Why 2001 Was the Hardest Film Kubrick Ever Made

Dive into the making of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey. Initially met with confusion, this epic is now celebrated as one of cinema’s greatest achievements. This documentary uncovers how Kubrick's visionary approach—and insights from directors like Spielberg and Lucas—redefined the genre.

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Explore rare interviews and archival footage that reveal Kubrick’s pioneering VFX techniques and unique filmmaking style. Hear from legends like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Martin Scorsese on how 2001 influenced films like Star Wars and Close Encounters. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories from actors Keir Dullea, Malcolm McDowell, Tom Cruise, and Jack Nicholson, and insights from co-writer Arthur C. Clarke and VFX supervisor Douglas Trumbull. The video also touches on Kubrick’s early life and his iconic films, including A Clockwork Orange, Full Metal Jacket, and The Shining.

// Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:08 Chapter 1: Go To The Moon
04:28 Chapter 2: The Misfit Genius
10:42 Chapter 3: A Space Odyssey
12:32 Chapter 4: Changing The Form
17:36 Chapter 5: Star Child
20:53 Epilogue: Legacy

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// Music:
Also Sprach Zarathustra - Strauss
Conducted by
Creative Commons ► Attribution 3.0 Unported ► CC BY 3.0

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[JustOneMoreThing_YT]

Which is your favorite Stanley Kubrick film?
He is a brilliant director so it's hard to choose only one, Strangelove is always hilarious, The Shining is the one I saw the most and 2001 is just an unbelievable experience every time.

[wilsel]

I used to babysit Stanley Kubrick's nephews. Their dad was Jan Harlan, his exec producer, a very kind man. I met Stanley when they were all off on a night out. He was very nice, too. What a guy, changed cinema, and respected babysitters.

[wendelynmusic]

I saw it as a ten year old. we took the train to Philadelphia to see it on the big 70mm screen. I was in awe. It was so beautiful, powerful and confusing. A woman a few seats down from me, said in a loud voice, "Ill give $50 bucks to anyone who can explain that movie." I still remember that. I had to read the book in order to understand it. I watched at a Cinerama theater in the 90's and it was still amazing. I watched it at home last year on my laptop and it still is amazing.

[uzeustosun]

The Starchild's face has always been my first memory. I was four years old in 1968 and my parents decided to see the 2001 A Space Odyssey. They couldn't arrange a babysitter so they decided to take me to the movie. For a long time I thought I saw myself in my mother`s womb or something. Took me the best part of a 40 year long journey of wonder and imagination to realize that it had been my odyssey as well. Awesome Movie. In every true cinephile`s top 10 of all time, most probably.

[willemvandeursen]

I wish this video had gone on for HOURS. Everything about the movie and Kubrick at work in those days, is pure Sense of Wonder.

[WindsEternal]

Stanley was a true movie maker in so many ways, but one of the most important was that he did the editing. This is one of the most important aspects of any video or film production. Proper editing can make the difference between failure and success.

[Chavato]

My 9-year-old mind did not fully understand the movie when I saw it in 1968, but I could not look away and I've been hooked on sci-fi ever since. Many thanks to all involved for a lifetime of inspiration and memories.

[Russell_G]

I showed an interest in sci fi, my dad took me to seen it on release....I was 8...mind blown! Fueled a life long thirst for good sci fi..Best film I have ever seen!!

[johnblackburn]

A staggering achievement. The benchmark for films, not just SF films, that make you think.

[alexanderkielczynski]

I am now 72. I saw 2001 first in UK, where it was first shown in Movie theatres. I was 15 and it just blew me away! I was RIVETED from the beginning. I had never seen or heard anything like it. I remember seeing people leave the cinema in ones and twos, but could NOT understand why! My friends and I were some of those who went to see the movie again and again, sitting in the front rows smoking dope. Since that first experience, I have watched it time and time again, getting people I love to experience with me, the utter genius of that movie. my younger brother and then all his friends.
WHAT AN AMAZING MOVIE.

[markwilson]

Clarke wanted to set the movie in the 2060's which is where he expected our technology depicted in the film to be by that point, but Kubrick wanted it to be a year within the lifetimes of the average viewer in 1968 so that they could relate to it more. To be more personal than possible. That is why Kubrick settled on the year 2001. Plus it was the first year of the next millennium. It's not because that they had hoped we'd be that advanced in 2001 as alleged in the documentary above. They were very realistic.

[ultraviolettp]

One of the most impressively crafted movie ever in terms of technical achievements and how well the visuals developed at a time when computers were limited and it took cleaver and intellectual mind power to achieve.

[XY_Dude]

I was in HS when this broke. Kids were coming to class with color plate brochures of the film. We saw it in a high-end theater with super cinemascope. What an experience!! Nothing like it after that.

[blockstacker]

I watched it for the first time recently. It's so baffling and enigmatic, but also wonderful and breathtaking. There may never be another film like it.

[jamesdrynan]

I saw it in 1968 in Toronto. It was a vivid experience. The audience was stunned from the opening onwards.

[grandpatim]

I was an adult when this film was released. I'm an old man now. i really can't tell you how many times I've seen 2001. Seeing your video has reminded me that I haven't watched the masterpiece yet today. I'm going to put it on right now. !!

[StephenPickells-biii]

It’s interesting to see Keir Dullea as an old man looking so much like Dave as an old man

[raghavrao]

To say that 2001 space odyssey is a remarkable achievement is an absolute understatement. That movie is like the grand-daddy of all movies in a way that it shows what movies are supposed to do. His remarkable ability was in drawing the audience step by step, usually slowly, gently and sometimes forcefully into his world and at the end leaving you wondering whether the world is imaginary or real!

[kathowed]

With every film he made, Kubrick created new ways to expand film language and our visual understanding.
He was pretty much the Shakespeare of film.

[burthuffman]

I remember this movie on the big screen very vividly and will never forget it. I wish Kubrick was still with us, so much!