2001: A Space Odyssey is divided into four main story parts. Each part deals with a different part of man's journey of discovery. Perhaps the most confusing part of the film is the fact that two sections of the film, "The Dawn of Man" and "Jupiter and Beyond Infinite," are done without any spoken dialogue. Unless the viewer has a good knowledge of Arthur C. Clarke's novel, they can become disoriented during these portions of the film.

The Dawn of Man

2001: A Space Odyssey opens with a scene of the sun rising over a vast prehistoric plain. The audience is shown the ape tribe of Moonwatcher who are struggling to survive. (The name Moonwatcher is not used in the film, but only in the book. In the interest of clarity in this part of the analysis, it will be used here.) A series of events...