Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Technirama aspect ratio?

This is topic Technirama aspect ratio? in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 10-10-2008, 04:34 PM:

I always thought the aspect ratio ratio for Technirama was 2.35.1 but was surprised when Disney released the 50th Anniversary dvd of their classic SLEEPING BEAUTY in a 2.55.1 format. Like all 70mm release, I know it was projected in 2.20.1 ratio and the 35mm in 2.35.1. The extremely wide picture looked great on the new DVD and so did the previous version in 2.35.1. What exactly is the full AR of the Technirama wide screen process?

-Claude

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 10-10-2008, 05:17 PM:

Here are Technirama's specs. Technirama

If you bought the 2-Disc Platinum Edition of "Sleeping Beauty" on Blu-ray, Disney is including a bonus extra disc of the film in SD for a limited time. [thumbsup]

[ 10-10-2008, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: Bill Gabel ]

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 10-11-2008, 06:51 AM:

So, Technirama was a Vistavision knockoff?

Posted by Robert Minichino (Member # 3495) on 10-11-2008, 09:53 AM:

Anamorphic Vistavision. [Smile]

Posted by Christian Appelt (Member # 1067) on 10-11-2008, 01:43 PM:

Technirama was intended to be a multiple purpose production format to make any type of release print from 70mm to 16mm.

Standard Technirama 35mm reduction prints were usually 1:2.35, although I have seen cropped prints for 1:1.85 spherical widescreen projection (THE VIKINGS, 1958).

Super Technirama 70 prints (optical printing from 8-perf anamorphic negative to spherical 70mm positive) had 1:2.21.

The only exception I am aware of is SLEEPING BEAUTY which had a very wide frame line on vintage 70mm prints, maybe close to 2.35, possibly even to 2.55 ratio. I couldn't tell exactly because I saw a single reel on a deep curved screen which makes it hard to guess the actual AR.

IIRC the area used for extraction from the original 8-perf camera negative was not the same for U.S. and European Technirama productions, but I cannot find the chart at the moment. However, Marty Hart has most of the available data on his AWSM site.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 10-11-2008, 09:35 PM:

Christian,

The image on the new dvd of SLEEPING BEAUTY is extremely wide and beautiful and I like it. The liner note states it is 2:55.1 and the first time it is presented that way in any format, both theatrical and home home video. I also have the previous DVD with a 2:35.1 APR and the new release is much better. I have read comments that the blue ray of the current release is very stunning!

-Claude