‘One Battle After Another’ Is in VistaVision. Should You Care?

Sun Sep 28 06:30:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

VistaVision, a high-resolution film format from the 1950s that uses horizontal film orientation, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Created by Paramount Pictures, it aimed to enhance the cinematic experience against the rising popularity of television. Although it offered superior image quality, its cumbersome cameras and the development of more convenient high-quality film led to its decline. While remaining in use for special effects, its recent revival is driven by filmmakers seeking a specific aesthetic and heightened cinematic experience in an era dominated by streaming. Paul Thomas Anderson’s new film “One Battle After Another” and “The Brutalist,” along with upcoming films from other prominent directors, are employing VistaVision.

**News Article:**

**VistaVision Makes a Comeback, Offering Moviegoers a Reason to Return to Theaters**

Hollywood is taking a page from its past, reviving VistaVision, a high-resolution film format that hasn’t seen widespread use since the 1950s. Paul Thomas Anderson’s upcoming film, “One Battle After Another,” is among the latest projects to utilize this technology, which uses horizontally-oriented film for a sharper, more detailed image.

VistaVision, originally developed by Paramount Pictures to combat the rise of television, offered moviegoers a superior visual experience. But its cumbersome cameras led to its decline. Now, filmmakers are turning to VistaVision as a way to deliver a cinematic experience that streaming services simply can’t replicate.

“In a world where everyone’s all about streaming, this is like, OK, here’s a reason to go back to the cinema,” said Michael Bauman, cinematographer for “One Battle After Another.”

Only a handful of theaters are equipped to project films in VistaVision, limiting its initial accessibility. However, with more directors like Yorgos Lanthimos, Greta Gerwig, and Alejandro G. Iñárritu adopting the format, moviegoers might soon become reacquainted with this classic filmmaking technology.

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