Before I review BEND OF THE RIVER, let's talk about the 1.33:1 ratio.... (1 Viewer)

Ronald Epstein · Apr 29, 2003

Was all set to review Universal's classic western
Bend Of The River.

I pop in the DVD to find the one message all of
us dread to read: This film has been modified....

Am I to presume that Universal took this gorgeous
technicolor widsecreen film and released it as a
1.33:1 release?

Before I even touch this DVD for review purposes
I need to know what the original theatrical aspect
ratio was.

I would rather not review full-frame releases.

Thanks for your help.

ChrisMatson · Apr 29, 2003

According to IMDB, the OAR is 1.37:1.

http://us.imdb.com/Technical?0044413

Dennis Nicholls · Apr 29, 2003

IMDB lists this 1952 picture as being shot in academy ratio. Sometimes that "this film has been modified" slide is put in for no good reason: the original Singin' In The Rain had one.

Danny_N · Apr 29, 2003

This movie is from 1952 so it should be 1.33:1. The change to wider ratios took place in 1953 and after.

Looking forward to the review of this classic western

Peter Apruzzese · Apr 29, 2003

As noted correctly above, this was not a widescreen movie.

Robert Crawford · Apr 29, 2003

Ronbo,
This film was shot in the academy ratio of 1.37:1

Richard Kim · Apr 29, 2003

It looks like the "modifed for your screen" label was an error. There have been several Academy ratio DVDs that are labeled modifed as well.

Robert Harris · Apr 29, 2003

BitR was shot 1.37:1 on three strip acetate using the Technicolor process.

TonyD · Apr 29, 2003

well there you have it.

GerardoHP · Apr 29, 2003

That is so. But what should really matter to us is the aspect ratio that was intended for theatrical exhibition, not the AR the film was shot in. Many films are shot in the academy ratio with projection intended for 1.66 through 2.55:1.

Robert Crawford · Apr 29, 2003

However, that wasn't the case for this film.

Brandon Conway · Apr 30, 2003

Reminds me of the "Widescreen" banner on the 1930 version of All's Quiet on the Western Front.

Fortunately, a recent repressing of the disc finally fixed the cover art mistake as well.

Chad R · Apr 30, 2003

Not in 1952. At least not to a 2.55:1 ratio because that's strictly the domain of anamorphic lenses.

Marc_Sulinski · Apr 30, 2003

I have seen the dreaded "modified to fit your screen" message before, specifically on the documentary Crumb. When I checked IMDB, the ratio was 1.37:1, so maybe the message is in reference to the formatting changing from 1.37:1 to 1.33:1.

Greg_S_H · Apr 30, 2003

I think that's the case, as I've seen other 1.37 films with the message. Another I have is Reap the Wild Wind. I don't know much about aspect ratios, but I assume it would technically have to have be windowboxed to fit the whole 1.37 image in. With overscan, it probably wouldn't make much of a difference anyway.

Probably I don't know what I'm talking about. At least I admit it.

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Before I review BEND OF THE RIVER, let's talk about the 1.33:1 ratio.... (1 Viewer)

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