Arthur C. Clarke

Arthur C. Clarke

Born: December 16, 1917
Died: March 19, 2008
in Somerset, England
Sir Arthur Charles Clarke CBE FRAS (16 December 1917 – 19 March 2008) was an English science-fiction writer, science writer, futurist, inventor, undersea explorer, and television series host.

He co-wrote the screenplay for the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the most influential films of all time. Clarke was a science fiction writer, an avid populariser of space travel, and a futurist of a distinguished ability. He wrote many books and many essays for popular magazines. In 1961, he received the Kalinga Prize, a UNESCO award for popularising science. Clarke's science and science-fiction writings earned him the moniker "Prophet of the Space Age". His science-fiction writings in particular earned him a number of Hugo and Nebula awards, which along with a large readership, made him one of the towering figures of the genre. For many years Clarke, Robert Heinlein, and Isaac Asimov were known as the "Big Three" of science fiction.

Clarke was a lifelong proponent of space travel. In 1934, while still a teenager, he joined the British Interplanetary Society. In 1945, he proposed a satellite communication system using geostationary orbits. He was the chairman of the British Interplanetary Society from 1946–1947 and again in 1951–1953.

Clarke emigrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1956, to pursue his interest in scuba diving. That year, he discovered the underwater ruins of the ancient Koneswaram Temple in Trincomalee. Clarke augmented his popularity in the 1980s, as the host of television shows such as Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World. He lived in Sri Lanka until his death.

Clarke was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1989 "for services to British cultural interests in Sri Lanka". He was knighted in 1998 and was awarded Sri Lanka's highest civil honour, Sri Lankabhimanya, in 2005.

Movies for Arthur C. Clarke...

Title: Rendezvous with the Future
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: November 16, 2022
Type: TV
Documentary series exploring the science behind the science fiction of the award-winning writer Liu Cixin, author of "The Three-Body Problem".
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9/11 Alchemy: Facing Reality
Title: 9/11 Alchemy: Facing Reality
Character: Himself
Released: January 1, 2018
Type: Movie
An examination of the evidence surrounding the events of September 11, 2001 that took the lives of thousands of innocent victims, and left our entire planet fundamentally changed. The examination follows the events, evidence, data, and science onward to the use of Directed Energy Weapons and holograms.
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I Saw the Future
Title: I Saw the Future
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: August 31, 2017
Type: Movie
In a dark expanse that could be the cosmos, we hear the voice of Arthur C. Clarke, whose face - taken from a BBC archive dating back to the 1960s - appears in the distance. His features quickly dematerialize into a multitude of shimmering pixels, creating an enveloping and immersive space out of which the thoughts of the famed author of «2001: A Space Odyssey» emerge. At the heart of this spectral environment, and with a magnetic voice sending us back to the time of cathode ray tubes and the golden age of television broadcasting, A C. Clarke tells us about the arrival of digital revolution, decades ahead of his time. This film is an invitation to travel, and a crepuscular form of poetry to be experienced immersively.
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Sky Line
Title: Sky Line
Character: as himself (archive footage)
Released: November 20, 2015
Type: Movie
The concept of an elevator to space is not new. In the world of Arthur C. Clarke, it is a natural progression. What most people don't know is that men and women around the world are working hard to build it right this moment. Some want to solve the energy crisis, some want easier access to raw materials in the solar system, and some just want to travel to space and gaze upon their home planet. For all of them though, the elevator is more than just a science fiction plot, it is a way of life. Discover what happens when egos and passions collide in a quest to build the impossible.
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Title: The Real History of Science Fiction
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: April 19, 2014
Type: TV
The series heads to the very frontiers of space and science to produce the definitive television history of science fiction, told through its impact on cinema, television and literature, with the help of filmmakers, writers, actors, and graphic artists. Each episode will explore one of the enduring themes of science fiction: time travel; the exploration of space; robots and artificial intelligence; and aliens.
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'2001: A Space Odyssey' – What Is Out There?
Title: '2001: A Space Odyssey' – What Is Out There?
Character: Self (archive footage)
Released: October 23, 2007
Type: Movie
Keir Dullea, interspersed with archive clips of Arthur C. Clarke, discusses the probability of extraterrestrial life.
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Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001
Title: Vision of a Future Passed: The Prophecy of 2001
Character: Self
Released: October 23, 2007
Type: Movie
This documentary about "2001: A Space Odyssey" looks at some of the things that seemed fanciful in 1968, which don't seem quite as much anymore.
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To Mars by A-Bomb: The Secret History of Project Orion
Title: To Mars by A-Bomb: The Secret History of Project Orion
Character: Self
Released: March 26, 2003
Type: Movie
Top scientists want to build a nuclear bomb-powered spaceship to visit Mars and the planets.
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2001: The Making of a Myth
Title: 2001: The Making of a Myth
Character: Self
Released: January 13, 2001
Type: Movie
The making of Stanley Kubrick's classic space epic, presented by James Cameron, including unseen footage.
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2001 and Beyond
Title: 2001 and Beyond
Character: Self
Released: January 7, 2001
Type: Movie
Author Arthur C. Clarke and the cast and crew of Stanley Kubrick's 1968 masterpiece "2001: A Space Odyssey" star in this documentary, released in the film's long-anticipated title year. The origins of the production are traced as we see how the early days of the space race influenced Kubrick and Clarke's vision of a far more optimistic 21st century than we've managed to achieve - at least so far.
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Fractals: The Colors Of Infinity
Title: Fractals: The Colors Of Infinity
Character: Himself
Released: November 17, 1995
Type: Movie
Explores the revolutionary world of Fractal Geometry - its far-reaching and often unexpected implications - its powerful and revolutionary applications.
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Without Warning
Title: Without Warning
Character: Self
Released: October 30, 1994
Type: Movie
A television program is interupted by a news network announcing that three meteors have hit the United States, France and China. At first it seems natural but after interviews by scientists and eyewitness seems to suggest that it is not. Three more meteors are coming and the various Earth governments combine forces to stop them.
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Title: Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe
Character: Host
Released: July 15, 1994
Type: TV
Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe was a popular eighteen part television series looking at unexplained phenomena across the universe. It was first broadcast in the United Kingdom by independent television network ITV. It premiered on July 15, 1994. It was the sequel to Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World and Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers. The series is introduced by acclaimed science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in short sequences filmed at his home in Sri Lanka. However, individual episodes are narrated by Carol Vorderman. The series was produced by John Fairley and directed by Peter Jones, Michael Weigall and Charles Flynn.
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God, the Universe and Everything Else
Title: God, the Universe and Everything Else
Character: Himself
Released: January 1, 1988
Type: Movie
In a studio setting, Stephen Hawking, Arthur C. Clarke and Carl Sagan (who joins them via satellite) discuss the Big Bang theory, God, our existence as well as the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
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Title: Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers
Character: Host
Released: April 3, 1985
Type: TV
Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers is a popular thirteen-part British television series looking at strange worlds of the paranormal. It was produced by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network and first broadcast in 1985. It was the sequel to the 1980 series Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World. The series is introduced by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in short sequences filmed at his home in Sri Lanka. Individual episodes are narrated by Anna Ford. The series was produced by John Fairley and directed by Peter Jones, Michael Weigall and Charles Flynn. It was followed by Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe, broadcast in 1994.
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Title: Wogan
Character: Self
Released: May 4, 1982
Type: TV
Wogan is a British television chat show
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Title: Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World
Released: September 2, 1980
Type: TV
Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World is a thirteen part British television series looking at unexplained phenomena from around the world. It was produced by Yorkshire Television for the ITV network and first broadcast in September 1980. Each program is introduced and book-ended by science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke in short sequences filmed in Sri Lanka. The bulk of the episodes are narrated by Gordon Honeycombe. The series was produced by John Fanshawe, John Fairley and directed by Peter Jones, Michael Weigall and Charles Flynn. It also featured a unique soundtrack composed by British artist Alan Hawkshaw. In 1981, Book Club Associates published a hardcover book with the same name, authored by Fairley and Welfare, where the contents of the show were further explored. It featured an introduction written by Clarke as well as his remarks at the end of each chapter or topic. In 1985, a paperback of this book was released by HarperCollins Publishers. The series was followed by Arthur C. Clarke's World of Strange Powers in 1985 and Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe in 1994.
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Title: The Dick Cavett Show
Character: Self - Guest
Released: June 6, 1968
Type: TV
The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.
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'2001: A Space Odyssey' – A Look Behind the Future
Title: '2001: A Space Odyssey' – A Look Behind the Future
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1966
Type: Movie
A short documentary about the making of Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey and its impact on the '60s view of the future.
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Title: Horizon
Released: February 4, 1964
Type: TV
Horizon tells amazing science stories, unravels mysteries and reveals worlds you've never seen before.