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Channels Showing Full Widescreen Films
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mike65
24-02-2012
Originally Posted by Grabid Rannies:
“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.”

They bagged a job lot of Harry Allen Towers flicks
Libretio
25-02-2012
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“Is this normally shown in 4:3, from memory?”

Absolutely! I'm hoping Film 4 make a better job of it, but I'm not holding my breath.

Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“And has this ever been shown by them properly? (I doubt it)”

You're right to doubt. I've never seen this broadcast at the original ratio. In fact, I think C5's version is only 4:3...

Just rented DRACULA: PRISONER OF FRANKENSTEIN [Dracula contra Frankenstein], a 1972 Jess Franco pic, released here by Tartan Video. Sadly, thecompany was only able to source a cropped 1.78:1 version. And I know they tried to get better materials, given the cult movie specialists listed in the DVD credits (Marc Morris and Brad Stevens, fer two).

The movie itself is breathtakingly bad, made worse by camerawork that is beyond amateurish in places. The same year, Franco made THE DEMONS [Os Demonios], an excellent fusion of MARK OF THE DEVIL and MATTHEW HOPKINS: WITCHFINDFER GENERAL, so I have to wonder where he went so tragically wrong with this craporama...
DVDfever
26-02-2012
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“Absolutely! I'm hoping Film 4 make a better job of it, but I'm not holding my breath.”

There was No Escape from 4:3...

Quote:
“You're right to doubt. I've never seen this broadcast at the original ratio. In fact, I think C5's version is only 4:3...”

And True Romance was indeed in 4:3, too

Quote:
“Just rented DRACULA: PRISONER OF FRANKENSTEIN [Dracula contra Frankenstein], a 1972 Jess Franco pic, released here by Tartan Video. Sadly, thecompany was only able to source a cropped 1.78:1 version. And I know they tried to get better materials, given the cult movie specialists listed in the DVD credits (Marc Morris and Brad Stevens, fer two).”

That's a shame, but surely a complete version exists somewhere?

Quote:
“The movie itself is breathtakingly bad, made worse by camerawork that is beyond amateurish in places. The same year, Franco made THE DEMONS [Os Demonios], an excellent fusion of MARK OF THE DEVIL and MATTHEW HOPKINS: WITCHFINDFER GENERAL, so I have to wonder where he went so tragically wrong with this craporama...”

Complacency often strikes...
Libretio
26-02-2012
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“There was No Escape from 4:3... ”

Is it any wonder they relegated it to the middle of the night?

Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“That's a shame, but surely a complete version exists somewhere?”

You have to wonder if there IS, since Morris and Stevens would obviously have done their damnedest to find the best materials, given how picky most cult movie fans can be. There may be a note with the DVD packaging, explaining the reasons for this particular presentation, but I only rented the thing, so I couldn't check.

Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“Complacency often strikes...”

Nah. Director Jess Franco has made too many similarly appalling movies for it to be a 'one-off', which is why THE DEMONS came as such a pleasant surprise.

Mind you, I'd rather sit through a piece of drivel shot on film than the shot-on-camcorder TURD known as THE 7th HUNT, which I switched off after 5 minutes last night! Anyone who thinks 'digital' is a good replacement for 35mm film (hell, even 16mm!) needs to sit through the dozens of shitty horror films now being churned out on this format, with no attempt made to make it even look like film. Others may like the camcorder aesthetic, but it makes everything look flat, ugly and amateurish to the point where I absolutely despair for the future of so-called 'cinema'.

So there.
Grabid Rannies
26-02-2012
I remember setting the VHS to record Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein off ITV during the small hours years ago, only to find on playing it back the next day that they replaced it with something else at the last minute! Perhaps their copy was in poor nick too, or they just looked at it and though it was too shit to broadcast lol.

Ah, those were the days when ITV used to show all sorts of foreign obscurities in the middle of the night! As rubbish as some of them were, I'd much rather we still had that variety of films being shown on TV instead of all the channels now seemingly having one catalogue that they rotate every few months ad nauseum
Libretio
26-02-2012
Originally Posted by Grabid Rannies:
“I remember setting the VHS to record Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein off ITV during the small hours years ago, only to find on playing it back the next day that they replaced it with something else at the last minute! Perhaps their copy was in poor nick too, or they just looked at it and though it was too shit to broadcast lol.

Ah, those were the days when ITV used to show all sorts of foreign obscurities in the middle of the night! As rubbish as some of them were, I'd much rather we still had that variety of films being shown on TV instead of all the channels now seemingly having one catalogue that they rotate every few months ad nauseum ”

I remember that broadcast of D:POF, too! Only, in my case, the film WAS broadcast, but in 4:3, so I didn't watch. And you're right - I'd much prefer the variety of yore than the endlessly recycled Hollywood fluff we get now ("But people watch this stuff, so they obviously want it" is the standard response - but they only seem to want it because that's all they're offered!).

I also remember the announcer would sometimes apologise for what he/she described as the "low technical standard" of some of those late-night / early-morning transmissions, and I was never entirely sure that they meant. The quality of the print, or the quality of the film itself? One cheeky cow had the gall to say something similar in front of HELL NIGHT, a terrific low-budget thriller from 1981 (miles better than many such films being produced today on a similar budget), and because the print looked perfectly presentable to me, I had to assume she was talking about the quality of the film. I mean, how rude...
Grabid Rannies
26-02-2012
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“I remember that broadcast of D:POF, too! Only, in my case, the film WAS broadcast, but in 4:3, so I didn't watch. And you're right - I'd much prefer the variety of yore than the endlessly recycled Hollywood fluff we get now ("But people watch this stuff, so they obviously want it" is the standard response - but they only seem to want it because that's all they're offered!).

I also remember the announcer would sometimes apologise for what he/she described as the "low technical standard" of some of those late-night / early-morning transmissions, and I was never entirely sure that they meant. The quality of the print, or the quality of the film itself? One cheeky cow had the gall to say something similar in front of HELL NIGHT, a terrific low-budget thriller from 1981 (miles better than many such films being produced today on a similar budget), and because the print looked perfectly presentable to me, I had to assume she was talking about the quality of the film. I mean, how rude... ”

One Christmas time during the 90s (when ITV's 'night-time' schedules were basically FILLED with films of all descriptions - and quality lol), they showed the minor 80s Ally Sheedy comedy 'Maid To Order'. Just within the first few bars of the title music there came this abrupt and dinstinctly 'live'-sounding 'raspberry' noise which was definitely not part of the soundtrack! Whether or not the continuity announcer's late-night turkey and stuffing sandwiches were coming back to haunt him, I can only speculate to this day...

I think I caught the same Hell Night screening as you, although I don't remember any impudence on the announcer's part in my region. It came within an equally eclectic 'mini-season' of horrors on that particular night of the week - the week before we were treated to the (uncut ) 'House Of Evil'; Mark Rosman's now-cultish (and predictable, woefully remade) slasher better known by its US title House On Sorority Row, and was followed the following week by the obscure 1971 Swedish psycho thriller 'The Night Visitor' starring Max Von Sydow! Those truly were the days
DVDfever
26-02-2012
Originally Posted by Grabid Rannies:
“I remember setting the VHS to record Dracula, Prisoner of Frankenstein off ITV during the small hours years ago, only to find on playing it back the next day that they replaced it with something else at the last minute! Perhaps their copy was in poor nick too, or they just looked at it and though it was too shit to broadcast lol.”

Are you sure it wasn't removed because of a series of vampire attacks in the news?
eyeblink
26-02-2012
Felicia's Journey was shown cropped to 16:9 - which was a little better than the original UK DVD release which was a 4:3 pan-and-scan job. (I don't know if it was ever upgraded as I bought the Region 1, which was both in 2.35:1 and also had 5.1 sound.)
Dar W
26-02-2012
The Outlaw Josey Wales looks very wide on Channel 5 at the mo.
mwardy
27-02-2012
Originally Posted by Dar W:
“The Outlaw Josey Wales looks very wide on Channel 5 at the mo.”

Yep, C5 got it right, but later BBC2 showed Point Blank in 16:9--a travesty.
pad_ehh
27-02-2012
Channel 4 broadcast Law Abiding Citizen and Terminal Velocity last night in 2.35:1. Both prints looked incredibly well, not surprising for LAC as it's a recent film, but Terminal Velocity looked gorgeous too (and that was in SD), I imagine they looked even better in HD.
Libretio
27-02-2012
Originally Posted by Grabid Rannies:
“I think I caught the same Hell Night screening as you, although I don't remember any impudence on the announcer's part in my region. It came within an equally eclectic 'mini-season' of horrors on that particular night of the week - the week before we were treated to the (uncut ) 'House Of Evil'; Mark Rosman's now-cultish (and predictable, woefully remade) slasher better known by its US title House On Sorority Row, and was followed the following week by the obscure 1971 Swedish psycho thriller 'The Night Visitor' starring Max Von Sydow! Those truly were the days ”

THE NIGHT VISITOR hasn't been shown on TV for donkey's years, at least not around these parts, but as you say, it used to turn up semi-regularly on ITV. I'd love to see it again, if only to enjoy the magnificence of von Sydow and Ullmann (Liv, not Tracy!).

Anyone remember the supremely creepy UNMAN, WITTERING AND ZIGO (1971), featuring David Hemmings as a teacher at an all-boys school where the ever-absent 'Zigo' may have been murdered by some of his pupils? (Or was it the teacher whom Hemmings' character has replaced?) This used to play late night on the BBC throughout the late 1970s, and it's never been on DVD anywhere. One for the lads and lasses at Odeon Entertainment, I think...
Libretio
27-02-2012
(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 (27 February - 4 March):

• CANE TOADS: THE CONQUEST (2010) [3-D] [1.85:1]
• DEVIATION (2011)
• THE FRONT LINE [고지전] (2011)
• IN TIME (2011)
• RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)
• THE THREE MUSKETEERS (2011) [Fusion 3-D]
• WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN (2011) [Panavision]

Scope and 3-D films released on US Blu-ray (28 February - 5 March):

• 300 (2007)
• BENEATH THE DARKNESS (2011)
• THE BOOK OF ELI (2010)
• CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010) [Panavision / 2-D to 3-D]
• COURAGEOUS (2011)
• HUGO (2011) [3-D] [1.85:1]
• I MELT WITH YOU (2011)
• JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN (2011)
• MANDRILL (2009)
• RUNAWAY JURY (2003)
• TERMINATOR: SALVATION (2009)
• TROY (2004)
• WATCHMEN (2009)
• WHERE LOVE HAS GONE (1964) [Techniscope]
mwardy
27-02-2012
Originally Posted by Paddy C:
“Channel 4 broadcast Law Abiding Citizen and Terminal Velocity last night in 2.35:1. Both prints looked incredibly well, not surprising for LAC as it's a recent film, but Terminal Velocity looked gorgeous too (and that was in SD), I imagine they looked even better in HD.”

Didn't see Terminal Velocity but LAC did look excellent in HD. Bit of a showstopper.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but OTOH the large DOG was, as ever, really annoying. I had a look because the SD was so good I was interested to see the difference, but after that I couldn't go back because SD now felt like being short changed. So in the end I watched neither version! It's such a grinding irony that the best pictures are now so degraded.

As I say, I don't want to turn this into a DOGs debate--we all have our own views--just registering my own reaction.
DVDfever
27-02-2012
Originally Posted by Paddy C:
“Channel 4 broadcast Law Abiding Citizen and Terminal Velocity last night in 2.35:1. Both prints looked incredibly well, not surprising for LAC as it's a recent film, but Terminal Velocity looked gorgeous too (and that was in SD), I imagine they looked even better in HD.”

Yes, I saw some of TV in HD and it did look great.

Originally Posted by mwardy:
“Didn't see Terminal Velocity but LAC did look excellent in HD. Bit of a showstopper.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but OTOH the large DOG was, as ever, really annoying. I had a look because the SD was so good I was interested to see the difference, but after that I couldn't go back because SD now felt like being short changed. So in the end I watched neither version! It's such a grinding irony that the best pictures are now so degraded.

As I say, I don't want to turn this into a DOGs debate--we all have our own views--just registering my own reaction.”

Yes, I hate them too. The only plus with this one is that, for scope films, it falls within the black bars and not on the picture.
mwardy
28-02-2012
Originally Posted by DVDfever:
“Yes, I hate them too. The only plus with this one is that, for scope films, it falls within the black bars and not on the picture.”

Yes, at least it doesn't mess with the picture, but it still annoys me as it stands out against the black bars so clearly! It would help even if they toned it down.
DVDfever
28-02-2012
Originally Posted by mwardy:
“Yes, at least it doesn't mess with the picture, but it still annoys me as it stands out against the black bars so clearly! It would help even if they toned it down.”

There's little we can do once the lunatics have taken over the asylum...
Libretio
02-03-2012
HELLFIGHTERS got its 2.35:1 'premiere' on Channel 4 the other day. After years of pan-scan atrocities, there it was - larger than life, and twice as welcome! The broadcast version featured a stereo soundtrack, but I don't have a record of the film being released theatrically with anything other than a mono soundtrack. That doesn't mean to say it wasn't mixed in stereo, but it seems a bit iffy, if you ask me...
Libretio
02-03-2012
(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 (3 - 9 March):

Saturday (3 March)

• ADRIFT [Open Water 2] (Film 4) [Hawk Scope (16mm)]
• BROKEN LANCE (Film 4) [CinemaScope] [2.55:1]
• CAPRICORN ONE (C5) [Panavision]
• CUTTHROAT ISLAND (Film 4) [Panavision / Technovision]
• THE ENFORCER (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• GHOSTBUSTERS II (5*) [Panavision]
• GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN - LORD OF THE APES (5 USA)
• THE HAUNTED MANSION (BBC 1)
• INDEPENDENCE DAY (E4)
• THE JEWEL OF THE NILE (ITV 1) [J-D-C Scope]
• THE LAST SAMURAI (5 USA) [Panavision]
• McLINTOCK! (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• MIDWAY (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• THE MUMMY RETURNS (ITV 2) [Panavision]
• SON OF RAMBOW (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• SPACE COWBOYS (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• SUDDEN DEATH (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• WANTED (ITV 1)


Sunday (4 March)

• ALASKA (C4)
• D.A.R.Y.L. (C5) [Panavision]
• THE DaVINCI CODE (C5)
• DEATH DEFYING ACTS (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (Film 4)
• DRAGONSLAYER (C5) [Panavision]
• THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE (C5)
• G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA (Film 4) [Panavision]
• HIDALGO (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (C4) [Panavision]
• THE KINGDOM (ITV 4)
• THE MACHINIST [El Maquinista] (C4)
• THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR (ITV 2)
• NED KELLY (ITV 4)
• OCEAN'S TWELVE (ITV 2)
• RAPT (BBC 4)
• THE SECRET WAR OF HARRY FRIGG (ITV 4) [Techniscope]
• WICKER PARK (Film 4)


Monday (5 March)

• AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY (5*)
• THE COWBOYS (C4) [Panavision]
• DREAMGIRLS (Film 4)
• THE GAUNTLET (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• HALLAM FOE (Film 4)
• KISS THE GIRLS (Film 4) [Panavision]
• THE TALL MEN (More 4) [CinemaScope] [2.55:1]
• UNTRACEABLE (C5)


Tuesday (6 March)

• AVALANCHE EXPRESS (More 4) [Panavision]
• EDEN LAKE (ITV 4)
• HAIRSPRAY (Film 4)
• THE JACKET (ITV 2)
• JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• PALE RIDER (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• SOLO (5 USA)
• UNDISPUTED (5 USA)
• ZOOLANDER (Film 4)


Wednesday (7 March)

• BROKEN LANCE (Film 4) [CinemaScope] [2.55:1]
• HUSH (Film 4)
• INDEPENDENCE DAY (E4)
• MAVERICK (ITV 1) [Panavision]
• SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (Film 4) [Panavision]
• TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY (5*)
• THREE KINGS (ITV 2)
• WATCHMEN (Film 4)


Thursday (8 March)

• STORM OVER THE NILE (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (Film 4)
• xXx (C5) [Panavision]


Friday (9 March)

• 23 PACES TO BAKER STREET (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• DAREDEVIL (E4)
• GARDEN STATE (Film 4)
• HITCH (5*)
• THE INFORMERS (Film 4)
• LETHAL WEAPON 3 (ITV 1) [Panavision]
• THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR (ITV 2)
• THE PEACEMAKER (BBC 1)
• SUDDEN IMPACT (5 USA) [Panavision]
• TORMENTED (BBC 2)
• TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN (Film 4) [Panavision / IMAX] [2.39:1 and 1.44:1]
• UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: REGENERATION (ITV 4)
• WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S ROMEO & JULIET (More 4) [Panavision]
Libretio
03-03-2012
How could I have missed THE FOX AND THE CHILD [Le Renard et l'Enfant] from Saturday's listings? Well, I did, so the Beeb decided to run it at the original 2.39:1 ratio, just to spite me. It was a dubbed version, presumably because it's aimed at children, and British children aren't capable of reading subtitles...

Followed directly afterward on BBC 2 by a similarly OAR version of McLINTOCK!, which has been OAR on UK TV a million times recently, so I couldn't muster up very much excitement for it.
theonlyweeman
03-03-2012
Originally Posted by Libretio:
“How could I have missed THE FOX AND THE CHILD [Le Renard et l'Enfant] from Saturday's listings? Well, I did, so the Beeb decided to run it at the original 2.39:1 ratio, just to spite me. It was a dubbed version, presumably because it's aimed at children, and British children aren't capable of reading subtitles...”

They are capable of reading subtitles, but most would snub such a film because of the subtitles...

It's on the iPlayer in original aspect ratio: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...and_the_Child/
Libretio
03-03-2012
Originally Posted by theonlyweeman:
“They are capable of reading subtitles, but most would snub such a film because of the subtitles...”

It may not have read that way, but my original comment was a bit facetious, since I agree that UK children can read subs. And you're probably right that most kids would boycott a subtitled film, but it's still a sad state of affairs. The DVD probably provides both versions on the same disc.

By the way, HOOK was broadcast on Viva this afternoon, cropped to buggery, but I thought I'd mention it here anyway, since that's ANOTHER title I missed from this week's listings...

And C5 surprised the hell out of me by 'premiering' CAPRICORN ONE at an approximation of the origtinal 2.39:1 ratio. And, of course, I didn't record it, since I didn't think they'd provide such an upgrade. This is one time the inevitable repeat across the C5 platform will be a blessing rather than a curse.
mike65
03-03-2012
Watched Capricorn One (a brain in neutral special from Lew Grade), the print was fine bar one thing there were slight blotches at the top of the image, very light but against the desert skies noticeable.
DVDfever
04-03-2012
Originally Posted by mike65:
“Watched Capricorn One (a brain in neutral special from Lew Grade), the print was fine bar one thing there were slight blotches at the top of the image, very light but against the desert skies noticeable.”

I noticed that at the end, just before the final scene. I figured it was how it was recorded and there's not much they can do about that now. They could remaster it, I guess, but it's part of the film so you kind of expect it now.

Good to see it in the proper ratio (I came in just as the last 10 mins were on, and had some hoovering to do so put it on C5+1 for the whole of the last hour) but they did cut out the bit where James Brolin eats the snake. He cut it open, held it up, stared at it in disbelief and then it cut to the next scene. I guess, if anyone hadn't seen it, they might think that's how it ends, so it sort-of worked in that respect too.
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