ADDITION: Warner REGION-FREE Blu-ray June 08': NOTE: These captures were ripped directly from the Blu-ray disc. As the editions improve over time the differentiation seemed harder to ascertain but without question the Blu-ray's superiority is readily evident - even with resized screen captures. To get a full idea of the grandeur of the Blu-ray we have linked the full 1920X1080 resolution captures to these compressed ones used in this comparison - simply click the Blu-ray captures to see them in full resolution (and see our review with NEW captures HERE).

One of the bigger differences I notice is in contrast and detail. It's a marvelous leap forward in home theater presentation.

Both the Blu-ray and the 2-disc SE share the exact same extra features but aside from that the other differences would be that the Blu-ray is Region-Free and will play on Blu-ray players world-wide. It has superior audio options (though not TrueHD like the DH-DVD). Extras and feature are housed on one single disc - and, of course, the immense improvement in the image quality. Without gushing too much this is one of the key DVD packages of my entire collection - a library consisting of over 6,000 discs. For any further encouragement to purchase this DVD, or your inaugural Blu-ray player, please see our review with more NEWLY posted captures HERE.   

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ADDITION - 2-disc SE - October 07': Warner bring us Kubrick's masterpiece (rated #1 film of all time by Beaver contributors in our poll located HERE) in a sterling 2-disc Special Edition SD DVD package. It represented two dual-layered discs coded for regions 1 thru 4 in the NTSC standard. As expected the feature is progressive and anamorphic (as are most of the supplements on disc 2). I have the ratio at 2.186:1.

Okay firstly the image - as supported by the VOB files on the feature disc (produced July 30th, 2007) we do have a different (and marginally superior) image from the last 'digitally restored' edition from way back in 2001. Now it is not extravagantly better as the last release prior to this was very strong in its own right. I noticed improvement later in the film in terms of contrast (see monolith in last image) and color brightness/vibrancy. The 'Dawn of Man' sequence seemed a shade darker to me. Granted it is not a lot but it is superior and I thank Warner for not simply rehashing the old image and adding supplements - this make me even more excited about the hi-def versions (2001 - A Space Odyssey [HD DVD] and 2001 - A Space Odyssey [Blu-ray]) which we will be obtaining and reviewing. As the comparative images don't represent a great deal of improvement I've added some new captures from the 2-disc SE at the very bottom. It is the best I have seen the film look digitally (so far).

NOTE: the original three editions compared were done a long time ago and hence we downsized to match the non 16X9 MGM. I've only shrunk the SE's to 800 pixels wide as our current standard.

Audio has the same strong 5.1 with 5.1 French DUB as an option that was available on the last release. I noted no difference but it is very hard to quantify if it is there. It was flawless to my ears. Never dynamic separation but very pure sounding.  

Supplements are wonderful. Firstly on disc one we have a full commentary by the stars of the film; Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood. Expectantly this is not the technical commentary that many may have wished for but I don't have a clue who would tackle that monster anyway. Keir and Gary are quite good and express some decent intelligence about the film - their breakthrough's - Kubrick the man and some of the production details - how 'Kubrick never gave actors advice but did a lot of retakes' type thing. It is fairly light but adds another layer to further appreciation of the film. There is also an anamorphic trailer running 1:51.

On disc two we have some real meaty extras. First up - Channel 4 did a 45 minute documentary entitled 2001: The Making of a Myth. It has a lot of input from many sources involved with the film and some stuff on the storyboards. Lots of sound bites and talking heads imparting extensive knowledge. I enjoyed this. Next we have a 20 minute featurette - Standing on the Shoulders of Kubrick: The Legacy of 2001 detailing some of the impact of 2001 on the entire film industry. This was also appealing for me and fans may also get something out of it. Another 20 minute featurette titled Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001 shows some of the anticipated future imagery of 2001 vs. what really transpired. Next we have a vintage clip (from NASA?) 2001: A Space Odyssey - A Look Behind the Future - this is 4:3 and very scratchy - kind of humorous in a way. What is Out There is another 20 minute bit with Keir Dullea heading the discussion with some technical input as well. 2001: FX and Early Conceptual Artwork is 10 minutes long and has input from such as Christiane Kubrick on the look of some of the artwork in the surreal space journey sequence. Look: Stanley Kubrick! is a 3 minute montage of images from Kubrick photography/LOOK magazine. Finally there is an audio-only interview with Stanley Kubrick involved - it runs 1 1/4 hours.

I've always felt that 2001, at its heart, was a celebration of humankind and this DVD package is worthy of a celebration. I'm so happy that Warner have done this up right with supplement input from Lucas to Trumbull and dozens more. This is an essential DVD in my opinion. It will undoubtedly receive a lot of mention in the DVD of the Year balloting. Our strongest recommendation.     

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On the other editions:

ADDITION - PAL (European version - Nov - 04) - Transfers looks identical - in staring, I might swing toward the Region 1, but again it might just be my eyes playing tricks. Subtitles seem quite low on the PAL edition. It does have a host of extra subtitle options if they are necessary and a German (as opposed to a French) DUB. Bottom line - don't be unhappy with your PAL edition (no need to 'double dip')

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ORIGINAL WARNER VS MGM: The first unrestored release from Warner (not shown here) is identical to the MGM edition in every way except packaging.

Okay, lets go through the differences between the MGM and the Warner restored/remastered edition. :

1) The MGM is not 16X9 enhanced and the Warner Remastered is.

2) The MGM subtitles are not 16X9 friendly. They are on the Warner.

3) The MGM is cropped minor on the left edge and significantly on the right edge as well as top and bottom. This will explain the aspect ratio difference between the two editions.

4) The MGM offers a French dub in mono - the French dub on the Warner is in 5.1

5) The MGM packaging wrongly states the time as 139 minutes. It is actually 149 minutes.

6) Extras: The MGM has an interview with Arthur C. Clarke, a Non Anamorphic theatrical trailers for 2001: A Space Odyssey and 2010. The Warner only offers an anamorphic trailer for 2001.

7) The MGM has anamorphic menus and the Warners' are not.

8) The Warner offers a Portuguese subtitle option as well.

9) Image: The big difference that you can notice from  the below screen captures are the colors. The MGM are faded and dull in comparison to the Warner. Color was extremely important to Stanley Kubrick and it is easy to identify the darker MGM's as being fallible. I also zoomed in to find a touch of edge enhancement on the MGM. The MGM is a shade horizontally stretched as well. Contrast is superior on the Warner. The MGM has some visible damage spots, dust and scratches. The MGM is cropped on top, right and left edges.

If you do not already own the Warner Restored edition, please do so immediately.

 - Gary W. Tooze