The following images are direct comparative screenshots of the
Annie DVD and the 1994 laserdisc, both released by Columbia TriStar.
During our viewing of Annie, we noticed a strange electronic pan
in a shot on the widescreen image, only to encounter more weird
panning and framing as the shot went on.
Checking it against the 1994 laserdisc, we were able to confirm
that this one particular shot is indeed zoomed in, effectively
cropping the image on all four sides. Checking the rest of the
disc, there are many shots cropped in Annie, leaving the film
cramped and poorly framed. Not every shot is zoomed and cropped,
but that's what makes it so weird.
We've talked to Columbia TriStar about this bizarre situation
and they were equally puzzled. They are actually going to go straight
to the telecine technicians to have a comparison made with the
original print. We'll post an answer to this unusual riddle as
soon as we hear back from Columbia TriStar on this one. In the
meantime, here are some comparative frames so that you can see
for yourself what the problem is all about. These are actual screen
captures and have not been altered.
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SCENE 1
Notice the cropping on all four sides
of the image.
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DVD
Laserdisc
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Still cropping all the edges, and now we've lost a head!
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DVD
Laserdisc
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This one's a head spinner. While still
cropped, we've actually gained picture to the left side
on the DVD transfer, indicting that neither transfer was
accurately composed (at least for this particular shot.)
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DVD
Laserdisc
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SCENE 2
Notice the similar framing on the right
side of the image, while the DVD transfer all but loses
the dresser in the background.
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DVD
Laserdisc
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