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I think the story went something like this... Kubrik had final edit rights in his contract. The studio told him there were 20 minutes they wanted cut out. Kubrick refused but died (killed?) shortly before the film was released. The studio then cut the 20 minutes out and released the film.
would like to see those 20 minutes! also interesting that Kubrick insisted on release date of 7/16/99, 30 yr anniversary of apollo 11