Columbia Region 2 Uk Dvds (1 Viewer)

[ArthurMy]

Does anyone have a list of DVDs whose aspect ratios were done incorrectly by Columbia in region one but are correct in region two? I have and/or know about the following:

Anatomy of a Murder
Cowboy
Three Worlds of Gulliver
Castle Keep (now fixed in region one)

Any others, or any other examples of the same thing from other studios, i.e. Frantic, which is full frame in region one but widescreen in region 2.

 

[John Hodson]

Depends on what you call incorrect; I know that at least two of those titles are presented as they were shot - in open-matte - in R1. And - for some strange reason - Columbia's R2 presentations of classic movies are often softer than their R1 equivalents (His Girl Friday, In a Lonely Place for example)

DVD Beaver has screen shots of both the R1 and R2 presentations of Anatomy of a Murder. Do I want to see the original theatrical aspect ratio and softer, or do I take a sharp open-matte presentation? At least it isn't pan and scan...

 

[ArthurMy]

"Depends on what you call incorrect; I know that at least two of those titles are presented as they were shot - in open-matte - in R1. And - for some strange reason - Columbia's R2 presentations of classic movies are often softer than their R1 equivalents (His Girl Friday, In a Lonely Place for example)"

What I call incorrect: Just because the full negative was exposed during principal photography, does not mean that the film was meant to be seen that way, and in the case of the Columbias I specifically listed, those films were never projected that way in theaters - they were 1:85 in the US, and 1:66 in the UK and elsewhere (except Castle Keep, which was scope). So, open matte is not their correct aspect ratio, which is why I purchased their UK counterparts.

I really like the Beaver, but sometimes his screenshots are deceiving. For example, I saw that Anatomy looked a bit softer on his comparison, but I got it anyway, and it isn't softer at all, it's pretty much the same. And it looks great framed properly - doesn't have all that silly and unnecessary head room in every shot - the film was framed for 1:66 and 1:85, not for television or theaters that could no longer project true Academy.

I'd still love to know if there are any other examples of incorrectly presented region one DVDs that are correct in region two. Thanks.

 

[John Hodson]

I appreciate what you're saying; I didn't want anyone looking in thinking - particularly those without multi-region equipment - that the R1s were p&s. Interesting what you say about AOAM; dvdbeaver have, in my experience, been pretty reliable.

BTW, you are probably au fait with DVD Compare. They aren't infallible but this list...

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparison...region&param=2

...of R2 winners might be worth a trawl. They usually award winning status for titles that have the correct OAR.

 

[ArthurMy]

Great, thanks for that link.

I love the Beaver site and his comparisons, but I have found that a few times they haven't been accurate. Mostly they are, though, and Gary provides a really important service. I also find it interesting that certain region one titles that aren't enhanced for widescreen TVs are in region two, like The Rocketeer (which I have on order from France) and Annie Hall from the UK (also on its way).