REPORTS
THE HATEFUL EIGHT
THE 70 MM STIGMA
The seldom-used 70 millimeter
projection of Quentin Tarantino’s
latest “The Hateful Eight” recieved
mixed reviews upon release nation-
wide. From Tampa, FL., to Vancou-
ver, British Columbia there were
reported problems since the equip-
ment requires a knowledgeable
technician to be present.
The stretch seems worthy with
its breathtaking clarity; and of
course Tarantino with his love for
all things vintage would be the
one to require the United State’s
theaters to use only the best for his
showings for the first time since
1992.
“It is a tricky, unforgiving,
high-maintenance format to run
correctly,” said David Kornfield,
head projectionist at the Somer-
ville Theatre in Somerville. Mass.,
6
FILMMAKER SPRING 2016
BY JAY GUIRNASO
who was running a “Hateful Eight”
screening when he spoke by phone
to reporter, Ben Kenigsberg. “Be-
cause the picture area of 70 mil-
limeters is three to six times greater
than 35, you have three to six times
more area to make a mess of.”
Demanding cinema veterans to suc-
cessfully run the film with smooth
transitions.
““The Hateful Eight” was shot
in an unusually wide aspect ratio
of 2.76:1, meaning that the picture
should have 2.76 feet of width for
every foot of height, making for
empty space at the bottom of most
modern multiplex screens; this was
apparently intentional” (Kenigs-
berg).
Complaints only accounted for
less than 1 percent of the 1,400
showing. Out of the 100 theaters
that agreed to screen the film, 89
were ready to take on the 70 milli-
meter challenge; which wasn’t easy
since Tarantino felt he would alds
throw in an overture, intermission,
and additional footage into the mix
for fun, billing it as a roadshow.
Overall the reactions were posi-
tive, and if you’re a QT fan you will
most definitely not be disappointed.
Now everyone can watch Tim Roth
and the blood-fueled shoot-outs in
super-HD.
This wasn’t easy to pull off, and
of course, he found a way to do so.
Just one more thing to add to his list
of awesomeness. All hail Tarantino.