Original 1997 release of Bullitt -- full frame only?
 

I recently ordered Bullitt from Netflix; they only had the original 1997 DVD release, rather than the more recent special edition. The WB web site, Amazon.com, and Netflix all say that this disc should be both anamorphic and full screen, but the disc I was sent only has the full screen version. The disc iteself says "Full Screen" on in, with no mention of the widescreen version. I've been trying to figure out what's going on here, but can't find any information. Why would this copy of the movie have only the full screen version? Was this something created for rental only? Do the Home Video Gods hate me?


Help, please. I can't let myself experience this movie for the first time in a cropped aspect ratio!

The disc has both versions. Mine's still shrinkwrapped but I bet it's double-sided. They sent you the full screen side. What's on the side that doesn't play? A generic netflix disc label? If they offer the option of which version to rent they sent the wrong one. Report a "sent wrong disc" problem.

Looked at Netflix site. The disc should be double-sided. Both versions.

That's how I thought the disc would be -- an old flipper w/ both versions. But this version has disc art on one side, and is most definitely not a flipper. I've reported it, and can hopefully get a decent, OAR copy of it from them soon. However, I'm still curious as to why this disc is the way it is. It's weird.

Maybe WB snuck out a cheapo FS only version for the Wal-Mart bargain bins. Don't know.

Netflix rarely sends flippers.

This sort of reminds me of a similar situation I had with Netflix when I rented V: The Series. I thought the episodes would be on flippers, but each disc arrived with artwork on one side. The menu screen would even tell you to flip the disc if you selected an episode that was supposed to be on the "opposite" side. And I do believe the original release of Bullitt was only available as a flipper. Kind of strange.