The above screengrab is from MGM’s new DVD of Shame, part of their heavily-touted Ingmar Bergman boxset (Hour of the Wolf, The Passion of Anna, Persona, The Serpent’s Egg, and Shame, along with extensive bonuses)–and it showcases the studio’s shamefully incorrect cropping of several of these titles. As Gary Tooze of DVDBeaver put it, “I can’t believe anyone but my uncle Des would frame this shot.”
Apparently, MGM decided most of the films should be framed at 1.66:1 instead of the proper 1.37:1. Several sites, including Masters of Cinema, are now advising cinephiles to cancel their pre-orders.
Those who would rather not pay over $100 for a boxset of films missing a significant percentage of their footage should take note. The set is due for release on February 10.