Warner's site says that its semi-pro DVD of Doc Savage the Man of Bronze is 16x9 Full Screen. What does that mean? Is it anamorphic widescreen or, um, anamorphic pan & scan, or what? Is this in any case something different from the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85?

Well, that was the idea, to hear from someone who's ordered this. I know that this one in particular has been ordered. I just saw on some site or other one comment that this was better than the laserdisc, and another that this wasn't widescreen like the laserdisc, which confused me, although I suppose it's possible that the guy who thought it better likes pan&scan.

Well, our profile for this title claims that it is 1.85:1 anamorphic, and Katatonia uploaded it.  Perhaps send him a pm?

Quoting Dr. Killpatient:

Quote:
Her. 

I thought Katatonia was a him? At least the signature says "Corey" & I've only known it to be a male name.

Edit: Not that it matters one way or the other!

Yes, I am a male.

The Doc Savage DVD is indeed 16x9 anamorphic widescreen....not full screen. It lists the aspect ratio as 1.85:1 on the back cover and is indeed accurate as far as I could roughly measure on my screen. I would think it's close to its original theatrical ratio.

The DVD transfer looks quite nice, though it's interlaced. The only extra included is the original trailer.

Thing to keep in mind is,, a lot of regular folk have no idea or just  what is on their dvd and wide screen TV programing, They are just worried  about: " is there any black bars.."

So with anamorphic 1:78 ( or 1:85 same to a degree)., with full screen anamorphic description means no Black bars., . If you watch the print that wouldn't have anamorphic process the print would be a rectangular box area of black bars on all 4 sides.. or if using HDMI/component you would have top and bottom black areas.  ANY panavision or equivalent processing (2:00 and higher) will automatically" without fail "have top and bottom bars.. ( unless you zoom in on any of these descriptions is cheating the process and will not give satisfactory image)., .
So anamorphic widescreen gives a more satisfactory image with no squeezing of images or lost areas due to widescreen process. and warners description of Full Screen has no meaning what so ever to a 4:3 style TV  but the 16 x 9 style which is of course 1:78.
A lot of films shot in the 80's or early 1990's were matted to the 1:85 process., but along came HIDEF widescreen TV's with component jacks first and then HDMI inputs and that drastically changed the way viewers can watch their favourite shows in Full screen ( no black pillars)..,
an the people said . This is good.