With seamless branching, I'd imagine that the BD could offer both versions. If not, it may be IMAX only, as Nolan seemed pretty keen on the shifting ratios. There's only one instance in the film where I found the transition from full screen to widescreen bothersome, but it may be more noticeable at home.

Hmm. Well, I'm going to buy it either way, I'd just like a choice on how I want to watch it.

Given that the compositions in the 35mm version were painfully cramped to my eyes (this was having seen the IMAX already), I really can't imagine watching the film in a constant aspect ratio, but to each his own.

They should retitle it to The Dark Knight and the Joker or just The Joker or Heath Ledger IS the Joker.

Either one of those titles works.

There are only a handful of whole scenes in IMAX. However, there are numerous instances where a scene will open with a single establishing shot in IMAX even though the rest of the scene is 2.35:1.

I saw this in IMAX this past weekend. Although the IMAX footage itself looked good, the 35mm footage looked like complete garbage. It was DNR'ed and edge enhanced to hell during the IMAX "DRM" process.

The novelty of watching selected scenes in IMAX didn't make up for the fact that the rest of the presentation was crap. The fact that the crap was blown up to such large proportions only made it worse. With this movie, I am officially done with the IMAX-ification of 35mm movies, which I suppose is the exact opposite of their intended effect.

Looks like the Blu-ray will be 2 discs and we may be getting a steelbook Blu-ray release as well, if the news here is true. I'm torn on steelbooks myself, as the hubs are usually pretty tight, and I love the ease and secureness of the regular Blu-ray case hubs. Plus the whole overlapping disc thing. But we'll see.

I was also underwhelmed by the IMAX version when I saw it last month.

The shifting ratios are pretty distracting when it's just for the establishing shot.

Also, the non-IMAX stuff seemed to be stretched a bit as well.

I'd much rather have a constant 2.40:1 version.

I thought the IMAX scenes looked great, but the non-IMAX scenes seemed fuzzier than my first (non-IMAX) viewing of the film. I was expecting the aspect ratios to shift but I didn't expect them to use so much IMAX-filmed establishing shots, that lasted a few seconds, before transitioning back to non-IMAX footage. Still, I got used to it after a while, mainly due to the large screen size.

On my LCD though, I know that the shifting aspect ratios will bother me a lot more. I too would like a consistent aspect ratio throughout the film's entire run-time. But why not the option, through seamless branching, to have both IMAX and non-IMAX versions on the disc?

We saw it at the WGV IMAX on opening day - the IMAX sequences were amazing and felt seamless with the 2.4 ratio material. Of course this was in a dark theater where there was no definite border to sort of box in the experience.

I'd say just about every major exterior establishing shot (particularly those with "vertically intensive" content like buildings, etc.) were in the IMAX ratio. So it's a decent amount - according to online resources the consensus seems to be ~28 minutes.

Given the length of the film, and how extensive the IMAX footage is, I would rather see them release different versions. I wouldn't want either version to sacrifice image quality or some extras.

That seems like the better solution. I'm curious about the novelty effect of having the shots change aspect ratio but, given my only experience with the film is at 2.40:1, I wouldn't be upset if I got a non-IMAX version of the film.

I saw the movie both ways. The IMAX version was way better. I really noticed it a lot in the opening scene, since I had scene the blu-ray version on the Batman Begins BD so many times. The cropping really plays havok with the framing.

If something like WALL-E or Wanted or Hellboy II or Step Brothers hits in December, I'll wait for Christmas. I won't wait a second for Dark Knight (or Pineapple Express or Tropic Thunder, permitting those are out right before the 25th).

I'd watched the opening on the Batman Begins BD more times than I can recall and, although noticeable, the cropping didn't bother me one bit when I saw it in theatres. :shrug:

The first time in IMAX, the shifting AR was disjointing, but the second time it didn't even phase me. I welcome it on Blu-ray. Those IMAX-filmed scenes have so much detail and depth, that frankly I look at it as a bonus in the film instead of a liability.

Too bad more films aren't using it - giant film negs + HD transfer = goodness :drool:

I saw it once in a gigantic theater, and once in Imax and i can say two things.

1. It was even better the second time around.
2. The shifting aspect ratio was barely noticeable especially compared to the feeling of grandeur that the Imax conveyed.

Either way, this is gonna be one hell of a blu ray release.

PS, I think they will probably release the title as "The Dark Knight." Personally i think Batman and the Dark Knight, and Batman is the Dark Knight both sound pretty silly. If they change anything, my money would be on "Batman: The Dark Knight"

It's too bad it's too expensive to shoot in 70mm (a'la Lawrence Of Arabia). I'd love to see a movie like Transformers shot on that kind of film stock to enjoy the beauty that is Meagan Fox. :drool:

Her bad skin is already pretty distracting even at just 1080p.

I noticed but it honestly didn't bother me all that much. :shrug: Hell, I usually dislike chicks with tattoos but her and Christina Ricci are two women that I really couldn't care less if they have tattoos. I just find her them both all kinds of hot.

Anyhoo, back to our musing about The Dark Knight BD. Anyone know if we'll get some behind the scenes footage of how Nolan and crew handled the logistics of shooting certain action sequences with the IMAX cameras given how heavy they are?

Is there a debate on this? I haen't heard anything about it.

I'm willing to bet there will be. It's the first time a fiction film has incorporated IMAX, so I have a feeling they will include plenty of material on the process.

There have been other fiction films shot in IMAX, specifically for IMAX venues. Things like T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous or Wings of Courage. I think you meant to say that this is the first time a major mainstream Hollywood production has incorporated IMAX.

I've been meaning to swing by the WGV IMAX for a while, it is a standard flat screen right? Not a dome? (hate Dome IMAX for movies)

There was a small back and forth earlier in this thread, so i thought i'd just put in my opinion.

Yes, that is what I meant.

Yeah, it's a flat type screen (if there is any curvature it's very minor) - not like the dome type configs where you have to crane your neck and the edges are distorted. It's a really nice venue and some decent places to have an adult beverage over at Caddyshack (good place to drink, not so much to eat).

Really? I thought Superman Returns had IMAX sequences in it. :hscratch:

Superman Returns was shot with an HD digital camera, and had some scenes that were made 3-D for IMAX.

The Dark Knight was shot on film, and has some scenes that were shot with an IMAX camera.

I disagree, the two (non-IMAX) insert shots during the hospital explosion scene were terribly edited in.

Technically, all of Superman Returns was shot with the same HD video camera. Certain sequences were converted to 3D digitally during post-production, and that's what played in IMAX theaters. No portion of the movie was shot on actual IMAX film stock.

The last Harry Potter movie is a similar situation (though that movie was shot on Super35, not HD video).

granted how much dramaticallly the IMAX shot scenes were, maybe Warner could pony up the cash to create one of the Superman/Batman sequels in full IMAX.

IMAX cameras are huge and very, very loud. They are not practical for quiet indoor dialogue scenes.

However, someone on AVS brought up a good point that they could shoot the majority of the movie in 70mm rather than 35mm.

The size of the camera could definitely be an issue for some indoor shots, but the noise would not likely be a problem (at least for most scenes). So many scenes are remixed with ADR and foley effects these days that they probably wouldn't think twice about that issue.

I finally got to see DK in Hong Kong after champing at the bit for a month up in north China. I might be able to see the IMAX version there before I leave. if not I will catch it at home where I expect it to play for months.

Excited about the Blu Ray and it will probably encourage a new TV purchase.

What about doing seamless branching for the IMAX scenes? Having a choice seems the best method to me.

You try acting in an emotional or romantic scene when there's a camera as loud as a lawnmover six inches from your face.

The Digital Bits mentioned in their rumor mill that TDK BD will have 2 releases: 3-disc set and a limited edition version. I'm glad the extras will be on their own disc. I'm sure the 3rd disc is the ultra cool digital copy.

I'll be there on Day 1. I can't wait! Thanks for the info.

I'd love me a limited edition. Especially if it's like the limited edition DVD that will feature a Batpod scale replica. :up: Now if the limited edition is just a third disc with a digital copy of the film, count me out. :down: