Are all Criterion releases presented in their original theatrical aspect ratio? Why does Criterion windowbox DVDs?
Every Criterion release features an About the Transfer section in the insert. Here you will find listed the aspect ratio of the film, along with information about the picture and sound elements from which it was transferred. We endeavor to present every film in its original aspect ratio (i.e., the ratio of height to width of the image), unless the filmmaker expressly requests a slightly different framing. What that means is that the Criterion brand is your guarantee that you’re getting the complete picture as the filmmaker intended. We present films that were shot in 4 x 3 Academy ratio windowboxed because almost all NTSC standard-definition television sets overscan the image, and a portion of it is cropped on all sides of the screen. So that no portion of the picture is missing when the DVD is played, we provide black around the picture in the hope that only the black is scanned. We do not windowbox Blu-ray or online movies.
Related Questions
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