What Do You Feel About The New Restored DVDs On The Way? :)

[2099net]

Guys, I don't think 1.66:1 is the original aspect ratio.

All modern Disney animated films [*] are filmed 1.66:1 because that is the aspect ratio settled upon when the CAPS system was created. I assume this was picked as a half-way-house between 4:3 and 1.85:1.

But just because an image can be filmed 1.66:1 doesn't mean that it should be shown 1.66:1. Many films are filmed Super 35 which is a 4:3 exposure, but we don't all scream for the mattes to be opened up to reveal the whole picture whenever they are released on DVD - in fact we do the opposite.

Kirk and Gary knew that even if specific instructions were given to theaters to show their films 1.66:1, they most likely would be matted to the more common 1.85:1, because basically the vast majority of theaters are lazy and wouldn't make the change. So they didn't bother and always intended the film to be shown 1.85:1.

Being as both Hunchback and Beauty were released 1.85:1 on Kirk and Garys request, and they directed the films, I have to assume they totally consider 1.85:1 to be the correct aspect ratio.

[*] I believe Atlantis was still shot 1.66:1 using CAPS, but the frames were then cropped and blown up to create the cinemascope film.

[GoodLikeThat]

The Lion King DVD supposedly has the true original version of the film with no enhancements or anything as well as the IMAX version. Too bad they didn't do that with Beauty and the Beast.

[Lady]

i thought the color scheme for beauty and the beast was kinda weird as well. while the vhs seemed to have pure cool colors the dvd colors seemed warmer.

what especially bugged me was how on the dvd belle has auburn hair while on the original vhs she was clearly a brunette.