So you are saying that there is a version formatted at 2.35. The Artisan version maybe? Or whichever distributor it had?
There’s an article about this on criterions current section. just do a search for Last Emperor, pull up the the first link, scroll down to the ‘from the current’ section, and select Emperor 2.0. It says the film was commonly projected in 2.35:1, but Beroluci and Storaro told criterion the correct aspect ratio should be 2.0:1. This actually allows for more visuals, as there would be more cropping in the 2.35:1 projection.
I just saw this film for the first time last week. Breathtaking is an understatement. And as for the aspect ratio, i am never bothered as long as i know i’m viewing the intended aspect ratio, whatever that is.
It’s hard to argue with the filmmakers’ original intentions.
Which version does everyone prefer, the directors cut or the theatrical cut?
Chuck Moran
Now if this topic has been discussed here, let me apologize in advance as I don’t have THAT much time on my hands to find the thread. But the controversy – as I found out by going to IMDB and comments left at other Criterion sites – is over the decision to release “The Last Emperor” in the 2.0 aspect ratio as both Bernardo Bertoluci Vittorio Storaro had intended. I saw the film the week it was released and have seen it projected. Since I got the DVD, I “rediscovered” the movie in that I forgot just HOW great this movie is – and have watched it 3 times since buying the deluxe box set. Now I’m as big a film purist as anybody, but I have been 110% UNBOTHERED by this decision. I found in the 2.0 ratio the film is still stunning to look at, and I feel the human drama was heightened by cropping off some of the visuals which could have overwhelmed what the scene was about. I don’t feel this decision hurt the integrity of the film at all. I just wanted to know what other Autuer members thought…..and I’m quite sure not that many will agree with me…..but I’m still curious…..