2001: Space Odyssey Best Scenes - The Bone As A Weapon

Great scene in this classic movie. The monolith inspires the ape to use the bone as a weapon.

[REDFIREVIPER]

I am an engineer, I use tools, and I feel overwhelmed when I look at this, our first tool, ever.

[PrimarchX]

The coolest thing to me is that, aliens or not, such a moment did happen in the homo genus' past. One ancestor grasped a tool and used it to great effect, forever changing the trajectory of life on this planet. While 2001 places an extraterrestrial force as the agency of this transformation, I think the scene itself is a celebration of that moment regardless of its genesis.

[racrity]

This is so beyond the tool concept itself, but indeed so close to my ordinary Sundaymorning state of mind.

[moogyboy]

As I understand it, that brief flashback to the Monolith was a last minute addition by Kubrick, and it makes all the difference in the world to the sheer power of this scene.

I also love Moonwatcher's emotional progression here--all presented without a shred of dialogue--from passive scavenger, through rudimentary curiosity, and finally increasing elation as he discovers that for the first time HE'S in control. That close up on his face is such a powerful image, I imagine what he's thinking is something along the lines of "YEAH! This feels gooood!!" For the first time--ever!--a creature experiences an emotion other than fear, and in so doing becomes the first human, the master of his world. All he needed was a discarded bone and some gentle prodding from a black slab. Kudos to Daniel Richter for his brilliant performance.

[mwhite]

I don't know why this scene makes me cry. There is something incredibly powerful about how the editing alone tells you everything you need to know. The music, the inserts of the falling pig the ape sees in his mind's eye, the overwhelming feeling that some great threshold has been crossed. It's kind of a moment of cinematic perfection.

[liambutler]

One of the most emotionally overwhelming moments in art. You just feel such a deep appreciation for life and humanity

[gordoncameron]

As perfectly shot, edited, and 'scored' (with Richard Strauss) as this scene is, credit must also be given to Dan Richter, who plays Moonwatcher. Not for one second do you think of this as a guy in an ape suit.

[tremorsfan]

So the aliens accelerate man's learning ability and the first thing they make is a weapon.

[TheTimeRocket]

"Till imagination—the dawn of the East—suddenly begining"
-William Blake

[jimbomacjimbo]

On paper, that probably read like the stupidest scene in movie history.
In reality, it's the greatest scene in movie history. Literally brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

[tusseyd]

And then the bone turns into a orbiting satellite weapon. Brilliant... The history of mankind is one of violence.

[killerbyte]

After taking an Anthropology class and learning about the rise of Homo genus this scene hits me so much harder

[elenabedmar]

Y así, la criatura más indefensa, más lenta, sin garras ni grandes dientes, por la tecnología se convirtió en el depredador más peligroso.

[robertoaguirrematurana]

No tapirs were hurt during the making of this film? not so sure.

[sleuthentertainment]

The ape used a bone to kill...and at the end of the movie Dave uses a screwdriver to kill Hal9000...

[chrisloesch]

I experienced this last week. Took a baseball bat to a garbage printer. Felt great 🤪 what’s next? Traveling to the stars?

[cxireen]

So this is the movie where THAT music comes from...