This Is Cinerama

Released Sep 30, 1952

1h 56m

Documentary

List

100%

6 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Designed to introduce the Cinerama widescreen format, this film documents exciting events and beautiful scenery from around the world in the aforementioned format. Included is a thrilling rollercoaster ride from the now-defunct Rockaways' Playland in Queens, scenes from the opera "Aida," an up-close view of the Niagara Falls, a ride down the canals of Venice and a bullfight. The film also features narration from newscaster Lowell Thomas and an Academy Award--nominated score.

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Audience Member

This highest-grossing film that most people have never seen was released in 1952 and smashed box-office records at the time; the innovative new three-camera process allowed audiences to experience the cinema like never before, and this plotless travelogue featured such memorable sequences as an opera at La Scala and the famous roller-coaster ride. Historically important but rather dull by today's standards.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's not just a movie, but an entire experience. No story, no dialogue, no plot, nothing of a conventional movie. "This Is Cinerama" was meant to be the first film to show off the process of the new 3-panel curved-screen multi-channel sound system extravaganza that was called "Cinerama", and only able to be projected in specialized Cinerama theaters. There are some incredibly awesome scenes like flying around, the roller coaster, and waterskiing. Yet there are some incredibly boring parts like the Vienna Boy's Choir or the church singers. And what was up with the waterskiier on the chair? The process is not perfect, with some errors in the picture synchronization at the edges, and how straight flat lines don't look straight or flat anymore.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Simply amazing. I wish all of you could have seen it with me, it was an experience of a lifetime. Imagine the "Soarin' Over California" ride from Disneyland, and that's as close as you're going to get to the experience I had, although it pales in comparison. The movie itself isn't that great, and it's a little bit boring sometimes (Aida Act II Finale sequence, I'm looking at you), but as a cinematic experience it was unparalleled. The movie exists to show beautiful and breathtaking images accompanied by awesome 7-channel stereo sound, and it delivers completely. This movie changed movies from then on. It's a true milestone in cinema.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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Merian C. Cooper

Director

Lowell Thomas

Narrator

Lowell Thomas

Executive Producer

Michael Todd

Executive Producer

Robert L. Bendick

Producer

Merian C. Cooper

Producer

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

It's easy to see why such a film became so wildly popular, but like its opening sequence, it's basically a carnival ride.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 6, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Pumps up the process of Cinerama.

Rated: B-

Oct 21, 2012

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

After about 15 minutes, the curtains part, and the full, color, Cinerama picture appears; it's literally a roller coaster about to start its ascent. And darned if it isn't kind of thrilling.

Oct 4, 2012

Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Threat

The film that gave birth to the modern widescreen era.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 14, 2012

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

One of those rare, never-to-be-duplicated cinema experiences that any serious film lover should make an effort to see while it's available.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 2, 2009

Full Review

Ross Anthony

Hollywood Report Card

Still impressive even in lieu of today's standards.

Rated: 3/4

May 29, 2002

Full Review

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Synopsis

Designed to introduce the Cinerama widescreen format, this film documents exciting events and beautiful scenery from around the world in the aforementioned format. Included is a thrilling rollercoaster ride from the now-defunct Rockaways' Playland in Queens, scenes from the opera "Aida," an up-close view of the Niagara Falls, a ride down the canals of Venice and a bullfight. The film also features narration from newscaster Lowell Thomas and an Academy Award--nominated score.

Director: Merian C. Cooper
Producer: Lowell Thomas, Michael Todd
Distributor: Cinerama Releasing Corporation [us]
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 30, 1952, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 18, 2018
Runtime: 1h 56m

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