Interviewed on HDNet's Higher Definition (on Starchoice) today were Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, who starred in 2001: A Space Odyssey, which was released in 1968.

Filming of the movie was completed in 1966, so the two actors appearing on my screen today have aged over 40 years since that time. Lockwood looks much different now, but Dullea looks to me remarkably the same as he did in 1966. Put some makeup on him and he could do the role again.

Today's show was also an HDNet promotion of it's upcoming showing of 2001 in HD, and some HD clips from the movie were included in the interview.

In short, if the HD broadcast looks as good as the clips, viewers are in for HD picture quality that might rival that of HDNet's showing of Apocalypse Now redux.

For example, one of the clips was from the first scene of the spacecraft heading to Jupiter- as Lockwood jogs around the circular "track" in the main living quarters, and also where the other astronauts are in their "hibernation coffins". Well, one can easily make out the pattern of the small tiles of the floor as it moves under Lockwood's feet, as well as fantastic detail in the rest of the set.

Also shown was part of the scene on the moon where the monolith has been uncovered and is being approached by Heywood Floyd and others for pictures. One can easily make out all the faces of each astronaut inside his helmet, as well as great detail in everything else.

I've always been very disappointed with the image and sound quality of the sd dvd version of this movie, so I'm very excited at the upcoming opportunity to see this classic movie in all of its original glory.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who's never seen it. It stands out in my mind as probably the greatest (and maybe the only) example of the movie industry's attempt at a serious portrayal of a "space movie". It was way ahead of its time.

You left out the date it will be shown which would seem to be not a minor detail.

The host did not say when it would be shown - only to "watch out for it in the near future", or something to that effect. Needless to say, I will be checking the HDNet schedule religiously.

it was shown about 1000 times on HDNET in 2005-2006..

Yes I recorded it to DVHS the last time it was shown on HDNET. Excellent PQ.

I can only hope the BD version surpasses HDNET's picture/audio quality.

Thought I'd entered a time warp or something. Haven't searched the archives but recall a lengthy thread going into HD details and edge enhancement for a HDNetM showing of 2001...what, a year back? -- John

Yes, this is old news and the second time around for this movie. I, too, got it on D-VHS last time they showed it. Gorgeous transfer.

Unfortunately I don't have HDNet (thanks to Comcast) but I am looking forward to seeing this in HD towards the end of this month (thanks to Warner and Netflix). :)

Yes, and I've just learned that yesterday's Higher Definition show was also first braodcast on HDNet last year.

My wife and I got Starchoice just a few months ago, so sorry for the post-mature exclamation.

Regardless, I'm still very excited at the prospect of seeing this gem in soemthing close to the quality it was when I saw it as a young man almost 40 years ago. (OT -a time when NASA's manned space mission was a great deal more than the planet of white-collar welfare into which it would very soon evolve, and remain to this day).

it was shown about 1000 times on HDNET in 2005-2006..

Don't forget, we get HDNet Canada here. Much of the programming is the same but not all. Still waiting for LeMans to make an appearance here :(

Sure hope we get 2001 soon....

Don't forget, we get HDNet Canada here. Much of the programming is the same but not all. Still waiting for LeMans to make an appearance here :(

Sure hope we get 2001 soon....
Buzz, are you saying that 2001 has never been shown on the Canadian edition of HDNet?

Any other Canucks see it on HDNet?