“Little Buddha”: The North American 70mm Engagements |
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| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 05.06.2022 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter large
format engagements of “Little Buddha” in North America. These were the
cinemas worth seeking out to experience this film. “Little Buddha” was among two confirmed first-run films released in 1994 with 70mm prints for selected engagements (plus one restoration re-release and two special one-off premieres). The Miramax release — directed by Bernardo Bertolucci (“The Last Emperor,” “The Sheltering Sky”) and starring Keanu Reeves, Ying Ruocheng, Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda — opened May 25th. (“Little Buddha’ was released in numerous countries throughout the world prior to any exhibition in North America.) For the release of “Little Buddha,” Miramax employed the services of Lucasfilm’s Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) to evaluate and approve the cinemas selected to book a 70mm print. The 70mm prints of “Little Buddha” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery sourced from a combination of 65mm and anamorphic 35mm. Historical footnote: Some of the 35mm prints of “Little Buddha” included digital sound (Dolby Digital), which accelerated an industry trend of fewer titles released with 70mm prints and a generally-smaller 70mm print run on those titles selected to be printed in 70mm. Miramax circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “Ciao, Professore!” and “Pulp Fiction” during the release of “Little Buddha.” Other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period, as well. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “Little Buddha” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — GCC’s Avco Center 4 (12) [THX] GEORGIA Atlanta — Lefont’s Tara 4 (6) NEW YORK New York — City Cinemas’ Cinema 1,2,3 (8) Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of engagement due to contractual terms or print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a non-70mm-equipped auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse may have been true in some cases whereas a booking began with a 35mm print because the lab was unable to complete the 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run switch to 70mm. In these cases, any 35mm portion of the engagement (or movement out of a branded auditorium) has been included in the duration figure. SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS 1994-05-20 … Seattle, WA – Landmark’s 5th Avenue [SIFF/Bertolucci retrospective] 2004-03-06 … New York, NY — Museum of the Moving Image [Bertolucci retrospective] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, TAP records, and Dolby records. Special thanks to Bill Kallay and Bill Kretzel. International 70mm engagements of this title have not been accounted for in this article. If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor. |
More in 70mm reading: 70mm Cinemas in North America in70mm.com's list of films blown up to 70mm 70mm Engagements by Title 35mm to 70mm Engagements by Year Large Format 7OMM Engagements Month by month premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films 70mm Blow Up List Dolby Stereo |
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