MovieChat Forums > Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) Discussion > Aspect ratio

Aspect ratio

posted 16 years ago by edwstraker
4 replies | jump to latest

I've read some complaints on Amazon about VHS versus DVD versions of EVTFS. The VHS is 1.33:1 the DVD is 1.85:1 leading to complaints that the studio lopped-off some of the picture for DVD to make it seem like it was widescreen. I read a post on imdb under the "List of Adrian Messenger"that helped me. Here is my reply...

Thanks for the excellent post. I was always confused by numerous posts on imdb for numerous movies that say studios releasing a new DVD of an old movie took a 1:33 aspect ratio and blacked out the top and bottom for today's generation to make it seem it was filmed in widescreen. Such posts complained that much of the image intended to be seen by the filmmaker was was lost. Well this is not the case. Way back in the 50's there was a two stage projection process. The film maker filmed in 1.33:1 knowing that it would be masked later as the filmmaker wanted. But studios confused us by issuing early VHS versions without masking then issued a masked version on DVD as it was supposed to be seen. As a write this I wonder whether all of this was planned by the studio to make more $. We all bought the 1.33:1 version VHS then bought the masked version when they announced the DVD version was widescreen unlike the VHS.

[–] jeepnman 16 years ago

More on this subject:
I have come to the conclusion that a number of full screen prints are actually the full print minus the mask that was used during filming to make it 1:85. During the days of VHS why would a studio crop a 1:85 to full screen when the film minis the crop was already full screen. If it is a major film they might have done pan & scan but a lesser film, just scan it as is. You can see the cost savings. This appears to be the case also with some full screen DVDs but to a lesser degree. It wasn't to make more money but to save money. Who knew then that DVDs would offer resolution to display a sharp picture in a letterbox format. DVD letterbox predated most people having 16:9 TVs. One movie becomes VHS then DVD letter boxed then DVD enhanced for 16:9 then Blue Ray. It isn’t going to stop there. The studios just try to keep up to technology. And in a number of cases, smiling as they go to the bank.

[–] clacton0 9 years ago

Just seen this film on film 4 here and was the wide screen version but also b&w I wish I watched the COLOR version but only just found out there were one.

www.youtube.com/eastangliauk

[–] johnmiller (4011) 5 years ago

It was made in 1956 in standard 35mm. So, it is in 1:85 aspect ratio. Whatever was done after that was done.

[–] Satan2016 (26217) 4 years ago

Nope, 35mm is 4:3 and 1:85 is cropped in the projector.