Space Odyssey Audiobook By Michael Benson cover art

Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece

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Space Odyssey

By: Michael Benson
Narrated by: Todd McLaren
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Regarded as a masterpiece today, 2001: A Space Odyssey received mixed reviews on its 1968 release. Despite the success of Dr. Strangelove, director Stanley Kubrick wasn't yet recognized as a great filmmaker, and 2001 was radically innovative, with little dialogue and no strong central character. Although some leading critics slammed the film as incomprehensible and self-indulgent, the public lined up to see it. 2001's resounding commercial success launched the genre of big-budget science fiction spectaculars. Such directors as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Ridley Scott, and James Cameron have acknowledged its profound influence.

Author Michael Benson explains how 2001 was made, telling the story primarily through the two people most responsible for the film, Kubrick and science fiction legend Arthur C. Clarke. Benson interviewed Clarke many times, and has also spoken at length with Kubrick's widow, Christiane; with visual effects supervisor Doug Trumbull; with Dan Richter, who played 2001's leading man-ape; and many others.

©2018 Michael Benson (P)2018 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV Science Celebrity Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"A fascinating, detail-rich account of the long slog to make the science-fiction masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey." (Kirkus)
Fascinating Insights • Detailed Production Process • Excellent Narration • Exceptional Scholarship • Engaging Delivery
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2001 has long been my favorite movie, I’ve seen it hundreds of times and thought I knew everything about its conception and making, I was happily mistaken. Michael Benson’s informative, absorbing and beautifully written book kept me mesmerized throughout, I bought the hardcover too, I loved it so much. A great spoken performance too, one of the best I’ve heard on audible, highly recommended.

The best book on my favorite work of Art

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I was a teenager when the movie came out, so I decided to hear the back story. The book was worth listening to, but there were times when I wasn't that interested. To me, the movie was the same way.

If you watched the movie you will probably like it

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Younger people have little idea how impactful the film 2001: A Space Odyssey was when it first came out. It inspired a whole generation of filmmakers, including major names like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and James Cameron. The film is visually sumptuous, employing cutting edge special effects, many of which were pioneered by Stanley Kubrick and his team. This book is a wonderful romp through the making of the epic, revolutionary film. It provides so much wonderful detail about Kubrick's obsessiveness, his attention to factual detail and his often-times tyrannical style of directing. I loved every second of it, and went back right after finishing it to watch the film again. Doing so right after reading the book opened my eyes to many details I had missed the first (and second and third) time around watching it. I confess I even learned a lot more about the plot, which was very confusing to me at times. It's an excellent summer read.

A thorough and deeply enjoyable story about the making of an epic film

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Just a fantastic listen, so much insight into Kubricks relationships surrounding the making of the film

The detail

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I thought about demeriting this book one full star for committing the discourtesy of ending. I still may.

A Book Wholly Equal to its Subject

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This was unexpectedly wonderful. Can't wait to see 2001 again and read the book with this information planted. A whole new light on this fantastic movie and book and the people involved.
Highly recommended.

great & sometimes emotional

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If you want to know why Stanley Kubrick is a singular wizard of film, get this book. Filled with charming, hilarious stories and detailed explanations of the mountains of work required. It’d make an excellent Amazon series.

a gripping, brilliant narrative of two geniuses collaborating.

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I have yet to see 2001: A Space Odyssey but I had enjoyed other books on making movies and gave it a shot.

Out of the dozens of books and memoirs I have read, this is by far the best book for taking the reader onto the set and inside making a movie.

I am amazed at the first hand material, most of it word for word, that was collected, and how it is woven to create a diary from all perspectives.

I would have given it 20 stars if I could.

The best book regarding film making, studios, etc

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As one of many inspired by this groundbreaking movie I enjoyed hearing so many details of it’s creation. My career in science and technology, absolutely influenced by the movie, surely has been duplicated by the thousands. It’s time to view 2001 once again with this new knowledge.

Wonderful movie creation details

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I learned so much about 2001, Clarke, and Kubrick. This is a must for filmmakers and fans alike.

In depth

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