By David Wharton | 8 years ago

Despite having been released over four decades ago, 2001: A Space Odyssey is still more impressive, thoughtful, and ambitious than most modern blockbusters. Despite working with a budget of a mere $10.5 million — that’s less than a tenth of Prometheus‘ rumored budget — director Stanley Kubrick made audiences feel like they were genuinely watching an ill-fated expedition to Jupiter. The film absolutely holds up: the effects, the mystery, the sheer sense of wonder, and there’s no question that people are still fascinated by the making of the film even today.

Back in 2001 (the year, not the movie), British television aired a documentary entitled 2001: The Making of a Myth. Hosted by erstwhile king-of-the-world James Cameron, the documentary features interviews with Sir Arthur C. Clarke and many of the surviving cast and crew, examining how Clarke’s story “The Sentinel” was adapted into one of the most iconic films of all time. Now, thanks to the wonders of the internet, you can watch the entire documentary online via the embeds below.

Fair warning: you will periodically be assaulted by a truly awful keyboard/synthesizer version of Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”