Just turned on "The Straight Story" by David Lynch on Film4 and I notice it's showing in its original aspect ratio so none of the picture is cut off the sides.
Since I complained about films being cropped before I think it's only right to say thanks a lot
Followed by a repeat of FORREST GUMP, which isn't in its original aspect ratio. This, despite the fact a cropped version was only screened a few days ago.
It's nice that Film 4 broadcast THE STRAIGHT STORY in its original Panavision dimensions (the first screening on Channel 4 was 4:3!!), but for a channel that's supposedly "passionate about film", I don't see why they think it's OK to screen one movie at the original ratio, and not the other. After all, whatever reason applied to them deciding not to screen FORREST GUMP at 2.35:1 (ie. commercial reasons), surely that also applied to THE STRAIGHT STORY?
Until Film 4 decides to explain their switch from screening [I]everything[/I} at OAR (while they were a PPV service) to broadcasting only a tiny handful of titles at OAR (now they're open to everyone), then these decisions will always seem bizarre and off-putting to their core audience.
