100 Greatest Films

I watched 100 greatest films and I was impressed. The show was broadcast in widescreen and full 16:9 on analogue, but when a film was narrower than 16:9 the right width black bars were added to the side, and if it was wider, the right width black bars were added to the top and bottom. If the BBC had done this show, we know what they'd have done- cropped all clips to 16:9. And before anyone jumps to the BBCs defence, on BBC1 at the same time they were showing a tribute programme to Freddie Mercure. All the 4:3 clips of Freddy were cropped to 16:9. Its the 10th aniversiry of freddy's death- nice of the BBC to pay their respects by cutting his head off. Im sure all his close freinds and family appreciate it.

I'm left wondering if this had anything to do with the long conversation I had with a friend of mine who works at TTTV in Newcastle about this very subject... They do seem to have done exactly as I suggested and put the 4:3 clips in pillarbox mode....

All of the other 100 greates series have been made in 4:3. This has probabally been, though, the fact its either related to TV or music. This one has probabally been in 16:9 becasue it relates to films,a nd more often than not films are widescreen. Then again, if BBC or ITV had done a lot of channel 4s recent programmes like this, that channel 4 have made in 4:3 to prevent destroying the footage, they would have cropped it all to 16:9. You only have to watch I love 19xx for proof of that- its disgraceful. IMO I love 19xx is unwatchable cos so much picture is cut off, ranging from 25% for the 16:9 viewer, to 50% for the 4:3 viewer. Disgusting.