Ironmaster - Umberto Lenzi (1982)

[Edenbeast]

I noticed the Code Red AR is 1.78:1, while the 88 Films AR is 1.66:1. So which release has the correct AR?

[slybone]

Originally Posted by Edenbeast

I noticed the Code Red AR is 1.78:1, while the 88 Films AR is 1.66:1. So which release has the correct AR?

And according to IMDb the OAR is 1.85:1, so neither one is really “correct”, but there are some important differences.

The 88 release is slightly cut by about 9 seconds for animal violence, and there is an issue with audio (see link below). It’s also region B locked. The positives with the 88 is the exclusive extras, reversible artwork, English HOH subs and the DVD copy.

The CR seems to be uncut, in 1.78:1 ratio, which should mean a sliver more image is visible on the top and bottom edges of the screen, and the extras on the CR are a bit lengthier. The CR is region A locked according to the link below. Also no reversible art, subtitles or DVD copy with the CR.

I think that the CR wins by a bit, just my opinion.

https://www.dvdcompare.net/compariso....php?fid=42729

[Edenbeast]

I came to that conclusion as well, I just wish CR provided a reversible cover with the original artwork instead of that abomination of a cover!

[slybone]

Not sure why my link above isn’t working, maybe this one will.

https://www.dvdcompare.net/compariso....php?fid=42729

[benricci]

Originally Posted by Edenbeast

I noticed the Code Red AR is 1.78:1, while the 88 Films AR is 1.66:1. So which release has the correct AR?

The simple reason is that 1.66 was, historically, just a more common way to display films in Europe. So you'll see a lot of older European films presented this way on disc.

1.85 (and the more recent 1.78 which we get from the rise of HDTV's, which for all intents and purposes is the same and not an argument that we need to get into here) is a more commonly projected ratio in North America.

You'll sometimes notice that a US release of an older film may use the 1.85 version, while a Euro release may opt for a 1.66 framing. Both are typically accepted as 'correct' depending on the region you are in.

Note that this usually only applies to films shot "flat," meaning not using anamorphic lenses or other methods like 2-perf (popular in Italy) to achieve a 2.40:1 framing.