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| Written by: Simone Odino, Italy | Date: 29.09.2013 |
 Back in 2001, Italy was one of the lucky countries that was able to see
"2001: a space odyssey" in 70mm., thank to a new print made after the
restoration of the original negatives started by the very Stanley Kubrick. I
was lucky enough to be able to reserve a seat for a projection at the
Arcadia Theatre in Melzo (Milan), that still today features of the largest
screens in Europe (30 mt. x 16) and it's really the jewel of the crown as
far as movie going in Italy is concerned: the best projectors, the best
equipment, a light system designed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio
Storaro...I had already enjoyed the movie in its standard format: the new restored 35mm. print it came out on March 7; by March 8 I already had seen it three times.... ..And than came Saturday 9: after a 2 hours trip by car with my best friend (I was told that still today people come from all parts of Italy to enjoy 70 mm. projections on that screen), I was able to see 2001 as it was originally meant to be seen (apart from the curved screen), with the magnetic soundtrack. The details were absurdly clear: I remember I saw for the first time the fine "IBM TELEPAD" writing in the tablet device used by the astronauts on the Discovery, and the "MAG HOLD" warnings while Bowman collects the faulty AE35 unit during his spacewalk. The colors of the Stargate sequence were amazing, the depth of the black really convincing. The blu-ray that came out a few years ago, though one of the best release of the format ever, was only a mere improvement over the DVD, a dimmer shade of the memory of what it was like in 70mm. |
More in 70mm reading: 2001italia.blogspot.it  Multiplex Arcadia, Melzo, Italy 70mm Bigger Than Life - Multiplex Arcadia, Melzo, Italy Internet link: 2001italia.blogspot.it |
 It was, unfortunately, the only time I've been able to see Kubrick's
masterpiece in its full glory, though the movie has been presented in 70mm.
again in Italy, in the same Melzo theatre, and in Milan and Genoa, as far as
I know. (The present owner of Melzo's Theatre complex currently hold the
only copy of "2001" in 70mm. in Italy). I still hope to be able to see it
again, and - why not - in actual Cinerama, during a trip in the States, in
Seattle or in Hollywood where it is still presented in that beautiful
format.In the meantime, waiting for my ultimate trip, I kill time writing on my 2001 blog, 2001italia.blogspot.it. Rising from the ashes of my former web site, a naïve attempt made in the late '90s, this blog focuses on curios perspectives about the movie, with the intention to celebrate the craft of the talented people whose contribution to the movie is neglected, forgotten or otherwise limited in general recognition. I felt that despite the large production of books related to Kubrick and the movie in recent years, dedicated bloggers still have something significant to say, with the freedom from burocratic bonds granted by the internet. Some popular articles are translated in English: a tribute to Liz Moore, the artist who sculpted the Starchild and moved on creating the original Storm Troopers and C3PO for "Star Wars" for example. Recently, I managed to complete interviews with actresses who appeared in the movie and weren't given proper credit (Mrs. Maggie London and Mrs. Judy Keirn, two of the hostesses on Space Station); and my most popular article featured a long investigation on the identities of the other unknown actresses featured in the movie. More interviews with popular authors and movie scholars are on their way. All kind of contributions are welcome! |
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