“Malcolm X”: The North American 70mm Engagements |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 04.03.2022 |
 “
‘If it’s mag, you might need an intermission,’ I explained to Spike [Lee]
when we print-mastered the soundtrack. [Because of the film’s running time]
it would be hard to put it all on a 70mm platter and I suggested that he add
Dolby Digital to the 35mm release. He declined. But after he had to
‘intermission’ a pre-release screening of a 70mm print in a platter house,
he came back and asked, “Tell me more about this Dolby Digital stuff!’ The
final 35mm release of ‘Malcolm X’ was Dolby Digital. The premiere at the
Ziegfeld was 70mm mag reel to reel.” — Brad Hohle, Dolby LaboratoriesThe following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “Malcolm X” in North America. “Malcolm X” was among ten confirmed first-run films released in 1992 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks production and Warner Bros. release — directed by Spike Lee (“Do the Right Thing”) and starring Denzel Washington — opened November 18th. For the release of “Malcolm X,” Warner Bros. 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 “Malcolm X” featured pillarboxed imagery (approximately 1.85:1) blown up from Super 1.85 and Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A”-encoded discrete: five front/one surround). Historical footnote: Some of the 35mm prints of “Malcolm X” included Dolby Digital, an audio format which accelerated an industry trend of fewer titles released with 70mm prints. Warner Bros. circulated 70mm trailers for “The Bodyguard” and “Forever Young” during the release of “Malcolm X” which they recommended be screened with the presentation. As well, other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period. Ultimately, the 70mm trailers, if any, seen during the 70mm presentations of “Malcolm X” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) is included in parenthesis following the cinema name. ONTARIO Toronto — Famous Players’ Eglinton (4) [THX] QUEBEC Montreal — Famous Players’ Imperial (8) [THX] |
More in 70mm reading: 70mm Cinemas in North America Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films Month by month premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films 70mm Engagements 70mm Blow Up List Dolby Stereo |
 SUBSEQUENT
70MM SCREENINGS2015-02-08 … Los Angeles, CA — Egyptian [Black History Month] 2015-03-28 … Los Angeles, CA — Egyptian [TCM festival; 35mm replacement] 2018-09-23 … Somerville, MA — Somerville 5 [70mm & Widescreen festival] 2018-12-08 … Los Angeles, CA — Egyptian [40 Acres series + Spike Lee intro and Q&A] 2019-11-04 … Seattle, WA — Cinerama [70mm festival] 2020-02-08 … Portland, OR — Hollywood [Portland Black Film Festival] 2021-07-01 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm Favorites series] 2021-09-26 … Los Angeles, CA — Academy Museum/Geffen [w/ S. Lee and D. Washington Q&A] 2022-01-14 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero 2022-02-19 … Atlanta, GA — Plaza 2022-02-20 … Atlanta, GA — Plaza 2022-07-08 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm festival] 2023-01-02 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [Angela Bassett retrospective] 2023-07-30 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm festival] 2023-08-12 … New York, NY — Museum of the Moving Image [70mm festival] 2023-08-13 … New York, NY — Museum of the Moving Image [70mm festival] 2023-08-20 … New York, NY — Museum of the Moving Image [70mm festival] 2023-12-28 … Portland, OR — Hollywood [70mm festival] 2023-12-30 … Portland, OR — Hollywood [70mm festival] 2024-08-03 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm festival] 2024-08-25 … New York, NY — Paris [Big & Loud! series] 2025-07-13 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm festival] 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 Ernest Dickerson ASC, Leo Enticknap (American Cinematheque), Brad Hohle, AJ Holder (Projectionist, Plaza Theatre Atlanta) and Mike Schleiger (American Cinematheque), 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. |
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