The General (John Boorman) - Which version to watch?

Jason Hughes · 05-22-2005, 12:35 AM

Just wondering what the "right" way to watch this movie is. Was it shown theatrically in color or black and white? What aspect ratio? I assume 2.35:1, even though the b&w side is 1.85:1 (correct aspect ratios seemed like they used to be a difficult concept for Columbia).

Also, was this ever corrected? Or was it intentional?

Thanks for any input.

Jonathan White · 05-22-2005, 03:23 AM

In the UK it was released in black and white but in the USA it was in colour. Don't have a clue with regards the aspect ratio. Great film though, wish there was a decent DVD to do it justice.

Anthony Neilson · 05-22-2005, 04:56 AM

It was 2.35:1 in the cinemas but the VHS, the only version available AFAIK, is 1.85 open matte.

A truly under-appreciated movie. Why this isn't available on DVD I can't imagine, unless it's been suppressed so as not to disgrace Kevin Spacey's utterly inferior version of the story,ORDINARY DECENT CRIMINAL.

Geremia P. · 05-22-2005, 06:08 AM

Theatrically it was in black & white in the US, as well.

Ted Todorov · 05-23-2005, 07:20 AM

It was definitely B&W at its NY FIlm Festival screening.

Quote:

It was 2.35:1 in the cinemas but the VHS, the only version available AFAIK, is 1.85 open matte.

A truly under-appreciated movie. Why this isn't available on DVD I can't imagine

It IS available on R1 DVD, in OAR.

Ted

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Jason Hughes · 05-23-2005, 08:42 AM

Was the B&W side ever corrected?

Ted Todorov · 05-24-2005, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Was the B&W side ever corrected?

What exactly is/was wrong with it?

Ted

Jason Hughes · 05-24-2005, 10:55 AM

It was 1.85:1 whereas the color side with 2.35:1. Looks like Super 35.

Just wondering if this was intentional or not. Probably not as Columbia used to have a hard getting aspect ratios right (Silverado, Me Without You and I believe a few others).