2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
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- PG
- 1h 56min
- Adventure, Mystery
- 07 Dec 1984 (USA)
- Movie
A joint USA-Soviet expedition is sent to Jupiter to learn exactly what happened to the "Discovery" and its H.A.L. 9000 computer.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
| Roy Scheider | ... |
Dr. Heywood Floyd
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| John Lithgow | ... |
Dr. Walter Curnow
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| Helen Mirren | ... |
Tanya Kirbuk
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| Bob Balaban | ... |
Dr. R. Chandra
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| Keir Dullea | ... |
Dave Bowman
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| Douglas Rain | ... |
HAL 9000 (voice)
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| Madolyn Smith Osborne | ... |
Caroline Floyd
(as Madolyn Smith)
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| Dana Elcar | ... |
Dimitri Moisevitch
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| Taliesin Jaffe | ... |
Christopher Floyd
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| James McEachin | ... |
Victor Milson
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| Mary Jo Deschanel | ... |
Betty Fernandez
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| Elya Baskin | ... |
Maxim Brajlovsky
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| Saveliy Kramarov | ... |
Dr. Vladimir Rudenko
(as Savely Kramarov)
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Oleg Rudnik | ... |
Dr. Vasili Orlov
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| Natasha Shneider | ... |
Irina Yakunina
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| Vladimir Skomarovsky | ... |
Yuri Svetlanov
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Victor Steinbach | ... |
Mikolaj Ternovsky
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| Jan Tríska | ... |
Alexander Kovalev
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| Larry Carroll | ... |
Anchorman on TV
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Herta Ware | ... |
Jessie Bowman
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Cheryl Carter | ... |
Nurse
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Ron Recasner | ... |
Hospital Neurosurgeon
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Robert Lesser | ... |
Dr. Hirsch
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| Candice Bergen | ... |
SAL 9000 (voice)
(as Olga Mallsnerd)
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Delana Michaels | ... |
Commercial Announcer
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Gene McGarr | ... |
Commercial Announcer
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Arthur C. Clarke | ... |
Man on Park Bench (uncredited)
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| Gary Lockwood | ... |
Dr. Frank Poole (uncredited) (archiveFootage)
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Directed by
| Peter Hyams | ||
Written by
| Arthur C. Clarke | ... | (novel) |
| Peter Hyams | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Peter Hyams | ... | producer |
| Neil A. Machlis | ... | associate producer |
| Jonathan A. Zimbert | ... | associate producer |
Music by
| David Shire | ||
Cinematography by
| Peter Hyams | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Mia Goldman | ||
| James Mitchell | ||
Editorial Department
| Ross Albert | ... | associate editor |
| Joanna Cappuccilli Lovetti | ... | associate editor (as Joanna Cappuccilli) |
| Barbara Dunning | ... | first assistant editor |
| Gregory M. Gerlich | ... | assistant editor (as Greg Gerlich) |
| Craig Herring | ... | assistant editor |
| Bob Kaiser | ... | color timer |
| Ann Martin | ... | assistant editor |
Casting By
| Penny Perry | ||
Production Design by
| Albert Brenner | ||
Set Decoration by
| Rick Simpson | ||
Costume Design by
| Patricia Norris | ||
Makeup Department
| Vivian McAteer | ... | hair stylist |
| Michael Westmore | ... | makeup supervisor |
Production Management
| Neil A. Machlis | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| William S. Beasley | ... | first assistant director |
| Alan B. Curtiss | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Arthur Gelb | ... | graphics |
| Sherman Labby | ... | production illustrator |
| Syd Mead | ... | visual futurist |
| Greg Papalia | ... | set designer |
| Gregory Pickrell | ... | set designer |
| Robert Van Dyke | ... | propmaker gangboss |
| Marty Wunderlich | ... | propmaster (as Martin Wunderlich) |
| Camille Abbott | ... | production illustrator (uncredited) |
| David B. Brenner | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
| Chris Courtois | ... | model maker (uncredited) |
| Claudia Gilligan Ivanjack | ... | painter (uncredited) |
| Mentor Huebner | ... | concept designer (uncredited) |
| Mark Rich | ... | property master (uncredited) |
| William Ladd Skinner | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
| Kandy Stern | ... | set designer (uncredited) |
| Tom von Badinski | ... | welder (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Richard L. Anderson | ... | supervising sound editor |
| Michael J. Benavente | ... | sound editor |
| Raul A. Bruce | ... | boom operator (as Raul Bruce) |
| Gene S. Cantamessa | ... | production sound mixer (as Gene Cantamessa) |
| James Christopher | ... | sound editor |
| Carlos Delarios | ... | re-recording mixer (as Carlos deLarios) |
| Donald Flick | ... | sound editor |
| Gil Haimsohn | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Warren Hamilton Jr. | ... | sound editor (as Warren Hamilton) |
| Michael J. Kohut | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Vince Melandri | ... | adr editor |
| Ray O'Reilly | ... | re-recording mixer |
| John Pospisil | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Aaron Rochin | ... | re-recording mixer |
| David E. Stone | ... | sound editor (as David Stone) |
| Dale Strumpell | ... | sound designer |
| Robin Haskins | ... | re-recordist (uncredited) |
| Tim Mangini | ... | sound effects editor (uncredited) |
| Dan Sharp | ... | sound re-recordist (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| David Blitstein | ... | special effects assistant (as Dave Blitstein) |
| Andy Evans | ... | special effects assistant |
| Robert Harman | ... | flying supervisor |
| Henry Millar Jr. | ... | special effects supervisor (as Henry Millar) |
| William Guest | ... | special effects crew (uncredited) |
| Doug Hubbard | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
| Gene Young | ... | title animator (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
| Jon Alberti | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Yarek Alfer | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Jarek Alfer) |
| Jill K. Allen | ... | production administration: Entertainment Effects Group (as Jill Allen) |
| Lance Anderson | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Larz Anderson | ... | effects technician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Phil Barbero | ... | optical lineup: Entertainment Effects Group |
| David Beasley | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Jon Berg | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Gary D. Bierend | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Gary Bierend) |
| Brent Boates | ... | artistic consultant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Kris Brown | ... | software programmer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Conrad Buff IV | ... | visual effects editor: Entertainment Effects Group (as Conrad Buff) |
| Laura Buff | ... | business manager: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Allen Cappuccilli | ... | production administration: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert Cole | ... | effects technician: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bob Cole) |
| Richard Coleman | ... | animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Randall William Cook | ... | stop motion: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Charles Cowles | ... | optical printer operator: Entertainment Effects Group (as Chuck Cowles) |
| Margaret Craig-Chang | ... | technical animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Tom Culnan | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Ken Dudderar | ... | cinetechnician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Richard Edlund | ... | visual effects supervisor |
| Leslie Ekker | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert Eyslee | ... | gaffer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| John V. Fante | ... | camera operator: Entertainment Effects Group (as John Fante) |
| Gunnar Ferdinandsen | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Wendie Fischer | ... | technical animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Kento Gebo | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Kent Gebo) |
| Adam Gelbart | ... | additional miniatures personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Bruno George | ... | optical printer operator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Pete Gerard | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bryson Gerard) |
| Ron Gress | ... | chief model painter: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Rhonda C. Gunner | ... | video playback coordinator: Video Image (as Rhonda Gunner) |
| David R. Hardberger | ... | motion control technician: Entertainment Effects Group (as David Hardberger) |
| Alan Harding | ... | assistant matte cameraman: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Leslie Hewitt | ... | accountant: Entertainment Effects Group (as Leslie Falkinburg) |
| Clark Higgins | ... | video systems: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Jack Hinkle | ... | assistant effects editor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Richard E. Hollander | ... | video computer graphics: Video Image |
| Michael F. Hoover | ... | motion control computer operator / motion control technician: Entertainment Effects Group (as Mike Hoover) |
| Michael Hosch | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group (as Mike Hosch) |
| John James | ... | effects project administrator (as John James Jr.) |
| Jamie Jardine | ... | production administration: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Jerry Jeffres | ... | electronics engineer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| George Jenson | ... | visual effects art director: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert L. Johnston | ... | miniature mechanical effects: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bob Johnston) |
| Michael Kelly | ... | production supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robin Kolb | ... | effects technician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Neil Krepela | ... | matte department supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| John Lambert | ... | camera operator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Michael Lawler | ... | camera operator: Entertainment Effects Group (as Mike Lawler) |
| Robin Dean Leyden | ... | electronics engineer: Entertainment Effects Group (as Robin Leyden) |
| Pete Martinez | ... | video technician: Video Image |
| Mary Mason | ... | production administration: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Mark Matthew | ... | cinetechnician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Pat McClung | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Patrick McClung) |
| Gregory L. McMurry | ... | video effects supervisor: Video Image (as Greg McMurry) |
| L. Mark Medernach | ... | production associate: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Dennis Michelson | ... | assistant effects editor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Virgil Mirano | ... | still photographer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Michele Moen | ... | matte artist: Entertainment Effects Group (as Michelle Moen) |
| Ronald B. Moore | ... | optical lineup: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Thaine Morris | ... | mechanical effects supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Bill Neil | ... | camera operator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| James Nelson | ... | production advisor: Entertainment Effects Group (as Jim Nelson) |
| Martin November | ... | assistant effects editor: Entertainment Effects Group (as Marty November) |
| Tom Pahk | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Thomas Pahk) |
| Rebecca Petrullie | ... | technical animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Gary Platek | ... | special projects: Entertainment Effects Group |
| George Polkinghorne | ... | cinetechnician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| George Pryor | ... | additional miniatures personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Samuel E. Recinos | ... | technical animator: Entertainment Effects Group (as Samuel Recinos) |
| Peggy Regan | ... | animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robin Reilly | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Arthur F. Repola | ... | visual effects editor: Entertainment Effects Group (as Arthur Repola) |
| Pat Repola | ... | lab technician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Pete Romano | ... | camera assistant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Milius Romyn | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Dennis Schultz | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Jonathan Seay | ... | motion control technician: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Nick Seldon | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group (as Nicholas Seldon) |
| David Shwartz | ... | chief moldmaker: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Tom Silveroll | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert Spurlock | ... | key effects man: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bob Spurlock) |
| Mark Stetson | ... | model shop supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| David K. Stewart | ... | director of photography: Entertainment Effects Group (as Dave Stewart) |
| Ken Swenson | ... | miniatures crew: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Annick Therrien | ... | technical animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Lynda Thompson | ... | production supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Eusebio Torres | ... | animator: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Patrick Van Auken | ... | key grip: Entertainment Effects Group (as Pat Van Auken) |
| Paul Van Camp | ... | software programmer: Entertainment Effects Group (as Paul Van Kamp) |
| Mark Vargo | ... | optical supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Garry Waller | ... | animation supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Mary E. Walter | ... | optical lineup: Entertainment Effects Group |
| John C. Wash | ... | computer graphics supervisor: Video Image |
| Mark West | ... | design engineer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Jody Westheimer | ... | camera assistant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Kayte Westheimer | ... | accountant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Gene Whiteman | ... | chief engineer: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert Wilcox | ... | electronics engineer: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bob Wilcox) |
| Bess Wiley | ... | camera assistant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Claire Wilson | ... | production accountant: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Robert Wilson | ... | additional miniatures personnel: Entertainment Effects Group (as Bob Wilson) |
| Terry Windell | ... | animation supervisor: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Matthew Yuricich | ... | chief matte artist: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Stuart Ziff | ... | starchild personnel: Entertainment Effects Group |
| Craig Caton | ... | creature crew (uncredited) |
| Christopher Dusendschon | ... | Vistavision scan plate cinematography: Kenimation/Digital Productions (uncredited) |
| Paul Huston | ... | concept artist (uncredited) |
| Patrick Read Johnson | ... | miniatures crew (uncredited) |
| Sam Longoria | ... | assistant cameraman: Entertainment Effects Group (uncredited) |
| Sherry McKenna | ... | production executive (uncredited) |
| Juniko Moody | ... | visual effects (uncredited) |
| Kevin Rafferty | ... | digital effects supervisor (uncredited) |
| Jim Rygiel | ... | digital effects supervisor (uncredited) |
Stunts
| M. James Arnett | ... | stunt coordinator / stunts |
| Jim Burk | ... | stunts |
| James M. Halty | ... | stunts (as Jim Halty) |
| Robert Harman | ... | stunts |
| Freddie Hice | ... | stunts |
| John Meier | ... | stunts |
| Gary Morgan | ... | stunts |
| Mic Rodgers | ... | stunts |
Camera and Electrical Department
| John Baron | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Don E. FauntLeRoy | ... | assistant camera |
| Ralph Gerling | ... | camera operator (as Ralph R. Gerling) |
| Tom D. May | ... | key grip (as Tom May) |
| Bruce McBroom | ... | still photographer |
| D. Michael Wheeler | ... | second assistant camera |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| James Kessler | ... | costumer: men (as Jim Kessler) |
| Nancy McArdle | ... | costume supervisor: women |
| Bruce Walkup | ... | costume supervisor: men |
Location Management
| Mario Iscovich | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Craig Huxley | ... | electronic music engineer / electronic music performer / electronic music producer / orchestral music remixer / synthesizer programmer |
| William Saracino | ... | music editor (as William J. Saracino) |
| David Shire | ... | conductor / electronic music producer |
| Tom Brown | ... | music copyist (uncredited) |
| Aaron Rochin | ... | orchestral music recordist (uncredited) |
| Herbert W. Spencer | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Marshall Schlom | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Randy Peters | ... | transportation coordinator |
| Paul Ray | ... | driver |
| Candace Wells | ... | transportation captain |
Additional Crew
| Barbara Allen | ... | secretary to producer |
| Katharine Ann Curtiss | ... | production coordinator |
| Elliot Fischoff | ... | marketing director |
| Steven Jongeward | ... | production associate |
| Don Levy | ... | unit publicist |
| Jay Sweeney | ... | marine technical advisor (as Dr. Jay Sweeney) |
| Richard Terrile | ... | technical advisor (as Dr. Richard Terrile) |
| Steve Warner | ... | production controller |
| Linda Klein | ... | medical technical advisor (uncredited) |
| Burke Mattsson | ... | title designer (uncredited) |
| Robert D. Richards | ... | pigeon wrangler (uncredited) |
| James Monroe Tharp Jr. | ... | production assistant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- MGM/UA Entertainment Company (1984) (United States) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1984) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1985) (France) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1985) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1985) (Finland) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1985) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1985) (Norway) (theatrical)
- United International Pictures (UIP) (1985) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (1985) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Audio Visual Enterprises (1985) (Greece) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1985) (United States) (VHS)
- Esselte Video (Finland) (VHS)
- Film Office (1987) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1987) (West Germany) (VHS)
- TBS Superstation (1988) (United States) (tv)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1989) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- Vídeo Arte (1990) (Brazil) (VHS)
- Warner Home Vidéo (1991) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1992) (Finland) (tv)
- TNT (1994) (United States) (tv)
- Warner Home Vidéo (1996) (France) (VHS) (dubbed version)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
- Mainostelevisio (MTV3) (2000) (Finland) (tv)
- Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2000) (Finland) (DVD)
- Sandrews (2000) (Sweden) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2000) (France) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. (2000) (Argentina) (re-release)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United Kingdom) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2000) (United States) (DVD)
- Argentina Video Home (2009) (Argentina) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2009) (France) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Home Video (2009) (Finland) (Blu-ray)
- Warner Home Video (2009) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2009) (United Kingdom) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
Special Effects
- Entertainment Effects Group (visual effects)
- Digital Productions (digital Jupiter simulation)
- Bo Gehring Associates (additional display material)
Other Companies
- Video Image (visual displays and graphics)
- Cinema Research (additional optical effects)
- Marineland (grateful acknowledgement)
- Panavision (filmed with a Louma crane by)
- Panasonic (grateful acknowledgement)
- Sheraton Hotels (grateful acknowledgement)
- Pan American Airlines (grateful acknowledgement)
- Ford Motor Company (grateful acknowledgement)
- Sanyo (grateful acknowledgement)
- 3M Company (grateful acknowledgement)
- Adidas (grateful acknowledgement)
- Physio Control (grateful acknowledgement)
- Mag Instruments (grateful acknowledgement)
- Yamaha International (acknowledgement)
- Huffy (grateful acknowledgement)
- Carrera (grateful acknowledgement)
- Apple (grateful acknowledgement)
- Convergence Corporation (grateful acknowledgement)
- Calma G.C. Co. (grateful acknowledgement)
- Heartrate Incorp. (grateful acknowledgement)
- AT&T (grateful acknowledgement)
- Aquarium World (grateful acknowledgement)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) (titles and opticals)
- A&M Records (soundtrack available on)
- Dolby Stereo (in selected theatres)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- MGM Home Entertainment (DVD package design)
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Studios (orchestral music recording)
- Metrocolor (prints by)
- Panavision (filmed in)
- The Enterprise Studios (electronic music recording)
- Turner Entertainment (DVD package design)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
In this sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), a joint American-Soviet expedition is sent to Jupiter to discover what went wrong with the U.S.S. Discovery against a backdrop of growing global tensions. Amongst the mysteries the expedition must explain, are the appearance of a huge black monolith in Jupiter's orbit and the fate of H.A.L.; the Discovery's A.I. computer. Based on the novel by Arthur C. Clarke.
Written by Keith Loh |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | Something wonderful is about to happen [Australia Theatrical] See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Box Office
| Budget | $28,000,000 (estimated) |
| Opening Weekend United States | $7,393,361, 11 Jul 2012 |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | During the planning stage of this movie, an email connection was provided for writer, producer, and director Peter Hyams (in Hollywood) and Sir Arthur C. Clarke (in Colombo, Sri Lanka) so that Hyams could regularly consult with Clarke about how to adapt the novel to the movie screen. In 1983/4, such an e-mail correspondence was practically unheard of outside the academic community, and it was certainly the first for the movie world. Edited highlights of the emails were published as a book, "The Odyssey File", in 1984. See more » |
| Goofs | No pods should be in the pod bay in 2010. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) showed 3 pods. All were lost. The first was lost with Poole's body. The second was lost when Bowman blew the exploding bolts to enter the airlock. The third transported Bowman into the worm hole/monolith. When the crew enters the pod bay in 2010, one pod is is still sitting in it's storage area. (Although ignored in the movie, this is explained in the book (section 4, chapter 24). Dave Bowman is supposed to have retrieved pod #3 on remote while preparing his departure.) It is entirely possible that Bowen could have remotely piloted the pod back to the Discovery. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Buddy Hackett/John Lithgow (1984). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Also Sprach Zarathustra! See more » |
| Quotes |
Dr. Vasili Orlov:
What was that all about? Chandra: I've erased all of HAL's memory from the moment the trouble started. Dr. Vasili Orlov: The 9000 series uses holographic memories, so chronological erasures would not work. Chandra: I made a tapeworm. Walter Curnow: You made a what? Chandra: It's a program that's fed into a system that will hunt down and destroy any desired memories. Dr. Heywood Floyd: Wait... do you know why HAL did what he did? Chandra: Yes. It wasn't his fault. Dr. Heywood Floyd: Whose fault was it? Chandra: Yours. Dr. Heywood Floyd: Mine? Chandra: Yours. In going through HAL's memory banks, I discovered his original orders. You wrote those orders. Discovery's mission to Jupiter was already in the advanced planning stages when the first small Monolith was found on the Moon, and sent its signal towards Jupiter. By direct presidential order, the existence of that Monolith was kept secret. Dr. Heywood Floyd: So? Chandra: So, as the function of the command crew - Bowman and Poole - was to get Discovery to its destination, it was decided that they should not be informed. The investigative team was trained separately, and placed in hibernation before the voyage began. Since HAL was capable of operating Discovery without human assistance, it was decided that he should be programmed to complete the mission autonomously in the event the crew was incapacitated or killed. He was given full knowledge of the true objective... and instructed not to reveal anything to Bowman or Poole. He was instructed to lie. Dr. Heywood Floyd: What are you talking about? I didn't authorize anyone to tell HAL about the Monolith! Chandra: Directive is NSC 342/23, top secret, January 30, 2001. Dr. Heywood Floyd: NSC... National Security Council, the White House. Chandra: I don't care who it is. The situation was in conflict with the basic purpose of HAL's design: The accurate processing of information without distortion or concealment. He became trapped. The technical term is an H. Moebius loop, which can happen in advanced computers with autonomous goal-seeking programs. Walter Curnow: The goddamn White House. Dr. Heywood Floyd: I don't believe it. Chandra: HAL was told to lie... by people who find it easy to lie. HAL doesn't know how, so he couldn't function. He became paranoid. Dr. Heywood Floyd: Those sons of bitches. I didn't know. I didn't know! See more » |