“The Big Blue”: The 70mm Presentations | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 09.06.2017 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “The Big Blue” in North America. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion picture. “The Big Blue” (also known as “Le Grand Bleu”) was among twelve confirmed first-run films released in 1988 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Weintraub/Columbia release — directed by Luc Besson and starring Rosanna Arquette, Jean-Marc Barr and Jean Reno — opened August 19th. For the release of “The Big Blue,” Weintraub/Columbia employed the services of Lucasfilm’s TAP (Theatre Alignment Program) to evaluate and approve the cinemas selected to book a 70mm print. The 70mm prints of “The Big Blue” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm. Weintraub/Columbia circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “Fresh Horses,” “Punchline” and “Rocket Gibraltar” during the release of “The Big Blue.” As well, other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “The Big Blue” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver — Cineplex Odeon’s Granville 7-plex (2) [THX] CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (1) [THX] Los Angeles — Mann’s Plaza (2) NEW YORK New York — Cineplex Odeon’s 23rd Street West Triplex (3) New York — Loews’ 84th Street 6-plex (3) ONTARIO Toronto — Cineplex Odeon’s Varsity Twin (3) QUEBEC Montreal — Cineplex Odeon’s Le Faubourg 4-plex (2) [THX] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, TAP records, and Dolby records. Special thanks to Bill Kallay and Bill Kretzel. International 70mm engagements of this title have not been accounted for in this article. If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor. | More in 70mm reading: 70mm Engagements 70mm Blow Up List Internet link: |
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