Indeed it was. If you missed it and would like to catch up, it's repeated on C5 on Sunday. And no, it isn't really as bad as everyone makes out...

Showing at 4.45pm, and it being a 12, what will they cut? I haven't seen it before so I don't know if it's just a single f-word like a lot of US "PG-13" films.

I haven't watched it in a while, but I believe there's one F-word in the PG-13 version and a few more in the R-rated director's cut. Some of the battle scenes are pretty intense, too, and bits may be trimmed here and there, but nothing too distracting. Of course, I'd prefer the whole film to be shown intact, but this is C5 we're talking about, so I'll stop being silly...

According to the BBFC website it contains "scenes of intense battle action and trauma"; there's no mention of "one use of strong language". http://www.bbfc.co.uk/BFF164003/

I'd be surprised if it was cut; it's not exactly the sort of film that's going to appeal to children.

I'll have to presume, even though it doesn't state it on the page below, that it's the PG-13 version we have over here (I still haven't got round to seeing it) as 12-cert films generally only allow a maximum or 2 or 3 f-words, with the exception of the King's Speech which had several but they were all within "a speech therapy context" so were allowed.


They have to comply with Ofcom, sadly.

I hate the watershed. It looks like the kind of thing that would work best on a Sunday afternoon like a lot of war films, but they have to cut things to make them PG-friendly.

Radio has no watershed, so Radio 4 has even had the odd Sunday afternoon drama with f-words in when there would've been no other time suitable for the broadcast in terms of gaining an audience.

Channel 5 have been getting better at airing films uncut. Taladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (originally rated 12) was aired uncut at 1PM on a saturday. However, the only language used were a few 'P*** Off's and one or two 'S***'s.

I may have misremembered the F-word situation with regards to the PG-13 edition of PEARL HARBOR (What? Me? Make a mistake? Impossible, sez I!... ), since the R-rated version does contain the odd smattering of verbal toiletry, along with some extra violence (including a memorably fake-looking severed head) during the main attack sequence. There's only about 40 seconds worth of difference between the two prints.


Yes, the R-rated print has never been submitted to the BBFC, not even for Blu-ray release, which is a shame. However, bonus material (production diaries, effects overviews, etc.) for an unreleased director's cut has been classified by the BBFC, so I don't understand why Disney/Buena Vista haven't gone the whole hog and released the full version.

Love that phrase


Are they on the Blu-ray themselves, or were they just submitted and then it's the case that no director's cut has actually turned up?

I have the Blu-ray edition (but no bloody player on which to play the damn thing!) which is, of course, the same 12-rated print we've seen before. Apart from a music video, none of the stuff billed on the BBFC site as director's cut bonus material is included. So it looks like you were right - the extras were submitted, only to find themselves with nowhere to land, since the director's cut has yet to surface on these shores. It hasn't been released in the US, either, except on DVD.

I've got a French dvd release of Pearl Harbour which I bought in Paris,it's a four disc edition in a leather-look binder with the film split across two discs plus two discs of extras. Not sure which print it is though.

Sounds like the director's cut to me, since my US DVD version comes in exactly the kind of packaging you describe, with the film itself split over two discs.

Is it any wonder some people are complaining that 3-D on Blu-ray is dead in the water? It isn't, but the price structure will undoubtedly cause many potential customers to bypass the 3-D version, thereby skewing the figures.

Take Amazon, for example: The 2-D DVD version of FRIGHT NIGHT goes on sale in the UK today at £9.99. The 2-D BR version goes on sale at a whopping £15.99. But the 3-D version goes out for an even whopping-er £17.99!! They've provided separate 2-D and 3-D versions in the same package, thereby allowing the distribs to 'justify' the obscene price hike (some also include DVD and a digital copy), which is ridiculous, since the 3-D print will play in 2-D on a player not equipped for stereoscopic playback. Absolutely bloody disgraceful.

(Unless otherwise indicated, all films in the following list were projected at 2.35:1 prior to 1971, and at 2.39:1 thereafter)


Scope and 3-D films released on UK Blu-ray (20 - 26 February):

• BEST LAID PLANS (2012)
• DEMONS NEVER DIE (2011)
• FRIGHT NIGHT (2011) [3-D] [1.85:1]
• THE INSECT WOMAN [にっぽん昆虫記] (1963) [Nikkatsuscope]
• NISHI GINZA STATION [西銀座駅前] (1958) [Nikkatsuscope]
• REAL STEEL (2011)
• THERE BE DRAGONS (2011)
• WARRIOR (2011)


Scope and 3-D films released on US Blu-ray (21 - 27 February):

• 5 STAR DAY (2011)
• J. EDGAR (2011) [Panavision]
• MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (2011)
• PUSS IN BOOTS (2011) [3-D]
• THE SON OF NO ONE (2011)
• TOWER HEIST (2011) [Panavision / Hawk Scope]
• WAR OF THE ARROWS [Arrow: The Ultimate Weapon] [최종병기 활 (活)] (2011)
• ZAAT (1974) [Techniscope]

Well, anyone who buys something in the week it comes out, unless it's a Limited Edition that will soon sell out, is a nutter. Give it 3 months tops and it'll be in the bargain bins.

Are there separate discs in the package? I got the 3D version of the last Resident Evil film for review, didn't realise at the time that I needed a 3D TV and player for it (just assumed I could use anaglyph glasses) but the 2D version was on the same disc. Either way, it will be two separate versions, it won't be a case that one can downconvert to the other, as far as I know.

At the kind of price-level we're talking about, I think 'nutter' is exactly the word I'd use! But my argument is more about the h-u-g-e disparity between the DVD and BR prices for 3-D films, and how unnecessary extra stuff is packed into these releases to (partially) justify that disparity.


For some reason, a small handful of 3-D BR's are programmed to play in 3-D only and will not playback in 2-D on players not equipped for stereoscopy. But the vast majority will indeed downconvert to 2-D, since they're capable of reading only the left or right frame at 24 fps (or something - my grasp of the tech details is tenuous at best!). But distribs still insist on including 3-D and 2-D versions on separate discs for some films, along with a DVD and a digital copy. This is overkill, and leads to the kind of egregious* price hike I'm bitching about.

* You can tell I'm pissed off - the posh words are coming out now...

Are you sure they don't just put both versions on the same disc, and the player realises it can't play the 3D version, so goes for the 2D?

As for the separate discs, that's just laziness. They print off X number of each and stick them all in the package.

I can see how a DVD included could be useful, but WHO uses a digital copy?


Ooh, wash your mouth out. You won't see me using words like piss. Or flange. Or wankel rotary engine.

As I understand it, the player can simply read a 24fps version of the film (rather than the higher frame-rate version employed for 3-D), reading only the left- or right-eye images for a 2-D presentation. There's a complex tech explanation, but I'm not sure of the exact details. I have plenhty of 3-D discs whose packaging clearly states something along the lines of: "Plays in 2-D too!"


You should hear some of the lucking fanguage I use when I'm really angry. It's a munt, and no cistake...

Ah, I always assumed they had to be separate versions. I stand erected.


Ow, my freaking ears!

Oohh-errr.........

Couldn't agree more. If this discussion is going to descend into the gutter, I'm taking my computer and having it off!...

Anyone interested in having virtually the entire history of widescreen cinema at their disposal may be interested in the scope filmography recently updated at the American Widescreen Museum website. This includes everything from all four corners of the globe, and while it doesn't promise to include absolutely everything ever produced in the 'scope' format, it makes a good start on it, and new entries are being included on an almost daily basis. As follows:

Scope Filmography: 1922 - Present Day

Check out the rest of the AWSM site, for a detailed history of scope cinematography, from its early days through to the 1960's, and the innovations which made this format such a commercial draw in days gone by. Fascinating stuff!

Updates and corrections for the scope filmog at the following blog:

Scope Filmog: Updates and Corrections

Tell your friends!

Just had a quick look, good work! And you have mail...

Ta very glad! The info is there to be used and enjoyed, so - use! enjoy!

And you will soon be having mail in return...

(Unless otherwise indicated, all films in the following list were projected at 2.35:1 prior to 1971, and at 2.39:1 thereafter)


Scope and 3-D movies across the Freeview platform for the coming week (25 February - 2 March):


Saturday (25 February)

• 55 DAYS AT PEKING (5 USA) [Super Technirama 70] [2.21:1]
• CASINO ROYALE (ITV 1) [Panavision]
• CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (5 USA) [Panavision]
• DAY OF THE EVIL GUN (C5) [Panavision]
• END OF DAYS (Film 4)
• FANTASTIC FOUR (Film 4)
• I, ROBOT (E4)
• JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (Film 4) [Fusion 3-D] [1.85:1]
• THE MUMMY (ITV 2) [Panavision]
• NANNY McPHEE (ITV 1)
• NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 [Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian] (C4)
• NO ESCAPE (Film 4) [J-D-C Scope]
• PAYBACK (ITV 2)
• ROMEO MUST DIE (Viva)
• THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING (Film 4)
• SHOOTER (C4) [Panavision]
• TRUE ROMANCE (5 USA) [Panavision]
• WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS... (Film 4)


Sunday (26 February)

• BUNNY & THE BULL (Film 4)
• CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (5 USA) [Panavision]
• CUTTHROAT ISLAND (Film 4) [Panavision / Technovision]
• DIRTY HARRY (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• THE GOLDEN COMPASS (Film 4)
• THE HOUSE BUNNY (C5)
• I AM LEGEND (ITV 2) [Panavision]
• IRON MAN (Film 4)
• KISS THEM FOR ME (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• LITTLE MANHATTAN (Film 4)
• MAXIMUM RISK (C5)
• MIDWAY (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• THE MUMMY RETURNS (ITV 2) [Panavision]
• THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES (C5) [Panavision]
• POINT BLANK (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• SUDDEN DEATH (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• TERMINAL VELOCITY (ITV 1)


Monday (27 February)

• THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Film 4)
• DIRTY HARRY (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• ELECTION [1999] (Film 4)
• MAGNUM FORCE (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• OCEAN'S TWELVE (ITV 2)


Tuesday (28 February)

• BATTLE CRY (C4) [CinemaScope] [2.55:1]
• G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA (Film 4) [Panavision]
• HIDE AND SEEK (Film 4)
• THE LAST SAMURAI (5 USA) [Panavision]
• MAGNUM FORCE (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• PAYBACK (ITV 2)


Wednesday (29 February)

• BE KIND REWIND (5*) [J-D-C Scope]
• DREAMGIRLS (Film 4)
• ELEKTRA (E4) [Panavision]
• THE ENFORCER (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• HAIRSPRAY (Film 4)
• JAWS III [Jaws 3-D] (ITV 1) [ArriVision (3-D)]
• NED KELLY (ITV 4)


Thursday (1 March)

• THE BARBARIAN AND THE GEISHA (More 4) [CinemaScope] [2.55:1]
• HELLFIGHTERS (C4) [Panavision]
• THE KINGDOM (ITV 4)
• PALE RIDER (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• THE SEEKER: THE DARK IS RISING (Film 4)
• SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (ITV 3)
• SPACE COWBOYS (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• THE TRANSPORTER [Le Transporteur] (C5)
• WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS... (Film 4)


Friday (2 March)

• EDEN LAKE (ITV 4)
• ELECTION [黑社會] (2005) (C4) [Technovision]
• THE GAUNTLET (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• GHOSTBUSTERS II (5*) [Panavision]
• THE GOLDEN COMPASS (Film 4)
• HARD CANDY (BBC 2)
• THE HAUNTING (BBC 1) [Panavision]
• I, ROBOT (E4)
• WATCHMEN (Film 4)
• X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (Film 4)

It's always surprising what comes out of the woodwork. A 1965 UK potboiler called 'Mozambique', which has to my knowledge (since avidly poring over TV listings since 1991) never been shown on UK TV; nor have I have ever even picked up on its actual existence, from the innumerable cinema-themed books and film review guides I've delved into over the years; is currently showing on Movies4Men in 2.35:1! It's not even as if it's had a recent UK DVD release (as testified by the BBFC website), to which screenings of rarer titles are usually accounted for.

Such an underrated film. Not perfect, but better than the reception it got.


Is this normally shown in 4:3, from memory?


And has this ever been shown by them properly? (I doubt it)