Question about FRITZ LANG'S INDIAN EPIC... (1 Viewer)

[Dick]

The two films, TIGER OF ENSCHAPUR and INDIAN TOMB, made by Fritz Lang in the late fifties, were imported to the USA in a severely truncated form (roughly 90 minutes instead of the intended 203) as JOURNEY TO THE LOST CITY in 1959, which I saw several times as a child.

The DVD's of this epic are now presented in the original German language, uncut. The aspect ratio of the DVD's is 1.33:1, and does not seem cropped. I can accept that Lang might well have filmed in the Academy ratio in 1957-58.

But IMDB lists the short version I saw, JOURNEY TO THE LOST CITY, as having a 2.35:1 ratio.

Was the U.S. edition matted for fake widescreen, or are these otherwise nice-looking DVD's cropped?

Has anyone knowledge of this? Thanks in advance.

 

[Scott Pierson]

I'm not sure, but I did not notice anything weird about the framing when I watched this. I really dug this film. Some truly bizarre stuff. The snake (deliriously funny un-special effect), and the very hot dance made this well worth it.

 

[Andre Bijelic]

IMDB frequently lists incorrect information, especially regarding aspect ratios.

I've seen the discs in question and the compositions looked right - they might have been framed with 1.66:1 in mind, but definitely not 2.35:1.

 

[Orlac33]

Glen Erikson's review suggest widescreen, but the clips I've seen of the DVD look like standard Academy rather than open matte.