Continuing the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced today that the renowned director’s groundbreaking science fiction epic will be released on 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) Blu-ray™ in premium collectible packaging and 4K UHD Digital on October 30th.
Widely considered among the greatest films of the 20th century, “2001: A Space Odyssey” returned to U.S. theatres in May following the debut of an “unrestored” 70mm print at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. The film is playing throughout the summer at select theaters.
For the first time since the original release, new 70mm prints were struck from pristine printing elements made from the original camera negative. A longtime admirer of the late American auteur, Christopher Nolan worked closely with the team at Warner Bros. Pictures throughout the mastering process.
Building on the work done for the new 70mm prints, the 4K UHD with HDR presentation was mastered from the 65mm original camera negative. The 4K UHD also includes both a remixed and restored 5.1 DTS-HD master audio track, as well as the original 1968 6-track theatrical audio mix (formatted for 5.1 DTS-HD master audio).
“2001 to me is the most cinematic film that has ever been made and it has been an honor and a privilege to be able to share the film with a new generation,” said Nolan. “4K UHD allows the closest recreation of viewing the original film print in your own home. Kubrick’s masterpiece was originally presented on large format film and the deeper color palette and superior resolution comes closest to matching the original analog presentation.”
With “2001: A Space Odyssey,” director Stanley Kubrick redefined the limits of filmmaking and cemented his legacy as one of the most revolutionary and influential film directors of all time. Originally released in 70mm Cinerama roadshow format on April 4th, 1968, the film ignited the imaginations of critics and audiences alike and its impact continues to resonate to this day. The film was directed and produced by Kubrick and written by Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke, inspired by Clarke’s short story “The Sentinel.” The film stars Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.
An award-winning director, writer, and producer, Christopher Nolan most recently earned dual Academy AwardÒnominations, for Best Director and Best Picture, for his experiential tour-de-force “Dunkirk,” which in July 2017 received the largest 70mm release in the last quarter century. His diverse filmography also includes “Interstellar,” “Inception,” the blockbuster “The Dark Knight Trilogy,” “The Prestige,” and “Memento,” for which he received his first Oscar® nomination, for Best Original Screenplay.
The “2001: A Space Odyssey” 4K UHD premium packaging will be available on October 30th at the suggested retail price (SRP) of $41.99, and includes the feature film in 4K resolution with HDR, a remastered Blu-ray disc with the feature film in hi-definition, a Blu-ray disc with the special features in hi-definition, and a Digital version of the feature film. The premium packaging also includes a collectible booklet and art cards featuring iconic images from the film.
In addition to being included with the 4K UHD, the remastered Blu-ray disc with the feature film in hi-definition will also be available on October 30th as a standalone product for $19.98 SRP.
4K Ultra HD showcases 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and a wider color spectrum, offering consumers brighter, deeper, more lifelike colors for a home entertainment viewing experience like never before.
The 4K UHD Blu-ray disc of “2001: A Space Odyssey” will feature Dolby VisionTM HDR that dramatically expands the color palette and contrast range and uses dynamic metadata to automatically optimize the picture for every screen, frame by frame.
Fans can also own “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 4K UHD via purchase from select digital retailers including iTunes, Google, and Vudu on October 30th.
SYNOPSIS
Stanley Kubrick’s dazzling, Academy Award®-winning achievement is a compelling drama of man vs. machine, a stunning meld of music and motion. Kubrick (who co-wrote the screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke) first visits our prehistoric ape-ancestry past, then leaps millennia (via one of the most mind-blowing jump cuts ever) into colonized space, and ultimately whisks astronaut Bowman (Keir Dullea) into uncharted space, perhaps even into immortality. “Open the pod bay doors, HAL.” Let an awesome journey, unlike any other begin.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” 4K UHD contains the following 4K and Blu-ray elements:
- 4K UHD Blu-ray™ with Commentary from Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood
- Remastered Blu-ray™ with Commentary from Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood
- The Making of a Myth
- Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001
- Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001
- 2001: A Space Odyssey – A Look Behind the Future
- What Is Out There?
- 2001: FX and Early Conceptual Artwork
- Look: Stanley Kubrick!
- 11/27/66 Interview with Stanley Kubrick [Audio Only]
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Premium Booklet
- Art Cards
“2001: A Space Odyssey” Blu-ray disc contains the following elements:
- Remastered Blu-ray™ with the feature film in hi-definition with Commentary from Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood
Available on 4K Ultra HD in premium collectible packaging October 30th
