h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My favourite film of all time. Thanks for a great article.
I think it worthy of note that, in my opinion, one of the reasons why 2001 was so visually stunning was that the original release (in the UK at least) was in the Cinerama format. IIRC the film was originally only shown at 'selected' cinemas that could cope with what was effectively three, side by side, screens that wrapped around the audiences normal field of vision. I believe the technique used involved filming with three cameras simultaneously.
Should you ever get the chance to see it in Cinerama (I had hoped it might get another outing this year) take it!
I don't recall the film going on general release until a couple of years later in something like Cinemascope where the joins could be seen.
I seem to remember that the film began on a 'normal' wide screen which was extended to the sides as the 'Mission to Jupiter' sequence began and the Discovery spacecraft emerged from the left to fill all three screens. A considerable visual impact.
In my opinion another reason for the films impact was that the technical effects were mostly done with no more than camera trickery long before computer generated effects. The effects were simply stunning at the time, I don't think there were any previous films that had been anything like it.
All the best A.M.

Sadly I haven't had the chance to see it in Cinerama yet - but hopefully! One thing that I can do is that my local cinema, the Harbour Lights in Southampton, is starting a Kubrick season. They showed "Full Metal Jacket" yesterday, and also will show "Dr. Strangelove" and "The Killing", as well as "2001: A Space Odyssey" in 70mm. That should be impressive - I don't think I've seen many, if any, films in 70mm before - most of them are standard 35 at the Odeon, I think...
They're getting the 70mm projectors specially for this showing. It's in 2 weeks, and I can't wait!

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Wow, I was hoping it would get another outing. could you maybe let me know the dates? It would be worth the trip for that.
All the best A.M.

2001: A Space Odyssey is on from the 29th June to the 8th July.
Then Spartacus is on this Sunday (I only found out about it Tuesday and I have to work)
Dr. Strangelove is showing Sunday 15th July.
The Killing is on Tuesday 17th July.

How far from Southampton are you? Was it Kingston that you're from? If you do come down to Southampton, would you fancy meeting-up?

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Hi BB, Sorry for the delay in getting back to you and thanks for the info.
Yes, I live near Kingston and a meet up would be great. I'm trying to get cover at work to to get a day away, (I work shifts) but at the moment the best I'm going to do is a weekday.
If that's ok I'll get back to you with the date I can manage.
Either way I'll be down to see 2001.
Thanks again and all the best A.M.

That's fine - I'm currently moving house, so I'm not online that much either. As for the cinema times, if I were you I'd check out the website. I doubt the moderators would let me write it here, so if I mention that it's for [URL removed by moderator], which is a co. in the uk, and that there is a dash between the picturehouse and the cinemas, you should get it. Then just look up Harbour Lights, Southampton.

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Hi there BB,
I finally got (grudging) cover and made it for the 2pm performance on Thursday.
It was great to see it on the big screen again. Thanks for the tip off and the help. I really enjoyed it!
All the best A.M.

Glad you got to see it - I was at the 3 o'clock on Friday, and yesterday I watched 2010 on video for the first time in about 10 years. I've definately enjoyed the weekend and both experiences.

Seeing 2001 in 70mm has definately encouraged me to save up and get the DVD set when I can afford it. There were many subtle things which I had not noticed before when I saw it in the cinema, and seeing Space Station V larger than life was purely breathtaking.
I hadn't expected the intermission, though.

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