Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:04 am
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.
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.
