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Channels Showing Full Widescreen Films
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DVDfever
21-04-2011
Originally Posted by Paddy C:
“I dunno what's going on over at itv but they are showing Mad Max 2 I'm a funny aspect ratio. It's like 2.35:1 but streched vertically to fill the screen! Also the 80's and 90's style holding caption has returned where we get a still of the programmer title screen going into and out of a break instead of the modern animated itv break bumpers! They must be using a real old copy of the film to still have those!”

Which region was that on? It wasn't showing in the Granada region.
Libretio
21-04-2011
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“Which region was that on? It wasn't showing in the Granada region.”

Same here, otherwise I would have listed it in the weekly rundown of 2.35:1 movies. I thought regional programming (for films, anyway) was a thing of the past. Seems not.

Still, if the film was subjected to a vertical squeeze in order to fill a 16:9 frame, that would have benefitted the two people in the UK who have a 21:9 TV set, since they could have 'unsqueezed' it and had a full-resolution CinemaScope image!!...
pad_ehh
21-04-2011
Apologies, I thought it was on all regions. It was broadcast on UTV last night.

Was quite surprised to see the old style of holding caption for going into and returning from a break, let alone the very strange image streching. Surprised no-one noticed during the entire broadcast and corrected it!
DVDfever
21-04-2011
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“Same here, otherwise I would have listed it in the weekly rundown of 2.35:1 movies. I thought regional programming (for films, anyway) was a thing of the past. Seems not.

Still, if the film was subjected to a vertical squeeze in order to fill a 16:9 frame, that would have benefitted the two people in the UK who have a 21:9 TV set, since they could have 'unsqueezed' it and had a full-resolution CinemaScope image!!... ”

Hehe, I remember when we still had analogue, ITV once showing a 16:9 version of X-Men (or the second) with an anamorphic squeeze into a 4:3 image. After a while, it ended up a 14:9 letterbox version, so still not worth watching either way.
Libretio
21-04-2011
More aspect ratio stupidity:

The upcoming DVD and Blu-ray version of Dario Argento's THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE [L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo] will be uncut for the first time in the UK, and will also feature the original mono soundtrack (missing from the US Blue Underground version). But because the HD master was supervised by DP Vittorio Storaro, it's been reframed at 2.00:1 from the original 2.35:1. Given the super-wide framing which exists throughout this film, the results will be nothing short of ruinous (the same master was used for a recent French release, which was slated in every quarter).

Storaro has been flogging this idea of a 'one-size-fits'all' aspect ratio for many years, to the point where he now insists on reframing home video versions of his scope movies that were shot long before his 'Univisium' epiphany. You may remember the cropped APOCALYPSE NOW until it was restored to 2.35 for Blu-ray, or the horrendously cropped version of THE LAST EMPEROR...

The Blue Underground version of TBWTCP is now out of print, and the only version currently in circulation for home video is this cropped travesty. Avoid like the bleedin' plague.

I know this thread is concerned primarily with cropped horrors on TV, but I just thought I'd vent...
DVDfever
21-04-2011
How bad was The Last Emperor, Libretio?
DVDfever
21-04-2011
I know it was mentioned that Lethal Weapon 3 wasn't showing in 2.35:1 on ITV4, but it really is all over the place.

Opening credits in windowboxed 2.35:1, then the very first cut as the pair of them pull up is in correct 2.35:1, then it cuts to 16:9, then it keeps jumping between 16:9 and windowboxed 16:9 with every other cut.

WTF is that all about?!
CJClarke
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“Thanks for the info about LW2. I'll catch a look next time. I'm not sure if that one's still censored over here, but either way, it's a million times better a film than LW3 or 4 where Richard Donner just played them for laughs on purpose and, sadly, just forgot why Mel Gibson's character was actually a "lethal weapon".”

Lethal Weapon 2 and 4 were passed fully uncut with a 15 rating for last years Blu Ray release (number 4 is REALLY violent at the end, i'm not surprised it was cut back in the BBFC's Ferman years). I doubt that ITV will have shelled out for the uncut versions though.
DVDfever
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by CJClarke:
“Lethal Weapon 2 and 4 were passed fully uncut with a 15 rating for last years Blu Ray release (number 4 is REALLY violent at the end, i'm not surprised it was cut back in the BBFC's Ferman years). I doubt that ITV will have shelled out for the uncut versions though.”

I'm trying to remember what happened at the end of 4. Can you put it in a 'spoiler' please? I think I had it erased from my mind after I watched it as it was even worse than No.3.
mike65
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“More aspect ratio stupidity:

The upcoming DVD and Blu-ray version of Dario Argento's THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE [L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo] will be uncut for the first time in the UK, and will also feature the original mono soundtrack (missing from the US Blue Underground version). But because the HD master was supervised by DP Vittorio Storaro, it's been reframed at 2.00:1 from the original 2.35:1.”

The Horror Channel has the rights to this and have shown it only 2:35:1 ratio. Speaking of the minor channels M4M has aquired a job lot of Pasta financed action flicks from the 80s/90s and many of them are being shown in widescreen.
DVDfever
22-04-2011
I just saw, although I get Libretio may point this out later too, that the Indiana Jones quadrilogy (is that a word?) is being shown across BBC3 all weekend from tonight until Monday, but while most of the films are starting at or around 7pm (the last one gets bumped for 5 mins for some pointless Robert Webb filler), but Temple of Doom starts at 9pm tomorrow. Wonder if it'll be uncut?
Libretio
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“How bad was The Last Emperor, Libretio?”

Bad enough to cause a LOT of online debate when Criterion in the US announced it for Blu-ray treatment, only to compromise the whole thing by announcing it had been reframed to 2.00:1 under Storaro's supervision. Because he had personally sanctioned this ratio, it was seen as 'definitive', whereas many people who had seen the film theatrically knew that it was nothing of the sort.

Storaro is revered as one of the great cinematographers of all time, and that's fair enough. And he's been shooting in the 'Univisium' ratio for many years (EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING was shot that way, but the studio refused to release it at 2.00:1 and cropped it to 2.35:1 for theatrical and home video). The problem is that Storaro insists on reframing his older titles - shot LONG before his Univisium obsession - for home video, on the principle that 2.35:1 is too small for TV. Clearly, he hasn't been into his local Curry's or Comet recently! It's a disgraceful state of affairs which gives a lie to the myth that filmmakers and their collaborators should always be the final arbiter of how a film should 'look' and 'feel'.

Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“I just saw, although I get Libretio may point this out later too, that the Indiana Jones quadrilogy (is that a word?) is being shown across BBC3 all weekend from tonight until Monday, but while most of the films are starting at or around 7pm (the last one gets bumped for 5 mins for some pointless Robert Webb filler), but Temple of Doom starts at 9pm tomorrow. Wonder if it'll be uncut?”

I very much doubt it. For some reason, Spielberg refuses to sanction the uncut version for UK release (it would probably get a 12), even for Blu-ray, so we'll be VERY lucky if the BBC runs an unmolested print...
Libretio
22-04-2011
2.35:1 movies across the Freeview platform next week (23 - 29 April):

Though Channel 4 is usually very good about screening films at their original ratio, there's a couple of titles in next week's listings which have had a rocky road across the C4 platform. 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS was heavily promoted as a big art-house premiere a few months ago, but was broadcast several times at a cropped 1.78:1 ratio. Hopefully they've sourced a 'scope print for next week's transmission. Similarly, ENEMY AT THE GATES and BORN FREE have played many times cropped to 1.78:1, which is rather baffling. And RAT RACE plays at 2.35:1 on every C4 station except Film4, where it's routinely cropped to 1.78:1 - though not always. These are the mysteries which challenge us throughout life...

The BBC's big drama of the week is UNITED, and trailers for that one have been framed at 2.35:1 (the film has played theatrically at festivals outside the UK). I haven't been able to confirm the intended ratio, and even if it's broadcast on BBC 2 at 1.78:1, it could STILL have been intended for 2.35:1 presentation. All I know is that it was shot in HD format on the new Arri Alexa cameras, which are said to replicate a very film-like image (I'll believe it when I see it on an HD channel). Because of the uncertainty over the film's OAR, I haven't listed it below.


• 4 MONTHS, 3 WEEKS AND 2 DAYS [4 Luni, 3 Saptamini si 2 Zile] (Film4)

• AMELIE FROM MONTMARTRE [Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amιlie Poulain] (Film4)

• BIGGER THAN LIFE (Film4)
• BORN FREE (More4)
• BREAKDOWN (ITV 4)
• BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (More4)

• CASANOVA (BBC 1)
• CONAN THE DESTROYER (ITV 4)
• 'CROCODILE' DUNDEE (E4)
• THE CRYING GAME (Film4)

• THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Film4)
• DOCTOR DOLITTLE (More4) [2.21:1]
• DOGMA (Film4)
• DOGTOOTH [Kynodontas] (Film4)
• DRIVEN (5USA)

• ENEMY AT THE GATES (More4)

• FERRIS BUELLER'S DAY OFF (Film4)
• FIGHT CLUB (Film4)
• FIREFOX (5USA)

• GENGHIS KHAN (Channel 5)
• GHOST BUSTERS (Channel 5)
• THE GOONIES (5Star)

• HERO [Ying Xiong] (Film4)
• HOOK (Channel 5)
• HOPE SPRINGS (BBC 1)
• THE HOUSE OF MIRTH (Film4)
• HUD (Film4)

• INDEPENDENCE DAY (Film4)
• INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL (BBC 3)
• INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (BBC 3)
• INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (BBC 3)
• THE IRON GIANT (Film4)

• JUMPER (C4)

• KANCHIVARAM (C4)
• KING OF KINGS (Channel 5) [2.21:1]

• L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (Film4)
• THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS (5USA)
• LETHAL WEAPON 4 (ITV 4)

• THE MISSING (5USA)
• MISSION TO MARS (ITV 4)

• NANNY McPHEE (ITV 1)
• THE NEVERENDING STORY [Die Unendliche Geschichten] (ITV 2)
• NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (Film4)

• THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST (More4)
• PRIDE & PREJUDICE (ITV 3)

• QUEEN OF THE DAMNED (ITV 4)

• RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (BBC 3)
• RAT RACE (E4)

• SEXY BEAST (Film4)
• SMOKIN' ACES (ITV 4)
• STAR TREK: NEMESIS (E4)
• STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN [Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan] (Film4)
• SWORD OF SHERWOOD FOREST (C4)

• TANGO & CASH (ITV 4)
• THE THIN RED LINE (Film4)
• TMNT (5Star)
• TOP GUN (Film4)
Libretio
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by mike65:
“The Horror Channel has the rights to this and have shown it only 2:35:1 ratio. Speaking of the minor channels M4M has aquired a job lot of Pasta financed action flicks from the 80s/90s and many of them are being shown in widescreen.”

Mike, does The Horror Channel broadcast in 16:9 or 4:3? I'd love to see many of the Italian exploitation titles screening on those minor channels, but I don't have access to them. Shame.
DVDfever
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“I very much doubt it. For some reason, Spielberg refuses to sanction the uncut version for UK release (it would probably get a 12), even for Blu-ray, so we'll be VERY lucky if the BBC runs an unmolested print...”

What's his problem with that? I didn't realise that was the case. He's just joined Storraro and James Cameron (for his weird aspect ratio opinions) in the 'dumbass' camp.
jzee
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“Mike, does The Horror Channel broadcast in 16:9 or 4:3? I'd love to see many of the Italian exploitation titles screening on those minor channels, but I don't have access to them. Shame.”

It does broadcast anamorphic (when it is not 4:3 as in the Hellraiser series:sleep, the res is only 544 x 576 though.
Libretio
22-04-2011
Originally Posted by jzee:
“It does broadcast anamorphic (when it is not 4:3 as in the Hellraiser series:sleep, the res is only 544 x 576 though.”

In other words, the channel is set-up for 16:9, but it gets some of its titles from the VHS bargain bin at Poundstretcher. A bit like Channel 5. Thanks for that, jzee.

Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“What's his problem with that? I didn't realise that was the case. He's just joined Storraro and James Cameron (for his weird aspect ratio opinions) in the 'dumbass' camp.”

I have no idea what's up with that. When Temple of Doom was released theatrically in the US with a PG rating, it caused a huge stink from parents who felt it was too violent for a film with broad audience appeal, and it was one of the titles (along with POLTERGEIST and GREMLINS, both of them also rated PG in the States) which eventually led to the establishment of a PG-13 rating, to bridge the yawning gap between the PG and the R. When it came to the UK, BBFC head honcho James Ferman - notoriously lenient with Spielberg's films - insisted on cuts for a PG certificate (the 12 didn't exist at the time, and wouldn't be introduced until 1989). Spielberg clearly felt that a 15 certificate would be too commercially restrictive, so he was forced to concede the issue, and it's that version which has circulated in the UK ever since.

It's ridiculous, because nowadays the material would be covered by the 12 rating, and Paramount could rake in some extra cash by re-releasing it on home video ("Uncut on DVD for the first time in the UK!").
pad_ehh
22-04-2011
Lethal Weapon 4 is in 2.35:1 now on ITV 4. Wonder why Lethal Weapon 3 wasn't
Libretio
23-04-2011
Originally Posted by Paddy C:
“Lethal Weapon 4 is in 2.35:1 now on ITV 4. Wonder why Lethal Weapon 3 wasn't”

You beat me to it, Paddy!

Also, THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS was screened at 2.35:1 on 5USA. Sadly, anyone wanting to WIN A DATE WITH TAD HAMILTON! on BBC 1 had to make do with only two-thirds of Tad's gorgeousness. It's a crap-shoot (accent on the 'crap'), and no mistake!
CJClarke
24-04-2011
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“I'm trying to remember what happened at the end of 4. Can you put it in a 'spoiler' please? I think I had it erased from my mind after I watched it as it was even worse than No.3.”

I actually quite like them for what they are. They might not be true to the original film, but they're decent entertaining action movies (and much better than some of the guff that passes for action movies today). Anyway, here's the spoiler you asked for:

Spoiler
It was just a fight scene between Mel Gibson, Danny Glover and Jet Li at some docks. The difference between the cut version and the uncut version is quite striking. There's some pretty gruesome stuff, particularly the bit when Gibson stabs a pole through Jet Li's stomach and then starts pulling him around with it, which was pretty much entirely excised from the cut version. The BBFC cut it by over a minute, and most of the cuts were to that scene.

Other cuts included a few scenes of Jet Li strangling people where the camera lingered on the victims struggling for air, and a few other scenes involving martial arts.
DVDfever
24-04-2011
Originally Posted by CJClarke:
“I actually quite like them for what they are. They might not be true to the original film, but they're decent entertaining action movies (and much better than some of the guff that passes for action movies today). Anyway, here's the spoiler you asked for:”

Thanks very much for the info.

I think the worst scene in that film, involved a shootout in a mechanics garage (if I remember that correctly), with bullets flying all over the place, but Riggs and Murtaugh quickly duck out the way and manage to hide for a while, as if it's just for the sake of convenience. It all seemed very badly directled and just helped increase my boredom with the film.

Plus, the worst thing about 3 & 4 was Rene Russo. My god, was there ever a worse actress? Freejack is one of my favourite films and she could just about get away with being dopey in that, but please, no more!
Libretio
25-04-2011
As it turned out, UNITED was, indeed, broadcast at 2.35:1.

Sadly, RAT RACE was cropped to 1.78:1 on E4, while MISSION TO MARS was 2.35:1 on ITV 4.
pad_ehh
26-04-2011
IIRC Ghostbusters was in HD on Channel 5 yesterday but was cropped..
mattyb
26-04-2011
Originally Posted by CJClarke:
“I actually quite like them for what they are. They might not be true to the original film, but they're decent entertaining action movies (and much better than some of the guff that passes for action movies today). Anyway, here's the spoiler you asked for:

Spoiler
It was just a fight scene between Mel Gibson, Danny Glover and Jet Li at some docks. The difference between the cut version and the uncut version is quite striking. There's some pretty gruesome stuff, particularly the bit when Gibson stabs a pole through Jet Li's stomach and then starts pulling him around with it, which was pretty much entirely excised from the cut version. The BBFC cut it by over a minute, and most of the cuts were to that scene.

Other cuts included a few scenes of Jet Li strangling people where the camera lingered on the victims struggling for air, and a few other scenes involving martial arts.
”

TCM showed this uncut last night. This film was badly cut for the UK. Why they didn't opt for an 18 cert at the time is beyond me especially as the first two were 18 certs. Actually, LW2 was a 15 cert at cinemas then changed to 18 on video.
DVDfever
26-04-2011
Originally Posted by mattyb:
“TCM showed this uncut last night. This film was badly cut for the UK. Why they didn't opt for an 18 cert at the time is beyond me especially as the first two were 18 certs. Actually, LW2 was a 15 cert at cinemas then changed to 18 on video.”

Director Richard Donner made the decision to make 3 & 4 more of a knockabout comedy rather than have any form of seriousness in them. Hence, they completely forgot about why Riggs was a 'Lethal Weapons' in the first place and it all went downhill from there.

Adding Rene Russo just added to the problems and too much Joe Pesci didn't help either.
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