmaofoz5242]

My god what an excellent video. Thank you for this analysis!

[@pascalscherr5206]

I watched Stalker last Thursday. I wouldn't say it'll go down as one of my favorites but it was quite good. Maybe something on that at some point? And as always, fantastic video

[@simplechimp7340]

I watched Stalker recently, too. But, I thought it was excellent. One of my favourite films now.

[@pascalscherr5206]

Simple Chimp I thought it was excellent too. I just have a real long list of favorite films

[@matusa6714]

Damn. This video is simply amazing, you're doing an awesome work. I really appreciate the quote at the end of the video, it gives me goosebumps. You earned a subscriber.

[@AMatterofFilm]

We appreciate the support! Thank you very much and welcome to our channel :)

[@danielbaek8455]

A Matter of Film is like A24. They can do no wrong.

[@BrickMotionStudiosBMS]

Except for... um.. yeah I guess you're right.

[@guyfieri1370]

So ahead of its time, if it came out today it would still be ahead of its time

[@williamtomkiel8215]

Video upped to HDR . . stunning . . (1030 video card) The SOUND: upmixed into Neo:X with FH's , DSU or even simple stereo,( with the right fronts,) ( Fusion 15's from DIYSG) and a "few" subs, in a well treated room . . you'll think you've never seen or heard this movie ever before my favorite film . .

[@my_name_ryan]

You deserve so many more subscribers

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thanks man!

[@my_name_ryan]

@@AMatterofFilm sad to see you haven't upload in a while, hope everythings ok

[@AMatterofFilm]

It's all good, Ryan! New video should be up pretty soon. It's the longest video so far, so that's why it's taken so long. Thanks for the support!

[@Backwardsman95]

Amazing thoughts!

[@uno23sleep]

Great analysis.👍 Keep it up.😀

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thank you!

[@Galacsia]

Definetely my favorite movie and your video does justice to it in explaining what makes it so great.

[@vibhormahajan7360]

Pls analyse The Thing or Akira

[@seanbrennan5192]

Btw the orbiting satellite in the first shot in space, is actually weaponized. It was a military satellite. The shot goes from weapon to weapon. Every single shot was in correlation with the theme. Kubrick was the best. Probably always will be

[@conorb7094]

I'm a big sci-fi fan and 2001 is my favourite movie. Love the video, keep it up!

[@joelnascimento6513]

Make an analysis of The Tree Of Life

[@jqyhlmnp]

Imagine 2001 being your first film in color

[@alfistibrasiliani]

A timeless masterpiece.

[@ardakaanbereket8608]

I LOVE THIS CHANNEL!

[@AMatterofFilm]

And we love you

[@AchtungEnglander]

Wonderful film and a very interesting analysis

[@loganchapman1345]

2001, and the shining are the only films to genuinely frighten me, for the music and generally disturbing aesthetic

[@twisthemp]

Beautiful !!!

[@seanmertens9837]

Hey you guys! Great work! I was wondering, however, how do you record the narration? It sounds a little less professional comapred to Nerdwriter, for example, because the space you're recording in is "audible". Have you ever considered recording in a small sound-insulated room? Also, the choice of microphone is essential, I think. Otherwise: awesome stuff guys! Just an idea, keep doing what you're doing :)

[@AMatterofFilm]

Hey Sean! Thanks a lot for your feedback and suggestions. We record in a normal house room, and we use the silver Yeti microphone. It's a great mic to start with, but this copy had issues since I bought it 4 years ago. One of our future Patreon goals is to get a better mic. What would you recommend? Thanks a lot!

[@seanmertens9837]

Hey guys! If you're looking for an affordable option I would recommend a condenser mic by AKG, for example. You just have to make sure to get an interface with phantom power (e.g. the M-Audio Fast Track). This is definitely going to be a step up from a regular USB mic. Also, if you're not planning on muffling the room, you could consider setting up a mattress behind the mic. What I do also is arranging some blankets around the mic so it's somewhat similar to a vocal booth. I hope this helps :) Cheers from Germany!

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thanks so much for the recommendation, man! We'll keep it in mind :)

[@douchebag235]

I would totally support this channel, but I'm still an undergrad. Great content, hoping for more!

[@AMatterofFilm]

Don't worry about it :) As long as you're watching our videos, that helps a lot too. Thanks for watching!

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

One of the greatest Science Fiction films very created. I really hope one day there's a successful spiritual successor or worthy spin-off sequel to this movie. After watching Blade Runner 2049, I know there can be!

[@fridge6836]

*MASTER* *PIECE*

[@vette68lover]

the film is perfectly understood if you read the book. They are meant to be experienced together

[@radu0011]

how do you only have 40k subscibers ?? unreal

[@boomerdoomer5888]

No.. this video wouldn't have been possible without the movie content that you've used for it.

[@tevianb1327]

I feel like I've seen this movie for the first time! I recently saw this movie at my local IMAX theater. I've probably seen this movie a dozen or more times. Sometimes big screens. Sometimes small screens, but never at a theater. This feels like the first time I've ever seen this film and I almost have no desire to watch it again! Let me explain. I have always considered this film to be one of my most favorite scifi film's of all time. And for the most part it still is. However this viewing has placed this film from purely scifi to much more of a horror film in my mind. I guess to some people it would be considered somewhat horror, but I never really saw it that way. I now believe this film WAS meant to be scary, shocking, and a warning. A warning of just how small we are and how little we know about out place in the universe. My opinion of this movie changed at the point were the research team are on the moon observing the monolith. The movie was delightful as usual up to that point. Then the researchers all gather around the monolith to take a selfie. Then the high pitched sound from the monolith happens. I knew this was coming of course, and I know my local IMAX theater can get a bit loud. The sound was so loud people had no choice but to cover there ears! It was at this point I glimpsed a bit of Kubrick's genius. At home this noise is annoying of course but was never loud enough to illicit a response like this. This was Kubrick shouting at me. "YOU THINK THIS IS JUST A MOVIE! WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S OUT THERE! PAY ATTENTION MAN!!!" This shriek goes on for what feels like minutes! If any modern movie maker tried to freak out the crowd by playing a loud noise it would be taken as annoying, cheesy, and would be quickly forgotten due to the lack of emotional impact. But Kubrick knew what he was doing. And for a time I glimpsed a small bit of his genius. After that point I viewed the film with much more caution than previous viewings. The sound design for this film is something to be experienced in the theater no matter how big your home theater is! Ligeti's Requiem is truly hunting in this presentation. The voices are shouting at points. And in the theater you have no choice but to endure until they cease. The minuets long scenes of the astronauts in space are claustrophobic with the constant white noise and heavy breathing. This is Kubrick saying, "Look how unprepared and small we are. They survive only by clinging to a small bit of life giving air they brought with them. There is certain death in every direction if they loose this precious air." Every other scifi movie with space walking scenes should also illicit this emotion/feeling but I can't remember the last time I was worried or afraid. The complete lack of emotion from Bowman and Poole seem to amplify this effect for me. They are completely levelheaded right to the end. I would be loosing my mind if a computer that was trying to kill me while I was on a spaceship with no were to go! 'stands on soap box' This movie is an experience and NOT just a fun classic scifi movie. This movie is NOT fun. This movie is NOT just entertaining. It is a grand spectral of one mans interpretation of the future existence of mankind. Future generations must decide on just how much of our humanity we will bring into the great unknown. And whether or not it will be a benefit or a hazard when we meat these threats on the universes terms. If you've never seen this movie please go now! Check out IMAX if you can. I know it's expensive! I really wish I could have seen this in 70mm.

[@trouper206]

Seeing it next Friday, in IMAX, on acid

[@AMatterofFilm]

Be sure to go to the toilet before watching it. I know someone who did the same thing and the beyond sequence made him so uncomfortable that he left the screening really confused to go to the toilet. Lucy made him his bitch.

[@racerhex2690]

a lotta' inspiration for Star Wars " A New Hope"

[@theroebuck123456789]

I think 2001's theme is evolution in general, if you think about it the film starts with technology that is capable of protecting them and harming them (bone) then HAL a technology who's objective is to protect them ends up harming them with the intention of protecting them. Tech evolved with humans.

[@notsoaveragejoe7275]

Great video! Please do one on Andrei Tarkovsky

[@JanPBtest]

4:38 It's actually the _Kyrie_ from Ligeti's "Requiem". The choir sings "Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison" in a very slow and drawn-out fashion which makes it FAPP unintelligible. The score for the piece is _incredibly_ intricate and precise, there nothing random about it whatsoever. I put a scan of the first two pages of the score here, and this is the simplest part: drive.google.com/file/d/1MRG6f6-Nmw55aBxSXUgBoNm5kft_5_CM and drive.google.com/file/d/1PVAWOJopcTF-rV5MClSPXsMsPQ35dZQW

[@acidtrungpa4760]

Your channel is a small piece of art. I would like to hear your thoughts about True Detective seazon one

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thanks :) True Detective season 1 is maybe the best season in tv history. And yes, we are thinking of maybe making a video about it!

[@iliavls]

I am sorry to bother you, but may I have your permission to translate some of your magnificent videos to mine own language so that people who barely speaks English or even don't speak English at all would be able to also enjoy them? With all credits and link to original video in the discription, obviously. I am not a thief.

[@AMatterofFilm]

Thanks a lot for the kind words Парацельс, thank you for interest in translating our content but we would like to keep our content in a single place. You can translate subtiitles in the following link: kzbin.info_cs_panel?c=UCqE4VLV8iBG8pifQG_LguUQ&tab=2. The credits of the translator would be in the description. Thanks!

[@iliavls]

Sure, as you say. Thanks for your answer anyway

[@JohnPKING-nj8nc]

Since you know both Russian and English I was wondering if you knew if there is a Russian language screenplay for Tarkovski's movie "Stalker?" I studied Russian but I'm only able to read it, I don't understand spoken Russian as well. I would love to read the dialog of what the characters are saying in Russian. Thanks.

[@iliavls]

Obviously, there are screenplay (it has originally been writen in Russian by Tarkovskiy with a help of Arkady and Boris Strugatsky). Here you can find the Russian version: www.tarkovskiy.su/texty/hr-stalker/stalker-sc.html (if the link is allowed). Also you can just use Google, search for Сталкер сценарий and then visit first or second link. It is amazing how the script is represented on the screen.

[@marindbou4113]

Brilliant 👏

[@iliavls]

Do you know when the subtitles are available? Cause I have submitted them more than a week ago, and still they haven't appeared on the subtitle's list.

[@AMatterofFilm]

Hello! Sorry for the late reply, the subtitles are now available. Thank you a lot for your submission!

[@jeff__w]

1:32 I knew of Alex North’s score but until now I had never heard any part of it. North’s score sounds extremely dated and bombastic, like the score from _Spartacus,_ another Kubrick film scored by North. Not only did Kubrick make the right choice, it seems like there was hardly any choice at all.

[@thomassinden1830]

Would love to see your take on American Psycho! That film is so much more then just a slasher.

[@derrickgoble8976]

Why is Tyrell Wellick narrating this?

[@AMatterofFilm]

LOL that's a first.

[@haydens.2755]

This movie and video are fucking fantastic

[@winstonwright8374]

Inglorious Bastards Next?

[@seanbrennan5192]

Watched Lolita last night.... Damn what a movie

[@TatevossianA]

sean brennan - Have you ever seen any of those, you know, those foreign films? Yes, frequently. I don’t like ‘em.

[@lucash5025]

Please do killing them softly!

[@BrianDePalmaII]

*The...Very...Best*

[@spilledfeed]

Come back.

[@davidryle]

Nicely laid out. I do have one complaint but it is not with your overall analysis. It is the notion which I keep hearing... that is the film will never be understood. I mostly disagree. To the casual viewer perhaps, but to the astute or fluid viewer it is a totally transparent story of the growth and transformation of mankind. Pretty evident even to the most naive or innocent. It only takes a "leap of knowledge" to add complexity and occultation.

[@shauryasongara1851]

Akira

[@Go0ber323]

Oof

[@francis900]

Not pointing fingers or anything, but you've said so little...

[@Seallussus]

Well. I guess I'm one of those primitive apes for NOT liking this movie. In fact I hate how much it's hyped yet people barely give reasons for why it's the greatest science fiction movie of all time. You would think people would bother with actually analyzing it you know.

[@paulmcpherson4918]

He kinda did...

[@Seallussus]

Not really. I gave him the like and liked the music and all. But music does not make a film. It's like those people who say look Kubrick did not include sound it space or some other nonsense like that.

[@derrickgoble8976]

Ahead of its time, timeless score, stunning practical effects, beautiful cinematography, realistic and symbolic acting, avant garde directing, amazing sound design, abstract and not trying to fit in lile every other film from that time would, complex story structure, and ambiguity. Thats why I like it and call it the greatest film of all time.

[@derrickgoble8976]

*like

[@Seallussus]

OK I agree with a couple of things. But also disagree with others. timeless score. Agree. stunning practical effects. So having good effects automatically makes a movie better? So Avatar is a masterpiece by that logic. Beautiful cinematography. OK. I'm not a film student or such so OK.realistic and symbolic acting. What does that even mean? The humans in the movie barely got any screen time anyway. And what made symbolism good anyway? Certain schools of thought reject it altogether. avant garde directing. Again what does that mean? amazing sound design. Well. it did not even get an Oscar nominee in the catagory. abstract and not trying to fit in and ambiguity. Both are pretty much the same thing. And OK a little ambiguity is not bad. But too much? I mean we got monkeys then a space monolith then boom monkeys use tools and then humans find the monolith then travel around then boom a space child is made and that's about it. Too much like I said. complex story structure. See what I wrote above? that's my problem with it. Also you can't have a coupe of lines of dialogue with a lot of ambiguity and call it complex. If you want a complex thing then make something concrete first. No the star gate sequence or pure visual...stuff. And how about the absolute lack of of anything resembling a normal movie? You said "the greatest film of all time." yer earlier you said "not trying to fit in like every other film from that time would" So. Is it a movie playing by film rules or is it a different thing that it beautiful but can't be a called a movie? Because if you call a movie then let me tell you it was boring and let me judge by movie rules but if it is NOT a movie then it can have it's own rules but then CANNOT call itself a movie.

[@ALSeth-Storyteller]

Most. Overrated. Film. EVER....

[@paulmcpherson4918]

How can it be overrated? The general consensus of the film can only match with the general consensus of the film. If people think the film deserves its praise than the film deserves its praise. Btw, you're under aprreciating a great film

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Your joking, right. This movie changed the way how a lot of film makers viewed and approached movies and the way it's convinced. You can not like sure, but to negate it's influence by saying it's "overrated" is convincing a sense of ignorance of it's importance to film and media.

[@ALSeth-Storyteller]

The general consensus is generally stupid. It's hardly a bad film, but hardly a great one either. Production wise, it was ahead of it's time but STORY wise, it was purely derivative and symbol-minded and that's the most important factor for me. And apologist would imply that the film is more of an experience thus qualifying it as overrated.

[@lucash5025]

Please do killing them softly!

[@lucash5025]

Please do killing them softly!

[@lucash5025]

Please do killing them softly!

[@lucash5025]

Please do killing them softly!