Solaris versus 2001
Thoughts?
I personally sympathize more with Tarkovsky's argument, but Kubrick made the better film.
They have little in common. Solaris is the better book, 2001 is a better movie, but by a much closer margin.
MovieChat Forums > Solyaris (1972) Discussion > Solaris versus 2001
After watching "Solaris" recently I've been thinking about relating it to other films.
And now I'm going to focus on "Solaris" (1972) and "2001".
1. The God concept and super advanced space aliens;
Kubrick said this about "2001";
KUBRICK: I will say that the God concept is at the heart of 2001 but not any traditional, anthropomorphic image of God...
can you imagine the evolutionary development that much older life forms have taken? ... Their potentialities would be limitless and their intelligence ungraspable by humans.
While Kubrick and Tarkovsky would have different views about God. In terms of super advanced space aliens, their portrayal has similarities.
- The intelligence on the Solaris planet is so advanced that it is not able to be grasped by humans.
This is why the cosmonauts on the space station are baffled by what the planet is doing to them.
2. What does it mean to be home?
"2001" has its main character put into what looked like a space alien hotel or zoo.
"Solaris" has another resolution.
Kelvin talks about going back to earth.
The next scene he seems to be back at his father's house (which was seen in the beginning of the movie). The same pond with flowing water. The same trees. The same sky.
He sees his father but it is raining inside the house! But not outside.
Kelvin is not back on earth (he's on the Solaris planet) but is he at home?
While the weather is not right in this alien created house, what if it was?
If a house, land, weather, family were perfectly replicated, couldn't that be home?
3. Back to the God concept;
In "2001', when the main character, Dave Bowman, is dying in bed, he raises his hand and arm towards the monolith who is facing him at the foot of the bed.
This gesture I'm certain comes from painting of the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo where Adam has his arm extended towards God.
In "Solaris", when Kelvin realizes that he is at a replica house with a replica father, he falls to his knees and hugs his father's legs. While his replica father, representing the power and intelligence of the planet Solaris embraces him.
The human in both films is making a human gesture associated with God.
4. Music and an overall theme;
- In "2001" the recurring music is Also sprach Zarathustra, or Thus Spoke Zarathustra by R. Strauss.
This relates to Nietzsche's poem by the same name which relates to evolution and the concept of the Overman.
- In "Solaris" the beginning and ending music is by Bach; Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, or I call to you, Lord Jesus Christ,
Tarkovsky is connecting to a different message compared with Kubrick.
While Kubrick is exploring a scientific definition of God in "2001". Tarkovsky is referencing / connecting the space alien God concept to his Christian faith.
5. The overall odyssey;
"2001 A Space Odyssey" can be seen as being about space aliens affecting human evolution.
- Ape meets a vastly smarter space alien represented by monolith, ape gets smarter and becomes a better killer.
- HAL is smarter than the human crew but it eventually outwitted by a human Dave.
- Dave is captured by the space aliens and is transformed into something new; a grand step in evolution in the direction I assume towards the extremely intelligent aliens represented by the monolith.
- Intelligence can be seen as the key in this progression.
* "Solaris" is also an Odyssey for Kelvin but it is of emotion, wonder and acceptance.
Kelvin began to have feelings for the replica of his dead wife. While the two other crew members disagreed, Kelvin did not give up on the emotional connection he had for Hari.
- At the end, when Kelvin is at the replica house and kneels before the replica father he is submitting to the godlike power of the planet Solaris.
Kelvin is accepting what the planet can given him; a home, a father, even maybe bringing back his dead wife.
- Kelvin's odyssey is of a man in emotional pain of grief who wants to accept that a godlike power can bring back what was taken away by death.
- Emotional evolution can be seen as the key in this progression.
Imo at least, BB ;-)
it is just in my opinion - imo - 🌈 share
The pond is not flowing when he returns, it's completely still. This was an accident in nature when Tarkovsky noticed it was frozen over and used it to great effect.
shareby somesunnyday;
"The pond is not flowing when he returns, it's completely still. This was an accident in nature when Tarkovsky noticed it was frozen over and used it to great effect."
Thanks for the comment. You are correct.
I just watched the scene and I'll add a bit more.
When Kelvin agrees with Snaut that it is time for Kelvin to return to earth, there is an edit to the plants flowing under the water.
The film lingers on that movement for a few seconds.
This might have been the memory of the land in Kelvin's mind?
Then the edit is to Kelvin who is walking on the property and he looks at the spot where the water used to flow over the plants.
But now the pond is frozen as you wrote.
Still there is a familiarity in what he sees and what he remembers with the same pond (now with frozen water). The same trees. The same sky. Greeting the dog.
And that sets up the final revelation at the end.
Imo at least, BB ;-)
it is just in my opinion - imo - 🌈
I recently read Tarkovsky's comments on 2001 and it's a shame that he couldn't appreciate it due to his own strict artistic sensibilities. They are both wonderfully unique. I'd give the edge to Kubrick for reasons only my subconscious knows.
"Fire walk with me..."