We feature this ‘New process’ at the time in the late fifties – we had had VistaVision – and now this. 

Quite a few big sprawling epics were in Technirama.

One of the first British ones was The Hellions with Richard Todd – filmed in South Africa – followed later by Zulu which had a much bigger impact – again filmed in South Africa.

The  clarity and depth of the SUPER TECHNIRAMA-70 image on the giant screen at the time marked s a major step forward in film presentation.

The process combined special systems of photography and projection to be shown  on a giant curved screen. The image which was claimed to be  much superior to any other process in use at that time.

The lens system for SUPER TECHNIRAMA-70 was designed by Professor Dr. A. Bouwers of N. V. Optische Industrie de “Oude Delft” of Holland.

It was developed by the Technicolor Corporation under supervision of Dr. Herbert T. Kalmus, president.

SUPER TECHNIRAMA-70 is the only completely universal photographic and projection system. It was claimed to reach the peak of perfection when shown in theatres equipped with SUPER TECHNIRAMA-70 projectors

In fact films that were produced in Technirama were rarely shown in 70 mm at the time because few cinemas had the equipment – and possibly the 70 mm print was not quite of the quality claimed above – although it was, apparently, very good.

It seems to me to have been very similar to VistaVision – the process just before this one – which again was very good.

ABOVE – A VistaVision Film Camera

In 1959, Walt Disney used Technirama in the production of his animated feature Sleeping Beauty.

Disney wanted be involved  in the 70mm  format used on a number of  films of that time. U

sing optics developed by Panavision, Inc., Technirama’s 35mm horizontal negative was printed in Todd-AO compatible 70mm with six track magnetic stereophonic sound.  It was that which meant the 70 mm print although good was not quite as sharp as the 35 mm.

Over the next few years, a great many Technirama films were released in 70mm under the trade name SUPER TECHNIRAMA 70.

1959 also saw the 70mm release of Solomon and Sheba, memorable only for the death of Tyrone Power, the scant costumes of its coproducer and star, Gina Lollobrigida, and Freddie Young’s wonderful photograpthy.