17 Lost Minutes of 2001 found

[SiHart]

17 minutes of footage rediscovered

In the process of producing their now-canceled documentary on Stanley Kubrick's landmark film, Douglas Trumbull and David Larson have uncovered 17 minutes that Kubrick cut from 2001 just after release—in perfect condition.

While in Toronto to screen a 70mm print of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Trumbull gave a presentation that showed off a number of never-before-seen images from the Kubrick production that will make their way into Trumbull and Larson's behind-the-scenes photo book, now that Warner has pulled the plug on their ambitious documentary, 2001: Behind the Infinite—The Making of a Masterpiece.

He also let slip that Warner Brothers has recently found, buried in a salt-mine vault in Kansas, 17 minutes of edited footage that Kubrick cut from 2001 shortly after its initial release—and that this footage is perfectly preserved.

Trumbull told the audience that he has no idea what Warner plans to do with the footage, but I'd keep an eye out for a 2001: A Space Odyssey Redux DVD somewhere down the line.

Hooray! Now they can make one of the most boring films even longer!

Sure lots of people will be very happy though!

Si xx

[Andrew Curnow]

Perhaps it's like The Curse of Fenric, and the cut bits are all the explanations!

[Zbigniev Hamson]

I think/hope it probably is. Like the scene on the Moon which abruptly ends just before the main briefing begins, which would have explained what was actually going on, and just cuts to yet more lengthy Moon scenery shots.

I've been wondering if this would ever see the light of day, I had no idea it had actually been lost though, I just though it hadn't been released.

[WhiteCrowNZ]

There will be no "Directors Cut" of 2001 - the version released was the directors cut.

Kubrick was notorious about making films the way he wanted. I'm surprised this footage survived.

After 2001 was wrapped up, he ordered sets, props and models destroyed. Simply put he didn't want them to be reused. He'd seen for instance how Robbie the Robot had been reused in several poor quality shows as a stand in prop, and he didn't want his movie deminished by having people see elements of his work in lesser films/projects.

Likewise with footage was the fear of it being reused - his film reedited or used as "stock footage".

[Zbigniev Hamson]

Good job he's dead then, maybe we'll get to see it

[Alex]

There will be no "Directors Cut" of 2001 - the version released was the directors cut.

Kubrick was notorious about making films the way he wanted. I'm surprised this footage survived.

After 2001 was wrapped up, he ordered sets, props and models destroyed. Simply put he didn't want them to be reused. He'd seen for instance how Robbie the Robot had been reused in several poor quality shows as a stand in prop, and he didn't want his movie deminished by having people see elements of his work in lesser films/projects.

Likewise with footage was the fear of it being reused - his film reedited or used as "stock footage".

I agree completely with you Mike, I wouldn't mind seeing the extra 17 minutes, but not edited in to the film in any way.

I love 2001, and it's the ambiguity that partially makes it such a classic in my eyes, but each to their own and everything.

[Rob McCow]

This is great news - I wonder if the extra 17 minutes will give us more of Arthur C Clarke's vision rather than Kubricks?

Anyway, even if it's an extra quarter hour of Keir Dulla (sp?) staring down corridors then that's fine by me!