Oppenheimer (70mm)

Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, this epic thriller tells the story of the American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his pivotal contribution to the creation of the atomic bomb. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and the late Martin J. Sherwin.

The film stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and Emily Blunt as his wife, biologist and botanist Katherine “Kitty” Oppenheimer. Oscar® winner Matt Damon portrays General Leslie Groves Jr., director of the Manhattan Project, and Robert Downey, Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, a founding commissioner of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. Oppenheimer also stars Oscar® winner Rami Malek and reunites Nolan with eight-time Oscar® nominated actor, writer and filmmaker Kenneth Branagh.

Oppenheimer is filmed in a combination of IMAX® 65mm and 65mm large-format film photography including, for the first time ever, sections in IMAX® black and white analogue photography. The current vertical standard 65mm wide format celluloid frame is five perforations in height, providing a much greater picture area than regular 35mm film stock. When prints are made for projection, an extra 5mm is added to the width to accommodate the soundtrack, widening the film to 70mm. The reels run at 120 feet per minute, which is 20% faster than 35mm film. The result is an ultra high-resolution image that is bigger, brighter, and much sharper, lending added realism and depth to the viewing experience. Previously, Coral Gables Art Cinema presented theatrical runs of Christopher Nolan's Tenet and Dunkirk in 70mm film.

Coral Gables Art Cinema is the only art cinema in the southeastern United States equipped to screen films in 70mm, the high-resolution format that became synonymous with the medium's epics and films of exceptional visual grandeur. To see a film projected in this format is to see them in their full splendor, with pristine image and detailed sound. New screenings are added throughout the year.

About 70mm

70mm film projection is a process of projecting movies onto a big screen using a film print that is 70mm wide, which is about twice the size of regular 35mm film. This wider film format allows for a much greater amount of detail and image quality to be captured and displayed on screen, resulting in a more immersive and visually stunning cinematic experience.

Compared to digital projection, 70mm film projection has several benefits. One of the key benefits is that film prints can reproduce a wider range of colors and shades than digital projection, which can result in more vibrant and lifelike images. Additionally, film prints have a higher resolution than most digital projectors, which means that the images are sharper and more detailed. Film prints are also less prone to issues like pixelation or compression artifacts that can sometimes occur with digital projection.

70mm film projection can also capture a wider aspect ratio than most digital projection formats, which allows for more of the image to be visible on the screen. This wider aspect ratio is especially noticeable in epic movies that feature large landscapes or action sequences.

Overall, 70mm film projection provides a unique and high-quality cinematic experience that is unmatched by digital projection. While digital projection has become the industry standard in recent years, many cinephiles and filmmakers still appreciate the richness and depth that can be achieved using film prints.

Check out the rest of our See It In 70mm program!