As not all Movie Theaters had Cinemascope Screens, I think that there are two versions filmed.
One in Cinemascope and one for the Standard Screens that existed in those days.
This means that the actors had to film twice the same scene.
Closer to each other when speaking.
Anybody still around who worked on that movie who can confirm this please ?
Thanks.
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Thank you David.
This means the Studios could make a Special Edition with both versions on DVD.
Of course we all want to see the CinemaScope Version.
From a Special Edition point of view, Fox could bring out a 2 Disc set.
With Both versions.
And I'm sure there's more to tell about the making of that great movie in extras on a DVD.
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The film was already in production using spherical lenses when the decision was made to film it in CinemaScope. From then on the regular, or "flat" version was filmed simultaneously with the scope version after the decision was made, and for decades was the version you would see either on TV or home video. I have seen both versions and there is quite a variation in the placement of actors in some scenes, slightly different dialogue, etc. as scenes already shot "flat" when waitiing for scope lenses were only re-done in scope months later.
I asked Jeff Morrow in person (about 1987) about what he remembered about dual cameras, but he did not remember anything out of the ordinary.
I prefer the "flat" version as the composition is better, as Leon Shamroy often would lock down the camera in a scene and the actors would move naturally only to one side of the frame in the scope version. The first CBS/Fox VHS release was not pan and scan of the scope version, but of a "flat" 16mm print (which was shot 1.37:1). I think the first letter-boxed "scope" version was released on laserdisc about 1990.
I have no good reason and suspect that monkeys possess some sort of soul. Geode
Geode,
Thanks for this fabulous piece of information. Do you have any connection to the film industry yourself?
Bravo!
Fox indeed had started the filming of THE ROBE in the non-wide screen format when the decision was made to switch all future Fox films to the wide screen format of CinemaScope. THE ROBE production was stopped and the sets redesigned for the wider format. Both a flat and CinemaScope versions were shot as Fox needed protection for their release in Europe should theatres balk at installing the needed wide screen equipment. As it turned out the CinemaScope version was the only one released theatrically. The flat version was later used for television showings and for 16mm rentals. The Blu-ray release of THE ROBE gives viewers the opportunity of comparing certain shots of the CinemaScope version with the flat one. For being the first CinemaScope film THE ROBE actually makes very good use of the wider screen.
shareActually the reason Fox finished the standard version was only because producer Frank Ross insisted. He had spent $100,000 of his own money to get the movie rights from author Lloyd Douglas in 1942 and had spent over 10 years trying to get the movie made, first at RKO and then at Twentieth Century-Fox. Ross did not want his project to be jeopardized by shooting it in an unproven format. However Fox was committed to the CinemaScope format and wanted "The Robe" to be the first movie in CinemaScope. They decided to shoot in CinemaScope despite Ross's objections, but also finish the standard version to humour him. The standard version gave then the option to use it as a "general release" to be shown in theatres that lacked CinemaScope capability a couple of years down the line, so it was not considered to be a total waste of money. However, this was not their primary motivation. (Nor were they afraid CS would fail). Had it been so, they certainly would not have been shooting 2 other CS movies ("How to Marry a Millionaire" and "Beneath the 12 Mile Reef") at the same time they were filming "The Robe" without standard 1.37:1 versions to back them up.
As it turned out, by the time they were ready to put the movie in "general release" in the summer of 1955 Fox had introduced a second cropped CinemaScope format (AR reduced from 2.55:1 to 2.35:1) that used an industry standard mono optical sound track. This second CS format was intended primarily as a print format and was introduced to satisfy theatre operators who were willing to install the CS screens in their theatres but were unwilling to install the expensive stereophonic sound system. Once this second format was introduced the number of theatres with wide screens virtually doubled overnight. Fox re-issued many of the early CS movies in the new format shortly afterwards.
The Blu-Ray version, contrasting the flat scenes with the CS scenes, sounds absolutely wonderful. It's a great idea - I see no discernible difference, but side by side, I'd be fascinated to see exactly what these differences were. On the latest DVD release, the film has been digitally restored, but, alas, no compare and contrast feature. More's the pity. With this knowledge, I'll have to rent the Blu-Ray version to see for myself.
On the film commentary of the latest release, someone said that, through the years, the general consensus has been that the performances on the flat version were better than the CS version -- I wonder what others here think about that.
Lots of great information in this thread - thanks!
The devil turns away from a closed door.
Do you know if the "flat" version has ever been availible on DVD? I also like it better. The acting in the widescreen version is AWFUL.
Do you know if the "flat" version has ever been availible on DVD? I also like it better. The acting in the widescreen version is AWFUL.
Why so many posts deleted?
Anyway If you buy or rent the Blu-ray you can watch both versions at the same time. The standard or flat version plays in a small window (Picture-in-Picture) while in the background the cinemascope version is playing.
A couple of film historians comments on the differences between the two versions of the movie now and then. It's a really cool feature.
I have a DVD of 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' that has two versions where some takes are clearly different.
"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"
Yes, it is confirmed. Two versions were filmed of "The Robe". When first shown on TV by ABC, they showed the regular version. It had many subtle differences as well as camera angles. At that time, they never used letterbox on TV. The version now sold is the CinemaScope version but unfortunately, it was never restored so there is dirt on many scenes and the featurette is not included in my DVD
shareI have seen it it open 2 ways, one where the curtain parted to reveal soldiers and the other which I think reveals a fountain. Also the spoken words in many cases seem different in tone. A good example is Burton's voiceover as Marcellus at the start about Caligula coming to the marketplace to buy gladiators. In the former, he says "He (Caligula) will probably not be pleased to see me." In the latter "He will probably not be pleased to see ME" with emphasis on the me. My DVD is widescreen letter box and is the former. 2:55 ratio. First DVD release.
shareRegarding the 2 versions, the 35mm Flat version has more close-ups of the actors in crucial scenes; giving more meaning to the storyline. The CinemaScope version, shows the same scene basically, but from afar thus missing the expressions of the actors. This is most evident in the final palace scene where Marcellus is put to trial; only in the Flat version do you see close-ups of Caligula when Diana calls Caligula an evil monster posing as emperor. Caligulas' expression is only shown clearly on the regular 35mm Flat version. Incidentally, TCM aired the film recently in the CinemaScope version and the film was full of dirt spots, especially evident in the Palestine segments. Shameful a classic to be shown that way!
share