Since the earliest days of motion pictures, the question of which film format best captures movie magic has fueled many impassioned debates. Though shot on digital these days, most major releases continue to be edited, mastered and screened based on venerable 35mm and 70mm film specs. Let‘s trace the parallel journeys of these celluloid giants and scrutinize what still separates them as gold standards.
A Timeline Of Milestones
Before scrutinizing technical details, it helps to see how 35mm and 70mm developed in tandem over 130 years of cinema innovation…
1889 – William Kennedy Dickson assists Thomas Edison in creating 35mm film for early Kinetoscope experiments
1894-1897 – 70mm is born, pioneered either by William Fox/Theodore Case or Herman Casler‘s river filming
1910s – Portable 35mm cameras & film stock revolutionize movie production as the new norm
1920s – Fox Grandeur and other failed 70mm formats struggle financially in Hollywood‘s transition to sound
1950s-60s – 70mm experiences a "widescreen" renaissance thanks to epics like Lawrence of Arabia
Early 2000s – Digital begins to displace celluloid just as 35mm establishes nearly 120 years of dominance
Today – Devoted auteurs like Tarantino and Nolan help 70mm and 35mm clinging to life
So what technical details account for the persisting allure of film in a digital era dominated by CGI spectacles? Let‘s scrutinize…
Head-To-Head Film Format Face-Off
Size Matters
70mm film frame width ranges from 65mm to 68mm compared to standard 35mm width of about 1.4 inches. That makes 70mm over 3 times bigger in terms of pure surface area. More space to capture visual information!
You Get What You Pay For
It costs exponentially more to shoot on 70mm due to its massively larger film stock and processing needs. Individual 70mm release prints cost ~$60,000 compared to $2,000 for 35mm. The lavish production value shows but it requires serious studio resources!
The Reel Truth on Aspect Ratios
35mm Has a classic widescreen ratio of 1.85:1 while 70mm wins with an ultra-wide 2.2:1 ratio (and up to 2.76:1 for Extreme formats like Ultra Panavision). That means 70mm was tailor-made for Biblical epics!
To Each His Own Film Roll
Both formats rely on 1,000 foot film rolls, but 70mm reels run slightly shorter at 9 minutes per magazine compared to 35mm’s 11 minutes. You sacrifice 2 minutes of shooting time for unparalleled visual grandeur!
The Resolution Revolution
35mm roughly equates to 6K digital clarity. But 70mm soars as high as 18K+ resolution – demonstrating almost 3 times more detail and crispness. This helps explain why 70mm remains the gold standard for event films.
Case Study Side-By-Side Comparison
To showcase the real-world impact of 35mm vs 70mm, let‘s analyze examples shot partially or fully on film…
West Side Story (2021)
Shot on 35mm by Janusz Kamiński
Format Showcase: Playful camera moves, elegant closeups, contingent lighting
The Hateful Eight (2015)
Shot on Ultra Panavision 70 by Robert Richardson
Format Showcase: Claustrophobic frames bursting with resolution, mountain vistas
It becomes easy to see how 70mm adds spectacle through enhanced clarity, shape and scope – while 35mm promotes immediacy and emotional identification through balanced framing aligned with the human eye. Both continue to offer timeless advantages over digital!
The Final Verdict: Viva La Film!
70mm Pros
- Unparalleled resolution
- Ultra-wide aspect ratio
- Epical visual scale
- Maintains "gold standard" luster
70mm Cons
- Astronomical production/screening costs
- Scarce equipment and expertise
- Risk of "gimmickry" without substance
35mm Pros
- More convenient and cost-effective
- Promotes emotional identification
- Retains "magic" of celluloid
- Flexible for creative camera moves
35mm Cons
- Resolutions maxes out below 70mm
- Narrower aspect ratio
- Theatrical projectors growing scarce
While 70mm wows through sheer size and clarity, opting to shoot or exhibit primarily in this format involves immense trade-offs compared to relatively accessible 35mm which retains beloved celluloid virtues.
There is no unambiguous winner in the 35mm vs 70mm duel. Their coexistence for over 130 years proves how each uniquely serves the filmmaker‘s creative vision. As digital predominates, we should regard every rare 70mm epic and intimate 35mm indie labor of love as equally priceless. Long live film!
