Apocalypse Now Redux

Rating:
Summary: THE ASPECT RATIO IS INCORRECT!! THIS EDITION IS CROPPED!!!!!
Review: This is one of the most tragic releases in the history of dvd. What's good? It was given a lush, Technicolor transfer, which looks terrific. The sound is awesome, yes. It is an epic film, no denying any of that. BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM. For WHATEVER reason, Coppola and his cinematographer decided to BUTCHER the original 2.35:1 Technovision / anamorphic framing down to a GHASTLY 1.95:1!!! If you want a clear example of what I'm talking about, watch the accompanying trailer. IT is framed at the correct 2.35:1. WATCH IT and compare it to the feature presentation and you will discover horrible examples of quasi-pan+scanning. How on earth could Coppola continue to sanction the visual mutilation? Early on, he might be forgiven for thinking that some compromise might be worth it given the dimensions of film and television screens, but times have changed and widescreen is the NORM when it comes to home video presentation. People have become more SOPHISTICATED and UNDERSTAND and ACCEPT those "annoying black bars". Someone over at Paramount and Zoetrope need to SLAP Francis UPSIDE HIS WINE-SWILLING HEAD and make him release this AGAIN in its ORIGINAL 2.35:1 FORMAT!!!!! (Record a commentary while you're at it).