stubbietubbie
19-03-2008, 09:01 PM
"Arthur C. Clarke, the legendary science fiction writer whose work inspired the classic Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey, died early Wednesday at his home in Sri Lanka; he was 90. According to his aide, Rohan De Silva, Clarke died after suffering from breathing problems; the author had been suffering from post-polio syndrome since the 1960s, and often used a wheelchair. Born in the United Kingdom, Clarke served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, and after the war earned a degree in math and physics at King's College London. He soon became involved with the the British Interplanetary Society, and also pioneered the concept that satellites could serve as telecommunications relays.
While writing a number of non-fiction technical books on space exploration, he also began work on fiction in the 1940s, including "The Sentinel," a 1948 short story he wrote for a BBC competition that would later serve as the basis for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. After meeting with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in 1964, the two began to collaborate on the script for a film that would expand on Clarke's initial story. Both began work on a book that would serve as a basis for the screenplay, but work on the film began in conjunction with the writing of the novel. As a result, the Kubrick film was released in 1967, well before the book's publication in 1968. While Clarke and Kubrick were both credited with the film's screenplay (earning an Academy Award nomination), Clarke was cited as the sole author of the book; the writer would go on to document the many differences between the book and film in The Lost Worlds of 2001, published in 1972. The film became a landmark work of cinema, featuring such iconic images as a looming black monolith and a score of classical music, including the piece "Thus Spake Zarathustra," that would become forever linked with the film."
I'd just like to pay my respects to a fantastic intellect. One whose work has personally moved and heightened my perception on life. No film has done more for me than 2001, which I regard as the finest film made, and the novel itself is simple genius. Again, thanks for moving me in my evolution of intelligence and appreciation of the art of cinema and writing.
RIP.
While writing a number of non-fiction technical books on space exploration, he also began work on fiction in the 1940s, including "The Sentinel," a 1948 short story he wrote for a BBC competition that would later serve as the basis for the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. After meeting with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick in 1964, the two began to collaborate on the script for a film that would expand on Clarke's initial story. Both began work on a book that would serve as a basis for the screenplay, but work on the film began in conjunction with the writing of the novel. As a result, the Kubrick film was released in 1967, well before the book's publication in 1968. While Clarke and Kubrick were both credited with the film's screenplay (earning an Academy Award nomination), Clarke was cited as the sole author of the book; the writer would go on to document the many differences between the book and film in The Lost Worlds of 2001, published in 1972. The film became a landmark work of cinema, featuring such iconic images as a looming black monolith and a score of classical music, including the piece "Thus Spake Zarathustra," that would become forever linked with the film."
I'd just like to pay my respects to a fantastic intellect. One whose work has personally moved and heightened my perception on life. No film has done more for me than 2001, which I regard as the finest film made, and the novel itself is simple genius. Again, thanks for moving me in my evolution of intelligence and appreciation of the art of cinema and writing.
RIP.