Panavision's spherical 65mm/70mm film format (1959) for maximum image quality without anamorphic distortion. Used for Lawrence of Arabia and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
What is Super Panavision 70?
Super Panavision 70 (also known as Super Panatar) is Panavision's spherical 65mm/70mm film format, introduced in 1959. Unlike Ultra Panavision 70, it uses no anamorphic lenses – the image is captured natively on the large 65mm negative.
The aspect ratio is 2.20:1 (for 70mm projection with magnetic sound) – wider than Academy, but not as extreme as anamorphic 2.39:1.
Spherical vs. Anamorphic
| Characteristic | Super Panavision 70 | Ultra Panavision 70 |
|---|---|---|
| Lens Type | Spherical | 1.25x Anamorphic |
| Aspect Ratio | 2.20:1 | 2.76:1 |
| Distortion | None | Minimal |
| Bokeh | Round | Oval |
| Application | Natural Images | Extremely Wide |
Technical Details
- Negative: 65mm (5-Perf)
- Print: 70mm with magnetic sound stripes
- Image Area: 52.6mm × 23.0mm
- Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1
- Resolution: ~8K equivalent
Optical Characteristics
The Super Panavision lenses (Super Panatar) offer:
- Soft Texture – softer than modern optics
- Low Contrast – cinematic look
- Distinct Focus Rolloff – elegant fall-off
- Luminous Flares – but less pronounced than Anamorphic
Notable Films
| Film | Year | Camera | DP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence of Arabia | 1962 | Panavision | Freddie Young, BSC |
| 2001: A Space Odyssey | 1968 | Panavision | Geoffrey Unsworth, BSC |
| Khartoum | 1966 | Panavision | Edward Scaife, BSC |
| Grand Prix | 1966 | Panavision | Lionel Lindon, ASC |
| Ryan's Daughter | 1970 | Panavision | Freddie Young, BSC |
| Far and Away | 1992 | Panavision | Mikael Salomon, ASC |
Lawrence of Arabia
Freddie Young, BSC shot Lawrence of Arabia (1962) in Super Panavision 70, creating one of the most visually influential films of all time. The desert landscapes utilize the full resolution of the 65mm negative without anamorphic compromise.
The film won the Oscar for Best Cinematography and defined what "epic cinema" means.
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick chose Super Panavision 70 for 2001 due to its optical precision. The spherical lenses deliver geometrically accurate images – essential for the meticulously designed sets and special effects.
The famous "Star Gate" sequence utilizes the format's resolution for experimental slit-scan photography.
Today
Super Panavision 70 is rarely used for new productions because:
- 65mm film stock has limited availability
- Digital large-format cameras (ARRI Alexa 65, Panavision DXL2) offer similar resolution
- However, the original lenses are still in Panavision's rental inventory
The format remains relevant for restorations and 70mm re-releases – Lawrence of Arabia and 2001 are regularly shown in genuine 70mm.