A Goofy Movie (Region 2) - Aspect Ratio And Length

[Miles Baxxter]

I read the review here of the new region 1 A Goofy Movie DVD, where it is noted that "it offers the movie in 1.33:1 fullscreen, rather than the widescreen aspect ratios it was made and theatrically exhibited in." And it is added: "As luck would have it, the film's Region 2 DVDs serve up a 1.66:1 non-anamorphic widescreen presentation."

So I figured I should go for the region 2 version of this film, which is easily enough available as I live in Norway. So I just stumbled over this film in a bargain bin today (60 NOK!), and figured I'd buy a copy, recalling from the review that this should be the most proper version of the film.

Before I cracked the plastic though, I wanted to make sure it was indeed the best version out there, and I tried doing some online research to find out about the aspect ratio. I'm now slightly confused...

On the back of my copy, it says 4:3, with 1.85:1 right under it. Not sure why it says both. However, this isn't 1.66:1, as was stated as being the proper format in the review.

Over at online UK retailer play.com, they have this copy, where the aspect ratio is stated as being widescreen 1.66:1.

Over at amazon.co.uk, they have this copy, with a stated aspect ratio of widescreen 1.85:1, same as my copy.

Are there two different versions about? And if so, which is the proper one? And I must admit to not really know that much about aspect ratios - maybe 1.66:1 and 1.85:1 are really identical? - but I like to have my films in the format they were intended for and shown in, and not to have a fullscreen film forced into widescreen or vice versa.

Another curious thing is that the region 1 version is four minutes longer (78 minutes) than the region 2 version (74 minutes). Could someone elaborate any on this? Does the region 1 version have any extra/extended scenes?

Thank you for any responses!

[Billy Moon]

On the back of my copy, it says 4:3, with 1.85:1 right under it. Not sure why it says both. However, this isn't 1.66:1, as was stated as being the proper format in the review.

It means it's not anamorphic, ie 16:9.
I haven't measured it, but the picture on my DVD looks closer to 1,66:1 although the back cover claims it's 1,85:1.

Another curious thing is that the region 1 version is four minutes longer (78 minutes) than the region 2 version (74 minutes). Could someone elaborate any on this? Does the region 1 version have any extra/extended scenes?

Nope, it's just PAL speedup. PAL picture runs 25 frames per second, while film runs 24 fps.

[Miles Baxxter]

It means it's not anamorphic, ie 16:9.
I haven't measured it, but the picture on my DVD looks closer to 1,66:1 although the back cover claims it's 1,85:1.

So I do have the DVD version with the proper intended/teathrical aspect ratio?

Nope, it's just PAL speedup. PAL picture runs 25 frames per second, while film runs 24 fps.

Interesting! And, a bit annoying. Though it's most likely not noticeable, I'm guessing this means that everyone's voice are at a slightly higher pitch, and that one should've gone for the NTSC version for the proper film in this regard.

Thank you for the response!

[Billy Moon]

So I do have the DVD version with the proper intended/teathrical aspect ratio?

Yes.

Though it's most likely not noticeable, I'm guessing this means that everyone's voice are at a slightly higher pitch, and that one should've gone for the NTSC version for the proper film in this regard.

It's almost never noticeable, and the same thing occurs on (almost) all European video&DVD releases and TV showings of any film.