Idea & Info: Apocalypse Now OAR

I was wondering if anyone here had planned on doing a preservation of the 2.35:1 version of Apocalypse Now. DoP Vittorio Storaro refuses to release the film in the original aspect ratio because he believes that ALL films should be presented in 2.00:1, and will be at some point in the future (I’m sorry Mr. Storaro but I don’t see that happening). AN will be released on Blu-Ray in the near future (they’ve already done the HD transfer in 2.00:1 - no surprise there) and I think it’s important to preserve the film’s original aspect ratio even if Mr. Storaro doesn’t want to. To do this will be no small feat (I won’t have time to start for almost another year if I am to do it) and the quality may not be up to par, but if it gets spread around it may call Paramount’s attention to push a 2.35:1 release. The basic idea is to take the 2.00:1 HD transfer and fill in the sides with other sources. Best if this could be done with both the TC and Redux

This preservation would require:

• The upcoming BD release for the highest available quality
• The TC DVD (Also in 2.00:1 but containing some framing adjustments)
• A P&S version (hopefully an LD)
• The Workprint to fill in anything still missing on the sides of the frame

If you have any feedback on this I’d appreciate it!

This would be great, but as far as I know there are not much avaible 2.35:1 releases.

AFAIK the US Laser Disc (Pioneer) is stated to be 1.85:1.

The German Pioneer LD is 2.00:1.

There is an old German VHS Tape (PAL) which is cutted, but 2.35:1 (Marketing Films)

A long time ago the german television station "ZDF" aired the TC in original Widescreen and uncut. But I don't think that any copy is somewhre avaible.

I don't know if somewhere else the movie was aired in correct aspect ratio...

Why does the film have to be in 2.00:1?

MrBrown said:

There is an old German VHS Tape (PAL) which is cutted, but 2.35:1 (Marketing Films)

That's great news, I didn't know the film had ever been seen in 2.35:1 outside of cinemas, I'm going to have to track down this tape.

captainsolo said:

Why does the film have to be in 2.00:1?

The cinematographer is a revisionist and only transfers his movies in 2.00:1. If he ruled the world ALL viewable media would be transferred in 2.00:1, so be thankful he doesn't!

Chewtobacca said:

Unfortunately, I think taking a blu-ray source for most of the image and filling in the sides from another transfer would be a bad idea.  The transfers would probably look very different in color and detail, and I don't think the result would make for pleasant viewing. 

You'd be better off transferring that 2.35:1 VHS to DVD, cut or not.  It might not look great, but at least the image quality would be consistent and it would be worth watching for fans as a genuine preservation, like the Puggo Grande.

Of course I'd want the quality to be as high as possible, but in some cases I fear the workprint will have to do, just for the sake of completion. Colours would be tweaked and there would have to be dissolve overlaps where the joints are, but as you say it won't be pleasant and would only be used as a last resort.

I'll try to get a german VHS (PAL) stated to be uncut and widescreen. The label Marketing seems to have released two VHS Versions: One which is cut (don't know how long) but stated to be original cinematic widescreen, and one which is stated to be uncut, but no infoamration about the image format.

The uncut Tape is seen on eBay. I will Check one out, and check the image format.

In about a week I should be able to tell if the uncut Cinema Version PAL VHS Tape in Germany has a better Aspect ratio than the DVD.

I got one on eBay for 1 Euro additional 1.65 Euro postage .. 2.65 Euro is about $ 3.55. I will tell you the result.

Good work!

Easy job ;)

I am living in Germany, so its more easy for me to obtain it, than fore someone far away. :)

Are you able to copy an PAL VHS with best possble Quality to PC? I tried it with Cujo, but I am not pleased with the result, so if the Tape is correct aspect ratio I could send it to someone who could do the job get in into PC and transfer it to NTSC and get english audio onto it.

When dealing with VHS, converting from PAL to NTSC is not a good idea since it will lose valuable line resolution in the process. PAL video is properly captured with 576 horizontal lines of resolution.

I'm not happy with my transfer quality either, I may get another capture card in the near future, I'll be sure to keep you informed.

So you own a PAL VHS Player? Cool. NTSC VHS Playere where never much seen in Germany. Some exist, but it was not a widespread feature.(Mostly for such geeks who imported VHS of uncut movies from far around the world. But I'm to young to been someone who did. When I grew up and start loving movies from asia like Bullet in the Head the DVDs where coming...)

The good thing with this digital techs is that it could be a Video with PAL resolution but true movie speed.

I got another tape from eBay. Same type of tape, but also very cheap (about 2.50 Euro ... postage included...) So if it is correct aspect ratio, I can send you the better quality tape.

Yeah, I own a PAL VCR, but as I previously mentioned I'm not very happy with the capture quality. If it is indeed a 2.35:1 transfer I recommend you find someone who lives close to you who can transfer the tape (to both save you the hassle of mailing it to me and not have to wait until I get a proper cap card) then that someone could just send me the raw files to work with.

Today the VHS arrived, both where the uncut Tape, but the uncut tape from Marketing is NOT correct aspect ratio.

:(

The cut tapes are not so easy to get...

Damn, tough luck! I'll keep my eyes open for the cut tape, if I find one on ebay I'll bid on it and check it out. Do you have any idea how to recognise it though?

Here is a image of the cut tape.

I wonder a bit, because it is stated to be 2.20:1 But the Text says its original cinematic aspect ratio.

And here is a Picture of the Tape I got at eBay.

You may notice that they are quite alike, except for the Logo bottom left, and the small round printing on the cinematic version.

The german text for the details about the Televisin airing says, that the TV airing, and the Marketing cutted Tape should have original aspect ratio.

I just wonder about the 2.2:1 stating...

Here is a snap from my uncut Tape:

The aspect ratio of the cap you posted measures about 2.15:1 which is definitely slightly wider than the current DVD versions which measure about 1.95:1, and it does show a lot more on the right side than my theatrical edition DVD! I made a cap of the same scene for a comparison:

And here are the two images overlaid:

This is excellent news, I think this transfer will prove to be very useful!

Wouldn't Coppola be able to push for an OAR release? What else has the DoP worked on. Are those also cropped?

I mean the only other movie I can think of being 2:1 is Spirited Away? So if he thinks that should be the only aspect ratio, well then he's only outnumbered by every other movie made to 1.

I just have no possibility to get the tape in best possible quality to PC.

Not that I have problems playing PAL VHS tapes. (I am from Germany *g*), but my USB video/Audio Grabber is just a cheap thing made for home use, not for professional grabbing.

If it's the 1997 release with the THX mastering and AC3 then I believe it is 2.35:1. I picked it up in a bargain bin, and the back cover states that it was mastered from the 2.35:1 original.

Can you take a snap-shot? :) (Just to compare siz.. eh.. Aspect Ratio :) )

Is there an easy way to take a screencap from an LD? Just got a player off craigslist.