MovieChat Forums > Around the World in Eighty Days (1956) Discussion > Projected in 70mm Todd-AO, '80 Days' is ...

Projected in 70mm Todd-AO, '80 Days' is hypnotic

posted 16 years ago by [email protected]
4 replies | jump to latest

Around the World in 80 Days (1956) may seem good on DVD, particularly if you have a home theater, great sound, and sit close, BUT it was HYPNOTIC when projected from a 70 mm print in Todd-AO. I saw it many times that way during its long run (well over a year) in San Francisco in 1956-1957. It was one of the few films (along with 2001: A Space Odyssey) that used 70mm, and a huge deeply curved screen suggesting the arc of vision in a way that produced a truly memerising effect. At the time, people discussed whether the screen filling spinning world globe near the end of Edward R. Murrow's prologue could have produced true hypnotism, but, no it was just the magnificent photography, the extremely powerful, involving sound (a 114 piece orchestra and 6 channel stereo, warmer and probably better than today's digital), and the high level of audience involvement.

If a fully restored 70 mm print is ever shown in one of the few remaining 70 mm theaters (e.g., in Seattle, Wash), I urge you to go!

See http://www.widescreenmuseum.com and http://in70mm.com/

[–] Mr_McLaurel 16 years ago

I'd love to see this movie on a big screen. I can only imagine what it would be like!

What's the spanish for drunken bum?

[–] bassoon-2 16 years ago

I saw this film at the Capri Theatre in San Diego, California, five times. The Capri Theatre was replaced by a condo development which took the name "The Egyptian" after the name of the original theatre. Unfortunately, in their enthusiasm for local history and Art Deco, they didn't bother to preserve the theatre. Shame!

[–] FromFireIsland 13 years ago

This is TRAGIC! Shame on them!

[–] BR-3 10 years ago

I agree with Gary. In Todd-AO this film was fantastic. The detail, colour and curved screen put you in the picture. When the screen suddenly expanded (the curtains had only showed part of the screen) at the end of Edward R. Murrow's introductory exposition the audience gasped. I saw it three times in three weeks back in 1958. It's one of the only movies that I've ever wanted to see (and pay for) more than once at the theatre.

But sadly it looks like it may be one of the few Best Picture winners that will never come to Blu-Ray. I understand that it has been so badly cared for that it has deteriorated to the point where a proper rerelease on BD would require a huge cleanup and restoration. Given the lack of sales of catalogue titles I doubt that the studio owning the film today (Warner?) is willing to spend that kind of money. If anyone knows more on this subject, please post here.