Christopher Nolan’s IMAX Dream Achieved in ‘The Odyssey’

Christopher Nolan has long aspired to create a film using IMAX technology ever since experiencing nature documentaries as a child at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry. His films, such as “Oppenheimer,” “Inception,” and the “Dark Knight” series, reflect his vision. This aspiration has reached its pinnacle with “The Odyssey,” the first feature entirely shot on IMAX film.

An IMAX First

Nolan’s journey toward using IMAX for a full feature has been gradual. Initially, the noisiness of IMAX cameras posed challenges for dialogue-heavy scenes. However, after the success of “Oppenheimer,” advancements led to the creation of “the blimp,” a muffler for the IMAX cameras, leading to the development of The Keighley camera. This advancement honors David Keighley, an influential IMAX executive who passed away shortly after the film’s completion.

The new system had hurdles. The camera’s encasement in the blimp added weight, reaching 300 pounds. The film needed reloading every two-and-a-half to three minutes. Additionally, a mirror system had to be set up to allow actors to perform around the large camera. These efforts aimed to provide audiences with a unique cinematic experience.

Format Options and Audience Experience

With the release of “The Odyssey,” viewers have various formats to select from, including IMAX 70mm, IMAX digital, 35mm, and Dolby Cinema. During a 2023 interview with the Associated Press, Nolan shared insights into his preferred formats, emphasizing that IMAX offers an unparalleled theatrical experience.

He noted that an IMAX 70mm presentation allows the screen to seemingly disappear, creating a 3D experience without glasses. This format offers ten times the resolution of a 35mm projector. The extra 5mm in the 70mm projection, a holdover for soundtracks, now enhances visuals purely.

Shooting with Large Formats

Starting with “The Dark Knight,” Nolan implemented a method called “center punching the action” to adapt IMAX films for different screenings. This approach ensures the film translates well across formats, despite varying screen shapes known as aspect ratios.

Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema maintains awareness of frame lines for different theaters, ensuring each presentation suits its format. In the expansive IMAX 1.43:1, the screen seems to vanish for viewers. For other formats, the image crops while retaining its impact.

Nolan’s Preferred Theatrical Formats

For Nolan, the ideal experience is the IMAX 70mm presentation. Though rare, shown in 32 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, these screenings, like those at AMC Universal CityWalk and AMC Lincoln Square, often sell out weeks in advance. Other notable locations include Cinemark 17 in Dallas and Regal King of Prussia near Philadelphia.

Nolan appreciates IMAX as the pinnacle of celluloid film quality, offering an enormous film negative that travels quickly through the projector. Globally, 70mm prints also provide a top-notch experience.

Alternate Digital Formats

Most viewers in North America access digital presentations. These include IMAX digital and other large-format systems by theater chains, such as Regal RPX and Cinemark XD. Nolan’s team digitizes the film meticulously to ensure each format provides an exceptional viewing experience.

The scanning of IMAX films for digital formats leverages the superior image quality, enhancing laser projectors in IMAX and Dolby Cinema locations.

The Best Seats in the Theater

Seating preference varies among individuals. Nolan prefers sitting near the front, middle of the third row in CinemaScope ratio theaters. For stadiums with IMAX 1.43:1, he suggests a seat slightly behind the center line.

This article was first published on June 4, 2023. It has been revised to detail the release of “The Odyssey” and technological breakthroughs enabling its IMAX production.