The Sting in Yokelvision
Submitted by jim on Tue, 08/10/2004 - 10:42
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I've been checking Amazon every few months to see if The Sting, one of my favorite movies, is available in anything but Yokelvision. It's not, but I did happen across a couple interesting reviews discussing the available edition. One reviewer claims he got this straight from Universal:
THE STING was shot in 1.33 but projected in a matted 1.85 aspect ratio for theatrical distribution. The full frame DVD carries the modification disclaimer for this reason. This is one of those rare cases where you actually see more picture information on the full frame home video presentation than was shown in theaters.
Another reviewer counters that this is hogwash, and further relates this distressing news:
I heard a report on NPR in 1999 discussing the just-then-beginning-to-boom business of re-releasing restored studio catalog classic films on DVD. this radio program specifically mentioned that THE ORIGINAL WIDESCREEN PRINTS AND NEGATIVES OF 'THE STING' HAD BEEN DESTROYED IN A STUDIO FIRE (during 1980s?) and that director George Roy Hill was severely disappointed that his film had been so neglected.
Anybody out there know what the real deal is with The Sting?
I would seriously doubt the first claim. There are some films that are shot partially in this way, in a process called Super 35. These are the times when you actually get more information onscreen for some scenes. However, I think it is rare for movies to be shot entirely in Super 35, and special effects shots especially are generally shot in a wide ratio, so fullscreen will still cause special effects shots to be Yokelized. Here is a list of Super 35 films. While some directors say that they actually prefer the fullscreen versions, I think that most don't; some shots are thrown off balance by the extra stuff on top and bottom, and some shots are still chopped.
All that said, a quick check on "The Sting"'s technical specs shows that it was not shot in Super 35.
On the other hand, I would doubt the second claim as well. I would be skeptical as to how widescreen negatives could burn down while leaving the Yokelvision negatives intact (or if such a thing as Yokelvision negatives even exist). However, I guess it's possible, as it's the only plausible reason why the film would be released only in pan-n-scan versions on Laserdisc and DVD (unless the studio heads are yokels).
Thanks for the insights, AJ! Regarding the fire only taking out the good stuff, I think you nailed it with "if such a thing as Yokelvision negatives even exist". I think it's unlikely. I don't know what form the Yokelized print takes, but I do think (not positive though) that it's an after-the-fact (post-negative) process used to yield something that can be shown on TV, and put on VHS and DVD.