The good news is that Criterion has a Badlands Bluray coming out on 3.19.13. The bad news is that they’ve cleavered the aspect ratio down to 1.78 to 1. The good news is that I still have my copy of a 1999 Warner Home Video Badlands DVD, and it’s presented at 1.37 to 1. [See jump page.]
I don’t know for a fact that this WHV DVD presents the definitive full-frame, open-matte version of Terrence Malick‘s 1973 classic, but it sure looks good. I’ve watched it three or four times and can tell you it has acres and acres of spacious headroom.
Title image from 1999 Warner Home Video DVD of Terrence Malick’s Badlands, obviously using a 1.37 to 1 aspect ratio.
If you believe in HE’s “boxy is beautiful” principle, you need to order the 1999 DVD before it runs out.
