The Perfectionist and the Projectionist

Stanley Kubrick on the set of 2001: A Space Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick, one of the great directors in cinema history, was, in the strongest sense of the word, a perfectionist. This you can plainly see by watching any one of his movies. He was relentless in his pursuit of the realization of his vision. It is largely for this reason that just about every movie he made could be considered a masterpiece. Just take a look at this list:

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
The Shining (1980)
Barry Lyndon (1975)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
Lolita (1962)
Spartacus (1960)
Paths of Glory (1957)
The Killing (1956)

All of his movies were controversial, unsettling, and beautiful. The care he took with them shines through in every frame. Here's a great example of that care. This is a letter he wrote to the projectionists at the theaters that would be playing his 1975 classic Barry Lyndon.

He had just created a movie for the ages, and he wanted to make damn sure it was shown to his audiences correctly.

Amazing that a director would do this. That's follow-through for ya.