What is the original aspect ratio for HELP!? The OOP DVD was in fullscreen, as is listed the ratio according to IMDB, but an Amazon review states that the film was originally widescreen and it was shot in 1965, making me think there may be validity to the reviewer's claim. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

I have the Criterion laserdisc of Help! and it also was fullscreen. I would imagine that is the OAR of the film if Criterion released it that way.

I would tend to agree with your imagination. Thank you for the clarification. Anybody hear anything about a rerelease?

Dan

MPI's DVD is out of print and Apple now has full rights for the film.

Apple is currently working on a Let It Be DVD, so perhaps a Help! Special Edition isn't too far off.

MPI's DVD is from the restored version, but needs digital restoration to several scenes. The original DVD is excellent when you consider that Help! was officially a lost film before being salvaged. The negative had over 15 tears and had severe color fading. All of the opticals were done poorly in 1965, thus look poor in 2003.

Help! was made to be seen anywhere from 1.33:1 to 1.66:1. I contacted the guy who did the restoration once and he confirmed that 1.33:1 was ok for A Hard Day's Night and Help!. However, 1.66:1 is just as fine. The MPI DVD came from a fully exposed transfer which showed the full image on film.

Speaking of Let It Be, have we heard anything on a release date (beyond the rumor of Sept.-Nov. 2003)?