A vintage documentary going behind the scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey has surfaced, delving into the making of the 1968 film two years before it blew our collective minds.

Rediscovered by Open Culture, the 20+ minute featurette looks at everything from the future of space exploration (circa the 1960s) to the making of Stanley Kubrick’s eventual classic. For sci-fi fans, this footage is a treasure trove of awesomeness.

From the development of the centrifuge set used for the space station, to the look and direction of the film, this mini-doc is a fascinating window into the genesis of an “unusual motion picture” that would go on to inspire filmmakers for decades.

Strap in for some classic sci-fi awesomeness and enjoy:

(Via Movies.com)