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Criterion The Last Emperor: Aspect Ratio question (1 Viewer)

battlebeast

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I was just reading that Criterion's The Last Emperor Blu Ray was released in the aspect ration 2:0.1, while its OAR was 2:35.1


Does this make a big difference? Is there image loss? More cropping? I'm afraid as much as I know about movies, I don't know much about aspect ratios... :wacko:
 

Mike Frezon

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Warren: There are a number of threads already here on the HTF dealing with The Last Emperor and the change in AR.


You can also Google Storaro and Univisium to get all kinds of opinions on the current releases that are out there.


Here are a few to get you started:


http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/271656-the-last-emperor-on-blu-ray/


http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/276235-htf-blu-ray-review-the-last-emperor/


http://www.hometheaterforum.com/topic/264822-statement-concerning-the-last-emperor-criterion-collection/
 

Mike Frezon

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And just because this bugs me so much:


here's a couple screen caps from a 2.35:1 DVD and a 2:1 Blu:


htf_imgcache_33686.jpeg



htf_imgcache_33687.jpeg



More images are available for comparisons on DVD Beaver.
 

Brandon Conway

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Matt Hough

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I reviewed both the DVD and Blu-ray issues of this title and lamented the change in aspect ratio in each one. In certain scenes, the cropping is VERY detrimental to the composition, and it just astonishes me that the director would have okayed this. But I guess he trusted his cinematographer enough to let him have his way. BIG MISTAKE.
 

jauritt

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If you're willing to shell out big bucks, there is a region-free BD from Japan that is in the correct aspect ratio, contains both versions of the film and, although I've never been able to compare it directly to Criterion's release, has damn good PQ and AQ. I just checked on Amazon Japan and it appears to still be available, although I didn't bother to try to calculate it's current cost with shipping. I bought my copy a couple of years ago and it cost me around $80.


To me, worth every penny.
 

battlebeast

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Well, When I come to Watching and reviewing The Last Emperor, I will decide what aspect ratio I do indeed like better. From the screen caps above, I think I like the 2:35.1, But the color is... bizaare. We shall see. Thanks again, all! It's been quite a learning experience.
 

lukejosephchung

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I have the Japanese import BD of "The Last Emperor" and it's replaced my Criterion as my go-to version for watching this movie, since it's not only in the correct aspect ratio, but contains BOTH THEATRICAL & EXTENDED cuts...it's Region "A" compatible, so US players will have no problems loading and playing this... :thumbsup:
 

Konstantinos

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lukejosephchung said:
I have the Japanese import BD of "The Last Emperor" and it's replaced my Criterion as my go-to version for watching this movie, since it's not only in the correct aspect ratio, but contains BOTH THEATRICAL & EXTENDED cuts...it's Region "A" compatible, so US players will have no problems loading and playing this... :thumbsup:
Even better than the Japanese Bluray would be the new restoration that they did for the 3D italian Bluray (minus the 3D and brightness to go with the dark glasses)


http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/multi_comparison.php?disc1=3411&disc2=2004&cap1=31422&cap2=18703&art=full&image=3&hd_multiID=197&action=1&lossless=#vergleich

http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleiche/multi_comparison.php?disc1=3411&disc2=2004&cap1=31423&cap2=18704&art=full&image=4&hd_multiID=197&action=1&lossless=#vergleich


Much better grain depiction and resolution, and even more correct aspect ratio!


i really hope this sees the light of day as a 2d Bluray!!

I've been holding off buying The Last Emperor for that reason!
 

Mike Frezon

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battlebeast said:
Well, When I come to Watching and reviewing The Last Emperor, I will decide what aspect ratio I do indeed like better. From the screen caps above, I think I like the 2:35.1, But the color is... bizaare. We shall see. Thanks again, all! It's been quite a learning experience.

Those screen caps above, Warren, were designed to answer your very specific question in your OP about AR:

Does this make a big difference? Is there image loss? More cropping? I'm afraid as much as I know about movies, I don't know much about aspect ratios... :wacko:

The color in that DVD image isn't really a factor here. But that image gives you an idea of how much image is missing in the switch from 2.35:1 to 2:1. That particular DVD is from a Region 2 PAL release.
 

Josh Steinberg

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Konstantinos said:
Even better than the Japanese Bluray would be the new restoration that they did for the 3D italian Bluray (minus the 3D and brightness to go with the dark glasses)

Have you seen the 3D version? I'd be curious to check it out one of these days.
 

Bob Cashill

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YesAsia has the Japanese version of the film for $62. Very reliable shipper. Based on buyer reviews on Amazon Italy I'm wary of the 3D disc, which is only the theatrical version. (Blu Ray.com has mixed user reactions to that disc as well in ifs user forum.)
 

Josh Steinberg

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Bob Cashill said:
YesAsia has the Japanese version of the film for $62. Very reliable shipper. Based on buyer reviews on Amazon Italy I'm wary of the 3D disc, which is only the theatrical version. (Blu Ray.com has mixed user reactions to that disc as well in ifs user forum.)
Just curious - are the reviews mixed because of the actual quality of the 3D conversion itself, or because of how the disc itself turned out?
 

battlebeast

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Mike Frezon said:
Those screen caps above, Warren, were designed to answer your very specific question in your OP about AR:


The color in that DVD image isn't really a factor here. But that image gives you an idea of how much image is missing in the switch from 2.35:1 to 2:1. That particular DVD is from a Region 2 PAL release.
It did help! And I appreciate it!
 

Lord Dalek

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The concept behind Univisium was that Storaro thought 2.35:1 had its overall resolution compromised by the incredibly thick black bars on old 4:3 laserdisc letterbox transfers. So cropping the image for the mid-90s Apocalypse Now laserdisc (which I think was the first one he did) actually made some sense at the time. However, now that we're in the era of HD with double the lines, he seems to be no longer interested in his 2.00:1 crops. Unfortunately this came about too late for The Last Emperor and if there was ever a Criterion Blu-ray screaming for a remaster, its this one.
 

rsmithjr

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After buying Criterion from their very first LD days, I was very disappointed in this film. The compositions are ruined in so many scenes.


I hope that Criterion revisits it. If they do, I intend to ask for a free replacement. They already offered me my money back when I complained; I refused.
 

Konstantinos

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Josh Steinberg said:
Have you seen the 3D version? I'd be curious to check it out one of these days.
I have not seen it, but based on the screenshots it seems the best concerning grain and resolution!

(the japanese Bluray seems a bit blurry comparing to this)

I don't say anything about the colors because those have been tampered with for the 3D presentation.
 

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