(Drivebycuriosity) - Yesterday I had the pleasure to see "2001: A Space Odyssey" on a big movie screen, New York`s Village East Cinema on 2nd Avenue. They projected a new 70mm version of the movie. For the film’s 50th anniversary, Warner Bros. struck new 70mm prints from printing elements made directly from the original film negative, reports Wikipedia ( wikipedia).
This was done under the supervision of film director Christopher Nolan,
who has spoken of 2001’s influence on his career. Following a showing at
the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, introduced by Nolan, a limited worldwide
release of the film is now shown at select 70mm-equipped theatres.
Watching the 70mm version is very different from seeing the film on TV. Even the smallest details are now visible and the movie screen looks like a piece of art. I saw the movie with new eyes and discovered many details I hadn`t noticed before. The rough African landscape in the beginning was a feast for the eyes. I felt almost like being in zero G while watching the space flight scenes and got sucked into the intoxicating psychedelic intergalactic flight near the finale.
The film certainly benefited from Kubrick`s experiences as a photographer. At the age of 13, his father bought him a Graflex camera, triggering a fascination with still photography (wikipedia). He befriended a neighbor, who shared his passion for photography. The neighbor had his own darkroom, where the young Kubrick and he would spend many hours perusing photographs and watching the chemicals "magically make images on photographic paper”. I think Kubrick advanced this knowledge and used it for creating the amazing images of "2001", especially the special effects at the finale.
"2001" is a milestone of art. If you have the chance to see this 70mm version in a cinema theater, go for it.
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