Why Most Movies Are Preferred to Be Watched in Theaters
More often than not, people choose to watch movies in theaters due to the immersive and communal experience they provide. From the impressive wide screens to the low lighting and shared viewing, these elements collectively enhance movie-watching, making it a distinct and cherished experience.
The Theater Experience: Beyond Home Screens
While many popular movies have become watchable on televisions and computers, there remains a significant number of films that retain their grandeur and impact only through theatrical viewing. For instance, films shot in 70mm prints, like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s "Oklahoma," "South Pacific," "Sound of Music," David Lean’s epics "Laurence of Arabia," and "Ryan’s Daughter," "Ben Hur," or "Funny Girl," and "Hello Dolly,"" among others, require the specific equipment present only in select theaters. Even movies shot in 35mm can often be adapted to larger screens with suitable HDTV technology.
The Historical and Technological Context
In the 1950s and 1960s, the use of CinemaScope made a significant impact, allowing filmmakers to create broader and grander visuals that could not be replicated as effectively at home. While modern technology can adapt these films to screens at home, the transition from 35mm to 70mm prints introduces challenges and lift-offs for home viewing, reducing the film to a narrow strip across the screen, leaving vast spaces blank above and below.
The Appeal of Epics
Epic films, such as those mentioned, are more suited to the grandeur of theaters. The sheer scale and detail in 70mm format significantly enhance the impact of these cinematic masterpieces. In the case of "Hello Dolly," for example, the widescreen format helps to fully capture Barbra Streisand’s performance, adding depth and drama to the live musical performances. Similarly, "The Agony and the Ecstasy," with Charlton Heston, benefits from the wide screen to showcase the vastness of Michaelangelo’s work and the epic narrative it tells.
Historical Context: The Coinage of 'Cameo'
Michael Todd’s production "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956) marks a pivotal moment in the film industry, introducing the term "cameo" into common use. This film, adapted from the classic Jules Verne novel, includes a large cast of Hollywood and British film stars in uncredited roles. It also saw the in-hiring of Mexican comedian Cantinflas and the debut of Shirley MacLaine. This production inadvertently gave birth to a new term: 'cameo.' Previously, such roles were simply described as brief appearances, but Michael Todd’s film made 'cameo' a household term. The movie also introduced stars like Shirley MacLaine and Hedy Lamarr.
Modern Contemporaries
Quentin Tarantino’s "Hateful Eight" (2015) is the most recent film to be shot in 70mm, paying homage to the format upon which he grew up. This move reflects a sentiment that 70mm remains a special format that preserves the grandeur and awe of classical epic films.
The Economics of Film Projection
Today, the cost of producing both 70mm and 35mm prints is prohibitive. As a result, many theaters have opted to consistently project 35mm prints, sacrificing the superior quality of 70mm. As new theatrical movements emerge, there is increasing debate over the future of 4K and digital projection, which may further degrade the experience of watching films in theaters.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision to watch a movie in a theater comes down to the communal and immersive experience it offers. The size of the screen, the lighting, and the social interaction all contribute to the unique joy of film-watching. For epic films and those that demand a grander presentation, theaters remain the best venue. As technology advances, it will be interesting to see how the film industry navigates this new terrain, both in preservation and innovation.