VistaVision's 1950s Film Magic Returns to Modern Cinema Screens

A classic film format from the 1950s is making a comeback in modern cinema. Two recent films, One Battle After Another and Bugonia, were shot using restored VistaVision cameras—a technique once favoured by legendary directors like Cecil B. DeMille and Alfred Hitchcock. The revival highlights the format’s reputation for stunning clarity and detail. VistaVision was developed by Paramount Pictures in the 1920s and patented by the studio’s sound director, chief engineer, and head of the camera department. Their work earned them Academy Awards. The system was later introduced in the 1950s as a rival to CinemaScope, which compressed images onto standard 35-millimetre film, adding noticeable grain.

Unlike traditional methods, VistaVision runs 35-millimetre film horizontally through the camera. This creates an image twice the size, delivering sharper pictures with no grain. Iconic films like *The Ten Commandments*, *North by Northwest*, *To Catch a Thief*, and *Vertigo* all used the format. The technique also found a place in special effects. In the 1970s, George Lucas’ Industrial Light & Magic used VistaVision for *Star Wars*, ensuring cleaner visuals for its groundbreaking sequences. Decades later, filmmakers are returning to the format. Giovanni Ribisi and director Paul Thomas Anderson shot *One Battle After Another* with refurbished VistaVision cameras. Meanwhile, Yorgos Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan chose the same method for *Bugonia*—even though much of the film takes place in a tight basement. The format’s revival gained further recognition when Lol Crawley won the 2025 Oscar for cinematography, having shot most of *The Brutalist* in VistaVision.

The renewed interest in VistaVision proves its lasting appeal. Modern directors are embracing its ability to produce crisp, grain-free images. With recent Oscar success and high-profile projects, the decades-old format continues to influence how films are made today.