MovieChat Forums > 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Discussion > Greatest film-Ever !!

Greatest film-Ever !!

posted 2 months ago by Mike2112 (4)
5 replies | jump to latest

Here in the UK-England/Britain in 1968 i was 7 years old,my father and brother took me to see 2001 on the last remaining Cinerama screen cinema in the country,it changed my life and in total i`ve probably seen it over 3000 times.Those decrying the book and the film probably are of the Tik-Tok/Idiot Social Media generation who want a 90 film with all the questions answered and for them EVERYTHING is TOOO Slow...My question is this-and after 56 years i wonder why i never thought of it till now ?.In the film and in Arthur C Clarke`s novel,David Bowman returns to Earth,reborn as the star Child-the next leap in human-or beyond-evolution.My question is,in the novel he explodes all the orbiting nuclear weapons in orbit,his appearance plus this action must trigger worldwide panic but...What was his next step ?.He was not seen in orbit around the Earth-or anywhere else in space-in Clarke`s follow up-2010:Odyssey two nor was he seen in earth`s orbit during the film of 2010,so where did he go ?...and from memory was his presence in space ever commented on at all,anyone have a clue ?
Thank you.

[–] ebhaynz (3688) 2 months ago

As you mentioned, Bowman became the Star Child..assigned to keep humanity from destroying itself. Nobody ever saw him in either the book or movie, I always assumed he was a God like figure, impossible to see.

As far as worldwide panic, I guess people would have to resort to conventional weapons if they wanted to keep on fighting. Not a big deal compared to orbiting nuclear weapons.

[–] Mike2112 (4) 2 months ago

I assumed from what was written in the book that his appearance above the earth was seen/monitored by the worldwide network of satellites/listening posts/trackers and then his detonation of the orbital nuclear weapons had only added to the panic generated,to quote from the book...."History as men knew it would be drawing to a close".......and thanks for your input,it's all appreciated.

[–] ebhaynz (3688) 2 months ago

Interesting, Clarke wrapped up the ending so quickly..then again it was a short story I don't think he really put as much effort into it as he would with a novel. I think he even used the phrase "flooded the earth with all its peoples" or something like that. It just seems odd but then again I imagine writing sci-fi must be incredibly tedious and difficult.

[–] HellFire (561) 2 months ago

It's up there.

[–] DancingintheDark (1609) 2 months ago

It is one of the greatest for sure.