It is one of the most repeated questions these days: why do black stripes appear on both sides when viewing the Snyder Cut ? Why is it 4: 3 and not widescreen? and above all, can they be removed? Well everything has an explanation (and even “solution”, with tweezers, yes) that we are going to talk to you about now. Make yourself comfortable that we explain everything to you.
The 4: 3 mess
Although you probably know more than enough about the concept, it does not hurt that we go over what the aspect ratio is . With this name we refer to the proportion of an image between its width and its height. It is represented by two figures separated by a colon and is sometimes expressed with the division resulting between these numbers.
After reviewing this, it is important to make a clarification that, without being transcendental for the purpose of this article, it is worth noting. And is that although everyone is talking about “the 4: 3” of the Snyder Cut, the truth is that there is a lot of confusion about the exact recording format.
This is due to the statements of the director himself who has come to contradict himself on at least two occasions publicly. In the first place Zack Snyder confirmed on a social network that the tape had a 1.66: 1 ratio . That corresponds to 5: 3 (also called “European Widescreen”) while 4: 3 is 1.33: 1 – so the Snyder Cut would be slightly “taller” than a conventional 4: 3 picture. However, there is an online interview granted by Zack, within the framework of Justice Con (in July 2020), in which he said that the film was recorded in 1.33: 1 and even made a drawing to explain to the audience in what consisted of this:
What statement are we left with? In the Reddit forums there are theories of all kinds: some who believe that it was simply a mistake or mathematical slip on their part while others point out that perhaps Snyder agreed at first with Warner the 1.66: 1 (5: 3) but later he got the go-ahead to shoot in the frame he wanted, that is, 1.33: 1 (the usual 4: 3).
In the well-known media Screen Rant they also wonder about this great confusion and indicate that what is confirmed is that the tape is recorded in 1.37: 1 , which is slightly higher than 4: 3. It therefore seems that after that it would have been adjusted for its broadcast on HBO Max – although the platform claims to have respected the director’s vision at all times – where we can see it right now in some “official” 4: 3.
The director’s vision and his projection
Once the terms and figures have been clarified, let’s go to those that interest us: why was it recorded in this format and not in the usual cinema format? This is one of the most repeated comments in recent days and is that many were unaware that the famous Snyder Cut was not in widescreen or full screen (the usual 16: 9) and that instead, two imposing black stripes are shown, one on each side of the screen. What is this about?
The reason is found in the projection idea that was had for the film before the pandemic. As you know, the confirmation of this new montage by Zack Snyder occurred before COVID-19 took over the planet, so the plan was to screen this new special film in IMAX cinemas , in which format 4: 3 (well, 1.37: 1, remember) is the most suitable.
It is true that Snyder could have changed the format and modified the framing once its TV premiere was decided, but the director did not want , among other things, because he also considers that this is the best way to show his work and because they would have been lost details. As he has come to comment, with 4: 3 (or similar) the character stands out much more on stage, making him someone more majestic. There are no more distractions or additional information: you only have the actor or actress on screen. It is therefore a perfect cut to give more importance to its protagonists, all superheroes who precisely have to fill the screen and impose themselves in front of the viewer.
Deborah Snyder, producer of the film (and wife of Zack), has also explained it in an interview:
The movie was originally shot that way. You know, don’t forget it was destined for theatrical release, and it was destined for an IMAX release. But now that he was on HBO Max, Zack didn’t want to change the aspect ratio, because everything was framed that way. And I also just think that’s why it’s so unique. You get so much of the picture, you see so much more. If we later made the decision to cut it, we would lose part of the frame. So it was very important to keep the aspect ratio because that is how it was originally intended. This is how it was shot. This is how the visual effects were made.
In the end that only further differentiates Snyder’s work from what we saw in 2017 (which came in the usual format). One more way for the director to mark his own style with this very particular and personal choice for a different format.
How to view the Snyder Cut in widescreen
Okay, we’ve given you some good reasons why you understand why the Snyder Cut is the way it is, but not even those convince you: you want to see the movie without black stripes. And period. In that case, you should know that practically all televisions allow you to “force” the image to achieve the ratio you want through its “zoom” function .
To do this, you will have to search precisely for this term (or similar) in the interface of your television (it is also available in many projectors) and activate it, so that increasing the image will make it occupy the entire screen. This, of course, will make you lose information about the entire image (above and below, to compensate for the sides), but it would be a “solution” or rather “trick” in case you insist, yes or yes, on visualizing the images. four hours of footage without any black bars.
Snyder might be upset if he finds out, but, hey, in your living room, you’re in charge.