2001 A Space Odyssey Widescreen (Blu-ray)

Blu-ray transfer is very nice in this 1968 Classic Movie. From the Dawn of Man till the Space Voyage and HAL9000 going berserk. Enjoy.

My single motivation for writing this is in response to Strumgirl's review (?) on 9/5/09. I do not wish to be harsh or unfairly critical in my comments, but at my very heart I am compelled to assist. I could list many of the undeniable facts about this film. Suffice it to say it will most certainly remain one of the most important films for ages to come, and it will forever remain one of only a few films significantly ahead of its time. If I can be so bold as to lend anything of value to those who can both listen and hear, I can only suggest the traditional resources. Read literature, listen to classical music, study the classical arts, etc. Always remember "the unexamined life is not worth living". If you should care to research the author of this expression, then you are, at last, on your way...

I have many copies of 2001, including LaserDisk, DVD and now this Blu-Ray edition. Not all 2001's are the same. Many are made from prints that are substantially degraded or worn. I have encountered these in the past. Until now, I thought I would never again see another Digital edition made from the same heralded source as the 1993 25th Anniversary Deluxe CAV Widescreen LaserDisk. or the 2001 Deluxe Collectors DVD Box Set with Senitype. This is quite apparent because it lacks editing marks of any kind, being re-constructed from the original film elements and camera negatives. Likewise, this Blu-Ray edition is PRISTINE. The picture quality is unsurpassed by any previous rendering. It is noiseless, clear, strikingly colorful and faithful in every way to my recollection of the original theatrical experience. Techincal: CODEC:VC-1 ASPECT:2.2:1 Anamorphic Vertical Resolution:1080P Horizontal Resolution: Unknown - probably 1330 or more - could be 1920, it's hard to know. Until viewing this version, I had my doubts about the VC-1 coding system. No more. It is well able to handle this material faithfully. Bit rates are often in the 20Mbit range, but not higher that I've noticed. My Equipment: Epson 1080P (1920x1080) 3LCD HD Video Projector 100" Diagonal Grey High Contrast Projection Screen Onkyo THX TX-DS939 5.1 Surround with THX Speakers HDMI Connected Playstation3 Blu-Ray Player Summary: This Blu-Ray edition is a "must have" for any 2001 enthusiast. If you were not fortunate enough to see it in the theatre originally, this will make that experience possible if you have the right equipment. An excellent value at any price.

Movie was great. Held my intrest

Best video and audio transfer.

Great Blu-ray up grade!

I got this for my father for Xmas and it was great! The price was low and the picture quality/colour was brilliant! I called the store and they didn't have it on the shelf so from the comfort of my home, without having to leave the house in the nasty-cold weather, I got the item for only a couple dollars more with shipping (definitely a deal if you live in Michigan this winter).

itwas ok on 55" 4k t v my phillips player upscaled it to 4k. great movie for its fme.

OK, so the special effects aren't digital (they're "models"). OK, so this movie doesn't exactly dazzle you with "blinding" speed. You're missing the point. "2001" was significant because it helped make sci-fi a "credible" format. Up untill this movie came along (not to mention the original Star Trek TV series) sci-fi was kind of a joke (there was Flash Gordon, Buck Rodgers, and LOTS of cold war space monsters). 2001 showed us what space travel will REALLY be like - slow, dangerous progress (that's still worth pursuing). Without 2001 (AND Star Trek) there would BE no "Battlestar Galactica" (or hopes that space travel will actually lead us to a better future). Give this vision of the future from the past a shot. You'll find it gives you a strong sense of how we got "from there to here". Enjoy!

This DVD had two bad spots in the first 1/2 hr of viewing. Will return and get replacement. Otherwise the movie is fanatastic for the time it was crated 1966.