What's the widest aspect ratio ever used?

[noirjunkie]

I'm curious about this, so to anyone who can provide an answer, thank you in advance. The widest aspect ratio I've ever seen used for a film is 2.89:1, which was used for How the West Was Won. Anyone know of any other films that used an AR as wide or wider?

[W0m6at]

Not the entire film, but the finale of Abel Gance's Napoléon from 1927 has an aspect ratio of 4:1. What makes this even more impressive is that films of that period tended to be in Academy ratio (1.33:1).

More information, and the source of the image below:

[Roonan]

Other than Napoléon's finale, I believe Ben-Hur is the film with the widest aspect ratio (2:76:1).

[yeslek]

woah, those are some pretty wide ratios.

I always though Disney's Sleeping beauty was wide enough at 2.55:1

I'm not a fan of anything wider than 16:9 as with any TV screen (the old square ones an current widescreen ones), I always feel like I'm losing out to black bars of empty space. I have no qualms with any aspect ratio in a theatre as the height never changes, only the width to accommodate the wider ratios and therefore dont feel like I'm losing out to a smaller picture like on the home TV. When TV's are able to be widened in the same manner as theatre's I'll have no complaints, but can only see that being possible with projectors to be honest which is a shame. TV's need to adapt IMO

[cinemaphile]

I assume you're referring only to feature films. But I remember as a kid going to some theater that had this wrap-around screen that went about 270 degrees around the audience. I can only imagine what the AR was on that. I dont think it was a feature though. Might have been like a documentary or something, like IMAX movies used to be.

[Atreyu]

I also read, I think it was in Russia, they experimented with a screen that was a full 360 degrees and everyone sat in the middle.

[Trekkie313]

Originally Posted by Atreyu

I also read, I think it was in Russia, they experimented with a screen that was a full 360 degrees and everyone sat in the middle.

They got those at amusement parks, especially at Canada in EPCOT.

[Spicoli]

I googled your question and got all the answers! Thanks op.

[JavaJulien]

Originally Posted by Roonan

Other than Napoléon's finale, I believe Ben-Hur is the film with the widest aspect ratio (2:76:1).

Ben-Hur is the film with the widest asect ratio that I own.

[LynxFX]

Originally Posted by yeslek

I have no qualms with any aspect ratio in a theatre as the height never changes, only the width to accommodate the wider ratios and therefore dont feel like I'm losing out to a smaller picture like on the home TV.

Actually that's not true of most modern theaters anymore. The modern multiplex is filled with constant width, variable height screens. A curtain is lowered from the top to turn a 1.85:1 screen into a 2.35:1 one.

[Ernest Rister]

Circlevision 360.

[Trekkie313]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Circlevision 360.

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

They got those at amusement parks, especially at Canada in EPCOT.

.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

.

Circlevision predates Epcot, Walt used it in Disneyland the same year the park opened in 1955. They called it "Circarama", but it's essentially the same idea.

Really hope the Imagineers can spruce up the Circlevison film in the China Pavillion, as it is getting a bit long in the tooth.

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by yeslek

woah, those are some pretty wide ratios.

I always though Disney's Sleeping beauty was wide enough at 2.55:1

I'm not a fan of anything wider than 16:9 as with any TV screen (the old square ones an current widescreen ones), I always feel like I'm losing out to black bars of empty space. I have no qualms with any aspect ratio in a theatre as the height never changes, only the width to accommodate the wider ratios and therefore dont feel like I'm losing out to a smaller picture like on the home TV. When TV's are able to be widened in the same manner as theatre's I'll have no complaints, but can only see that being possible with projectors to be honest which is a shame. TV's need to adapt IMO

was it actually released as such? I thought Disney and the animator's drew and shot in hopes of releasing it in Cinemascope, but at the last minute was released at 2.35 (wasn't the 70mm engagements at 2.20?) - as was the case with 'The Bridge Over the River Kwai' too.

[Patient-X]

Originally Posted by Spicoli

I googled your question and got all the answers! Thanks op.

This wouldn't be much of a forum if everybody just googled their questions

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Circlevision predates Epcot, Walt used it in Disneyland the same year the park opened in 1955. They called it "Circarama", but it's essentially the same idea.

Really hope the Imagineers can spruce up the Circlevison film in the China Pavillion, as it is getting a bit long in the tooth.

The first time I experience circlevision was the one we had here in Montreal for Expo 1967. It stayed in service for most of the 70's. I think theyclosed it down with what was left of the Expo in 79-80

[noirjunkie]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

I assume you're referring only to feature films.

Yes, I am. I know that there are other, non-traditional types of screenings with wraparound screens, but I was mainly curious about feature films.