‘The Odyssey’ Formats: Imax, 70mm and All the Ways to Watch Christopher Nolan’s Epic

Every frame of Christopher Nolan‘s “The Odyssey” was shot in Imax. But choosing a theater to watch the movie in is a little more complicated, since the epic film is coming to theaters in several formats.

With tickets going on sale Thursday, “The Odyssey’s” website has provided a guide which shows how the film will be presented, from 70mm Imax to premium large format. Each guide features the cast walking though the formats, and the trailer is presented showing framing and composition.

Explaining the film’s Imax 70mm format, star Matt Damon said in a video: “Each film frame has 15 perforations, runs horizontally through the projector, making it the largest format available. Every frame was shot in Imax, and when you’re in the theater, you’ll feel the full impact of how it was shot.”

Anne Hathaway explains, “The film was shot and designed to be experienced on the biggest screen possible, and Imax delivers on this. It fills your entire field of vision, immersing you fully for the best cinematic experience.”

As previously announced, Nolan is making film history with the first narrative feature shot entirely with Imax cameras.

“The Odyssey” was shot by Nolan’s go-to cinematographer, Hoyte van Hoytema, who has collaborated with Nolan on “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Oppenheimer.”

Last year, van Hoytema told Empire magazine that he shot Imax test footage of a kid reading David Bowie’s “Sound and Vision” lyrics to prove whether or not Imax film cameras were advanced enough to record dialogue.

He said, “I presented Chris with a very big close-up of a child on the Imax screen, reciting David Bowie’s ‘Sound and Vision’ from a piece of paper. It was very touching: that level of intimacy in both image and sound, fused together, projected in the theater.”

Nolan was blown away and convinced he could finally make an entire movie shot entirely with Imax cameras. He said, “We never would have been able to get those shots before.”

Based on Homer’s legendary saga, “The Odyssey” follows the Greek hero Odysseus, played by Damon, as he travels the long and winding path back home after the Trojan War. Damon stars alongside Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo and more. In addition to directing, Nolan wrote the script and produced the film alongside his wife, Emma Thomas.

Here are all the ways to watch “The Odyssey”:

Imax 70mm

In Imax 70mm, the site says, “The film will be presented in Imax’s 1.43:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio. Each film frame has 15 perforations and runs horizontally through the projector. It is the largest and highest-resolution format available and gives you an unparalleled sense of immersion as the image fills Imax’s signature floor-to-ceiling screen.”

Imax 1.90:1

According to the site, “The film will be presented in Imax’s 1.90:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio with select Imax with Laser locations showing it in Imax’s 1.43:1 Expanded Aspect Ratio. The film will fill your entire field of vision on the floor-to-ceiling screen.”

70mm Film

70mm film is large format film that offers a bright, clear image up to three times the resolution of standard digital projection formats, with rich analog color by projecting light through celluloid. It is shown at a 2.20:1 aspect ratio.

Lupita Nyong’o, who plays both Helen of Troy and her sister, Clytemnestra, explained: “70mm film has five perforations and runs vertically through the projector, so we can experience this immersive and special cinematic format.”

35mm Film

35mm is the classic theatrical film format. It has four perforations and runs vertically through the projector, shown at a 2.39:1 aspect ratio. It projects light through the entire 35mm frame to deliver clear, high resolution images with rich analog color.

Dolby Vision

Dolby Vision’s high dynamic range laser projection system presents the film at 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, with the brightness and exact color rendering allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves. Dolby Vision lets audiences experience every detail and nuance captured by the large format film cameras Nolan used in production. Local Dolby Cinemas will offer two aspect ratios — 2.39:1 Cinema Scope or 1.85:1 Flat — based on the native screen in the auditorium, allowing audiences to see the largest possible image on screen.

Zendaya, who plays the goddess Athena, explains: “Dolby Cinema is an experience all its own. You know how important it is; see it on the biggest screen possible. Dolby’s dynamic range of brightness and color draws you in, giving you a vivid visual experience. And what Christopher Nolan captured will be presented with impact. You will be wowed.”

Premium Large Format

Premium large format theaters are designed to offer a superior, more immersive cinematic experience. They feature larger wall-to-wall screens and better projection technology, including laser projection. The film will be shown in 2.39:1 or 1.85:1 aspect ratio depending on the screen size.

Tom Holland, who plays Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, said: “Exhibitors design these theaters to give you an enhanced experience. They have wall to wall screens and superior projection technology, so you are more immersed. If you want to feel the movie, see ‘The Odyssey’ in RX or D-Box. Your seat doesn’t just sit there. When we’re moving, you’re moving. It’s going to be a great time.”

Watch Damon’s teaser below: