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I have the 3D bluray of The Wizard of Oz that is pretty impressive, but this version looks like a must see!
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I have the 3D bluray of The Wizard of Oz that is pretty impressive, but this version looks like a must see! -
I am not a big fan (no pun intended) of the 4D "wind and rain" experience, but to see that film, that size, in that definition, in that extended widescreen with AI created imagery to the side of the original academy screen ratio must be one terrific experience.
It is that aspect that maybe will be the not too distant future of feature films..... turning 4:3 ratio films into 2.35:1 without the need to crop the frame...just add bits on each side. After all, the technology we have obviously does a perfect job already. Imagine "Gone With The Wind," "Casablanca," and many more in this format ?
What next ? Immersive Imax 3D colour films of Charlie Chaplin, perhaps ?
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I'm sure it's an amazing experience but I can't get over the use of AI. Not only was it used to "enhance" the image but they used it to expand the frame and even fill in character actions that were once off screen. This is not the Wizard of Oz but just an interpretation of it and the methods used are crossing a line in entertainment that I do not believe in.Comment
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Gone With The Wind was converted to 70 mm in 1967:Originally posted by Melvin England View Post
An announcement advert taken from the trade magazine "Motion Picture Herald".
Source:https://www.in70mm.com/news/2021/wind/index.htm
The Oz conversion for the Vegas Dome did not crop the 1.37 frame; they did do image enhancement, and added content to avoid cropping.The majority of cinemagoers found the new and bigger movie entertaining and some even overwhelming. In re-release the movie led Variety's list of box-office hits week after week, and the film had been a huge ticket seller back then.
But quite a few people didn't like the visual and aural changes of the film's new 70mm version. They were of the opinion that the changes would harm the film, and I confess that they were not entirely wrong. A lot of critics were not enthusiastic about this new version too. One critic wrote:"Cropping the film's image in order to get the wide screen ratio has clobbered the film's visual beauty – sometimes less would be better than more, bigger isn't always better!"
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Beyond all of that, the cinematographers designed the image based on the aspect ratio, and what room they had to work within said ratio. To now make it into a scope image, for instance, violates the original intentions of the film-makers. No matter how brilliant the use of AI might be, it's a step down, not up. Personal feelings, of course.Comment
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It is really a remake but with the original actors performances. The wind and rain effects make it more like a theme park ride. I'm not drawn to it because I like the academic approach that you should see the film as if at its premiere, the best it could have looked and sounded in the year of release. No more and no less. That's my guiding principal, like a mono sound film I play through a central speaker only. No colorisations for me. I want the best original experience. At least most of the time. Not to say I haven't watched things like the blu ray of Psycho with its reimagined soundtrack with 5 way surround created from the original mono track. Technically brilliant and the documentary on the blu ray is fascinating. But I always want to be able to get back to the original.Comment
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Even though I've seen The Wizard of Oz many times (also in 3D) and own the feature on Super 8mm, I think it would be great to experience it at Sphere. This isn't replacing the original by any means, and it's extremely location dependent. Sure, this is a hybrid of theme park & cinema but I'd go along for the ride!Comment
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It would seemthat, with that size screen, all the action from the otiginal film is in the area of normal viewing and the added is in peripheral vision area as with Cinerama so it should not relly change the film and at present, it seems that they need something new to combat the low visitor numbers in Las Vegas.
On a smaller screen it would be bad.Comment
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Looks great for those lucky enough to see it projected that way
I to have the 3D blu-ray and using the Epson is truly amazing to watch, some very clever people out there..
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[QUOTE=Ed Gordon
The Oz conversion for the Vegas Dome did not crop the 1.37 frame; they did do image enhancement, and added content to avoid cropping.
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Ed - I think those words sum it up beautifully. Although I have not seen the 70mm version of "Gone With The Wind," I understand it was a complete mess because the editors did just that.... cropped 1.37 to 2.35. Come on, folks, a 1.37 to 1.85 is bad enough but to butcher the frame to 70mm? Really?
Now they have a chance of redemption with this film. Produce a copy but leave the 1.37 intact and AI the sides. Just think, we may get to see King Kong on his day off, standing at the side of the picture watching the fire scene which was actually HIS set being burnt !
Seriously, though, please remember that nothing material is being altered. No script / dialogue change, same actors doing exactly what they did in the original frame, no face alteration 'coz they really wanted Actor B to be in it, instead of Actor A ( yes, I am aware of the face detail enhancement possibilities), so NOTHING that the original director wanted is being changed, just the bits either side of the frame to complement the action, which may have been there in the first place if scope had been available at the time. These computer whizz kids are not stupid. I am sure they wouldn't create anything inappropriate, but the example in the short film above, inside the house, where we now see the man standing at the right hand side of the screen WELL BEFORE he enters the original frame, is pure genius.
I must say that I also think it is very important that keeping copies of these films in their original format. I would never suggest or support a permanent transition.
However, if this is the way to get old films back onto the screen for a modern day audience, or is the avenue that saves the day for cinemas' existences, then bring it on!
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What a spectacular idea…
If it opens the magic of this classic to new generations this way, why not?
As Doug wrote: it isn’t replacing the original.
I just thought: what a great experience it would be to watch STAR WARS this way…
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THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) IB TECHNICOLOR 16mm Feature Film Print, Amazing Colour Print from USA
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/277289243737Comment
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