MovieChat Forums > Batman & Robin (1997) Discussion > Full screen vs widescreen version

Full screen vs widescreen version


I watched this movie on the full-screen DVD recently and noticed there was actually more picture in the frame than the widescreen version almost as if the widescreen version is a cropped edition of the full screen. Some shots reveal more information in the frame. It’s especially exciting because the scenes with Poison Ivy in the full screen version reveal more of her crotch, ass and legs.

reply

This happens sometimes in films. The Shining is actually an example of it. The widescreen version is not the one that Kubrick intended.

reply

So Kubrick intended The Shining to be seen in full-screen?

reply

Yes. He preferred his movies in full-screen. James Cameron too with the exception of Avatar.

reply

Really! So there is a full screen version of Titanic and Terminator that shows more of the picture?

reply

Yes. Here is a thread from 2007, where people discuss it. https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/Info-Wanted-Fullscreen-versions-of-James-Camerons-movies/id/8149

Here is another one back from 1997! https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/alt.video.laserdisc/CF4aO5NALHw

reply

Makes sense if you think about it. If there was no widescreen then or filmed in addition to widescreen format, it would be hard to adapt it to widescreen without cutting corners. Those evil black bars cut the top and bottom and stretch the video but I think they just upped the res as much as possible for sharpness. Sucks but that's how it is with old shows.

reply

Exactly. I find it strange though that two legendary filmmakers like Kubrick and Cameron preferred full screen though.

reply

I think they must have just preferred that there be more image seen on home video than to have their 1.85:1 image cropped and reframed to fit 4:3.

reply

[deleted]