The Book
"Space Odyssey" by Michael Benson documents the making of the iconic film "2001: A Space Odyssey," which celebrates its 50th anniversary in April 2018. Here's a look at photos from the movie's production process.
The Making
Pierre Boulat takes stills at dawn, assisted by Catherine Gire, to use for the prehistoric segment that introduces "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Finding Inspiration
Real-life Kokerboom trees served as an inspiration (and very distant background features) in "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Costumes
"Freeborn with friends of his own making": Costume designer Stuart Freeborn with actors in his "man-ape" suits.
Designer Pre-Humans
An earlier design by Stuart Freeborn for the pre-humans in "2001".
Testing Designs
Actor and mime Dan Richter poses in one of Freeborn's body suits for a costume test.
Leading Ape-Man
Dan Richter as Moonwatcher, the lead man-ape in the beginning of "2001: A Space Odyssey."
Space...
Stuntman Bill Weston filming a spacewalk scene from "2001."
Taxing Role
Bill Weston recovering from oxygen deprivation at the base of the launch tower during intense filming of spacewalk sequences.
Falling in Space
Bill Weston launching from a platform 30 feet above the concrete studio floor.
City of Light
An extraterrestrial cityscape created by special effects supervisor Doug Trumbull for the surreal "trip" sequence of "2001."
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