DVDizzy Forum

Deathie mouse, thanks for your extensive work! Maybe this thread can be used as the authoritative document for the correct OAR, as so many people have wondered what it was over the years.

I made several screen snapshots from the Japanese laserdisc, but I didn't want to post so many in this thread. I tried to get some good examples of how different shots were framed. I seem to remember people from the past mentioning the scene at the end with the kites being improperly framed. If you want to see more screen shots, click here:<p><a href="http://www.geocities.com/dis_fantasia/m ... /mp</a></p>

Resurecting the topic, hehe!

ZonaDVD.com has posted an article comparing the 1999 DVD to the 2004 version of "Mary Poppins" with lots of comparison pics. You can clearly see the cuts around the edges, and in some cases they are bigger than they should.

Example:


1999 version


2004 version

Check the whole article here.

Thought I'd bump this up because I noticed something in the "Brazzle Dazzle Effects" featurette on the new Pete's Dragon DVD.

They have a shot from Mary Poppins in open-matte then again in 1.75:1 (which is the theatrical ratio according to the pressbook)





As far as I know, this is likely the only time we'll ever see Mary Poppins in its theatrical 1.75:1.

Hopefully Disney will retain that aspect ratio when they release the movie on Blu-Ray.

Just for fun, I made a composite cap showing the different ratios used for the movie on DVD: 2004/2009 1.66:1 DVD (white box), 1.75:1 from "Brazzle Dazzle Effects" (red lines), and 1998/2000 1.85:1 DVD (green lines).



albert

Interesting comparison Scaps. The first pic also shows why you don't just blindly open-matte films.

Thanks, Wire Hanger.

The animated sequences were fully animated in open-matte as well. I'll try to cap them later tonight, after which I'll unfortunately have to wait patiently for the inevitable post that will say "Disney should release Mary Poppins in open matte so we see the complete animation!!!"

albert

Escapay wrote: I'll try to cap them later tonight, after which I'll unfortunately have to wait patiently for the inevitable post that will say "Disney should release Mary Poppins in open matte so we see the complete animation!!!"

I wouldn't want it in open matte after seeing those first two caps, as that would KILL the illusion of being immersed in the world of the film. I am only interested in open matte for films (particularly animation) where these issues would not exist.

But please let's not go there again There's already enough controversy right now with all the DVD vs. blu, digital copy, etc.

Although the mystery was already solved years ago in this thread, then revived again a few years later, it's always fun to bump this up. Especially now that we know a Blu-Ray is on the way.

Someone at HTF posted frames from their 35mm print (which may be from either 1964 or 1973), which I cropped and measured. 1.75:1, as expected.





If the Blu-Ray preserves the 1.75:1 ratio (even if they're off a few pixels and fill up the screen to 1.78:1), I'll be a satisfied customer.

Albert

I'm hoping we get the correct aspect ratio for the Blu-ray.

Interesting that it was shot open-matte but that theatrical prints would be hard-matted like that. I am also curious how that survived unless it was one of those higher quality transfers (I forget the name - but let's use Star Wars as an example, most of those prints are mostly deteriorated and have started turning pink)

Any idea if the VHS transfers (or 4:3 laserdiscs) were pan and scanned from a widescreen version or if they're open matte? Just curious.