Title |
Format |
Opening |
Sound |
Studio |
Notes |
“Dance Craze”
|
Super 35 |
30.03.1982 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
|
Released 19.02.1981
at the Dominion cinema, London, UK
Dir: Joe Massot.
Prod: Joe Dunton. Mixed at Anvil studios, England
The Making of
"Dance Craze" by Joe Dunton
|
Annie |
Panavision |
May 21 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Columbia |
40+ 70mm print inventory. |
"Blade Runner"
|
Panavision |
June 25 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Ladd |
It is noted in the book “Future Noir: The Making Of Blade
Runner,” that the producer of the film believes only two or three 70mm
prints were made. |
|
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|
Daily
Variety, however, noted ten prints were made for US distribution. 70mm
screenings were advertised in (at least) LA (3 prints), NY (2 prints),
Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Also test screened in 70mm prior to
release (in Denver & Dallas). A 1990 LA screening of the test print led to
the 35mm “director’s cut” re-issue. |
“The Dark Crystal”
|
Panavision |
Dec 17 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Universal/AFD |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Days Of Heaven (Re-Issue) |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Nov 5 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
OAR blow-up. |
Do Ustad |
NA |
May (India) |
6-Track Stereo |
NA |
|
“E.T. - The Extra
Terrestrial”
|
Spherical (1.85:1) |
June 11 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Universal |
OAR blow-up. Expanded 70mm release on July 16.
Trivia: The Universal Studios logo that starts the film is played
in reverse. 30+ 70mm prints. 70mm trailers: “The Dark Crystal” &
“The Thing.” |
Empire Strikes Back, The (Re-Issue) |
Panavision |
Nov 19 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
Prints included trailer for “Revenge Of The Jedi”
(later re-titled “Return...”). |
“The Entity”
|
Panavision |
Sept 30 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
US 70mm release: Feb 4, 1983. |
Fame (Re-Issue) |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Sept 17 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
MGM/UA |
|
“Firefox” |
Panavision |
June 18 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Warner Bros. |
Wolrd Premiere: June 13 (Washington, DC).
70mm trailer: “The World According To Garp.” |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
“Gandhi” |
Panavision |
Dec 3 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Columbia |
World Premiere in New Delhi, India. US 70mm release: Dec 8. |
“Grease 2”
“Grease”
|
Panavision |
June 11 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
Eight 70mm print inventory. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
“Hair” (Re-Issue) |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Sept 17 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
UA Classics |
70mm notation in ads appeared a few days after release. |
House Of Wax (Re-Issue) |
Spherical (1.37:1)/3-D |
Feb 15 (USA) |
6-Track Stereo |
Warner Bros. |
|
“Napoleon”
Napoleon (Re-Issue) |
Tryptich/Polyvision |
July 16 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Universal/Zoetrope |
Also re-issued in 1981 in a 3 x 35mm recreation of the
original 1927 widescreen presentations. |
“One from the Heart”
|
Spherical (1.37:1) |
Nov 12 (Canada) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Zoetrope/Columbia |
OAR blow-up. US 35mm release: Feb 11.
This may have had some limited U.S. exposure in 70mm.
Canadian engagement advertised in “70mm Academy Frame Dolby.” |
Padayottam |
CinemaScope |
Oct (India) |
6-Track Stereo |
NA |
AKA: ‘Soldiers’ |
“Pink Floyd: The Wall”
|
Panavision |
July 15 (UK) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo (SS) |
MGM/UA |
Sneak previewed in 70mm in LA on June 30. US 70mm release
began Aug 6. Expanded releases on Aug 13 & Sept 17. 70mm trailer:
‘The Beastmaster.’ |
“Poltergeist”
|
J-D-C |
June 4 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
MGM/UA |
30+
70mm prints. This was a fun,
action-packed, special effects-filled Steven Spielberg, er, uh, Tobe
Hooper ghost story. |
Quest For Fire |
Panavision |
Feb 12 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
100+ 70mm prints. Originally released in France (possibly
in 70mm) as “La Guerre Du Feu” on Dec 16 1981. |
Raiders Of The Lost Ark (Re-Issue) |
Panavision |
July 16 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
Some theatres ran “Raiders” continuously from June
‘81 through October ‘82. Nonetheless,
Paramount struck new prints and re-issued the movie. Re-issue advertised
as “The Return of the Great Adventure.” |
“The Road Warrior” |
Panavision |
May 21 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Warner Bros. |
Originally released in Australia (possibly in 70mm) in 1981
as ‘Mad Max 2.’ US 70mm release expanded on Aug 20. 70mm trailers:
‘Firefox’ & ‘Blade Runner.’ |
“Rocky III”
|
Spherical (1.85:1) |
May 28 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
United Artists |
Two dozen 70mm prints were issued for this, the first of
two “Rocky” sequels to have 70mm prints during release. |
“Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”
|
Panavision |
June 4 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Paramount |
50+
70mm prints. Roman numeral
“II” added to the on-screen title for the video release. Double-billed
(some prints 70mm) with “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” or
“Dragonslayer” in selected theatres in Fall ‘82. Trivia: This was
the first sell-through VHS & Beta release (Nov ‘82). |
Star Wars (Re-Issue) |
Panavision |
Aug 13 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
20th Century Fox |
Trailer for “Revenge Of The Jedi” (later re-titled
“Return...”) introduced during this re-issue. Four 70mm prints re-used
from ‘81 re-issue. Advertised as: “The original is back. Extra: See
the coming attractions of the next chapter in the Star Wars saga Revenge
Of The Jedi.” |
“Tempest” |
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Aug 13 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Columbia |
 |
“The Thing”
|
Panavision |
June 25 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
Universal |
AKA: “John Carpenter’s The Thing.” 70mm trailer: “The Dark Crystal.” |
“Yes, Georgio”
|
Spherical (1.85:1) |
Sept 24 (USA) |
6-Track Dolby Stereo |
MGM/UA |
 |
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