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 | Star! |
 | "This DVD is a Travesty!" | 2008-04-24 |
I am giving this DVD the full star rating because of it's content. The filmmakers had a hard time dealing with the fact that in reality it was not a friendship of two--Gertrude Lawrence and Noel Coward--but a friendship of three--Gertie, Noel, and Beatrice Lillie! Bea Lillie would only give permission to show her likeness if she could play herself. She was at least forty years too old at the time! Besides that, this film is by far one of the three best films Julie Andrews has EVER made--along with "S.O.B." and "Victor/Victoria"! The problem with the DVD is the way it is presented. The film was shot in Todd-AO, a 70mm process that projects a 2:20-1 aspect ratio. This was the ratio the so-called "roadshow" version. The "general release" version was exhibited in a "panavision" or "cinemascope" aspect ratio of 2:35-1. Neither aspect ratio successfully fits in the other, and some cropping is involved. If an a-b comparison is done between the DVD and the Laserdisc versions (which is presented in the true TODD-AO version), it is plain to anyone that the DVD is the panavision version, which has been blown up and cropped to fit the 2:20-1 aspect ratio presentation. In the original version during the overture the theater presenium and orchestra pit are clearly seen. On the DVD they are not. But for those unaware of this who are fans of Julie Andrews, this DVD is a must! It truly makes "The Sound of Music" seem like amateur night!!!!
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 | Star |
| "This DVD is a Travesty!" | 2008-04-24 |
I am giving this DVD the full star rating because of it's content. The filmmakers had a hard time dealing with the fact that in reality it was not a friendship of two--Gertrude Lawrence and Noel Coward--but a friendship of three--Gertie, Noel, and Beatrice Lillie! Bea Lillie would only give permission to show her likeness if she could play herself. She was at least forty years too old at the time! Besides that, this film is by far one of the three best films Julie Andrews has EVER made--along with "S.O.B." and "Victor/Victoria"! The problem with the DVD is the way it is presented. The film was shot in Todd-AO, a 70mm process that projects a 2:20-1 aspect ratio. This was the ratio the so-called "roadshow" version. The "general release" version was exhibited in a "panavision" or "cinemascope" aspect ratio of 2:35-1. Neither aspect ratio successfully fits in the other, and some cropping is involved. If an a-b comparison is done between the DVD and the Laserdisc versions (which is presented in the true TODD-AO version), it is plain to anyone that the DVD is the panavision version, which has been blown up and cropped to fit the 2:20-1 aspect ratio presentation. In the original version during the overture the theater presenium and orchestra pit are clearly seen. On the DVD they are not. But for those unaware of this who are fans of Julie Andrews, this DVD is a must! It truly makes "The Sound of Music" seem like amateur night!!!!
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