Space Odyssey, Michael Benson
Space Odyssey, Michael Benson
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
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Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece

Author: Michael Benson

Narrator: Todd McLaren

Unabridged: 17 hr 55 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/26/2018

Synopsis

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.

About Michael Benson

Michael Benson is the author of more than sixty books, including the nonfiction history and crime titles Gangsters vs Nazis, Betrayal in Blood, Killer Twins, Mommy Deadliest, Who's Who in the JFK Assassination, and The Devil at Genesee Junction. He is the coauthor, along with Frank Dimatteo, of the acclaimed American Mafia history books Carmine the Snake, Mafia Hit Man, and Lord High Executioner. He regularly appears on ID: Investigation Discovery channel and is the recipient of the Academy of American Poets Award. Benson lives in New York.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Gerhard on October 11, 2018

Okay, do not stop reading this when you start it, or balk at the initial length. My Kindle version clocks in at 723 pages, but the actual text is only 456 pages. The remaining 200-odd are photos, acknowledgements, and a comprehensive index. Still, nearly 500 pages about the making of a single movie?......more

Goodreads review by Matt (Fully supports developing sentient AGI) on September 14, 2023

I know everything about the making of 2001 now, AMA. At the least I know enough to be really annoying next time I watch this with a willing victim. I did gain a greater appreciation of the collaborative work between Stanley Kubrick and Sir Arthur C. Clarke. Clarke really got the shaft financially gai......more

Goodreads review by George on March 29, 2021

How to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey 1) On first viewing be visually astonished, but also bored and confused with the plot. 2) Read the book by Arthur C. Clarke, which I only now found out was more of a collaborative effort between the two. 3) On second viewing, watch it on double speed and understand th......more

Goodreads review by Ms.pegasus on July 21, 2018

It may surprise many readers that 2001: A Space Odyssey initially had a poor critical reception. During the premier, many attendees left at the intermission. Pauline Kael, Stanley Kauffmann and Andrew Sarris, eminent critics of the time, panned it. Author Michael Benson observes: “...how 2001 was r......more

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