I've spent the last week trying to find somewhere in Europe to see The Odyssey in its native 1.43:1, and I've ended up stuck on a question nobody seems able to answer.

Quick recap of the format tiers:

- IMAX 70mm (15-perf film) — native 1.43:1, the full frame

- IMAX with Laser GT (dual projector) — digital, also 1.43:1

- IMAX with Laser, single projector (CoLa/XT) — 1.90:1, cropped

- IMAX Digital (xenon, ~2K) — 1.90:1, cropped

The film was shot open-matte for 1.43:1, so anything below the top two tiers isn't just softer. It's missing picture from the top and bottom of the frame. Scenes composed for the full height get trimmed.

Here's what I don't get. A 1.90:1 screen could pillarbox the tall frame instead: use the projector's full chip height, address only the center portion of the width, black bars on the left and right. Smaller image, but the entire composition. The geometry works fine (see the diagram).

As far as I can tell, the blocker isn't technical. IMAX simply doesn't distribute the tall master to those venues. Single-laser and xenon houses receive a 1.90:1 DCP that's a genuine reframe, not the 1.43 file with bars added. They physically couldn't show the full frame even if the projectionist wanted to.

I understand the business logic. A filled screen looks more impressive than a pillarboxed one, especially in a converted multiplex auditorium, and keeping 1.43:1 scarce is exactly what makes people travel for it.

But it stings when you're the one doing the travelling. There are three cinemas in the entire EU showing this on 70mm: Prague, Brussels, Montpellier. I'm in Austria, so the nearest complete version of the movie is a four-hour drive. Meanwhile there's an IMAX twenty minutes from me that could put the whole frame on screen with bars and simply isn't allowed to.

Just give people the choice. One clearly labelled off-peak screening a week. Some of us would take the bars happily.

So: is there an actual technical blocker I'm missing — brightness, masking, projector alignment, licensing — or is this purely a distribution decision?

I drove in from Munich specifically for this, since Flora is one of only three places in the entire EU showing The Odyssey in true 70mm IMAX, and I have zero regrets.

First off, massive shoutout to the folks at IMAX Flora. They actually took me up to the booth and let me stand next to the IMAX projector. That thing is an absolute beast. The passion these people have for film is unreal - they didn't have to do that, and it made the whole experience unforgettable. If any of you are film nerds, these are your people.

The movie itself? Hands down a spectacle. I need to rewatch it before I make any final calls, but sitting there in that format, it felt like something close to the pinnacle of what cinema can do.

And the ending - that final minute, the dialogue, it is just something else. I won't spoil anything, but it stuck with me the whole drive home. Go see it in 70mm if you possibly can.

My name is Shlomo and this is my first Nolan film. I think that this has been such a great experience to watch and enjoy. So glad that I could have seen it and been part of this. Matt Damon did such a good job as Odysseus, the sound design was peak, and the water scenes actually made me feel wet

This is amazing. Do you have any other recommendations for me if I liked this film?

They are sooo mad theres a black girl and a trans person in this movie.

Source: dunm_ola

**Title:** Universal Studios is reportedly dodging a $5,700 repair bill owed to a small Swedish non-profit after using their Viking ship in Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey*

**Body:**

*(Translated from Expressen)*

A Swedish Viking ship from Värmland secured a role in the blockbuster movie **"The Odyssey"**. But following the shoot, the non-profit association *Föreningen Vikingaleden* is still waiting for payment for damages incurred during production.

> "In a Universal production, it's pocket change," says chairman Peter Olausson.

>

### What Happened?

Christopher Nolan's new film *"The Odyssey"* became a global box-office success during its opening weekend.

Featured in the movie is the Swedish Viking ship *Glad av Gillberga*, owned by *Föreningen Vikingaleden*—a non-profit organization based in Nysäter, Sweden, that operates a Viking museum and village, and maintains historical ships.

According to chairman Peter Olausson, Universal Studios caught wind of the vessel and rented it for six months to use in the background of several sequences.

### Universal Stopped Responding – Invoice Left Unpaid

The agreement with Universal's recruitment subcontractor stated that the studio would pay for rent, plus any wear-and-tear costs arising from usage and transport.

While the association received the initial rental payment, they were left high and dry when it came to repairs.

Upon the ship's return, the non-profit had to repair multiple damages, including a crack in the hull. They paid out of pocket for the repairs and sent an invoice for the material costs totaling approximately **60,000 SEK (~$5,700 USD)**.

> "In a Universal production, that's coffee money. That was the agreement, and we haven't seen any of it. We're not very pleased about it," Olausson told Expressen.

>

The production company has reportedly gone completely silent and hasn't replied to emails since last winter. Olausson speculates they simply moved on to the next movie and forgot about them.

> "It leaves a bitter taste. It puts a dampener on the excitement of having been part of such an incredible film—because it truly is an incredible film."

>

### Financial Impact on the Non-Profit

The funds are critical for the small organization. Beyond the repair costs, the delay in fixing the hull meant they couldn't launch the ship on schedule, causing additional lost revenue.

> "We're a non-profit operating on fairly thin margins. It won't bankrupt us, but we're having to eat into our reserves."

>

Because suing a massive Hollywood studio isn't financially viable for a small organization, Olausson hopes the public attention will get someone at Universal to notice and settle the invoice.

in my head it would’ve been Gosling. Chris Hemsworth might be more “realistic” with this cast. any more suggestions/speculations?

Anyone else immediately thought of this? I am now convinced in my own headcanon that this is the only reason why Nolan decided to leave the horse so close to the shoreline.

Edit: Movie is Planet of the Apes.

What an amazing movie. Absolute Cinema. Love how the movie shows Troy.

Edit- Matt Damon

Ludwig's score is brilliant. It's not unmemorable. Once you listen to the score again, it has so many memorable themes all throughout.

Now the reason why the score is so much subtle compared to the rest of nolan scores is because the sound design of the movie was so loud and the music has barely given the time to shine.

I couldn't even hear the "Odysseus" track in the 2nd troy sequence on my 1st viewing at my theater.

My god. I won’t give away any spoilers here, but this was peak. I was shaking during it. My Apple Watch was screaming at me that my heart rate was too high lol. Just superb

Here's my tier list ranking the main performances in The Odyssey, in my personal opinion

Here's the tier list if any of you want to try for yourself: https://tiermaker.com/create/the-odyssey-characters-2026-movie-19142380

I was terrified, knowing what pain and suffering he was about to unleash! It just missed 'The Imperial March' music. I fucking loved it, though!