'Everyone Stares' aspect ratio altered for the DVD

[BEFAN]

Hi everyone.

As you all know, Stewart's documentary was shot in Super-8 mm. Super-8's aspect ratio is 1:1,33 (the same as in the old TV sets). Stewart did not alter this in the editing process, hence the film was screened in festivals preserving the original 1:1,33 format. That's the version I saw last month in Barcelona, presented by Stewart himself.

However, for the DVD, the movie has been "adapted" for panoramic TVs, adding two black bars which *hide* approximately 25% of the image on screen.....

This, in my opinion, alters the viewing experience diminishing considerably the impact of the film. And it's especially alarming considering that in the DVD extras, the original aspect ratio remains unchanged.

I'm sure Stewart has nothing to do with this, but I find it very sad that his movie can't be distributed on DVD in proper form. Just an opinion.

Ricard,

[georgygirl]

Mmmm, I dunno Ricard.

I saw the DVD and don't understand very well about these technique aspects you said, but I like it a lot because the story was about my favorite band "The Police" and from the perspective or Stewart's I.

But about you were in the presentation with Stewart live, did you met him?

[Mrs. Gradenko]

You probably only miss it since you saw it itn it's original forum, it's cool the way it is.

[Dietmar]

That's a valid point.
I've had an advance DVD since February and this already had the letterbox ratio. Sometimes this was very obvious as people's heads were cut off a bit...
I've seen the movie in Munich and it had the same ratio in the cinema.

I would have liked to see the full picture, too.
But I guess this was not done without Stewart's OK!
That's how people are used to see movies nowadays...