Original artwork, not a still
I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that.
— 2001: A Space Odyssey ‧ 1968
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
HAL does not shout or threaten; he apologises, which is far more chilling than rage. The phrase has become the all-purpose way to say a machine is refusing you, and it is the one 2001 line people quote without having seen the film. Writers of voice assistants, chatbots and sci-fi parody have all borrowed its soft, regretful refusal for decades.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for 2001: A Space OdysseyShow the scene
In Stanley Kubrick's 1968 film, Dave Bowman, stuck outside the Discovery One in an EVA pod with the body of crewmate Frank Poole, begs HAL to open the pod bay doors. HAL, the ship's supposedly infallible computer, finally answers in the same unhurried voice he has used all film. He says he is sorry, then calmly adds that he cannot do it and explains why: he knows from lip-reading that Bowman and Poole planned to disconnect him. The part was voiced by Douglas Rain, who recorded HAL's lines in about a day and a half and who replaced Martin Balsam in post-production.
Sources (3)
- Wikiquote: 2001: A Space Odyssey (film)Dialogue between Dave and HALReference checked
- Wikipedia: 2001: A Space Odyssey (film)PlotReference checked
- Wikipedia: HAL 9000Development and AppearancesReference checked
Context reviewed
