Just wondering if a non-anamorphic transfer has ever been better than its anamorphic counterpart?

The non-anamorphic disc for Heathers has gotten a lot of run. I've also heard some people mention the non-anamorphic DVD of An American Werewolf in London has a better transfer than the new one by Universal. I'd like to know if that's true since I have the Live disc and am interested in upgrading.

I thought Robocop: CC (non-anamorphic) was a better transfer (not to mention MUCH better disc) than the Robocop MGM release (anamorphic) which is barebones. Also I found the DD 2.0 sound better than the DD 5.1 mix on the MGM.

How does the Silence of the Lambs disc also hold up from Criterion versus MGM?

Sid and Nancy

Well the CC is 1.66:1 which would explain why it's non-anamorphic. But there is a R2/4 release of robocop that's 1.85:1 and PACKED with features AND has the theatrical and director's cut!

The commentary, of course. Criterion is great in making commentary. Also, there's a better feel from the Criterion soundtrack compared to the MGM edition.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the OAR? As you say the 'theatrical cut' is at 1.85:1 I'm assuming that it is the OAR?

The intended oar was 166 but most theaters in america showed it at 185

It's certainly possible for a movie to be presented at 1.66:1 and anamorphic widescreen.

I find myself always watching the CC version of this movie. The MGM transfer seems to have artificially amped up the brightness and the movie just doesn't feel quite the same. The Pro-Logic sound track on the CC also sounds more natural IMO. Of course this may be attributed to the fact that I had watched the Criterion laserdisc innumerable times, but it just feels more "right."

The region 1 non-anamorphic copy of Dune has a much better transfer than the anamorphic copies released in Japan or Germany.

Excuse my ignorance, but does Criterion tend to release an un-Godly number of non-ananmorphic titles? Even if they should be?

Great extras but the MGM R1 has a better transfer...

Now for more rambling...

Imhotep - CC has released far too many non-anamorphic transfers but they've finally seen the light... Most of their newer releases have been anamorphic.

1.66:1 has been done anamorphic, many times, and all 1.66:1 films should be released as such.

On the Silence subject, I prefer the MGM - primarily because it is anamorphic - and I dumped my CC on eBay... Which brings me to...

As an owner of a 16X9 tele, I will always upgrade to an anamorphic DVD when available... Even if the transfer has issues, it will 99.9 times out of 100 be better than it's non-anamorphic counterpart. An anamorphic transfer is the single most important "feature" that any widescreen DVD can contain and there's no longer an excuse for releasing non-anamorphic DVDs.

I prefer the non-anamorphic R1 version of Reservoir Dogs compared to the anniversary release. The colors are much more vibrant and realistic, where the anniversary release has ugly washed out colors.

I disagree on that, I think the Anamorphic version looks better, imo, the colors are too strong on the non anamorphic version.

Oh god, how could I have forgotten that one?! That "10th Anniversary Special Edition" looks TERRIBLE. No black level at all. The opening credits play over a brown screen.

The high-contrast hard lighting photography of the movie is utterly ruined by that transfer.

Yes, the non-anamorphic copy is more accurate.

If you'd seen the movie theatrically, you'd know that's the way it's supposed to look. Tarantino shot most of the movie in the warehouse set with massive lighting rigs and high contrast film stock to bring out that harshly-lit, "too vivid" look. It must have been 150 degress in that set on any given day.

Without a doubt the old version of Reservoir Dogs looks FAR BETTER than the God awful 10th Anniversary turd. But the suplements are great!

Baby Jesus, please forgive me for saying this, but...

the VHS version of Reservoir Dogs looks better than either DVD release.

*uncringe*

Okay, have at me.

-- Jough

Thanks, I thought it was just me.

Heres one:
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=285330

Also, as for Reservoir dogs, the 10th anniversary colours look just like the print I saw at the cinema, but it was 3 years old!
My only problem with a correctly set up system is the Edge Enhacement