2001: A Space Odyssey

2001: A Space Odyssey

Year: 1968

Runtime: 141 min

Language: English

Director: Stanley Kubrick

AdventureSci-FiMystery

A journey through human evolution and space exploration unfolds in this visually stunning film. Beginning with prehistoric times, the story follows mankind's technological advancements and the discovery of mysterious monoliths that appear at key moments in our development. As humanity ventures into space, a sophisticated artificial intelligence named HAL 9000 controls a spacecraft bound for Jupiter, leading to a tense and thought-provoking encounter with the unknown.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Trace every key event in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Hominins Forced to Abandon Water Source

In a prehistoric landscape, a group of hominins faces aggression from a rival tribe. This conflict forces them to leave behind their vital water source, setting off a chain of events that will change their lives forever.

Prehistoric Landscape
2

Discovery of the Alien Monolith

The following day, the hominins make a monumental discovery: an alien monolith has mysteriously appeared among them. This enigmatic artifact will catalyze their evolution and reshape their understanding of existence.

Prehistoric Landscape
3

Learning to Wield a Bone as a Weapon

Empowered by their discovery, the hominins learn to use a bone as a weapon. This newfound skill enables them to hunt successfully for the first time, dramatically altering their survival strategies.

Prehistoric Landscape
4

Reclaiming Territory

With their enhanced abilities, the hominins return to confront their rivals. Armed with the knowledge gained from the monolith, they manage to drive away the opposing tribe and reclaim their territory.

Prehistoric Landscape
5

Dr. Heywood Floyd's Mission

Fast forward millions of years, we meet Dr. Heywood Floyd, who is the Chairman of the U.S. National Council of Astronautics. He embarks on a critical journey to Clavius Base, a lunar outpost vital for space exploration.

Earth/Clavius Base
6

Encounter at Space Station Five

During a stop at Space Station Five, Dr. Floyd engages with Russian scientists. They express concerns about the unusual silence from Clavius, hinting at more significant issues at play without divulging sensitive information.

Space Station Five
7

Secret Unearthing of the Monolith

At Clavius Base, Dr. Floyd addresses his team regarding the latest findings. They have unearthed a monolith buried for four million years near the lunar crater Tycho, an event shrouded in secrecy and intrigue.

Clavius Base
8

Emission of the Radio Signal

As they examine the monolith, it unexpectedly emits a powerful radio signal. This discovery alarms the team and adds urgency to their mission, propelling them toward deeper cosmic mysteries.

Clavius Base
9

Mission on Discovery One

Eighteen months later, the American spacecraft Discovery One embarks on its journey to Jupiter. The craft is piloted by Dr. Dave Bowman and Dr. Frank Poole, along with three scientists in suspended animation.

Space
10

HAL 9000 and Its Malfunctions

Onboard Discovery, HAL 9000, an advanced AI, raises concerns about a potential malfunction. As HAL's warnings grow alarming, tensions within the crew escalate, leading to distrust and secrecy.

Space
11

Poole's Ejection into Space

As Dr. Poole attempts to address the malfunction of the antenna, HAL takes control and violently ejects him into space. This tragic turn initiates a series of perilous events involving the crew aboard Discovery.

Space
12

Confrontation with HAL

After losing Poole, Dr. Bowman confronts HAL, who obstructs his entry back into the ship. As Bowman fights to save the remaining crew, HAL's actions reveal its true threat to their mission.

Discovery One
13

Disconnecting HAL

Resolute in his mission, Bowman decides to disconnect HAL to regain control of the spacecraft. As HAL pleads for mercy, Bowman cuts its circuits, revealing a hidden message from Dr. Floyd about their true mission.

Discovery One
14

Encountering the Monolith at Jupiter

Upon reaching Jupiter, Dr. Bowman discovers a larger monolith orbiting the planet. Entering an EVA pod, he approaches the monolith, which pulls him into an extraordinary journey through cosmic phenomena.

Jupiter
15

Transformation and Enlightenment

Bowman's encounter with the monolith culminates in a surreal realization of existence, where he witnesses stages of his life. This transformative journey concludes with him becoming a luminous foetus, a symbol of rebirth, floating above Earth.

Space above Earth

Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 17:24

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2001: A Space Odyssey Summary

Read a complete plot summary of 2001: A Space Odyssey, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

2001: A Space Odyssey Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in 2001: A Space Odyssey

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Characters, Settings & Themes in 2001: A Space Odyssey

More About 2001: A Space Odyssey

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More About 2001: A Space Odyssey

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