When was Stanley Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut' filmed?

'Eyes Wide Shut' was filmed over approximately 400 days, with production beginning in 1996 and concluding shortly before Kubrick's death in March 1999.

What is the significance of the 'fidelio' password in 'Eyes Wide Shut'?

The password 'fidelio' is an in-joke referencing Beethoven's opera of the same name, which was the only opera Beethoven ever wrote and is a symbol of freedom and faithfulness.

Why did Stanley Kubrick film 'Eyes Wide Shut' in the UK?

Stanley Kubrick relocated to the UK, where he found an environment more conducive to working at his own pace and with greater creative freedom compared to Hollywood.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut': 4K Restoration Revives Erotic Odyssey

Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut': 4K Restoration Revives Erotic Odyssey

24 Nov, 2025

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Summary

New 4K restoration of Kubrick's final film is now available.
Cinematographer Larry Smith supervised the visual enhancements.
Original criticisms cited its avant-garde nature and long takes.

Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut': 4K Restoration Revives Erotic Odyssey

Stanley Kubrick's 1999 film "Eyes Wide Shut" has been revitalized with a new 4K restoration, now available for home viewing. Director of photography Larry Smith meticulously supervised the transfer, aiming to present the film as Kubrick originally intended, correcting past technical and visual issues.

The erotic mystery, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, faced a challenging production and initial critical inconsistency. Audiences expecting a more conventional hypersexualized narrative were met with Kubrick's signature long takes and ambiguous themes, leading to varied responses and a $162 million domestic box office against a $65 million budget.

Now, this definitive Criterion Collection release allows a re-evaluation of "Eyes Wide Shut." The restoration addresses color-grading discrepancies and technical flaws from previous releases, offering a visually superior experience that solidifies its status as one of Kubrick's most profound and enduring works.