2001: A Space Odyssey Truth Quotes

How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Quote #4

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.

In an utterly human moment, HAL abandons the truth entirely. It's willing to say anything to convince Bowman from disconnecting it.

Quote #5

FLOYD: Eighteen months ago, the first evidence of intelligent life off the Earth was discovered. It was buried 40 feet below the lunar surface near the crater Tycho. Except for a single, very powerful radio emission aimed at Jupiter, the 4-million-year-old black monolith has remained completely inert. Its origin and purpose still a total mystery.

The truth about the mission is revealed just in time for it not to save anyone's life. Of course, like all the truth so far in the movie, these answers only lead us to more questions, and those questions take us to Jupiter.

Quote #6

The Star Child returns to Earth. Orbiting the planet that was the birthplace and galactic cradle to humanity, the Star Child stares into an unknown future.

The truth ultimately evades us. We know the extraterrestrials have transformed Bowman into a new being, but we don't know how or why. In many ways, that's the entire point of the film. We'll just have to keep on looking.