Actually 2001 has several "correct" aspect ratios. Theatrically it was shown in both the 2.21:1 flat 70mm ratio, and the 2.35:1 anamorphic (scope) 35mm format.
2001 was shot in Super Panavision 70, a process which involved principal photography on a 65mm wide, 5 sprocket hole high film frame (standard photography is on 35mm wide 4 sprocket hole high frame). This was projected back from a 70mm print, the extra 5mm being two 2.5 mm magnetic soundtrack strips "outboard" of the sprocket holes. Taken together with two magnetic strips on the inner edge of the sprocket hole area, this gave 2001 a 6 track stereo sound. In the original Cinerama installations, the film was projected on a deeply curved "louvered" screen which wrapped the image around the audience, sweeping them into the image. The Super Panavision version of Cinerama had an aspect ratio of 2.21:1 (the three-film and "rectified" Ultra Panavision versions of Cinerama were noticeably wider with an aspect ratio of 2.59:1). The sound was played back from 5 speakers behind the huge screen, with a monophonic surround track, known as an "effects" track in films of the 50s and 60s because it was only sparingly used for particular effects, such as the space station announcements: "Will Mr. Travers please contact the MET office..." and "A Blue Ladies Cashmere Sweater has been found...". During its original "roadshow" (reserved seat) run, 2001 was also shown in flat screened 70mm theaters -- which were spectacular, but had somewhat less of the "you are there" feel rendered by the curved screen Cinerama presentations.
After the 70mm run was ended, 2001 was released in a 35mm version "at popular prices" in regular theaters with a monophonic soundtrack, mixed from the 6 track original. This version was transferred to 35mm film by optically squeezing the wide image onto 35mm Scope film. It was then projected back through an anamorphic lens which would unsqueeze the compressed image onto a CinemaScope or Panavision style screen. Because 'scope has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the top and bottom of the 2.21:1 65mm image were cut off in producing the prints. Although nothing important was eliminated, a comparison viewing of a 35mm source and 70mm source will reveal the elimination of some parts of the sets, most readily visible in the moon-shuttle galley scene.
2001 was shot in Super Panavision 70, a process which involved principal photography on a 65mm wide, 5 sprocket hole high film frame (standard photography is on 35mm wide 4 sprocket hole high frame). This was projected back from a 70mm print, the extra 5mm being two 2.5 mm magnetic soundtrack strips "outboard" of the sprocket holes. Taken together with two magnetic strips on the inner edge of the sprocket hole area, this gave 2001 a 6 track stereo sound. In the original Cinerama installations, the film was projected on a deeply curved "louvered" screen which wrapped the image around the audience, sweeping them into the image. The Super Panavision version of Cinerama had an aspect ratio of 2.21:1 (the three-film and "rectified" Ultra Panavision versions of Cinerama were noticeably wider with an aspect ratio of 2.59:1). The sound was played back from 5 speakers behind the huge screen, with a monophonic surround track, known as an "effects" track in films of the 50s and 60s because it was only sparingly used for particular effects, such as the space station announcements: "Will Mr. Travers please contact the MET office..." and "A Blue Ladies Cashmere Sweater has been found...". During its original "roadshow" (reserved seat) run, 2001 was also shown in flat screened 70mm theaters -- which were spectacular, but had somewhat less of the "you are there" feel rendered by the curved screen Cinerama presentations.
After the 70mm run was ended, 2001 was released in a 35mm version "at popular prices" in regular theaters with a monophonic soundtrack, mixed from the 6 track original. This version was transferred to 35mm film by optically squeezing the wide image onto 35mm Scope film. It was then projected back through an anamorphic lens which would unsqueeze the compressed image onto a CinemaScope or Panavision style screen. Because 'scope has an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, the top and bottom of the 2.21:1 65mm image were cut off in producing the prints. Although nothing important was eliminated, a comparison viewing of a 35mm source and 70mm source will reveal the elimination of some parts of the sets, most readily visible in the moon-shuttle galley scene.
Frame grab from Bluray:
2001 A Space Odyssey (Bluray frame grab).jpg
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