Soderbergh Posts his Cut Online:
Steven Soderbergh’s recut of Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” refines the film down to 110 minutes. That’s a 50-minute reduction from its original running time. Soderbergh’s goal was to reduce the film to its most necessary core elements.
Soderbergh posted the results on his Extension765 site in all its high definition splendor and it looks absolutely fantastic. If you only click on one link today, make it this one: 2001: A Space Odyssey Redux.
Why bring what many consider one of the most iconic films of all times back to the editing table?
Steven explains:
sometimes you have to cross the line to know where the line is. just ask any two-year-old.
maybe this is what happens when you spend too much time with a movie: you start thinking about it when it’s not around, and then you start wanting to touch it. i’ve been watching 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY regularly for four decades, but it wasn’t until a few years ago i started thinking about touching it, and then over the holidays i decided to make my move. why now? I don’t know. maybe i wasn’t old enough to touch it until now. maybe i was too scared to touch it until now, because not only does the film not need my—or anyone else’s—help, but if it’s not THE most impressively imagined and sustained piece of visual art created in the 20th century, then it’s tied for first. meaning IF i was finally going to touch it, i’d better have a bigger idea than just trimming or re-scoring.