Why is it that these companies INSIST on NOT GIVING US WIDESCREEN FOR CLASSICS LIKE THIS?!?!
shareThe only way we can let these companies know we want movies released in their original format is to NOT BUY the movie if it's been reformatted. I, for one, will NOT buy this DVD even though I've been looking forward to it being released for a few years now.
shareAn American tail was shot open-matte (with the full frame negative shot), but composed and framed for 1.85. For a widescreen presentation simulation of it, you could take some poster paper or something and attach them to the TV screen at the top and bottom. That way, you can see the film with the proper composition (you're actually seeing too much in 4:3 with this film)
shareand what about those of us with widesreen TV's?
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To most studios, they still have the same mentality that most jaded preteens have nowadays- cartoons are for stupid little babies! Reasoning like that is why we don't have 'An American Tail,' let alone 'Cats Don't Dance' in Widescreen.
A-ha-ha-ha, you're really weird!-Willy Wonka
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The European Region 2 (at least the Nordic one) is in Anamorphic Widescreen with English DD 5.1 and DTS sound (+ Finnish, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian 5.1 sound). No subtitles are on the disc. Extras are the same as on the R1 disc.
shareMy DVD of this movie is in widescreen. And 5.1. Which is amazing for the soundtrack.
shareI agree with dougthemovieman. I'm longing for the day that they come out with a Special Edition of 'American Tail'. Don Bluth's Anastasia has a special edition complete with widescreen format, documentaries, and one of the best audio commentaries you can ask for. Then again I noticed that there are studios who are more then willing to bring out special editions such as Disney and Fox. It seems to me that Universal doesn't share their interest in producing these special editions for everyone to enjoy. Personally I'd think they'd like to make more money on their movies, but that's just me.
share"Anastasia", however, was produced in a widescreen anamorphic format. So it needs a widescreen transfer (the old "Anastasia" DVD has the "full"screen version as well...ugh.)
As I said above (several years ago, wow this thread is old) "An American Tail" was produced open-matte. You're seeing the entire picture with this particular full screen film.
i love your suggestions, dougthemovieman, especially the bundle release with The Land Before Time and an audio commentary of spielberg. since george lucas also produced TLBT i'd love to listen to him as well (and he does audio commentary on all of his own movies).
shareMany widescreen TVs have some sort of zoom feature. They also have a "stretch" feature, but use the zoom instead.
shareI agree that Universal REALLY needs to get on the ball and re-release this and Fievel Goes West in anamorphic widescreen! I am headed soon to their website to leave a message to that effect. I encourage others to do so.
The more people that speak out and make their demands known, the more likely Universal is to consider widescreen releases of both movies. Everybody, send emails/letters to Universal! LET'S MAKE OUR REQUESTS KNOWN, PEOPLE!!!!
I think another thing they need to get on the ball with is not only putting American Tail (And Land Before Time) in Widescreen Format, but redoing the cover designs! They're designed to look like movies made for babies and two-three year olds! (Anyone who's seen the dreadful Secret of NIMH DVD cover will know what I mean)
I believe the reason for this design packaging was when these reissues of the first AAT and LBT were put out, the video companies were shelling out those cheap-@ss, direct-to-video sequels that would appeal the little kids who were 'baby-sat' by the TV/VCR, thus they designed the packaging of the original films to appeal to that generation of kids instead of the 20-30-somethings who grew up with the films when THEY were kids.
And I remember when American Tail came out in theaters, that was one of the biggest movies there was, and kids and adults of all ages were going to see it.
It's a shame that the DVD distributors are just seeing it as "kiddie" fare.
If these films are reissued as DVD special editions, I doubt we will get audio commentaries. Spielberg doesn't record them for his films, since he believes that they detract from the viewing experience.
God Bless!!
If you have a wide screen TV use the zoom that well cut the top and bottom and make it wide screen
shareSwitch the Aspect Ratio on your tv for a spell. *beep* i have to do that still with TV shows on DVD.
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The question should rather be: "what can we do about it?"
shareMy DVD IS widescreen which I bought in the UK and its the Family Fun Disk with Fievel Goes West.
MY Forum < http://www.hostingphpbb.com/forum/ >
For what it's worth, HBO has been airing An American Tail in high-def widescreen. Needless to say, it looks fantastic, as it should. If you are a subscriber (or are given a free trial), you could DVR/copy the film. Just a thought.
Please don't hit my "reply" button unless you're replying to me. Thank you, come again.
The DVD I'm watching presents it in widescreen
shareAccording to IMDB's technical specifications, it says:
Aspect ratio
1.37 : 1 (negative ratio)
1.85 : 1 (intended ratio)
The DVD version with the Widescreen format seems to delete the image from the top and the bottom.
In other words: the image/frame is cropped from its original format.
(Full Screen Vs. Widescreen): http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9730/fullscreenvswidescreen.png