According to film historian David P. Hayes, THE STING was filmed in 4:3 (equivalent to "full-screen") ratio because director George Roy Hill wanted it to look like an old movie. The studio (and/or the exhibitors) apparently had second thoughts about it, though, so theatrically-released prints had the top and bottom sections blocked ("matted") to fit the widescreen format.

What you see on this DVD is not "pan and scan" (with missing left and right content), but the original format with the top and bottom restored.

(...)


WHY NOT GET THE FACTS BEFORE COMPLAINING???   December 16, 2004
J. Caruso (Chicago, IL)
78 out of 85 found this review helpful

I just bought this DVD for my father because this movie IS a classic, no matter what anyone says. But, when it came in the mail, I was surprised to see "Full Screen" on the front of the box. So I did what many of you did NOT do (with the exception of reviewer cammonro dated Sept 2, 2003), I went to the Universal web site and emailed their Home Entertainment division.

From Universal Studios Home Entertainment:

'The Sting' is only available on DVD in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which in this case displays the same picture information side-to-side as was seen theatrically. Also, more information is shown top-to-bottom than in the theatrical version because of the way the film was originally shot.

One process used in creating movies for theatrical exhibition is to place 'mattes' over the top and bottom of the 35 mm film frame to alter the aspect ratio to 1.85:1 'Widescreen.' To avoid black letterboxing bars on the top and bottom of the picture when it is displayed on standard television, the original mattes are removed in a process known as 'Open Matte.' (This is not to be confused with 'Pan & Scan,' a completely different process of transferring film to Video and DVD.) 'Open Matte' was used with in the production of 'The Sting.'

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT. For all of you complaining about how this DVD is PAN-AND-SCAN, you are WRONG. And for all of you still waiting for WIDESCREEN, you ALREADY HAVE IT with this DVD if you understand what Universal is saying above; you are actually seeing MORE than what you'd see in the theater version because of the "Open Matte" process Universal used, NOT pan-and-scan.

If anyone begs to differ with these facts, argue with the source, Universal.


Awesome Movie on HD DVD!   February 12, 2007
James Morrison (Rochester, NY)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Honestly i've seen better HD DVD's but still this one is remastered like crazy,its a hell of alot clearer than the original dvd release and its amazing to see what they can do with movies such as old as this one. I mean 1973 this movie comes out and after watching the HD DVD you would think it was a new release. All in all to keep this short this is an amazing film and you should pick it up on HD DVD right now!


Good Movie / Bad DVD   July 3, 2000
Russell Christiansen (Warrenville, IL USA)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

Universal should shood themselves for not respecting this movie on DVD; they released a THX re-mastered CHS version complete with a cute CD soundtrack and around the time they released this DVD.

The movie itself is excellent and quite funny in my opinion; Paul Newman was hilarous. "He cheats better than I do!" was the crime lord's words as Paul Newman's character cheats him.

I have no sympathy for Universal regarding the DVD of this. No widescreen and no Dolby Digital 5.1. My suggestion: Wait and maybe they'll release a better version.


Great film/awful transfer   November 6, 1999
19 out of 22 found this review helpful

This is one of my all-time favorite films for a number of reasons. However, this DVD is a worthless piece of junk. It is full screen and muddy in appearance. The widescreen VHS must be better than this. The Sting deserves a better fate.