Why are filmmakers returning to VistaVision? The Academy Museum lets you see for yourself

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Set us as preferred What is VistaVision? A simple answer: The film goes through sideways.Both in the camera during shooting and in the projector during screenings, the VistaVision process turns the physical filmstrip on its side, running horizontally through the machine to create a larger image of richer depth and clarity.After its heyday from 1954 to 1961 beginning with the Bing Crosby holiday musical “White Christmas” through Marlon Brando’s lone directing effort, “One-Eyed Jacks,” VistaVision did not completely disappear, but the cumbersome nature of needing special cameras and projectors made it impractical for wider use.Still, it would go on to be used for special effects work on the first “Star Wars” movie and many others.And it has enjoyed an unexpected revival as a shooting format in the last few years, beginning with Brady Corbet’s 2024 “The Brutalist,” giving the low-budget production a far more lavish look.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was both shot in the format and shown that way at a handful of venues worldwide.“Presented in VistaVision,” a new series at the Academy Museum, begins Thursday with a 70mm screening of John Ford’s landmark 1956 Western “The Searchers,” starring John Wayne and Natalie Wood.Collecting 16 VistaVision titles, the series follows a recent uptick in audience interest concerning projection formats.A video by “Sinners” filmmaker Ryan Coogler explaining aspect ratios and screen size became a viral hit; some fans used punchcards to note seeing the movie in all its possible exhibition formats.

This summer has seen a frenzy around Christopher Nolan’s Imax-shot “The Odyssey,” with audiences clamoring to experience it in various permutations.“In a way, we’re just picking up on that wave and riding it,” says K.J.Relth-Miller,...