# VH-1 Classic Mutilates Woodstock

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 20, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896 "2005-08-20T17:13:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896/1 "2005-08-20T17:13:46Z")

</div>

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.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896/2 "2005-08-20T18:25:13Z")

</div>

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.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KGS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/90ced4/32.png) [@KGS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KGS)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896/3 "2005-08-20T19:17:04Z")

</div>

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!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896/4 "2005-08-20T21:48:32Z")

</div>

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

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![davmilasav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@davmilasav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davmilasav)\
**Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-classic-mutilates-woodstock/317896/5 "2005-08-20T23:30:52Z")

</div>

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?