It's a double-edged sword, and no mistake. They price the discs so highly because they think people won't buy them in sufficient numbers to justify a price-drop, but the prices are so high that very few people buy them BECAUSE they're so expensive. It's absolute madness.


I haven't seen the DVD version of HTWWW, but the Blu-ray version is absolutely pristine, the very best this film has ever looked outside of a top-class Cinerama presentation. The 'lines' you mentioned have been largely eliminated - not completely, you understand, but if you're not looking for them, you'll barely notice the very few instances where they show themselves. Also, the film is presented in two versions: A 'straight' letterbox edition which strips the ultra-wide image across the centre of the screen (I hope you've got a big TV!), or a 'Smilebox' version which imitates the dimensions of a Cinerama presentation by curving the image in a 'smile' formation. It's actually very clever, but it might take some getting used to, especially if you're unfamiliar with Cinerama itself.

On that score, however, the BR also includes a fascinating documentary about Cinerama - how it was developed, WHY it was developed, and how it fell by the wayside in the face of stiff competition from CinemaScope and Panavision and the like. A worthy package.

I was hoping to say something along the lines of: "It's a disgrace that DISGRACE was cropped to buggery on BBC 1 last night", but the Beeb avoided disgrace by actually showing DISGRACE at the original ratio. 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 movies across the Freeview platform for the coming week (22 - 28 September):


Saturday (22 September)

• BATTLE OF THE BULGE (C5) [Ultra Panavision 70] [2.76:1]
• BLUE THUNDER (5 USA) [Panavision]
• DANTE'S PEAK (ITV 2)
• EVER AFTER (E4)
• FLASH POINT [導火線] (Film 4)
• THE GOONIES (5*) [Panavision]
• THE IPCRESS FILE (BBC 2) [Techniscope]
• JFK (Film 4) [Panavision]
• KAMINEY [कमीने] (C4)
• MAVERICK (C5) [Panavision]
• MR. & MRS. SMITH (E4)
• MURPHY'S WAR (More 4) [Panavision]
• NO RESERVATIONS (ITV 2)
• PRIMARY COLORS (BBC 2)
• SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL (Film 4) [Panavision]
• STORMBREAKER (Film 4)
• YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (ITV 4) [Panavision]


Sunday (23 September)

• CELLULAR (Film 4)
• CHARLIE & BOOTS (BBC 1)
• GANDHI (Yesterday) [Panavision]
• GOOD (BBC 2)
• GREASE (E4) [Panavision]
• HITMAN (C4)
• JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (C4) [Fusion 3-D] [1.85:1]
• JUDGE DREDD (C5) [Panavision]
• LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (5 USA) [Super Panavision 70] [2.21:1]
• THE MUMMY: TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR (ITV 2)
• NATIONAL TREASURE (BBC 3)
• ROMANCING THE STONE (Film 4) [Panavision]
• SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET (BBC 2) [Panavision]
• SNAKE IN THE EAGLE'S SHADOW [蛇形刁手] (Film 4) [Anamorphic]
• SURROGATES (BBC 3)
• TEARS OF THE SUN (C5) [Panavision]


Monday (24 September)

• THE BADLANDERS (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• FEARLESS [霍元甲] (ITV 1)
• THE HOT ROCK (C4) [Panavision]
• MAD MAX 2 (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• SHOOTER (Film 4) [Panavision]


Tuesday (25 September)

• THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (ITV 3) [Panavision]
• DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME [狄仁傑之通天帝國] (Film 4)
• FRANKLYN (Film 4)
• THE GAUNTLET (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• LOVE ACTUALLY (ITV 2)
• NO RESERVATIONS (ITV 2)
• ROAD HOUSE (5 USA) [Panavision]
• SMOKIN' ACES (ITV 4)


Wednesday (26 September)

• DESK SET (Film 4) [CinemaScope]
• HOMBRE (Film 4) [Panavision]
• KINGDOM OF HEAVEN (Film 4)
• LAKEVIEW TERRACE (C5)
• THE LAST FRONTIER (More 4) [CinemaScope]
• NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS (BBC 3)
• SMOKIN' ACES (ITV 4)


Thursday (27 September)

• THE BOURNE IDENTITY (ITV 2)
• JFK (Film 4) [Panavision]


Friday (28 September)

• ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE (Film 4)
• BEVERLY HILLS COP II (Film 4)
• BLACK KNIGHT (Film 4)
• CARLITO'S WAY (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• COPYCAT (Film 4) [Panavision]
• DOUBLE JEOPARDY (More 4) [Panavision]
• MAD MAX 2 (ITV 4) [Panavision]
• MAID IN MANHATTAN (5*) [Panavision]
• MR. & MRS. SMITH (E4)
• MURPHY'S WAR (More 4) [Panavision]
• QUANTUM OF SOLACE (ITV 1)

Sadly the BBC seemed to have fished their copy of the Ipcress File out of a bin! 16:9 and very shoddy print full of artefacts.

All the films across the C4 platform you'd expect to have been screened OAR yesterday were, indeed, shown OAR. Everywhere else, it was pathetic, except for SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET (BBC 2) and JUDGE DREDD (C5), both of which were broadcast at their original scope ratios.

Until ITV renew their rights deals, you won't see any 2.35:1 films from them, and even when they do renew, I doubt they'll make the effort to get OAR copies anyway...

Its a bit much when Movies4Men and Horror Channel are out OAR-ing the main channels!

(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 (24 - 30 September):

• ALL IN GOOD TIME (2012)
• THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2011)
• CASINO ROYALE (2006)
• THE CLOTH (2012)
• DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971) [Panavision]
• THE DICTATOR (2012)
• DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002) [Panavision]
• FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981) [Panavision]
• FREE MEN [Les Hommes Libres] (2011) [Techniscope]
• GOLDENEYE (1995) [Panavision]
• HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION [Get the Gringo] (2011) [Hawk Scope (HD)]
• LADY SNOWBLOOD [修羅雪姫] (1973) [Tohoscope]
• LADY SNOWBLOOD: LOVE SONG OF VENGEANCE [修羅雪姫 怨み恋歌] (1974) [Tohoscope]
• LICENCE TO KILL (1989) [Panavision]
• THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987) [Panavision]
• MOONRAKER (1979) [Panavision]
• MY WAY [마이 웨이] (2011)
• OCTOPUSSY (1983) [Panavision]
• ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969) [Panavision]
• QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008)
• RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE (2010) [Fusion 3-D]
• RESIDENT EVIL: APOCALYPSE (2004)
• RESIDENT EVIL: EXTINCTION (2007)
• THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) [Panavision]
• THIS MEANS WAR (2012)
• THUNDERBALL (1965) [Panavision]
• TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) [Panavision]
• A VIEW TO A KILL (1985) [Panavision]
• THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999) [Panavision]
• YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967) [Panavision]


Scope and 3-D films released on US Blu-ray (25 September - 1 October):

• THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (1995) [Panavision]
• THE AVENGERS (2012) [3-D]
• CASINO ROYALE (2006)
• DAWN RIDER (2012) [HD]
• DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971) [Panavision]
• DIE ANOTHER DAY (2002) [Panavision]
• FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (1981) [Panavision]
• THE GAME (1997)
• GAMERA THE BRAVE [小さき勇者たち ガメラ] (2006)
• GOLDENEYE (1995) [Panavision]
• JOCK THE HERO DOG [Jock of the Bushveld] (2011) [3-D] [1.85:1]
• LICENCE TO KILL (1989) [Panavision]
• THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS (1987) [Panavision]
• LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH [子連れ狼　子を貸し腕貸しつかまつる] (1972) [Tohoscope]
• LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX [子連れ狼　三途の川の乳母車] (1972) [Tohoscope]
• LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN PERIL [子連れ狼　親の心子の心] (1973) [Tohoscope]
• LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART IN THE LAND OF DEMONS [子連れ狼　冥府魔道] (1973) [Tohoscope]
• LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART TO HADES [子連れ狼　死に風に向う乳母車] (1972) [Tohoscope]
• LONE WOLF AND CUB: WHITE HEAVEN IN HELL [子連れ狼　地獄へ行くぞ!大五郎] (1974) [Tohoscope]
• MOONRAKER (1979) [Panavision]
• THE NIGHT OF THE DEVILS [La Notte dei Diavoli] (1971) [Techniscope]
• OCTOPUSSY (1983) [Panavision]
• ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969) [Panavision]
• QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008)
• THE SAMARITAN (2012)
• THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (1977) [Panavision]
• STRIPPERS VS WEREWOLVES (2011)
• THE TALL MAN (2012)
• THIS IS CINERAMA (1952) [Cinerama] [2.59:1]
• THUNDERBALL (1965) [Panavision]
• TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) [Panavision]
• A VIEW TO A KILL (1985) [Panavision]
• WINDJAMMER: THE VOYAGE OF THE CHRISTIAN RADICH (1958) [Cinemiracle] [2.51:1]
• THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (1999) [Panavision]
• YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967) [Panavision]
• ZOMBIE [Zombi 2] (1979) [Techniscope]

Also released today, but on DVD only, is the 1957 Russian DON QUIXOTE. It is in its correct OAR, but the DVD is unfortunately non-anamorphic.

CASINO ROYALE comes out on the 1st October according to Amazon UK (so next week) and it will be the uncut version at a BBFC 15 (Though I didn't think Casino Royale was that bad, and the cutrs are incredibly minimal). Also, slightly surprised to see that it is being released by 20th Century Fox (on behalf of MGM), previous editions were released by Sony Pictures (on behalf of Columbia).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Casino-Royal...511330&sr=8-15

Oh, FFS, I didn't realise this was cut first time round. How the hell has it taken so long to get it uncut? It's blatantly misleading that the BBFC's page says for the 12-cert version, "This work was passed with no cuts made.", which presumably meant, "based on the version supplied by the distributor"

It was pre-cut after an advice screening. I'd assume the length of time has something to with the imminent release of Skyfall or that TCF have got hold of the rights.

Intriguingly, it was cut for both the US and UK markets, but a different section of the movie was cut for the US than for the UK...

In the US, several shots had to be removed from , though some of the cuts were included in the trailer, which was "suitable for all audiences"

In Germany it was heavily cut, including

In the UK the was cut to remove elements of sadism (though all violence remained intact). Apparently it was a very strong 12(A), but I didn't think it was that bad.

Ta very much for the detailed info, theonlyweeman. I once read that Quantum of Solace was going to be cut for 'scenes of torture', but in the end they insisted on releasing that turgid movie

By the way, THE AVENGERS (3-D) is only 1.85:1, which I forgot to mention when listing it in the US section of latest US Blu-ray releases. Just thought I'd clarify.

MGM inked a deal with Fox to distribute their titles for home entertainment a while back, Sony will release their films in cinemas with a few exceptions.

Interestingly, in reviewing the ratings for the release of the new Bond collection blu-ray boxset ,Tomorrow Never Dies has been downgraded from 15 to 12, whilst Diamonds Are Forever has been upgraded from PG to 12.

As you say you are 'disturbed' by this, do you refuse to buy a DVD of a film because it has been transferred in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio, for example?

I understand it is not perfect for a 2.35:1 aspect ratio film to be shown on a 16:9 TV with black bars top and bottom, but, really ... is it a reason to be disturbed by it? The thickness of the bars are quite mild really, when compared to watching on a 4:3 TV, and I'd much prefer to see a film in its original aspect ratio than a pan-and-scan version. Also, with a large viewing size 16:9 TV (which will become more and more the norm as time goes on), being able to see the whole picture - and up really large - completely outweighs any disadvantage of having black bars top and bottom, for me.

ITV continue to show Bond films in 16:9 and filling the screen, and I just switch off. I'd rather dig out my DVDs and watch them in their Panavision glory (apart from the few which were not filmed in 2.35:1).

If I had my way, all material shown on TV today would be shown in its original aspect ratio. Who cares about innocuous black bars. I want to see ALL of the picture - I don't understand why mild black bars are a significant problem to people.

It is a strange thing to worry about, I think its a "I paid for all the screen to be lit up!" mentality, the sort of thing that also leads to people not turning on their headlights until its completely dark as they think it'll run down the battery.

For those who are troubled just use the zoom feature on your tv!

Not quite as simple as that, Mike (I'm sure you know!).

A 2.35:1 aspect ratio film that has been transferred to completely fill out a 16:9 aspect ratio TV will have been 'pan-and-scanned', with the 'action'/most important areas within the original frame for the viewer to see, being selected on a camera-cut by camera-cut basis.

While this is of course true, it always seems to me that someone who would rather have the screen filled despite the horrible compromises that often come with pan & scan is not likely to be paying that much attention to the composition of the image in the first place! In which case the zoom button will do fine...

I haven't watched any of the Bond films either. And The Ipcress File the other day....yeeeuuuuk.

Casino Royale was a Columbia/MGM co-production, at one point Sony had UK Home Entertainment rights. I don't get why the switch happened, and MGM got UK Home Entertainment rights.

My DVD player has a zoom function with the ability to move the frame around, couldn't they just use that? Not sure my TV has a zoom function though.

I don't mean to offend, but are you being serious? If you are, just think about what that would involve. You are asking someone to 'anticipate', in advance, the most important area of the original full frame on every camera-cut within an entire film, then press the left or right buttons to move the screen across, which is not an instant procedure on any player - mine moves across very slowly. Even if you allow yourself the time to decide on the area of the full frame best to view, and then move across to that area, the next camera-cut would have occurred! As well as that, you would be spending so much time concentrating on picture placement that you could never concentrate on the film itself.

They've already destroyed the viewing experience a bit more won't hurt.

In all seriousness, I think you're overexagerating the jumpiness of films, most films the action is fairly centralized anyway. So they wouldn't have to constantly move it.

Directors invariably make use of all areas of the film frame for action/important stuff (which they should), so I don't really agree with you. Also, it would not be long before you come across a scene within a film where it actually only 'works' if you are viewing the whole film frame. Look at this example, from (02:04) to see what I mean.