Hell’s Angels 4K UHD (1930)

[sherlockjr]

Originally Posted by Doomhunter

Right now the 4k is listing 1.2:1 on this site’s product page

Where do you see 1.2:1?

When I look at the HELL'S ANGELS page on the Criterion site

https://www.criterion.com/films/28987-hell-s-angels

I see "1.37:1, 1.54:1"

1.2:1 (or more often shown as 1.19:1) is the Fox Movietone ratio. They chopped off the left side of the silent film frame for the optical soundtrack, but they kept the narrower silent film frame lines, thus making the screen image narrower and taller than the silent 1.33:1. It wouldn't be unusual for a 1930 sound film to use the Movietone aspect ratio, but I don't see that on the Criterion page?

In 1932 the Academy codified the Academy Ratio that kept the soundtrack on the left side but also widened the black frame lines, putting the Academy sound film ratio to 1.37:1, back close to the silent 1.33:1. Academy Ratio films are still often referred to as 1.33 among those working in projection booths, film archives, etc. Everyone knows they mean 1.37 for non-widescreen sound films after 1932. But 1.37 were both being used earlier than 1932, depending on the studio and sound systems.

The ratio shown in the short film excerpt on the Criterion site are most definitely not 1.2:1!