MovieChat Forums > Airport 1975 (1974) Discussion > Beware the Universal 'Airport Terminal P...

Beware the Universal 'Airport Terminal Pack' DVD

posted 17 years ago by BillK-5
16 replies | jump to latest

If you are interested in obtaining this film on DVD, do not purchase Universal's "Airport Terminal Pack" of all four Airport films because Airport 1975 is presented incorrectly.

Specifically too much anamorphic squeeze was applied to the DVD video such that when it is expanded, the final picture is not wide enough. The result is objects are not as wide as they should be - actors are thin and tall, the 747 looks three-quarter width, and circles are displayed as slightly vertical ovals.

Clearly a mastering error, Universal apparently felt no reason to fix it.

Despite its being a letterboxed rather than anamorphic presentation, if you're interested in obtaining the film on DVD be sure to pick up the GoodTimes DVD release instead.

[–] SurferJoe101 17 years ago

I have this box set and the film looks perfectly framed on my 60-inch Sony HD-TV. I compared it to the old GoodTimes non-anamorphic version and this 'new' box set version is tons better. The image isn't distorted one bit.

Also, all 4 films look perfect.

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[–] PaperShredder 16 years ago

I agree. I have "Terminal pack" too and there's absolutely nothing wrong with my copy of "Airport 1975".

[–] Avenger69 16 years ago

Nothing wrong with mine. Sounds like your DVD player is set to playback in 4:3 (not 16:9)?

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[–] BillK-5 16 years ago

Definitely not the case.

Airport 1975 is the only film they got wrong; the other three films are all presented in their proper aspect ratios.

Many websites document this; since I can't post photos, I can't do it here.

Universal in fact admitted this in an email to me, but they also stated they had no plans whatsoever to ever correct it.

Perhaps someday if the HD master they run on Universal HD ever makes it to Blu-Ray.

Note this is the R1 DVD set; the R2 set may have been mastered properly.

[–] susanbosworth 16 years ago

Mine is fine as well.

[–] shrink54 16 years ago

You are not alone. A lot of people have commented on that. Universal screwed the pooch on that one. The other 3 movies look fine though.

[–] nickwarrenauthor 16 years ago

I have the boxset in r2 and my copy has no probs whatsoever!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] rorysa 16 years ago

When it comes to Universal and DVDs, anything and everything is believable.

[–] BillyFisher 16 years ago

The film seemed fine to me, although I did notice the Universal logo was strangely squashed at the beginning, so you could be right.

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[–] cluvonj 16 years ago

Yeah I bought the Universal pack a while back and have just started watching it. I bought it because I saw the first one from 1970 back when i was a kid and loved it plus I was a fan of Dean Martin and recall that I really loved Jacqueline Bisset it in. I dont recall seeing 1975 or 1977 as a kid but I did see 1979 and dont recall it at all.

ANyway I have now gotten thru the first one and still love it but do see the humor and some absurdities in it that I didnt as a kid but to me the music is wonderful and adds to the drama it and I love the different stories and backgrounds and the drama. The humor of some of the chracters really adds to it so i still think its the best of all 4 even though Ive not watched the last 2.

I also got thru this one from 1975 last night and it was more dramatic but I truly see the bad flaws and silliness in it as well and pointed out on these messageboards. I didnt really see a problem in how it looked on my TV screen so I dont agree with the first post to not buy this pack just becuase that one film is not in the right format. IF it is int he wrong format it was not bad enough that its not viewable. Plus just having all 4 movies in one set is cool plus I was able to get it for less than $20 on sale which Ithink is great for 4 movies.

I am now starting on Airport 77 so will see how this one is. I like that all of them had the all star casts. Its neat to see so many familiar faces even if they were B type celebs in some of them. I have so enjoy the funny comments people have made on the movies and the characters.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] hairybro2000 12 years ago

As I have mentioned in other threads here, I wish the Airport Terminal Pack would be released in blu-ray. So far only Airport is in late August. I am glad that at least each film had the theatrical trailer attached.

[–] phillindholm 12 years ago

If it hadn't been mentioned by so many people, I doubt I would have noticed the ''flaw''. It is barely noticeable, but not distracting.

[–] wwestar 10 years ago

Got the box set yesterday.

Airport/ was shot 65mm and would have used Spherical Lenses so no squeezing would be noticeable.

Airport 75/77/ were shot 35mm Anamorphic. All lights in the rear of the picture should appear as oval. This is right and proper. Certain images will appear slightly squashed. This is right and proper. This is due to the lenses that Phillip Lanthrop selected. He was an older cinematographer and used older lenses that were more flattering with older film stars but they had certain imperfections. Common with many films from the 60's and 70's. This died out in the 80's.

Airport 79/ 35mm 1.85.1 Spherical lenses no squeeze.

All films are presented correctly.

[–] phillindholm 10 years ago

That's correct. I've had mine for years, and have no problem with it.