|
Title |
Format |
Opening |
Sound |
Studio |
Notes |
1941
|
Panavision |
Dec 14 (USA) |
6-Track Stereo |
Universal/Columbia |
 World Premiere: Dec 13 (Los Angeles). This was the second of numerous Spielberg films in 70mm (though the
only one not to utilize a Dolby soundtrack). |
Alien
|
Panavision |
May 25 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
 One of only a few films of the Dolby era to prominently
promote “70mm Dolby Stereo,” rather than simply “Dolby Stereo,” on
the one-sheet posters, trailers & artwork section of newspaper ads.
|
|
"Apocalypse Now" |
Technovision |
Aug 15 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo (SS) |
United Artists |
 US reserved seat engagement. LA newspaper ads contained the following note from director Francis
Coppola:
“Dear Filmgoer: After five years and after numerous
difficulties, it is my pleasure to announce that ‘Apocalypse Now’ will
open at The
Cinerama Dome on the 15th of August, 1979. This showing will
be the finished film in a special 70 millimeter version as I would like it
to be seen. The sound is a unique Dolby 6-track Quintaphonic System coming
from speakers specially installed in the theatre for this engagement. We
would like to make tickets available to you on a guaranteed seat
performance basis. Thank you, Francis Coppola.”
70mm prints were unique in that they did not include any studio
logo or credits at either end of the film. (35mm prints included
additional footage seen over the end credits.) Also test screened in 70mm
prior to release. Re-issued in ‘87. Re-edited 202-minute “Apocalypse
Now Redux” screened at Cannes in May, 2001 and released on Aug 15,
2001 (in 35mm dye transfer and digital sound).
|
“The
Black Hole”
|
Technovision |
Dec 18 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Walt Disney |
 US 70mm release: Dec 21. Double billed in selected cities
(in 70mm) with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in ‘80 & ‘81. |
|
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|
Blechtrommel, Die |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
May 3 (West Germany) |
6-Track Stereo |
NA |
AKA: ‘The Tin Drum.’ US release in 35mm.
Full frame blow up
Shown at 10. Todd-AO
Festival 2014
|
|
Champ, The |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
July 10 (UK) |
6-Track Stereo |
MGM |
 US
release: April 4.
See:
70mm Film
Presentations in London
|
|
“The Exorcist” (Re-Issue) |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
April 11 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Warner Bros. |
 Original
Aspect Ratio (OAR) blow-up. The film’s Oscar-winning mono soundtrack was
remixed for this re-issue (and subsequent video release).
|
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|
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|
 From
a one-off midnight screening in the 1990s
|
|
Grease (Re-Issue) |
Panavision |
May 18 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
|
|
“Hair” |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
July 17 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
United Artists |
 US 35mm release: March 15. US 70mm re-issue in
1982. |
|
“Hanover Street” |
Panavision |
May 18 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Columbia |
 As with Columbia’s ‘Close Encounters,’ this was
misleadingly billed in many newspaper ads as ‘Super Panavision 70.’ |
|
“Hurricane” |
Todd-AO 35 |
April 12 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
 World Premiere: April 12 (Los Angeles).
AKA: “Forbidden Paradise” |
“The
Muppet Movie”
|
Spherical (1.85:1) |
May 31 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
AFD |
 US 70mm release: June 22. The first and best muppet movie
(and the only one to have 70mm prints). |
|
“The Rose” |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Nov 7 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
 Original
Aspect Ratio (OAR) blow-up. One
of only a few films of the Dolby era to prominently promote “70mm Dolby
Stereo,” rather than simply “Dolby Stereo,” on the one-sheet
posters, trailers & artwork section of newspaper ads. |
“Star Trek: The Motion Picture”
|
Panavision |
NA |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
 Initially released in 35mm on Dec 7. World Premiere in Washington, DC (35mm). A (few) 70mm print(s) appear to have been struck at a later date.
Double billed (in 70mm) with “Star Trek II” in San Francisco (and
perhaps elsewhere) in Sept 1982. |
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|
Star Wars (Re-Issue) |
Panavision |
Aug 15 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
 Trailer
for “The Empire Strikes Back” was introduced during this re-issue. Re-issue advertised as: “It’s back! The Force will be with you
for three weeks only. Extra: See the coming attractions for ‘The Empire
Strikes Back,’ the continuing saga of ‘Star Wars.’ |
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