Ok, in response to your question regarding the "framing" of FANDANGO in widescreen format, as opposed to the way it looked on the TV/VHS edition, here's a very technical anserw for you...
MOST widescreen films shown in theaters at the 1.85:1 aspect ratio are shot using a process called 35mm Spherical. What that means is that the physical film format is 35mm (which has an approximate aspect ratio of 1.33:1) and a "spherical" lens is mounted on the camera to capture the image being filmed without distortions. The result is basically a full frame image.
However, filmmakers using this process know that they ultimately intend the film to be presented in theaters in widescreen, at a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. They compose the image on the set for widescreen... but generally take care to make sure that microphones and other production equipment don't appear in the full frame image as well.
When the film is shown in theaters, a device in the projector called an aperture plate crops off the top and bottom of the full frame image, resulting in the 1.85:1 widescreen image the filmmaker intended you to see being projected on screen.
When the film is transferred to video and DVD for widescreen presentation (including anamorphic widescreen for 16x9 displays), this widescreen image intended by the filmmaker is carefully preserved.
BUT... when the film is transferred to video and DVD for full frame presentation (for display on regular 4x3 TVs), the entire film image, as shot in the camera, is commonly shown.
Why?
Well... one of the advantages of the 35mm Spherical process is that it's a good compromise - the filmmakers can carefully achieve exactly the widescreen theatrical presentation they're after, and at the same time, they can be sure that the full frame presentation meets at least some of their creative expectations as well. Most importantly, using this process generally avoids the studio having to use the dreaded "pan and scan" process when creating full frame video transfers, where only part of the widescreen image is shown at any given time.
...so I hope that supplies the answers you were looking for.
On another note, can't express how happy I am to finally have this movie on DVD! I've loved this film since the first time I saw it on HBO many, many years ago - and it's remained one of my all-time favorite, most quoted, and highly reccomended films to this day. Everything about this movie works so well, from the story, to the performances, to the music - it's the total package. This may only be a bare-bones edtion, but at least it's got the widescreen and 5.1 sound upgrade, and, it cost me less than my original VHS copy did.
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rp-j
20 years ago
MY GOD!!! IT'S HERE!!!!!
Yes, hi, I'm a Fandango fan on the south coast of England. This may surprise some of you in the US, but this little movie from 1985 has a bit of a cult following over in the UK, thus demonstrating that the themes which Fandango touches on are universal. Having taped the film from a 1989 broadcast on BBC2 back in 1989, this DVD release came not a moment too soon, as my much viewed VHS recording is on the verge of falling to pieces.
I'm upset that the DVD hasn't secured a UK release as yet (leading me to get a copy imported), but just to have a copy on DVD is a momentous event in itself. My only disappointment is that nobody at Warners thought to include Kevin Reynolds' student film "Proof", on which Fandango was based. I would be fascinated to see this piece. However, one of my all time favourites is making its way across the Atlantic as I speak, and I can't wait!!!
One piece of trivia I read on IMDB perplexed me slightly. Was Stephen Speilberg really so disappointed in the film that he took his name off the production credits? If so, then the man have been having a bad day - Fandango is a fine piece of film making, with a great deal to say. Neither Kevins (Costner or Reynolds) have ever been as good. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING OF, MR SPEILBERG?
Meanwhile, I look forward to the DVD for another reason. I have been working on a DIY soundtrack album for the film for ages, in the absence of an official album. The availability of stereo voice samples will enable me to complete my life's work! If only I could get a label interested (fat chance!!!)
In conclusion, the best testament I can give Fandango is the fact that my wife and I were discussing our favourite movies, and we got on to films which one of us loved, but the other hadn't seen. I told my wife that she must see Fandango. "What's that, then?" she said. I dug out my old worn out recording, and she absolutely fell in love with it, dodgy VHS glitches and all. It may not be the best known film ever, but it seems to reach people via word of mouth, and reach new fans with every passing year. Maybe that's the best life any film could ask for, when you think about it... :-)
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ErnieMcKracken
20 years ago
Is it true there are no Special Features? This is one of my all-time faves and I can't wait to get it on dvd. The no features is bumming me out a little.
= (
"Do these come in funny shapes?"
"No. ...Unless round is funny."
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coalphoenix
19 years ago
hello geezer ive just read youve been compiling your own fandango soundtrack(even though you wrote that back in february, the mrs having only just got a laptop which i got for her recent birthday-i didnt know that the interweb did anything else but porn, i digress)Any chance of maybe buying a copy of said soundtack off you also if youv`e got an import of the dvd does that mean its only playable on a region 1 compatable player? Look at me pretending I know what I`m on talking about,can I play it on a *beep* 30 quid somerfield bought job? Any way its good that so many have such love for this gem of a film and drop us a line about the sound track. All the best-Dave brighton
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smackiepipe
19 years ago
It'll cost you between 8-13 bucks, but a few people have put together iMixes of the Fandango soundtrack on iTunes. You can buy, download, and burn your own disc.
Just go to the iTunes store, select iMix from the "Inside the music store" list, type 'Fandango' in the search slot (and choose 'iMix Name' for the seach criteria) and there you go. Look for the 5-star rated one. It's more complete.
I had abou 60% of the songs already, but I just downloaded the Pat Metheny stuff and the Shostakovich - Symphony No.. 8 tune that was played during the parachute jump scene.
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