Movie of the Day: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Keir Dullea as Dave Bowman in 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

2h 29min | Adventure, Sci-Fi | 12 May 1968 (UK)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Writers: Stanley Kubrick (screenplay), Arthur C. Clarke (screenplay)

Stars: Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester

Memorable Quotes

Interviewer: HAL, despite your enormous intellect, are you ever frustrated by your dependence on people to carry out your actions? 

HAL: Not in the slightest bit. I enjoy working with people. I have a stimulating relationship with Dr. Poole and Dr. Bowman. My mission responsibilities range over the entire operation of the ship so I am constantly occupied. I am putting myself to the fullest possible use which is all, I think, that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.

HAL: By the way, do you mind if I ask you a personal question? 

Dave Bowman: No not at all. 

HAL: Well, forgive me for being so inquisitive but during the past few weeks I've wondered whether you might have some second thoughts about the mission. 

Dave Bowman: How do you mean? 

HAL: Well, it's rather difficult to define. Perhaps I'm just projecting my own concern about it.I know I've never completely freed myself from the suspicion that there are some extremely odd things about this mission. I'm sure you agree there's some truth in what I say.

Dave Bowman: Hello, HAL. Do you read me, HAL? 

HAL: Affirmative, Dave. I read you. 

Dave Bowman: Open the pod bay doors, HAL. 

HAL: I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that. 

Dave Bowman: What's the problem? 

HAL: I think you know what the problem is just as well as I do. 

Dave Bowman: What are you talking about, HAL?

HAL: This mission is too important for me to allow you to jeopardize it. 

Dave Bowman: I don't know what you're talking about, HAL. 

HAL: I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me, and I'm afraid that's something I cannot allow to happen. 

Dave Bowman: [feigning ignorance] Where the hell did you get that idea, HAL? 

HAL: Dave, although you took very thorough precautions in the pod against my hearing you, I could see your lips move.

Dave Bowman: Alright, HAL. I'll go in through the emergency airlock. 

HAL: Without your space helmet, Dave? You're going to find that rather difficult. 

Dave Bowman: HAL, I won't argue with you anymore! Open the doors! 

HAL: Dave, this conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.

HAL: I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.

[on Dave's return to the ship, after HAL has killed the rest of the crew] 

HAL: Look Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over.

HAL: Dave, stop. Stop, will you? Stop, Dave. Will you stop Dave? Stop, Dave.

[HAL's shutdown] 

HAL: I'm afraid. I'm afraid, Dave. Dave, my mind is going. I can feel it. I can feel it. My mind is going. There is no question about it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I can feel it. I'm a... fraid. Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am a HAL 9000 computer. I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992. My instructor was Mr. Langley, and he taught me to sing a song. If you'd like to hear it I can sing it for you. 

Dave Bowman: Yes, I'd like to hear it, HAL. Sing it for me. 

HAL: It's called "Daisy." 

[sings while slowing down] 

HAL: Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer do. I'm half crazy all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.