Book vs. Movie -- "2001: A Space Odyssey" Quiz

Answer: Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke and Stanley Kubrick worked together on the novelization of "2001: A Space Odyssey" at the same time as the film version was being made. However, only Clarke's name would appear as the author on the initial hardback release of the novel in June 1968. The film version would be released in April 1968. It has been argued that the film is ultimately Kubrick's version of the story and the novel is Clarke's version of the story, though each would have some impact on the other version.

In a sense, both versions were influenced by several earlier short stories by Clarke, including "Sentinel to Eternity" (1951).

Answer: Saturn

In the movie, "Discovery One" is travelling to Jupiter and its satellites. In the novel, the destination is Saturn. In each case, the focus is the same: a large black monolith similar to one that has already been found on the moon.

Answer: True

1:4:9 could have suggested builders with some knowledge of math and science since the dimensions would be equal to the squares of 1, 2, and 3. The visuals of the structure however would make it appear to be relatively short and squat. Based on movie stills, it is estimated that the monolith prop was built on a ratio closer to 1:6:14.

Answer: He travels via a moonbus

In the movie, Floyd is flown on a flying though wingless shuttle that makes the makes the 200 mile from the moon base where he arrived to the location of the monolith. In the movie, he travels at 50 miles an hour in what was described as a "moonbus" and was a van-like vehicle on oversized wheels.

In both versions of the story, sunlight striking the monolith causes it to emit a radio signal which points humanity towards the location of another monolith.

Answer: Dr. Langley

HAL mentions his creator Dr. Langley during the sequence when Dave Bowman, commander of the mission is unplugging HAL's higher functions. He mentions that HAL learned a song ("A Bicycle Built For Two") from the doctor. An additional difference is that in the film, HAL was created in 1992 (making him nine years old-- which it is thought matched Kubrick's image of a bright young child), while in the novel he was created in 1997.

Answer: Yes in the movie, but no in the novel

In the movie, Frank was killed by HAL while he was outside of the spacecraft. While Dave is outside retrieving Frank's body, HAL disconnects the life support systems. In the novel, Dave retrieves the body and returns to the ship. He then begins the process of reviving the three crew members. HAL then opens the airlocks to release the atmosphere in "Discovery One", killing the other three and almost killing Dave.

Answer: HAL is able to read their lips in an soundproof environment.

For a film running 142 minutes "2001: A Space Odyssey" has a relatively limited amount of dialogue with extended sequences without any dialogue at all. In one of the most dialogue-intense scenes of the film, Dave and Frank climb inside an extravehicular activity vehicle to discuss how and when they will deal with HAL. Though the vehicle is soundproof, HAL is able to read their lips through the porthole on the ship.

Answer: Yes

In the movie, the sequence takes place four million years before present. In the novel, the sequence takes place three million years before present. In both sequences, there are many similarities. Two groups of humanoids engage in a struggle over territory.

The initially defeated group then encounters a monolith on Earth which seems to provide some sort of advantage that allows it to develop technology that gives an edge in the next encounter. The novel is much more explicit in explaining the connection between the monolith an extraterrestrial life.

Answer: In the novel, but not in the movie

The statement is the last made by Dave Bowman in the novel. He makes it as he is entering a portal within the monolith which will transport him to some other part of the universe. While the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" does not include the line, the sequel film "2010: The Year We Make Contact" retroactively describes Dave Bowman making the statement.

In addition, the statement is part of the continuity in Arthur C. Clarke's other novels: "2010: Odyssey Two", "2061: Odyssey Three", and "3001: The Final Odyssey".

Answer: Yes

Stanley Kubrick himself supports this. In a 1970 interview, he stated that the novel "attempts to explain things much more explicitly than the film does." The emphasis on visuals and de-emphasis on dialogue in the movie allowed for perhaps a more exciting though less clear presentation. (Kubrick would win the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects for the movie.) James Blish, in his review of the novel suggested that it was less interesting than the movie, but both were necessary to fully understand the story.