VH-1 Classic Mutilates Woodstock

Cafe Society
1

VH-1 Classic is running a Woodstock movie marathon weekend. Some of the musical performances I’ve caught are simply great.

But they’re running the movie in full-screen! If there is any movie in the world that demands to be shown in wide-screen format it’s Woodstock. Every time there’s three strips of film showing, the people in the two end strips are visibly cut in half. It’s like a demonstration reel for the difference between full-screen and wide-screen. With full-screen the loser.

Must be the same people who did the Live 8 fiasco behind this brilliant move.

2

I’ve seen Woodstock on TV several times over the years, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen it in widescreen. So it’s not just VH1, but you’re right that it’s an absolute travesty.

3

The 30th Anniversary Director’s Cut DVD varies in aspect ratio from 1.33:1 (fullscreen) to 2.35:1 during the split-screen moments. Several cites claim this is the original aspect ratio, while others say it was originally in 1.85:1 (possibly open matte.) In any case, every TV presentation I’ve seen has been mostly fullscreen, with the multiple screen moments letterboxed.

So this is normal…unless VH1 is cropping the widescreen moments, which would really be a travesty!

4

Yes, VH-1 classic is cropping the widescreen parts. My eyes, my eyes!

5

And it’s incredibly distracting to see hints of movement on the edge of the screen and not be able to see what’s going on.

Maybe VH1 was jealous of how MTV F*d up Live 8 and are trying to jump on the bandwagon?