The Shining (1980)

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

I'm actually tempted to pick this film up on Laserdisc, just because. I already have the special edition on both DVD and blu-ray, US version for the former and European for the latter, and it'd be nice to have the full matte version as well for posterity. The US release is nice and all, but despite it's burnt-in Japanese subtitles, I really like the Japanese covers. I think similar theme was used on some of Warner's VHS releases back in the day.

this never ends.

[Arawn]

we are all Jack now

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by MattDean

There was an early US dvd release which was open matte. I have it in my collection.

I used to have one, albeit the Euro version. The one with the white covers, right?

Did they ever release the US version in a proper keepcase instead of a crapper---er, snapper case?

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

this never ends.

Oh come now.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

Oh come now.

Come now for what? Presenting the film in an incorrect ratio "just because"? I don't see you calling for EVERY Super 35 film that was opened up to 1.33 for VHS to be included on the blu for "posterity." (And FYI, some those were "director-approved, because you chime in that Kubrick wanted it 1.33 - for 4x3 TVs ONLY). And there's zero reason for The Shining to have an open matte version, but people keep bringing it up like it's something important.

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

And there's zero reason for The Shining to have an open matte version, but people keep bringing it up like it's something important.

And yet there are people willing to pay money for pan&scan Star Wars LDs, despite looking far worse visually in 4:3 than The Shining does.

If they at least cost like 5 bucks like The Shining LD does, I could understand buying them for the novelty value. Yes, perhaps I should've said "novelty" instead of "posterity".

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by Bates_Motel

Come now for what? Presenting the film in an incorrect ratio "just because"? I don't see you calling for EVERY Super 35 film that was opened up to 1.33 for VHS to be included on the blu for "posterity." (And FYI, some those were "director-approved, because you chime in that Kubrick wanted it 1.33 - for 4x3 TVs ONLY). And there's zero reason for The Shining to have an open matte version, but people keep bringing it up like it's something important.

He didn't say it was right or better, just as an option.
When people order food in a restaurant you don't like do you knock their teeth out?

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by Takeshi666

And yet there are people willing to pay money for pan&scan Star Wars LDs, despite looking far worse visually in 4:3 than The Shining does.

If they at least cost like 5 bucks like The Shining LD does, I could understand buying them for the novelty value. Yes, perhaps I should've said "novelty" instead of "posterity".

It really doesn't matter what people "want.", its a matter of presenting the film correctly. Period. It doesn't need an open matte transfer, it wasn't composed for 1.33, and that's really all there is to it.

Again, where's all the threads calling for open matte versions of every other film ever made? I don't see any.

Originally Posted by Agent Kay

He didn't say it was right or better, just as an option.
When people order food in a restaurant you don't like do you knock their teeth out?

But it should't be an option, because TVs aren't 4x3 anymore, and that's the only reason Kubrick chose to present it that way on the old days of video. Again, no one is calling for open matte versions of all the Cameron films (he approved them for VHS, too) or any other Super35 film that was 4x3 on VHS. The Shining is no exception.

You know this, and you know exactly what I mean, so don't play act. The Shining was composed for 1,85 and that's the only way it should be seen on a widescreen TV, period.

There will be no "open matte" version on a future release, so people really need to stop bringing it up every few pages. It's really silly by this point.

[Takeshi666]

Nobody's asking for the movies to be released in open matte. You need to chill out.

Besides, if you want to get mad about people wanting an open matte version of a Super 35 production, how about that HK Laserdisc of the Matrix people are paying like 800 dollars for?

[OgamiittoMcJ]

yeh I agree w/s is best most accurate
but I would still like both where available like Touch of Evil
Psycho movies too
there's more info correct or not

[Takeshi666]

Originally Posted by OgamiittoMcJ

there's more info correct or not

It's kinda like watching a workprint version of a movie. You're seeing things that weren't intended to be seen, but it might provide some insight into the production. Stagelights, set edges, on-set microphones, etc.

Or even little details like the store signs in Back to the Future that get cropped out in the widescreen version.

[Bobbyjoe766]

I prefer the widescreen presentation but I’ll keep my open matte copy too. Classic film.

[WeeBey]

Originally Posted by agenda

What colour issues? And the reason(s) you want to see that aspect ratio more than 1.78:1 is?

The colour issue is most easily seen in the scene where the tennis ball rolls towards Danny.



Obviously, the ball is supposed to be yellow not pink.

As for the aspect ratio, Kubrick composed the movie in 1.85:1 as can be seen on the fourth note at the top right of this exterior shot.



Warner Brothers has released this and many other 1.85 movies in 1.78 in order to avoid even the slightest hint of black bars on widescreen TVs. I want to see them correct this so the movie is presented as much as possible as Kubrick intended.

[bobbyh64]

Hm, “The frame is exactly 1-1.85.” Would Kubrick care that the Blu-ray is 1.78? Maybe not, since it seems like he prefers it to be the shape of whatever TVs are.

[WeeBey]

Originally Posted by bobbyh64

Hm, “The frame is exactly 1-1.85.” Would Kubrick care that the Blu-ray is 1.78? Maybe not, since it seems like he prefers it to be the shape of whatever TVs are.

There’s no point speculating about what Kubrick might have done today. It’s simpler to just present the movie in the way it was composed.

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by WeeBey

There’s no point speculating about what Kubrick might have done today. It’s simpler to just present the movie in the way it was composed.

Agreed. I find it strange that most movies are presented in their OAR except when it comes to 1.85. It seems they’re usually opened up to 1.78. I know the difference is small, but I don’t understand the point of it. Are there people who actually complain about the tiny bars? If the reason is to cater to people who want their TV screens filled, why aren’t all movies released in 1.78?

[koberulz]

I have trouble even telling whether what I'm watching is 1.78 or 1.85, as my TV has a small border top and bottom regardless.

[Alister_M]

Originally Posted by koberulz

I have trouble even telling whether what I'm watching is 1.78 or 1.85, as my TV has a small border top and bottom regardless.

That sounds like overscan, which can usually be fixed by changing the display settings on either the TV or the player.

[eiknarf]

Originally Posted by WeeBey

The colour issue is most easily seen in the scene where the tennis ball rolls towards Danny.



Obviously, the ball is supposed to be yellow not pink.

As for the aspect ratio, Kubrick composed the movie in 1.85:1 as can be seen on the fourth note at the top right of this exterior shot.



Warner Brothers has released this and many other 1.85 movies in 1.78 in order to avoid even the slightest hint of black bars on widescreen TVs. I want to see them correct this so the movie is presented as much as possible as Kubrick intended.

Wait, quick question;

Is that supposed to be the exact same ball that Jack Torrance is repeatedly throwing against the wall? And if so, was it a standard yellow tennis ball?

Because in that picture of Danny on the trippy carpet it looks like one of those pink Spalding Handballs - hahaha

[nissling]

The Shining in open matte sucks. You can see the helicopter rotor in the overview shots of the hotel.

[agenda]

Originally Posted by nissling

The Shining in open matte sucks. You can see the helicopter rotor in the overview shots of the hotel.

Old news, but you got a point in there. Still, I would like to see it in that aspect ratio also. Blu-ray with both versions and aspect ratios would make me happy.