BuckNaked2k

I just read on Criterion's website that the aspect ratio has been confirmed to be 2.00:1.

This is thanks to Vittorio Storaro, the film's cinematographer who trimmed down the beautiful Original Aspect Ratio of 2.35:1 to conform to his "Univisium" universal film format.

More proof that films need to be protected from their directors and cinematographers.

Giles

boo! I remember being simply awestruck at the wideness of the 2.35 aspect ratio of the film on the huge curved screen at the Uptown.

slop101

Par for the course. I have some filmmaker friends who couldn't give a flying fuck how their films are presented, as long as people see them.

Giles

just seeing them in the wrong aspect ratio.

MrDs10e

Terrible news about the aspect ratio. What a horrible injustice to such a great film. Looks like I won't be getting this set

tsetse27

Is that means Bertolucci agreed with Storaro's decision? (well, In the case of Apocalypse Now, Coppola's too.) Storaro has such power?

Anyway, I already own the R2 PAL two-disc set. Still interested to see how much extra material Criterion can put on this 4-disc set.

BuckNaked2k

Here's a link to some screencap comparisons from a Spanish DVD site.

Not the best image quality, but it gives you an idea: Last Emperor

tonyjg

Has anything been mentioned on the audio formats for these discs ?? Dolby 2.0....5.1 ????

BuckNaked2k

Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0

ResIpsa

That's exactly what I was looking for - a comparison of the two aspect ratios. Thanks!

In first looking at these, I thought most of the 2:1 shots looked better than the 2:35.1 shots (especially the first example with that pole aligned along the right side of the frame). Of course, the 2:1 shots are cleaned up and have better PQ, so I'm not so sure I wasn't judging the PQ as opposed to the framing. After further review, however, I couldn't shake the sense that the 2:1 shots have a vaguely unsettling "pan and scan" look (which, of course I suppose they are) that is inferior to the carefully composed 2:35.1 shots.

Disappointing but still a step up from my old non-anamorphic copy, I suppose.

salamander2

I thought films needed to be protected from studios who doesnt care?

mikelowry

I have lots of Criterion DVDs in my wishlist ( e.g. Traffic, the Battle of Algiers, Videodrome, The Blob...) but their steep price prevents me to purchase them on a regular basis. I do think it's reasonable that they reduce the price of their older titles.
Here's hoping.

Giles

I really can't believe Bertolucci would allow his film to altered regardless if Storaro wanted to, the film was intended to be seen in 2.35 in the theatre, to compromise and then crop the image for home video seems counterintuitive and quite frankly dumb.

from the wikipedia thread

As he told American Cinematographer writer Bob Fisher, "I believe it is very important for audiences to see films exactly the way they were composed by the director and cinematographer. This is a solution

how is this a solution?? Storaro is a hypocrite.

the more I think about this release the more I'm less keen on purchasing it.

cine

I begin to feel the same way. Glad I had picked up the R2 UK edition which has both the Theatrical & Director's Cuts from CDWow for less than $6.

tonyjg

just came back to this thread - and have the same thoughts (bought it for that price as well)

as for the DOLBY 2.0 - why ??

A 1987 film - which has some 70mm presentations in its time - and only 2.0 ?? I would have thought that this would have been presented with a 5.1 surround sound - enhancing the fantastic score. Oh well.

I think I'll just keep my UK Region 2 version and save plenty of $$

BuckNaked2k

I see CDWow! still has that version available for $10. I guess it comes down to a choice between having the image butchered to 2.00:1, or the audio sped up 4% due to the PAL conversion....

What to do......what to do.......

tonyjg

at least the movie will be a tad shorter on the PAL one giving u more time to decide !!

HenryVIII

Any news on actual release date of Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence?

I could care less about the price --- been looking for a definitive release for years.

(Attention Image execs - 2008 marks the 25TH ANNIVERSARY of this gem. Mebbe time to move on it?)

Giles

I mentioned this in the other thread but Criterion/Landmark theatre has a release deal with the disc being available for purchase a week of advance of it's official street date - on the 19th.

chris_sc77

The first review for this is up at DVD File.
http://www.dvdfile.com/index.php?opt...=6545&Itemid=3
The video presentation does indeed sound very disappointing.

slop101

The screenshots in the Beaver review look like they hit the zoom button on the dvd remote.

Giles

while it looks like that in some scenes notably where the action doesn't take place immediately near the front of the camera, the image seems soft, closeup scenes though look really impressive - this is one film where I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the film was telecined and viewable in HiDef mode - I'm sure the clarity and sharpness looked 'extra' amazing. The commentary is very insightful - and I highly recommend it to give it a listen.

bookcase3

There's a new blog entry up at Criterion explaining the aspect ratio controversy. After reading, I went ahead and placed an order.

http://www.criterion.com/blog/

dx23

I picked The Last Emperor today at borders with the 40% off coupon. The best deal around at the moment.

Spiral Staircase

It is $27.27 at barnesandnoble.com (before tax) with membership and the current 25% off coupon (R9Y3F8Y).