Help! or Hard Days Night ... which movie do yo prefer ?

[Mikey]

I have a question .... I have the original first "official" 1997 DVD release of Help!

It's NOT in letterbox and the packaging doesn't say anything about it being in full screen.

My question is, was Help! originally released (in the theatre) in letterbox ?

Just wondering because it seems strange the DVD isn't.

[Joe90]

I have a question .... I have the original first "official" 1997 DVD release of Help!

It's NOT in letterbox and the packaging doesn't say anything about it being in full screen.

My question is, was Help! originally released (in the theatre) in letterbox ?

Just wondering because it seems strange the DVD isn't.

From what I've read, the original aspect ratio was 1.66:1.

Common theatrical aspect ratios are 1.89:1 or wider.

Older televisions are 1.33:1.

The film had been cropped to fit 1.33:1 to air on TV, and this was generally the release format in VHS. I suspect that first official release used the 1.33:1 ratio. My "2007 Edition" Help! is in 1.75:1 which means they trimmed a bit off the top and bottom to give it a "modern" look.

[david_b]

The aspect ratio for 'Help!''s been discussed and argued for YEARS.. At this point, from all the discussion I've read is that, yes, the prints were all cropped for TV viewing, since back in the mid-60s, there was no anticipation of home-viewing (DVDs, video) and it was never anticipated to go back to the big screen ever again. An original print of HDN was put in some 'time capsule', but apparently, NO pre-cut copies exist for 'Help!'

Here's a great site for all the unseen footage and other discussion focused on 'Help!'..:

Stop Worrying: A Tribute To The Beatles Film "HELP!"

david_b

[Mikey]

thanks guys