OAR of Braindead/Dead Alive?

caiman · 05-10-04, 07:10 PM

I just got the R2 UK version of Braindead, and it has a different aspect ratio than my R1 DVD. IMDB lists the AR as 1.66:1. Here are some screenshots:

Region 1:

Region 2:

Region 1:

Region 2:

Anyone know which one is correct?

mookyman · 05-10-04, 07:56 PM

EDIT: Oops, didn't read your original post closely enough.

KillerQ · 05-11-04, 01:26 PM

Hello.....

The R1 version you have is framed at 1:78:1, and the R2 UK edition is 1:66:1. According to IMDB, the R2 version you have is the original aspect ratio. However, ORIGINAL aspect ration, and director prefered ratio can often be two different things.

Personally, I prefer the Albanian R4 edition with the 1.77:1 pulldown sequencing which also has the PAL digital-combing conversion into the current North American floating matte edition. This release also has the Panavision 2.5:1 ratio. However, given the inherent speed increase of PAL video, the company that released this version also added an analog up-conversion to NTSC with increased THX filtering. This one, however, is rare.

ThatGuamGuy · 05-11-04, 02:08 PM

Since 'Braindead' was shot in New Zealand, and most countries other than America use 1.66 instead of 1.85 as the standard, I'd say it's safe to assume that 1.66 is the OAR unless we see evidence to the contrary. (And since the only evidence to the contrary is a version of the film which doesn't even have the correct title, it doesn't look too good. [Though, that said, apparently, Peter Jackson prefers the unrated 'Dead Alive' cut to the 'Braindead' cut.])

I'm even willing to go as far as to infer it's the intended aspect ratio too, but that's a judgement call.

Incidentally, why is 'Braindead' so much brighter than 'Dead Alive'? I've noticed this on my R2 DVD also, it's not just the pictures posted above. I guess it's probably a bad transfer, but it was noticeable because the picture quality *seemed* worse than my old VHS of it, because some parts were so blown out.

Hendrik · 05-11-04, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KillerQ
...The Albanian R4 edition with the 1.77:1 pulldown sequencing with PAL digital-combing into the current North American floating matte edition. Trelease also has the Panavision 2.5:1 ratio. However, given the inherent speed increase of PAL video, the company that released this version also added an analog up-conversion to NTSC with increased THX filtering. This one, however, is rare.

. . .

mao . . .

caiman · 05-11-04, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ThatGuamGuy
Incidentally, why is 'Braindead' so much brighter than 'Dead Alive'? I've noticed this on my R2 DVD also, it's not just the pictures posted above. I guess it's probably a bad transfer, but it was noticeable because the picture quality *seemed* worse than my old VHS of it, because some parts were so blown out.

The R1 version looks MUCH better than the R2. The R2 is harsh, grainy, and as you said, overly bright. So I think it's just a transfer issue.

05-10-04, 07:10 PM	#1
caiman DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: May 2000 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 3,811	OAR of Braindead/Dead Alive? I just got the R2 UK version of Braindead, and it has a different aspect ratio than my R1 DVD. IMDB lists the AR as 1.66:1. Here are some screenshots: Region 1: Region 2: Region 1: Region 2: Anyone know which one is correct?

05-10-04, 07:56 PM	#2
mookyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 573	EDIT: Oops, didn't read your original post closely enough. __________________ "Yes, Gamera is powered by farts." - Roger Ebert Cinevistaramascope

05-11-04, 01:26 PM	#3
KillerQ DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 1,123	Hello..... The R1 version you have is framed at 1:78:1, and the R2 UK edition is 1:66:1. According to IMDB, the R2 version you have is the original aspect ratio. However, ORIGINAL aspect ration, and director prefered ratio can often be two different things. Personally, I prefer the Albanian R4 edition with the 1.77:1 pulldown sequencing which also has the PAL digital-combing conversion into the current North American floating matte edition. This release also has the Panavision 2.5:1 ratio. However, given the inherent speed increase of PAL video, the company that released this version also added an analog up-conversion to NTSC with increased THX filtering. This one, however, is rare. Last edited by KillerQ; 05-11-04 at 02:24 PM.

05-11-04, 02:08 PM	#4
ThatGuamGuy DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,689	Since 'Braindead' was shot in New Zealand, and most countries other than America use 1.66 instead of 1.85 as the standard, I'd say it's safe to assume that 1.66 is the OAR unless we see evidence to the contrary. (And since the only evidence to the contrary is a version of the film which doesn't even have the correct title, it doesn't look too good. [Though, that said, apparently, Peter Jackson prefers the unrated 'Dead Alive' cut to the 'Braindead' cut.]) I'm even willing to go as far as to infer it's the intended aspect ratio too, but that's a judgement call. Incidentally, why is 'Braindead' so much brighter than 'Dead Alive'? I've noticed this on my R2 DVD also, it's not just the pictures posted above. I guess it's probably a bad transfer, but it was noticeable because the picture quality seemed worse than my old VHS of it, because some parts were so blown out. Last edited by ThatGuamGuy; 05-11-04 at 02:10 PM.