Matrix, The Easter Egg - 303

In the field of electronic music, the number 303 holds a very special place in the hearts of many. It's the name of the mystical silver box that almost defines many genres of electronica. The Roland TB-303 baseline synthesizer. You can hear the sounds of the 303 in the soundtrack, and see the number pop up throughout the movie. It's Neo's apartment number, and the apartment number where Neo's exit is located near the end of the movie. It's where he frees his mind and sends the agents running scared. I don't think it's any coincidence that the little silver box is linked to such a profound scene in the movie. The pill box also happens to be a little silver box. Draw your own conclusions.

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Contributed By: dilvish on 09-07-1999
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Comments

daneo99 writes:
Although most of this is correct, Neo's appartment number is not 303, it is 101. Also, the room that Neo finally exits is also the room that Trinity is in, in the scene "Trinity in a jam".
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op writes:
You're both right, the first time it's shown it is 303, the second time it is 101. Both are the "magical boxes" I love made by Roland. The 101, however, is more of a starter's keyboard. I'm glad i'm not the only one who noticed the numbers, I got shhh'd when I said 303 out loud in the theatre when I first saw it. (Darn stuck up ppl!)
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rnt1 writes:
Well you guys are quick on the drug innuendos (please don't comment on my spelling ...I already know about it) Now, yes the blue and red pills, and the reference to mascaline hmmm? All the bible similarities? Now think about all the references to music and computer systems....and you missed one reference The KORG Trinity???? common gear-heads(synth musicans). Now you think that there is some kinda connection to a higher plain of reality? Hmmm, I wonder if the trying to insinuate that techno-pop culture will be the next religious type revolution? I will leave that to you to decide!!!!
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me writes:
i dont know about any of the other stuff...but on track 9 of the matrix soundtrack, the song deftones - my own summer (shove it)...well, the dj (frank delgado (sp?)) uses that 303 thing (ive heard). i duno if thats true...but its what ive heard a while ago...before the movie.
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The room 101 ref. is probably a call back to 1984... the interrigation room is 101....
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Squiffy writes:
Oh, come on... 101 is used in lots of movies. Doesn't mean it's linked. It's just a plain common room number. Nothing more. Don't try to read conspiracy into something that isn't there. I suppose the 303 thing could be real... dunno.
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Gish writes:
Hi people, The movie, "The Matrix" was filmed in Melbourne Australia. The "303" or "101" refers to 303 or 101 Collins street in the City (C.B.D.) of Melbourne I think it is 303 as 101 is a major shopping complex. 303 It is (apparently.. don't quote me on this one..) the B.H.P. building. There is also a Commonwealth Bank logo sitting in one of the windows as "Neo" walks down the "street". The Commonwealth Bank of Australia is a major banking corporation here in Australia. But don't tell anyone I told you, right? :)
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kelley writes:
I think any connection to keyboards and the matrix is a stretch. Nearly all models of electronics have a number associated with them. The odds of a number in a movie matching up to model number of a product are nearly 100% 101 is just a common number. I would say the fact that it is the same as the room in 1984 might be an egg. "Trinity" is an obvious bible reference that goes along with all of the other bible references in the movie.
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B5 Fan writes:
Also, Trinity refers to "3" and 101 time 3 is 303.
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joshualockey writes:
I happen to be a friend of a well-known Chicago DJ,(who will remain nameless) He's a good friend of the Wachowski bros. He said that they put the numbers in there as little qwerks for their friends to enjoy.(TB-303 & SH-101 owners/users/afficianados/producers) Also, notice that all the street names are from Chicago? Check out the fact that the "Blind Guy" gives Morpheus a "heads-up" when they go see the "Oracle" Laters, Josh
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astrix writes:
I forgot it was either in Keyboard magazine or Future music, but way before the matrix came out there was a tiny blip about it and mentioned the use of famous and classic synth names, being used in the movie. I'll look for the article and give month and issue number.
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TRiNiTY writes:
First of all to Squiffy, who obviously doesn't realise the diversity and deep content to the Wachowski Brother's writing. As other people have assured, all numbers have significance, as does the majority of other elements in the movie, even the smallest of details. Secondly to Gish, who doesn't seem to have any idea about the making of the Matrix. The Matrix was filmed in Sydney, not Melbourne, at the newly completely Fox Studios. The Matrix was the first film to be produced on the brand new facility.
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Rincewind writes:
I don't know. I just don't find the synth stuff all that compelling an explanation. If one were to *insist* on reading the room numbers as meaningful, it would probably make more sense to view them as representative of the characters they signify when they appear in the film. At the beginning of the film, Trinity is in room 303 (Trinity = 3), and Neo's apartment number is 101 (Neo, "The One" = 1). But even this seems a bit like reading too much into a detail. Then again, I'm only ever convinced by eggs when they're VERY compelling. Occam's Razor is your friend... :)
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pat303 writes:
Hi 303 'n matrix lovers! I'm happy, I think I found an other egg nobody have been talking about yet, about this wonderful god-machine that is the tb303.... In fact, at the end of the movie, after Neo does its phone call that f***-ups all the matrix (we see its code freeze on the screen), when the numbers freeze and get bigger on the screen, we see wonderful 3o3 number getting bigger n bigger on the screen, close of the middle... It's easy to see! have fun with eggz!!! pat303
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Joe Conlin writes:
303 is a number that can only be in reference to that analog bass machine. if it were to symbolize the trinity, it would have been a 3. If the creators decided to put a 303 because of the synth, then i don't see why they wouldn't put the 101 for the same reason. anyways, they should have made the number 106 is you ask me ;)
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I found this amazing egg on the American DVD version of the Matrix!! :) In the scene where Neo must choose "the red pill or the blue pill", a reflection of the number 303 flashes several times on Morpheus's glasses!! I did some research, (my uncle works for Village Roadshow Pictures), and I found out that 303 and 101 are references to the company that designed the suit that all the agents wear in the film. On the tag it says 101-303(if you have zooming capabilities you can zoom in on the suit jacket's tag when it is hanging on the chair in the scene where the agents are trying to "crack" Morpheus), these numbers refers to the percentage of how much cotton and polyester were used in the making of the suits!! Pretty cool, huh? P.S-Ironically the retail prices of the original suits (on eBay) range from 101 dollars to 303 dollars!!!
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grammar writes:
Not to mention the references to the E-mu Morpheus synthesizer, and the Matrix line of Oberheim synths...
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RR writes:
In reference to the number 3, the scene in the subway where Neo fights agent Smith, the pillar (or platform #) is 3. Each time they move around, they end up back at the 3 platform. It is the only number you can see of any platforms and isn't in a state of disrepair though the others get shot up in the beginning of the scene.
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Travisimo writes:
Just to let all of you Matrix freaks (like me) out there know, there were several instances in this flick that referred to dreams. Most of you know that. But how many of you know that Morpheus is actually the Greek God of Dreams??? I did a lot of researching and that is what it came to...plus, I have been reading some entries on how the matrix might be referring to the Bible....that may be so, but I think it could refer to the Revolutionary War instead, or just as much. If you take the same concept; "undergrounds" fighting for their lives against a cruel government known as the Matrix. I'm not sure, but it could be logical...
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Signal writes:
Notice: Roland even HAS a synth called EG-101 (I own one.). It has quite good things like: D-beam, Sampler, lot's of sounds etc. But still 303 and 101 are quite often used, I don't know why...
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Qador writes:
just realised after reading some of these easter eggs that "NEO" is a anagram of "ONE" thought this appropriate as no "ONE" seems to have written it here
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Cheezit2000 writes:
Not to mention "2 + 2 = 5." 101 is 5 in binary.
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To Mark, who commented on the egg "Unlikely Savior": Choi: "Hallelujah! You're my Saviour, man! My own personal Jesus Christ." Neo: "Hey, (if) you get caught using that..." Choi: "I know. You don't exist." Neo: "...Right." I could recite the rest of the movie if you want. ---KMeTG
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ramlambmoo writes:
Ugh people,...... 303 is a famous hacker group. So obviously all the references to 303 are because the characters in the movie are hackers fighting against the machines and against the matrix. Its obviously a little hard to get information on hackers but i am 99.9% certain there is a group called 303.
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b0ck2futur3 writes:
Neo's apartment number is 101, symbolizing both computer code (written in 1s and 0s) and his role as "the One." Near the end of the film, 303 is the number of the apartment that he enters and exits in his death / resurrection scene, evoking the Trinity. This in turn raises questions about the character of Trinity's relationship to Neo in terms of her cinematic construction as divinity.
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Freeza Frost writes:
the trinity is pagan is origin. the trinity isn't in the bible. evil techno queers! 101 and 303 are just numbers! i bet those keyboards are expensiive!
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D-503 writes:
I would like to point out that the number 303 has appeared in many movies and other forms of media, always signifying a turning point for the characters. It shows up in Akira, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Terminator 3, a Garth Ennis comic book, an episode of Millennium, and a bunch of other sources it would take me a few minutes to remember, but one other place I just thought of is the library. 303 is the section used for religious iconography and certain sociology studies at more than one library I have visited. www.303labs.org is the site for the 303 hackers that were mentioned in someone's comments here. But I warn you, it is very hard to get anything from the site. I call out to anyone who reads this to please help me find out the importance of this number. Because it's something much more major than a synthesizer or some other quaint explaination. E-mail me with your findings. Thank You.
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koira writes:
The hacker group is called "303" because most of them live in Denver, CO. Denver's area code is 303.
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wtever writes:
Did anyone notice... 101 x 3 = 303 =)
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