Movies with Alternate and/or Variable Aspect Ratios

[jscoggins]

This thread is for discussing movies with alternate and/or variable aspect ratios.

Alternate Ratios: When movies have been shown with completely different aspect ratios (such as On the Waterfront)

Variable Ratios: When movies intentionally have changing ratios, such as Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, and Interstellar

Some movies, such as Galaxy Quest and Oblivion, could belong on both lists.

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Alternate Ratios:

Apocalypse Now (1979)
2.40:1 in theaters. Cropped to 2.00:1 in some countries per cinematographer Vittorio Storaro's Univisium idea.

Apollo 13 (1995)
Originally 2.40:1. Recomposed to 1.66:1 for 2005 IMAX re-release. Both versions were released on DVD, but the IMAX version is no longer considered desirable since the movie had to be cut due to length.

Avatar (2009)
Both 1.78:1 and 2.40:1 in theaters. Only 1.78:1 available on BD.

The Big Trail (1930)
Two versions were shot: 1.20:1 and 2.10:1. They're technically different movies since the two versions use different takes.

A Bug's Life (1998)
2.40:1 in theaters. The DVD version also included a recomposed 1.33:1 version.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
2.40:1 in theaters. Open frame 1.78:1 on BD.

[Show spoiler]

The Evil Dead (1981)
1.33:1 and 1.85:1 are both available on BD.

Friends (1994 - 2004)
1.33:1 when first broadcast on TV. Open matte 1.78:1 on BD (you get more information on the left and right sides, though some shots are zoomed to hide cameras, microphones, sets, etc.).

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
2.40:1 in most theaters but 2.00:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
2.40:1 in most theaters but 2.00:1 in IMAX theaters.

I, Frankenstein (2014)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

[Show spoiler]

The Last Emperor (1987)
2.40:1 in theaters. Cropped to 2.00:1 in some countries per cinematographer Vittorio Storaro's Univisium idea.

Oklahoma! (1955)
Two versions were shot: Todd-AO 2.20:1 (30fps) and CinemaScope 2.55:1. They're technically different movies since the two versions use different takes.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
2.40:1 in theaters. Open frame 1.78:1 on BD.

On the Waterfront (1954)
1.33:1, 1.66:1, and 1.85:1 on BD.

Planet Terror (2007)
2.40:1 in theaters. 2.40:1 on Grindhouse double bill BD with Death Proof. Open frame 1.78:1 by itself on BD.

Prometheus (2012)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

The Recruit (2003)
2.40:1 in theaters. Open frame 1.78:1 on DVD. 2.40:1 on BD.

Riddick (2013)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

Sexy Beast (2000)
2.40:1 in theaters. 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 are on BD (different framing; both versions lose and gain picture information).

Skyfall (2012)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

That '70s Show Season 1 and 2 (1998 - 2006)
1.33:1 when first broadcast on TV. Open matte 1.78:1 on BD (you get more information on the left and right sides).

Titanic (1997)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. 2.40:1 on 2D BD, 1.78:1 on 3D BD.

Tomorrowland (2015)
2.20:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters.

[Show spoiler]

Underworld: Evolution (2006)
2.40:1 in theaters and on BD, open matte 1.78:1 on Polish HD DVD.

[Show spoiler]

[Show spoiler]

Underworld: Awakening (2012)
2.40:1 in most theaters but 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)
2.40:1 in theaters. Open frame 1.78:1 on BD.

(Note: A lot of "big" or "important" movies were released in 70mm during the 1950s-1970s. Compared to their 35mm counterparts, though, they were typically cropped at the sides.)

[jscoggins]

Variable Ratios:

The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
2.40:1 in most theaters but final battle was 1.90:1 in IMAX theaters. Only 2.40:1 available on BD.

Bad Education (2004)
Changes between 1.85:1 and 2.40:1.

Biutiful (2010)
Changes between 1.78:1 and 2.40:1.

Brainstorm (1983)
Changes between windowboxed 1.66:1 and 2.40:1.

Brother Bear (2003)
Changes between windowboxed 1.75:1 and 2.40:1.

The Dark Knight (2008)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.44:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX).

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.44:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX).

Enchanted (2007)
Changes between windowboxed 1.85:1 animated sequences and 2.40:1 live-action sequences.

Escape From Planet Earth (2013)
2.40:1 with some 3D effects that "break frame".

Galaxy Quest (1999)
Changes between windowboxed 1.33:1 and 2.40:1. (In theaters, parts of the movie were 1.85:1.)

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Windowboxed 1.37:1 (1930s), 2.40:1 (1960s), and windowboxed 1.85:1 (1985 onwards)

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
3D BD changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1. 2D BD stays constant 2.40:1.

The Horse Whisperer (1998)
Changes between windowboxed 1.85:1 and 2.40:1.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.44:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX).

[Show spoiler]

The Incredibles (2004)

JFK (1991)
Mostly 2.40:1 after opening montage of mixed-media footage.

Life of Pi (2012)
Mostly 1.78:1 with brief sequences in 1.33:1 and 2.40:1.

Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior
Prologue in 1.33:1, rest of the movie in 2.40:1.

Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol (2011)
Changed between 2.40:1 and 1.44:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX. Only constant 2.40:1 on BD.

More American Graffiti (1979)
Changes between 1.33:1, 1.85:1, and 2.40:1.

Oblivion (2013)
Changed between 2.40:1 and 1.90:1 in Digital IMAX. Only constant 2.40:1 on BD.

Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Changes between windowboxed 1.33:1 and 2.40:1.

Paddington (2014)
Begins in 1.33:1 B&W and expands to 2.40:1 color.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Changes between windowboxed 1.66:1, full 1.85:1, and 2.40:1.

A Serious Man (2009)
Begins in 1.33:1 and expands to 1.85:1.

Seventh Son (2015)
Opening sequence was vertically opened or recomposed to 1.90:1.

The Simpsons Movie (2007)
Changes between windowboxed 1.33:1 and 2.40:1.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.66:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX).

Superman: The Movie (1978)

This Is Cinerama (1952)
Changes between windowboxed 1.33:1 and 2.60:1.

This Is the End (2013)
Movie is primarily 2.40:1 but has "home video" sequences presented in windowboxed 1.78:1.

THX-1138 (1971)

Tombstone (1993)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.44:1 in 15/70 Giant IMAX).
(This is also a different cut of the movie.)

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
3D BD changes between 2.40:1 and a variety of other, taller ratios. 2D BD stays constant 2.40:1.

Tron: Legacy (2010)
Changes between 2.40:1 and 1.78:1 (1.90:1 in Digital IMAX).

Woodstock (1970)
A wide variety of mixed-media footage in various ratios.

[imsounoriginal]

Thanks for the lists, wasn't aware that some of these have more than one AR. Now that I'm predominantly using a Fixed AR ultrawide screen I'm starting to sort of favor the 2.35:1 variants, but I'd still like an IMAX release for MI:GP and the digital IMAX AR for Skyfall (looked beautiful in theaters).

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Thanks for the lists, wasn't aware that some of these have more than one AR. Now that I'm predominantly using a Fixed AR ultrawide screen I'm starting to sort of favor the 2.35:1 variants, but I'd still like an IMAX release for MI:GP and the digital IMAX AR for Skyfall (looked beautiful in theaters).

Yeah, a lot of the "noise" tends to be about IMAX presentations, but other movies also have varying compositions.

I'm rebuilding this information from a variety of sources. Please bear with me as I add more information for each movie.

[C.A. Hall]

That Catching the Fire ad explaining the difference between Regular theaters, True Imax, and Liemax, is so essential and should be posted everywhere

[Pecker]

Sexy Beast.

Steve W

[BasiliskFang]

Robocop criterion DVD and remastered Blu are different

[probedb]

Friends was opened up not cropped! Just read some of the reviews, there's stuff at the side that was never meant to be seen because it was shot for 4:3 but at 16:9.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by probedb

Friends was opened up not cropped! Just read some of the reviews, there's stuff at the side that was never meant to be seen because it was shot for 4:3 but at 16:9.

Okay, I'll dig more into this. Thanks!

Edit: I've updated the list to reflect your correction. Thanks again!

[Davidian]

Chinatown?

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Davidian

Chinatown?

In another thread, someone mentioned that the credits are in a different aspect ratio from the rest of the movie. I don't have a copy on hand to watch and provide more detail in the OP, though.

[beckmen]

I don't think it's available on BD, but More American Graffiti changes between 1.33, 1.85 and 2:35 I believe.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by beckmen

I don't think it's available on BD, but More American Graffiti changes between 1.33, 1.85 and 2:35 I believe.

Thanks!

IMDB says so as well.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079576/...ef_=tt_dt_spec

[Geoff D]

T2 wasn't simply 'opened up' to 1.33, the movie was selectively reframed throughout as per all of Cameron's 4:3 transfers.

[jscoggins]

Added This Is the End.

[jscoggins]

Added Tomorrowland to the OP.

[jscoggins]

If you guys can find more pictures like this, please let me know.

I'm adding these to the OP:

[Coenskubrick]

There's a huge discussion about the proper Barry Lyndon aspect ratio (so don't discuss which one is right here!), but was shot in academy ratio and has been projected and mastered at 4:3, 1.66 and 16:9.

[jscoggins]

Originally Posted by Coenskubrick

There's a huge discussion about the proper Barry Lyndon aspect ratio (so don't discuss which one is right here!), but was shot in academy ratio and has been projected and mastered at 4:3, 1.66 and 16:9.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...6&postcount=18

[obscurelabel]

Almodóvar's Bad Education switches between 1.85:1 and 2.4:1. The reason is kind of a spoiler