Best OAR/P&S Comparison Yet? (1 Viewer)

Lew Crippen · May 7, 2003

The Criterion 2-disk edition of Contempt has an outstanding example of the difference between Pan and Scan (P&S) and the same film presented in its Original Aspect Ratio (OAR).

One of the extras on the second disk consists of selected scenes of the film in OAR, with the P&S portion shown as normal, while the portions excluded from the P^S version are shaded. The result is that in one shot, we are presented with a scene (not a still shot comparison) that shows us exactly what is missing in the P&S version. And how much of the director’s and cinematographer’s intent as to framing (among other things) is compromised. It is also easy to see where P&S results in places where the camera appears to move, but the actual shot is static.

This is the best comparison that I have seen.

And for those who think that they might be put off by a Jean-Luc Godard, ‘art house’ film, I am pleased to report that the first scene used for comparison includes a nude Brigitte Bardot.

Jason Harbaugh · May 7, 2003

Using a nude woman to hammer home OAR? Now that is what I call progress.

Carlo_M · May 7, 2003

Boy Lew you should work for Criterion's marketing department!

Heading over to Ken Cranes for a purchase...

D. Scott MacDonald · May 7, 2003

I always thought that Star Wars was a pretty good OAR demo. In the opening scene where you read the text, I almost can't read it in the P&S version. By the time you see the whole line, it's so far away that it's hard to read.

Holadem · May 7, 2003

And for those who think that they might be put off by a Jean-Luc Godard, ‘art house’ film, I am pleased to report that the first scene used for comparison includes a nude Brigitte Bardot.

I second Carlo's comment. Netflix, here I come.

--
Holadem

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Patrick McCart · May 7, 2003

On my website (in my signature) I have some comparisons between the P&S and widescreen versions of Around the World in Eighty Days.

The scene with the falling painting near the end is total nonsense in the P&S version. Cantinflas is invisible in that version!

Saul Bass's ingenius credit sequence at the end is squished in the P&S version. That's a whole REEL of squished movie!

The transition from the 1.33:1 Trip To The Moon footage is hidden by the P&S version. You simply see the windowboxing dissapear into full 1.33:1. Nothing special. However...seeing it in widescreen e x p a n d s the frame.

A myriad of scenes take advantage of the wide ratio such as the changing of the guards scene, the sail-car scenes, and a lot of the San Francisco sequence.

Also, Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, Ben-Hur, The Elephant Man, Superman, Blazing Saddles, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind are total SHIT in P&S. I literally became ill after watching a minute or two of LoA in P&S.

Lew Crippen · May 8, 2003

Also, Lawrence of Arabia, 2001, Ben-Hur, The Elephant Man, Superman, Blazing Saddles, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind

And don’t forget that there are only three Ghostbusters in the P&S version.

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Adam_ME · May 8, 2003

And don’t forget that there are only three Ghostbusters in the P&S version.

The elevator scene in Ghostbusters is a perfect example. If the P&S crowd doesn't get widescreen after seeing this, they never will.

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Carlo_M · May 8, 2003

Let's not forget what Lew is talking about here: not just "examples" of P&S vs. OAR, but an actual featurette comparing the two on a released DVD - that is quite an educational tool indeed!

The best featurette I've seen (not having seen the one in Contempt) is the one in Die Hard Five Star Edition. The one where the director (and/or DP, I forget) show the scenes in 2.35 and Pan and Scan and actually talk about and state that the compositional value is ruined by the P&S version! Now if only it wasn't buried so deep in the menus...

Chris Farmer · May 8, 2003

Say what you will about th emovie (I certainly have), but the Pearl Harbor Vista Series DVD had a pretty good comparison between the two, with several scenes being played to show just how much you ose. Quite effective. That was the one I used to finally show my sister why I always went widescreen.

Rocky F · May 8, 2003

T2 Ultimate Edition has the best comparison that I have seen. It shows the full original shot, with red and blue squares showing the theatrical and P&S frames, with the wide and full screen shots next to it. It's probably not the best example out there, just the best I know I have in my collection.

Lyle_JP · May 8, 2003

The T2 Ultimate Edition has the best example of what Super35 is and how Pan and Scan is made from it, but I think it's far from the best arguement against Pan and Scan (in fact, a supporter of Pan and Scan might find that the T2 demo supports their position as well).

-Lyle J.P.

Carlo_M · May 8, 2003

the Pearl Harbor Vista Series DVD had a pretty good comparison between the two

Is this the 2-disc or 4-disc version?

I passed on it because I didn't really enjoy the film but if it's the 2-discer and I can get it cheap (and maybe from Columbia House or used or something) I can always use it as demo material.

Thanks!

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Declan · May 8, 2003

no it's only on the 4 disc vista series version of Pearl Harbor

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