Dramatic scenes in film analysis and interpretation

Drama Unfolds in 2001: A Space Odyssey

One of the most gripping dramatic scenes involving person-to-person human interaction occurs between Dave and HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey. While many might argue that HAL is not a human being, it is important to note that HAL believes he is alive and Stanley Kubrick has done an excellent job personifying this character. The interaction between these two characters demonstrates just how real any interaction can be. HAL demonstrates that he has just as much power, knowledge, and ability as man does. He proves that he is even more like man when he miscalculates, commits murder, and begs for his life. The characters' interaction in this scene along with the audio and visual aspects creates a powerfully dramatic scene impossible to forget.

HAL and Dave confront each other when HAL understands that Dave and Frank are going to disconnect him. HAL refuses to let Dave inside the Discovery and, hence, the drama begins. Dave realizes that he is working against a well-natured computer. The conflict between man and his machine has begun and Dave realizes that he might fight for his life. Ironically, that is exactly why HAL is behaving the way he does. Dave moves slowly and precisely to HAL circuits and begins to "kill" him. The drama increases here because HAL is aware of what Dave is doing and, subsequently, begins to "reason" with Dave. This scene is sad and powerful because the only way Dave can defend his life is to kill HAL. The interaction is dramatic because HAL tries to talk to Dave and Dave simply ignores him. HAL says, "Just what do you think you're doing, Dave... I really think I'm entitled to an answer to that question" (2001). He responds just like a man when he tries to bargain with Dave, claiming things are going to be okay and that he feels much better. The intensity of this scene is gripping because of the hissing air in the spacecraft's background and Dave's exasperated breathing. The drama intensifies when Dave begins to deprogram HAL. He tells Dave that he is afraid and all the while, Dave is deprogramming him. HAL tells Dave that he "can feel it" (2001) and that his "mind is going" (2001). The drama between these two characters is powerful because Kubrick has successfully made HAL a computer that we like. Even as HAL dies, the scene is sad because his voice changes radically and, for all intents and purposes, we witness HAL's almost human death.