And you should. There are those movies that are just meant to be consumed on the big screen, and this surely is one of them. I have not had this experience — my only viewing of this movie was in 9th grade English. My teacher, an odd one but a favorite, decided we were going to watch this as a film study, then paused it every 5 to 10 minutes to try to explain to a bunch of 14-15 year olds what was going on, because clearly we were not capable appreciating the film on our own. Not ideal.
Now the 50th anniversary of the film, the Virginia has been fortunate to be a part of a limited release of new 70mm prints. In fact, they are one of only two theaters in Illinois to be showing the film in this format. From the press release:
“Celebrating the 50th anniversary of a seminal movie, Warner Brothers Pictures has released a special 70mm print for a limited run in select theatres nationwide. In a true photochemical film re-creation, this new print was struck from the original camera negative, with no digital tricks, remastered effects, or revisionist edits added. Christopher Nolan, a longtime admirer of the late American auteur, worked closely with the team at Warner to oversee the process. The eight showings to be hosted on the Virginia’s 52-foot movie screen August 20 through 26 will be the closest to what audiences experienced at the film’s original wide-screen exhibition more than a generation ago.”
Fitting that the film be shown here in C-U, since the infamous HAL 9000 computer claims its origin in Urbana, Illinois. The film also has strong ties to Ebertfest:
“The return of 2001 to the Virginia Theatre carries an additional layer of meaning for fans of the Roger Ebert Film Festival. The origin of the first Ebertfest grew out of request from then Sun Times film critic Roger Ebert. In 1997, as a belated ‘birthday celebration’ for HAL, Mr. Ebert arranged a 70mm screening of the movie at the Virginia. He enjoyed the experience so much that the following spring saw the start of his namesake film festival, now in its 21st year.”
There will be showings at 7 p.m. beginning tonight and continuing through August 25th. You can also catch a 1 p.m. matinee on August 25th and 26th.
Doors will open one hour before showtime. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased online, at the box office, or by calling 217-356-9063.
Photo from the Facebook event page.