MovieChat Forums > 200 Motels (1971) Discussion > Unique filming style- Videotape

Unique filming style- Videotape

posted 9 years ago by cryptical17
4 replies | jump to latest

Regardless of the inscrutability and weirdness of 200 Motels' plot, it still is interesting to watch for its visual style. It was video taped instead of filmed. According to wikipedia, the videotape was "transferred to 35 mm film utilizing a Technicolor film printer utilized by the BBC, a process which allowed for novel visual effects."

Even though the image was obviously modified for a more cinematic "look", you can still see the 'live' feel of the videotaping. Plus, the movie sets were done on a cavernous sound stage. Makes it look like a freaky and demented sitcom, or a Monty Pythonesque comedy sketch.

Does anyone know any other movies that were first videotaped, then transferred to film?

[–] dukeofdunbar 8 years ago

Prior to finally seeing the film, I had read a lot about the technical details about it and heard Frank in interviews talk about the superior quality that resulted in their experiments and so on... but when I finally saw it... It looked like a second or third generation video tape dub. It looked blurred and to me, really unappealing. Now this was many years ago, and the copy I viewed was a digital transfer taken (presumably) from the VHS. When the DVD came out, I had high hopes, thinking that they must have done some restoration work and cleaned it up a little (or a lot), but nope; Identical to the first version I saw. Disappointing, although I understand that perfect, high-resolution picture quality does not a good film make. I've learned to appreciate it for the fact that at least it looks "different" and in belated answer to your original question, no, I don't believe there is any other film produced this way (at least, not any feature-length films).

[–] jeffblack-54536 8 years ago

I have it in 1080i and the picture quality is good. I did not know at the time that the film was video taped. I would like to know how they did it.

[–] Satan2016 8 years ago

I saw it in a small theatre in the late 70s, and it was weird seeing scan lines from a film projector. OTOH, watching SD video on my 1080p monitor is smoothly scaled by the video card or DVD/BD player.

Rammstein released a music video compilation in 2012 on DVD and BD. You would expect the latter to be all HD because they were all shot on 35mm, but only the latest two were HD. They would need to find the film in the label's vaults, then digitize and redo the effects and editing. Too much work!

Rammstein - Videos 1995-2012 Blu-ray http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=209413

[–] tabbycat 7 years ago

There were several in the 70's.
Two I actually saw in a theater:

"Give 'em Hell Harry!" 1975 taping of a live one-man show starring James Whitmore, Jr. Advertised as shot in "Theatrovision"!!! (i.e., videotape)

"Norman, is that You?" 1976 comedy starring Redd Foxx.