Amazon has ruined HBO’s “The Wire”

[adkimery]

I guess the thing that annoyed me the most about this is that there's pretty clear evidence that the formatting (SD at 4:3) was an intentional choice by the show's creator.



Now, having said that.... As 4K becomes more of a standard I could see an updated release at 16:9 (at 1080p) taking the place of the old version as a way to make it more palatable to new viewers, while still keeping with Simon's intent to not have it feel movie-like. But I think it's still too soon for that.

At the time 4x3 was for TVs and 16x/widescreen was for movies so I can understand the reasoning behind their choice. But today 16x9 is the norm for everything (from cinema to TV to cellphones) so if the original intent was to have it feel "...more like real life and real television..." wouldn't showing the 16x9 version today be more inline with that vision than showing the 4x3 version?


-Andrew

 

[paulears]

I hate watching 4:3 stuff now, and given the choice between 16:9 and 4:3, I'd go 16:9 every time. I'd bet that there was no artistic reason for the 4:3 original other than that was normal at the time, and the black bands top and bottom were universally hated by viewers. 16:9 shooting was sensible and allowed it to be future proofed. All the cult programmes I have on DVD would be great on wide screen, I can't think of one I have that would have some weird reason to stay 4:3 for content, quality or style.

 

[TheDingo]

I hate watching 4:3 stuff now, and given the choice between 16:9 and 4:3, I'd go 16:9 every time.

+1

 

[Andrius Simutis]

I hate watching 4:3 stuff now, and given the choice between 16:9 and 4:3, I'd go 16:9 every time. I'd bet that there was no artistic reason for the 4:3 original other than that was normal at the time...

I agree that 4:3 isn't as nice to watch, but the DP for The Wire and its creator both have said that 4:3 was intentional to give a more TV look and intentionally not make it look cinematic.

...and the black bands top and bottom were universally hated by viewers.

Huh? By universally, you mean universally hated by trailer park residents watching on 13" TVs? If anything, the reframe for 4:3 was universally hated by anyone who knew or cared about film.

 

[keylight]

Well.... I saw this today.... Hrumph.

http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/2/6096833/hbo-the-wire-hd-marathon

'The Wire' is finally being remastered in HD, and it's probably coming to HBO this week

HBO's The Wire, aka that show you've been saying for years you'll watch because all your friends won't shut up about it, is coming back. According to a promo video found by Polygon editor Arthur Gies (as noted by HBO Watch), a marathon of this series will be broadcasted on HBO Signature weeknights at 8PM starting September 4th, "remastered in for the first time in high definition."

So for those who never watched it, or won't watch it because it was "Yuck SD"... now it'll be available in HD.

 

[Andrius Simutis]

The promos will start running on 9/4. The actual episodes aren't scheduled yet and are reported to not even be finished.
Regardless, I think I will rewatch them when they do air.

 

[Zak Forsman]

I noticed a few days ago that Amazon has switched to 4x3. I'm almost through season one but might stop until the remastered versions are available. Hopefully they'll maintain the 4x3 aspect ratio.

 

[Nugget]

Resurrecting a thread here, but this seems relevant: http://davidsimon.com/the-wire-in-hd/

 

[Russ.W.]

Resurrecting a thread here, but this seems relevant: http://davidsimon.com/the-wire-in-hd/

Interesting read. Thanks for the link. I've been waiting for this since the news first broke. Glad it's still going ahead.

Interesting thoughts in the thread, too. I understand a creator's "vision" on how something is created & desirably viewed, but a great case for The Wire in HD is The Shield. This was a show that Shawn Ryan intended to be viewed in 4:3, in which it aired and was released on DVD in the US, however, we here in Australia got The Shield DVD's in their full 16:9 glory - and it was splendid.

I do realise how a shot/scene is framed is a Director's narrative, but sometimes the story as a whole and the performance's on screen trump framing, camera movement etc. It's not uncommon for a creator of anything to meander on the pedantic, but every now & then there's nothing wrong with allowing the writers and onscreen talent to flow. That's how magic happens. This is not a 5 minute short film where precision is paramount; it's a 5 season journey of interwoven plot-lines and characters.

The Wire is a fantastic TV show. Nobody that watches it in true 16:9 will be disappointed. The show is that good.

 

[keylight]

Yeah, thanks for that link! A good read before going to sleep, and important I think, for everyone on these boards whether they are fans of The Wire or not!

 

[Grug]

Very interesting. I remember watching the special features on my DVD box set a few years ago and someone mentioning how they'd shot it on film in 16:9 to allow a re-release in the wider ratio down the track - and at the time, really wishing they'd hurry up with it because 4:3 had become painful to watch by then!

So I'm stoked that this is finally happening.