Directed by Merian C. Cooper, et al
My rating: 3 stars out of 4
IMDb
(Blu-ray, Flicker Alley)
This superb release from Flicker Alley recreates the original Cinerama experience in loving detail.The film starts by projecting the image on long, flowing blue curtains, just like in the theater, which then slide open (you can even hear them moving) to just the right width for the introductory prologue with Lowell Thomas in full frame and black and white. He gives a brief history of the movies and then utters his famous phrase: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Cinerama!" The curtains fully open to reveal the super-wide curved screen, simulated here with a "smilebox" shaped picture instead of the usual rectangle. The opening rollercoaster ride has got to be the most thrilling 5-minutes in motion picture history, an opening ride from which the rest of the film never quite recovers. Make no mistake, there are some spectacular moments: the opera house in Milan, the boat ride through Venice, flying scenes over Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. However, much of the second act seems superfluous, particularly an over-long stay at Cypress Gardens in Florida with water skiing beauties. Nonetheless, it's not to be missed and is the instant go-to disc for showing off your home theater.
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