MovieChat Forums > The Awakening Land (1978) Discussion > Aspect Ratio

Aspect Ratio

posted 14 years ago by weenyboy
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There has been some question over whether The Awakening Land was originally produced in "full screen" (4:3) format or "widescreen" (1.78:1) format.

I have the full screen version shown on TNT a few years back and compared the picture framing of that version to the new "widescreen" DVD version.

The bottom 15% or so of the TNT version has most definitely been cropped to make the new DVD version. I watched the same scenes back to back and you can notice things like people's feet missing, bottom rungs on ladders cut off, lower buttons on shirts not shown, etc. The top of the picture remains in tact, however.

This was definitely originally produced in the full screen format, which was the norm for television in those days. The fact that they removed some of the bottom of the picture does not bother me at all. The DVD print is very clean and looks great on my widescreen TV. I am also glad that they have restored a few scenes that were missing from the TNT version. I hope the DVD release prompts more people to watch this excellent mini-series.

I don't patronize bunny rabbits!!

[–] ElizabethMontgomery 14 years ago

Well it bothers me that in effect the whole movie was edited vertically so to speak.

They also have footage not seen but then they leave out footage from the TNT version, as much as 8 to 10 minutes Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.

But thanks for the research & information, that was very interesting & informative.

I just feel we could have had the darn thing uncut & whole if WB did not have their heads up their Gluteus Maximus........................

[–] weenyboy 14 years ago

Aside from the scene when Jake Tench and Will Beagle visit the girls while their Pa is away (right before Sayward bites Jake's ear), what other scenes are missing from the DVD?

I don't patronize bunny rabbits!!