Widescreen Weekend

The Widescreen Weekend celebrates the excellence of cinema presentation from the drama of 3 strip Cinerama to modern 4k digital projection. While cinema had always sought representation of reality from its earliest days, even 3D was in development in the late 19th century, it was the advent of television that pushed the dramatic development of new systems with Cinerama, 70mm and varieties of CinemaScope competing for supremacy.

Since 1993 the Museum has been celebrating these wonderful and dramatic formats and the films that were at the forefront of these developments from This is Cinerama to How the West Was Won, from Oklahoma! to the Sound of Music, from Around the World in 80 Days to Baraka. For anyone who loves spectacle and true cinema, the Widescreen Weekend is for you.

Screenings

Widescreen Weekend will take place from Friday 27 – Monday 30 April 2012 (ends with a morning double bill).

Cinerama’s Russian Adventure
Friday 27 April, Pictureville

Dirs. Boris Dolin, Vasily Kafanian, Roman Karmen, Solomon Kogan USA/USSR 1966 122mins (U) Digital Voice: Bing Crosby

Filmed entirely in the Soviet Union, the scenes of Russia cover the sights of the Bolshoi Ballet, to riding logs down the Tisza River. With Bing Crosby’s narration, this became part of an attempt to exchange films and culture between the United States and the USSR during the Cold War.

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This is Cinerama
Friday 27 April, Pictureville

Dirs. Merian C. Cooper, Michael Todd, Fred Rickey USA 195 2120mins (U) Cinerama

Showing on three projectors in Pictureville Cinema, the film still offers a giddy, white-knuckle ride, and is about as fun a piece of Americana as you are ever likely to see. This is the original Cinerama feature which launched the widescreen era.

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How the West Was Won
Friday 27 April, Pictureville

Dirs. Henry Hathaway, John Ford, George Marshall USA 1962 162 mins (PG) Cinerama Carroll Baker, Lee J. Cobb, Henry Fonda, Carolyn Jones, Karl Malden, Gregory Peck, George Peppard, Robert Preston, Debbie Reynolds, James Stewart, Eli Wallach, John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Walter Brennan

How the West Was Won tells the story of a pioneering family from the 1830s to the Civil War. A remarkable cast of Hollywood greats, from James Stewart to Spencer Tracy, bring the mythic West to life. We bring you a vintage Technicolor print from 1962 with new elements added.

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Cinerama Update
Saturday 28 April, Pictureville

A chance to see some of the first Cinerama film shot for 50 years. Dave Strohmaier and Randy Gitsch, great supporters of the Widescreen Weekend and champions of Cinerama, will bring us up to date with what has been happening in the world of Cinerama over the last twelve months.

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Cinerama’s South Seas Adventure
Saturday 28 April, Pictureville

Dirs. Charles Dudley, Richard Goldstone, Francis D Lyon, Walter Thompson, Basil Wrangell USA 1958 120 mins (U) Cinerama Diane Beardmore, Marlene Lizzio, Tommy Zhan

“Cinerama takes you on a South Seas Adventure to tropical islands set like sparkling jewels in dreamy cerulean waters.” A first screening for the Widescreen Weekend, the film depicts one of Cinerama’s furthest journeys, taking audiences of the 1950s to the other side of the world.

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Ryan’s Daughter
Saturday 28 April, Pictureville

Dir. David Lean UK 1970 206 mins (15) 70mm Robert Mitchum, Sarah Miles, John Mills Christopher Jones

Recently married to the village schoolmaster, Rosy Ryan Shaughnessy is attracted to a young English officer. One stormy night some Irish revolutionaries are expecting a shipment of guns but are betrayed. The stunning scenery, filmed with 65mm film stock, create a magnificent backdrop to this sublimely told love story.

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The Wonderful World of Brothers Grimm
Saturday 28 April, Pictureville

Dirs. George Pal, Henry Levin USA 1962 135 mins (U) Cinerama Laurence Harvey, Karlheinz Böhm, Claire Bloom, Russ Tamblyn, Buddy Hackett

A Widescreen Weekend premiere of the classic 3-strip Cinerama spectacular. Based on the lives of the Brothers Grimm, this is an all-singing, all-dancing film for all the family with invisible cloaks, dragons and evil knights. Shot with Cinerama camera, the composition can only be appreciated on our curved Cinerama screen.

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Cinerama! Cinerama!
Sunday 29 April, Pictureville

For one year only, our much-loved ‘Cineramacana’ event is renamed for the 60th anniversary of Cinerama! We will present treats and surprises from the world of widescreen cinema with clips, short documentaries and those special touches that make Sunday morning at the Widescreen Weekend so special.

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Kevin Brownlow: From Biograph to Fox Grandeur, the Birth of Widescreen
Sunday 29 April, Pictureville

We are delighted to welcome film director and historian Kevin Brownlow. Mr. Brownlow is probably best known for his lifelong fascination with Abel Gance’s 1927 extravaganza Napoleon. In this special presentation Kevin will explain the wide-ranging techniques of widescreen cinema, from the first silent films to the early talkies.

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Around the World 80 Days
Sunday 29 April, Pictureville

Dir. Michael Anderson USA 1956 178 mins (U) 35mm David Niven, Cantinflas, Robert Newton, Shirley Maclaine

This film was derived from Todd and Orson Welles' stage production of Around the World in 80 Days and, like Cinerama, it travels all the locations of the world in presenting a comedy spectacular. We will screen this IB Technicolor 35mm print with magnetic sound on our huge curved screen.

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Cinerama Adventure
Sunday 29 April, Pictureville

Dir. David Strohmaier USA 2001 100 mins (adv U) 35mm Documentary with Debbie Reynolds, Carroll Baker, Eli Wallach, Russ Tamblyn

A labour of love and dedication, Dave Strohmaier’s documentary tells the extraordinary story of Cinerama through the eyes of those involved in developing the process. Cinerama Adventure is a must for all those who have ever seen and wondered at the magnificence of Cinerama.

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The Star Chamber
Monday 30 April, Pictureville

Dir. Peter Hyams USA 1983 109 mins (15) 70mm Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto, Sharon Gless

When young, idealistic judge, Michael Douglas, is shown an alternative way of passing sentences, he reluctantly joins the secret Star Chamber. Tense and entertaining, this early morning screening is a great way to start the day.

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Black Rain
Monday 30 April, Pictureville

Dir. Ridley Scott USA 1989 125 mins (18) 70mm Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Ken Takakura, Kate Capshaw

Black Rain is a classic Ridley Scott thriller, all the better in this 70mm print. New York cop Nick Conklin and his partner Charlie Vincent arrest Yakuza gang member Sato. When Sato escapes, they learn that Japan is different to New York when it comes to breaking rules.

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Booking

Pictureville Seating Plan

To book a pass please download and complete The Widescreen Weekend Booking Form and send to jennifer.hall@nationalmediamuseum.org.uk.

Remember you can still support us by donating online via our Big Give: Cinerama is 60 page.