“Rambo: First Blood Part II” — The North American
70mm Engagements |
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| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 17.08.2018 |
 TThe
following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
engagements of “Rambo: First Blood Part II” in the United States and Canada.
These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion picture.“Rambo” was among twenty-three confirmed first-run films released in 1985 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. One-dozen 70mm prints were struck for distribution in North America, representing less than one percent of the film’s total initial print run. The Kassar-Vajna production and TriStar release — directed by George P. Cosmatos (“Cobra”) and starring Sylvester Stallone and Richard Crenna — opened May 22nd. For the release of “Rambo,” TriStar 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 “Rambo” featured magnetic Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded Baby Boom format [Dolby processor setting “42”]) and 2.20:1 full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm and provided a superior projection and sound experience in comparison to the film’s 35mm prints. Note that some cinemas may have screened a 70mm Six-Track Dolby Stereo print utilizing Dolby-compatible equipment from another manufacturer (EPRAD, Smart, Ultra Stereo, etc.), and in some instances an exhibitor may have made a special request for a 70mm print that lacked Dolby Noise Reduction so that it could be played on a cinema’s older, pre-Dolby-era sound system. TriStar circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “The Legend of Billie Jean,” “Lifeforce,” “Real Genius,” and “Volunteers” during the release of “Rambo.” Other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period, as well. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “Rambo” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) is included in parenthesis following the applicable cinema name. BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver — Cineplex Odeon’s Oakridge Centre Triplex (13) [THX] Vancouver — Cineplex Odeon’s Vogue (7) CALIFORNIA Los Angeles (Hollywood) — SRO’s Paramount* (12) Los Angeles (Westwood) — UA’s Coronet 4 (13) [THX] Los Angeles (Westwood Village) — UA’s Egyptian (3) [THX] San Jose — Syufy’s Town & Country (7) GEORGIA Atlanta — Columbia (7) HAWAII Honolulu — Consolidated’s Waikiki Twin (14) [HPS-4000] NEW YORK New York — Loews’ 84th Street 6 (4) New York — Reade’s Bay (4) New York — RKO Century’s Warner Twin (7) New York — UA’s Gemini Twin (12) *During the “Rambo” engagement, ownership of the Paramount in Los Angeles changed from SRO to Pacific. 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 1985-07-12 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 23 Twin (4) 1985-07-19 … Toronto, ON — Cineplex Odeon’s Varsity Twin (1) 1986-01-22 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm festival] 2026-06-02 … Los Angeles, CA — Vista [Carolco retrospective] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, TAP records, Dolby records, etc. 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. |
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