9/10
This is Cinerama would have been an extraordinary experience if I'd watch it the way it's meant to be...
23 September 2020
After years of only knowing about this innovative film, I finally watched this online, complete with the curved black spots that's supposed to simulate the theatrical experience as one could have imagined it. Lowell Thomas introes in a black-and-white sequence done in the conventional screen ratio of the time (almost square-like) before it suddenly widens and turns to color. The first sequence after that is a point-of-view (POV) dolly from the front of a roller coaster in New York City. From there we see various events taking place in Europe like a bullfight or the Vienna Boys Choir or a ballet sequence. After intermission, we then watch a water ski show and various American landscapes as the choir sings various patriotic songs. This was mostly an enjoyable viewing experience though it would have been a better one if I'd actually seen it at a Cinerama theatre. If you're curious enough, I do recommend it whatever the format. P.S. This marked the last time these people would team up on film: producer Merian C. Copper, music composer Max Steiner, Willis O'Brien who contributed the paintings that begin many sequences, and director Ernest B. Schoedsack who did the beginning square b & w sequence.
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