The Wire Question

[JadedRaverLA]

Originally Posted by DeeEmEcks

It was really filmed in 16:9?! I would KILL for a widescreen blu release of the Wire.

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

Sigh, it is criminal when a director says stupid things like that. Joss Whedon did the same with Buffy, even though it was released in the PAL world in widescreen. I'd take a 16:9 transfer any day.

In the case of the Wire, it was preferred by the show's creators (not the various directors) that the show be framed for a 4:3 standard-def presentation to give it a more gritty, documentary feel. Even the last seasons on HBO HD were upconverted from SD and left at 4:3 to maintain that look. For all the promos and weekly recaps, though, they were edited and broadcast from the widescreen masters. The film was always shot with an intended AR of 4:3, though, so many will have issue with 16:9 transfers even if it is additional material on the side.