Originally posted re incorrect price, which was addressed quickly. Now I have finally seen the film and can agree with reviewers, stunning visuals, beautiful film.

I remember seeing this for the first time when i was 16 yrs old.

From the moment the Blue Danube played I knew as sure as if it had already happened that one day we will be “Out there” in some form or another and then our real journey will truly begin.

Amazing ONE of my favourite movies ever nice job

Update: Original Theatrical Audio is fixed.

Purchased many years ago and now finally in 4K, but the Original 1968 Theatrical Audio is out of sync! Does no one check these things?? Please resolve. If anyone picked this up within the 90 purchase period, please use report problem to iTunes.

bought this cos it was 4k. now it back to hd. getting sick of this.

There might be more purely entertaining films but 2001 is like visual poetry. Nothing beats seeing a 70mm print but now in 4K it is simply sublime. By far, the most important, daring and impressive film ever.

So much already said about this film, no film lover’s collection can be without it. A masterpiece. Now in 4K at last, and a free upgrade from Apple if previously purchased from iTunes. Perfection!

The 4K bluray is now out. Would love to see 2001 in glorious HDR 4K but I guess they will leave it some time to make money from the physical disc sale first.

Happy birthday to my favourite ever Stanley Kubrick film. 🎥🍿 👩‍🚀 👨‍🚀

Just the best.

I was amazed by this when I was released in the 60s and although it is in the cinema where it really shines, the essentials still impress on a much smaller screen. Little narrative, stunning visuals (yes, even almost 50 years later) and a pacing that most viewers today, reared on a diet on ever changing camera angles, cuts, edits, CGI and explosions, will find difficult to comprehend.

The plot is simple but profound and the screenplay masterly, the camerawork sublime. Arthur C Clarke made sure the space specfic details were top notch.

Is there any other SciFi film where silence is used to such powerful and mesmerising effect.

Classic. Iconic.

This movie was made in 1968 and not in 2001, and apparently everyone knows that except iTune store because it is listed among my 2001 movies which would make this amazing movie look like a historic disaster for those who don’t know this !

Yes there are better si-fi films out there. This was way ahead of its time. If it was made today would be a sell out world wide.Not every Si-Fi has to have death stars and the like.

Firstly, like any great work of art, novel, poem, symphony, opera, epic film, scientific theory etc etc you need to look at this several times before being so utterly negative and dismissive!

If you don’t get the story of this film the first time, or ever, (and there is one!), then might I suggest reading the original Arthur C. Clarke novel on which this is based, called ‘The Sentinel’ - renamed '2001 A Space Odyssey' after the making of the film in 1968 - and with some inevitable revisions by Arthur C. Clarke himself, in the interests of complete clarity!

This is what a genuine Sci-Fi fan does with more intellectually challenging story lines; reads the book as well, either before or after viewing the film. The books do serve to clarify a lot of detail and ambiguity. Exactly the same is true of the original ‘Alien' novel for example, which explains a lot that the film only hints at.

But don’t be so categorically negative without informed opinion! You negative people out there are entitled to an opinion of course; but, not one of you has actually backed this opinion up properly with any real analytical detail. (Only meaningless comments like garbage! A great deal more intelligence and creativity went into Clarke’s and Kubrick’s thinking than has evidently gone into your naive, throwaway comments!)

To be fair, neither have some of the positive reviewers backed up their opinions adequately either, actually; but then, they vastly outnumber the negative opinions, and the greatness of this film has stood the test of time; and no, I am not just considering the evidence of the iTunes reviews here! Have a conversation with some informed Sci Fi experts first before you totally slam this film, research the background thoroughly etc. There are plenty of excellent books out there, including those written for GCSE, A Level and Degree Level Media/ Film Studies students (who I teach by the way!) Sci-Fi is often a set topic for such courses. Judging by some of the totally negative and ‘naive' comments, how much Sci Fi do you actually know well, I mean books as well as films?

True Sci Fi goes way deeper than the obvious story lines of the more commercial films, designed for immediate gratification without much intellectual effort being called for. True intellect and deep perception is required in order to truly understand the more esoteric offerings. Some people are just not up to it, but why don’t they just recognise their limitations instead of condemning everything they don’t actually understand, completely out of hand?

That applies to many things in life actually, not just Sci Fi. Is Shakespeare or Tolstoy rubbish just because they can’t fully grasp it? The theories of Newton, Kepler, Einstein or Hawking?

Of course not!

If you are not willing to, or indeed able to make the extra mental effort to understand the 'deep stuff', then fine; but don’t then proceed to utterly condemn it merely because ‘you' don’t get it! That’s just extremely ignorant, arrogant, naive, narrow-minded and impatient! It certainly wouldn’t score any marks in a 'Film Studies’ or any other examination!

Connected to which, in response to one negative reviewer who asks what planet we positive reviewers live on - The planet of intelligence, creativity, imagination and fairness! - What planet do you live on???

Also, in response to the “ignore the academic I’m so clever critics” comment; why should your opinion be any more valid than anyone else, particularly those who are way more informed on a topic than you clearly are? So, you don’t get the ending of the film? As I said earlier, read the book; Arthur C. Clarke makes it extremely clear what is happening every step of the way! He wrote the thing! To make Bowman feel more welcome, the aliens have created a world that is familiar and safe, to ease his demise! That is a rather simplified view, I know, but it is not rubbish; you simply don’t understand this carefully crafted ending yet!

Anyway, what is wrong with being academic know it alls? That’s why we no longer live in caves! Indeed, if you think about it, that’s what the film is actually about, our progress over millions of years, from highly primitive to highly intellectual beings!!! Think about this as you use your computer, television, smart phone or microwave oven etc etc Indeed, this film has predicted the future. Sci Fi has become Sci fact! e.g. the scene with a video link to earth - Skype? Arthur C. Clarke was a true visionary! This is just one of many examples of scientific prediction in the film.

The ‘Starchild’ at the very end of the film is symbolic too! As I say, read the book, or don’t bother; but don’t merely condemn what you don’t understand, without being willing to make the extra mental effort to at least try and get it!

Why do intellectual ‘know it alls’ annoy you so much anyway? If you’re out of your depth then swim away, or get out of the water altogether! But don’t try to push us under and drown us because of your sheer frustration that you can’t keep up!

The ending of this film is very surreal; it is meant to be! Re-read the review ‘A Masterpiece’. I agree with this reviewer completely, namely that you negative reviewers out there have completely missed the point, big time! That’s your loss, not the film’s!

Put you energy into making a way bigger intellectual effort to understand this iconic film, instead of slamming those of us who already have done! Also, compare the average length of the positive reviews and the negative ones. This speaks volumes I think about the effort put in, or not put in to writing a review on any topic!

One of my fav films of all time

just think it needs a digital clean up make it look as good as when first shown

I'm a massive sci-fi fan, but I will spare you the idiosyncratic, over pomped review that the majority of nerdy sentimental sci-fi yes-men, trying to create some sort of elite pop-nerd cult are expecting to see. The best thing to do is rate the film against your own expectations of what makes a good sci-fi and not on what others expect you to think! This film is like the late 60's version of tron: legacy (expecting back lash for that) - visually inspiring with tantalising effects, but not much for up top. There are plenty of other sci-fi films (made before and after) what mark more of a corner-stone towards science fiction, which have more depth and strength. It's an iconic "must watch"film, but should you have read the reviews before hand, I think most would be disappointed whether in secret or unashamedly so!

In the truest terms of science fiction being a medium whose purpose is to explore the potential development of the human race through technology, then this film is simply unbeatable. It has yet to be surpassed by any other major science fiction motion picture in regard to it’s imagination, technical accuracy and sheer amount of innovation. Kubrick and Clarke didn’t just re-write the rule book with this move, they created an entirely new game which, to my mind, only a handful of other directors have had the intelligence to understand and even be able to play (Ridley Scott, James Cameron, George Lucas perhaps). Watch with an open mind and prepare to be amazed.

just got this in hmv for £5

Ignore the other pretentious, academic, 'I'm so clever' critics... The ending ruins the film. Total waste of time.

It could have been good otherwise but do not waste your time.

Not to mention its PAINFULLY slow

Reviews claiming this film to be slow, unintelligible, lacking in plot or narrative and so forth make me weep for the future of our species. It's a shame people don't have imaginations any more, and require their films to present everything on the table at once, leaving no room to think, and answering all possible questions before the credits roll. These films are equivalent of a McDonalds and Vodka Red Bull, where 2001 is a 7 course banquet with fine wine and a single malt whisky to finish.

I suppose you first have to understand that 2001 is no more a science fiction movie than "The Shining" is a horror movie, or "Full Metal Jacket" a war movie. You thought they were? Oh dear. To paraphrase a well known movie disclaimer: This is a Kubrick movie; any similarity to other movie genres, living or dead, is purely coincidental. If you've watched other Kubrick movies, you'll know exactly what you're going to get - they follow a tempo and style completely of their own. You're not necessarily going to "get" his films on the first pass… they requires repeat viewings, some reflection and a little analysis.

The plot/narrative is actually very straight forward, unless you have the attention span of a gnat. The last 15 minutes are somewhat metaphysical, but far from nonsensical. The photography is superb, there are some intense dialogue scenes and an incredible soundtrack. And the special effects are good, although they weren't the stand-out feature for me. That said, it hasn't aged well in all respects, and in high definition (I have the Blu-ray edition) you do start to see through some of the effects (the Dawn of Man chapter looks particularly fake to modern eyes).

It\s difficult to know who to recommend this to without sounding horribly elitist. Enough said, I suppose.

The blueprint, a space odyseey is ahead of its time and still being copied more than forty years later. dont expect to be spoon fed here... this a story told by the visuals, kubrick classic ... join the dots.

'I think you will find it.......Quite Difficult to give this film a bad review. Its got a great plot, awsome vfx and is a great all rounder

The people who have dissed this film should get themselves a bag of popcorn, and watch a movie about their life: Idiocracy .

This is the ONLY film that has ever genuinely portrayed the Science Fiction genre.

Oh, and whoever made the trailer for this film, should be taken out publicly flogged and then shot!

This is my favourite film of all time and believe me, I've seen a few. One of the most remarkable things about this beautiful film was the accuracy of the technical predictions. This was made before man landed on the moon and computers were just an abstract idea to the populace. Computers that spoke and played chess? That seemed impossible, yet 20 years later you could buy a computer that did exactly that from your local electronics store. A computer that spoke? Yet nowadays you can speak with one yourself on your iPhone, which by the way is likely to get just as stroppy as HAL if you start saying the wrong stuff. Arthur C. Clarke who wrote the story was indeed a genius with amazing insight.

If you are hoping to see something like Star Wars or Starship Troopers then this movie is not for you. If however you are prepared to open your mind and go on a mysteriously poetic journey into the unknown, then your curiosity could be richly rewarded.

The film is beautifully shot, and the story is somewhat cryptic yet wonderful at the same time. I first saw this over 40 years ago in Milan, and when the film finished I watched the faces of the people as they exited the cinema. Not a word was spoken. Every one of them was in a stunned silence, still enthralled by the sheer beauty of this extraordinary spectacle. If you ever get a chance to see it on the big screen, don't miss it as you will appreciate the sense of scale more. Meanwhile make sure you watch this movie, it may change the way you think forever.

Where to begin with this monumental film?

Evidently from the reviews (which are either 5 or 1 star) 2001 polarizes opinion, and that for me is a sign of its brilliance.

This is not a movie for people who need 'entertainment'. It is exquisitely produced and presents a more epic, realistic and downright lonely view of the cosmos than anything made since its 1968 debut.

Reviewers concerns about plot and the film's slowness really show how brainwashed people have become in their expectations of what a sci-fi movie should provide - the usual explosions, aliens, and a nicely unambiguous plot.

If you need excitement or lack a sense of wonder this is probably not going to go down well.

The first time I saw this movie I was twelve and thought it was OK but somewhat boring. Star Wars had just come out and nothing could compare to it. Fast forward 35 years and I would rather watch this than Star Wars any night. Not only is it incredible how fantastic this looks for something shot in 68, but the entire film is so starkly beautiful and so unwilling to pander to the normal expectations of a movie (no dialogue for something like the first 18 minutes) that it sends a shiver down the spine. I'm a big fan of Alien but I have to say this film scares me more on a deeper level, beyond shock tactics. It's possibly the only film I've seen that reaches into the subconscious fear of how small and alone we really are. The music by Ligeti makes me feel genuinely uneasy in a way that Alien's chest-burster scene cannot match for all its gory brilliance.

Nobody would make a movie like this today - that reflects on

how demanding viewers have become that their needs are accommodated.

If you approach this movie with an open mind you will be greatly rewarded. Otherwise you are wasting your time - go rent Aliens or Star Wars.

This is the greatest film ever made. You haven't lived until you have seen this film. You haven't evolved until you've developed your own theory about the end. Watch it. Keep watching it!

Simply THE greatest film ever.

The scene of that bone swirling through the sky is one profound image of many that are truly breath taking.

The metaphor of the obelisk is revelatory, and the final image of the embryo is totally gobsmacking. Nothing can surpass this epic, unless The Prajnaparamita can be put to film !!!

This film set the standard for space movies even without CGI the model makers did a brilliant job and at least they got the idea of no noise in a vacuum right tell me of any music that these days is tied more permanently with space travel than Strausse's Thus sprach Zarathustra it was and is a masterpiece of this film noir any collector must include this as a must have film

it is a classic... from the long set pieces of the film juxtaposed against soundtrack to the attention to detail and conflict of logic with HAL, you cant knock it...

and unfortunately for some 1star reviews like "normalguy13" if you don't grasp the concept its not the films fault and in which case you can always watch Transformers or Armageddon because id shudder to think what you thick of Hitchcock and Rear Window or Kubricks Dr. Strangelove...

This film is a work of genius pure genius. It explores all the major themes of humanity, who we are, how we developed, our achievements, our failings, and what has driven our intellect. It also explores the idea of an inevitable moment when we realise we have been super seeded by the fruit our own intellect. A singular moment beyond which we can't see (see, technological singularity). Kubrick deliberately broke narrative convention because he wanted the film to work on a much higher level, it's a film the makes you think, question and experience. Many might not understand it in the same way that some have difficulty understanding or even looking at a Picasso... However the genius is there for those that can see it. Quite simply the most intellectually advance piece of art that has been produced to date. It transformed the medium and will looked upon as a masterpiece for many years to come. Genius.

Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey", what to say... This film is a true epic. I'm 15 and I just gave this film a re-watch. Stunning. The first 20 minutes, we see our ancestors living life as they lived it, back then... Then, this strange monolith appears out of nowhere... Then, it's gone. We then witness a mind-blowing jump-cut to outer space. We then see the first mission. 50 minutes in, is where it becomes immense. The last half hour just literally, blows you away. It's insane, for 1968, it's bloody beautiful. The beauty of this film is; You make your own mind up on the conclusion and why it takes place. This is a beautiful film. This is science-fiction. This film is too realistic, the soundtrack is genius and I can watch this film many times over. Thank you Stanley Kubrick for creating a masterpiece of filmaking.

ive never ever seen such utter garbage in all my life,

i think the people that gave 5 stars are from another planet cause this is intellectual crap

One of the many beautiful wonders of this film include the state that it leaves you in. I just sort of 'contemplated' as most would say. And the more I contemplate the more I love it. The imagery and story combine to make film that really makes you wonder our significance in the universe, and how to greater beings, we are nothing more than zoo animals.

Plus I have to mention; the final scene with Dave and Hal is uttery moving, and is on the level of the last sequences from 'of mice and men' and the '3:10 to Yuma' remake.

The odd and out of place music further contributes to the feeling of ambience and seclusion.

2001 is like both silent movies and Disney's Fantasia, in that it Is pure visual poetry

Its one of those things you need to do before you die. See this film.

Absolute trash.

This movie made no sense at all from half way to the end. You can also count the beginning part as well. I am a human and unlike some idiots I would rather stick to real sci-fi movies that actually make sense. Alien movies, Pandorum, Moon, Sunshine - even though the whole plot is fake and unrealistic it still made sense. Heck even the entire X Files series makes more sense that this junk.

For a more satisgying "pilot gone crazy in space - psychadelic trip - wasted 20min ending - pointless beginning movie" watch: Moon

I am not going to bother with the sequel of this either.

This film blows me away. Has the most powerful ending I've ever seen in sci-fi cinema. Time-less masterpiece.

mind numbingly boring incredibly slow, a work of art maybe? looks and sounds fantastic but lacks any sort of plot or narrative.

Watched this back in the 80s, when I was a teenager. Have to say, I didn't really understand much about the film or the story, what I did understand though was that that was a film made by people with greater intelligence than my young mind could grasp. Just the fact that it made me talk about it for ages proves it. Many viewings later, I'm still speechless at the quality of the messages conveyed, the portrayal of the emptyness of space where you can only here your own breath, the amazing visual effects where even today they look believable.

Arthur C. Clarke gave all his scientific nous to Cubrik in order to produce a science-fiction film where everything obeys the laws of physics. Inside Discovery gravity only exists at the outer rim of the rotating corridor, move towards the centre and you float! Pure genious! This film has put the "science" into "science-fiction".

For those who find this film plotless or lacking in a narrative....they've kind of missed the point. This film succeeds almost because it is deliberately threadbare in dialogue. Like a brilliantly terse poem or piece of restrained Bach or Mozart, this beautifully shot definitive sci-fi masterpiece gets rid of all the clutter surrounding other sci fi movies. With the most stunningly constructed and choreographed set-pieces of sublime beauty, and wonderfully chosen music, fantastic cinematography and restrained acting, this blows away all space travel films made before or since, for it presents the atmosphere and accuracy of being in space like no other.

Every single shot and scene is a lesson in big screen film making. It is breathtaking especially considering it was made way before the sophistication and ease of modern-day CGI and special effects. The loving care and precision of each episode until the surreal and mysterious finale, is palpable. This is the greatest sci-fi film of all time.

What a film! Despite the fact this was made way back in 1969 it still looks absolutely fantastic - the cinematography and soundtrack are nothing short of fantastic.

The plot is brave in the extreme but Kubrick / Clarke pull it off with aplomb; it never fails to make my brain fizz!

Apparently they set out to make the quintesential sci-fi movie and in the process made one of the best things ever committed to celluloid. As much art as it is entertainment - no-one should die without having seen this film!!!

I'm sure for it's time the special effects were amazing and to an extent they still are, however if your watching this for the first time you will be very disappointed in the story line (non-existant). Extremely slow film, looks like it was just a showcase for the latest visual effects, which believe me get mind blowingly wierd towards the end. I am left feeling dazed and confused as to what on earth just happened and why anyone would give this a five rating as personally, I feel I've wasted two and a half hours of my life which I can't get back.

One of the most beautifully crafted sci-fi films ever concieved. The coming together of Arthur. C. Clarkes exquisit and vissionary story with an equal in film directing makes this a MUST BUY. Do not rent as you will watch it over and over again (and if like me will need to).

Stanley Kubrics grasp on the depth of the story being told is unparrelled. His use of music to not only portray the emotion and tempo but to some how magically narrate is awe-inspiring.

Sit back relax and be prepared to have your mind blown away.