New Mary Poppins Aspect Ratio (1 Viewer)

ScottR · Aug 12, 2004

Why is the new dvd of Mary Poppins going to be in a 1.66:1 aspect ratio? I thought the film was made in 1.75:1????

Joshua Clinard · Aug 12, 2004

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the filmakers filmed in 1.75:1, but that the Studio was pressured by the theaters to matting it to 1.85:1. 1.75:1 is probably the OAR if that's what's on the DVD.

ScottR · Aug 12, 2004

The new ratio is 1.66:1 though.

Malcolm R · Aug 12, 2004

Because 1.66 is "Family Friendly Widescreen" and Disney is all about "family."

Peter Kline · Aug 12, 2004

1.66:1 was a pretty standard aspect ratio for non-anamorphic films made in England where I believe MP was filmed (?).

Jo_C · Aug 12, 2004

Actually, 1.66:1 "VistaVision" is the aspect ratio Poppins was originally shot (and was represented on a deluxe LaserDisc some years back). The DVDs we've seen up to now have been cropped to 1.85:1, so the upcoming DVD will be the intended ratio.

Greg_M · Aug 12, 2004

Poppins was filmed at the Disney lot in Burbank, Ca.

Joe Caps · Aug 12, 2004

A Disney emplyee who seemed to know about such things said that all of disneys fifties films were soft matted to 1:75. the first Disney that was hard matted to 1:85 was Mary Poppins.
Yes, one of the disney laser versions (the best picture and sound so far for this film) was 1:66 - cuz it noticeably had the sides missing on that transfer . There was already at this time a Japanese laserdisc at 1:85 and all you had to do was compare it to the american laser to see how much was missing at the sides.
Again, surprisingly, we have another sound remix on the new disc. The last one was a disaster. It had been re-equed so bright, it gave me a headache.
Whats wrong with the original four track mix?

ArthurMy · Aug 12, 2004

Mary Poppins wasn't shot in VistaVision.

Nathan*W · Aug 12, 2004

So which is correct? 1.85:1 or 1.66:1?

Patrick McCart · Aug 12, 2004

Relax. Mary Poppins presented at 1.66:1 removes a little bit of mattes on the top and bottom, thus revealing a little more picture.

ScottR · Aug 12, 2004

If it was hard matted to 1.85:1, then you would lose info on the sides. Just check out The Color Purple vhs with the dvd.

Joshua Clinard · Aug 12, 2004

That info is incorrect. Mary Poppins was not hard matted to 1.85:1.

BBbrowd · Aug 12, 2004

Yes, I have that Archive Laserdisc at 1.66:1, and you can see more information on the top and bottom when compared with the DVD version.

It's especially nice in certain scenes, like when she flies in for the first time and lands on the walk of the house. On the DVD, the top of her umbrella is chopped off through much of it, whereas on the laserdisc you see more space above the umbrella which adds to the overall effect of that flying scene.

Peter Kline · Aug 12, 2004

Mary Poppins can fly?

Ernest Rister · Aug 12, 2004

"Mary Poppins can fly?"

Yes, especially after drinking her special brew of Rum Punch Cough Syrup.

Keith Paynter · Aug 12, 2004

I had the Japanese LD, then the American AC-3 LD (Masterpiece Edition w/isolated mono score on the Analog/L track - passed over the Archive Edition) - both 1.85:1. Never bothered to pick up any of the DVD's to date.

I'm going to wait and see if Sherry Bobbins shows up for rental to compare it to my LD. If the DVD is not a significant improvement, it's time to make another DVD from my LD collection (albiet with a low video bitrate).

Jane Darwell as the bird woman is still my favorite bit. The orchestral bridge of 'Feed The Birds' is the most emotionally moving score I've ever had the pleasure to listen to.

Ernest Rister · Aug 12, 2004

"...then the American AC-3 LD (Masterpiece Edition w/isolated mono score on the Analog/L track - passed over the Archive Edition)"

When did that street? I can't believe I missed it, or never even heard of it until now, especially considering how much time I spent at Dave's Video in the 90's.

Oddly enough, Mary Poppins was one of the first titles I ever bought on DVD, along with The Black Hole...the reason I bought a DVD player was because there was no wide-screen LD release for Black Hole, and Dave's Video was killing me by playing the title in surround on their large-screen TV's.

Poppins: ME must have been so late in the game I never even noticed it in my change-over to DVD.

ChristopherDAC · Aug 12, 2004

According to the LaserDisc Database that would be 9871 AS, released in October 1997.

What do you mean, anyway? The first LD release of that picture, the techs transferred the scope film as if it were Academy Ratio... creating a 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen LD! :laugh:

Not what you meant? There were a few like that.

Ernest Rister · Aug 12, 2004

No, I meant that I never saw a letterboxed release of the Black Hole on American laserdisc - ever.

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