Video & Cinema • Cinematic Formats
Difference between 1.85:1 and academy ratio
Academy ratio (1.37:1) is a historical format from the 1930s-1950s. 1.85:1 is its modern replacement. Here's the comparison.
Quick Answer:
Academy Ratio (1.37:1):
- Old standard from 1930s-1950s
- Almost square-like
- Largely obsolete
- Historical format
- Rarely used today
1.85:1:
- Modern theatrical standard
- Developed to replace Academy
- Much wider
- Current industry standard
- Universal format today
Basic Specifications:
| Aspect | Academy (1.37:1) | 1.85:1 |
|---|---|---|
| Width multiplier | 1.37× height | 1.85× height |
| Width at 1080p | 1480 | 1998 |
| Difference | 35% narrower | - |
| When used | 1930s-1950s | 1950s-present |
| Status | Obsolete | Current standard |
| Modern use | Historical only | Professional cinema |
Historical Context:
Academy Ratio Development:
- 1927: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences established
- 1932: Academy ratio standardized at 1.37:1
- 1950s: Television arrives, Academy becomes inadequate
- 1953: 1.85:1 developed as response
- 1950s-1960s: Industry transition to 1.85:1
- 1970s-present: 1.85:1 becomes standard
- 2000s-present: Only historical/archival use of Academy
Why Academy Ratio Became Obsolete:
Problems with Academy:
- Too square-like
- Didn't fill theater screens
- Wasn't cinematic enough
- Couldn't compete with wide formats
- TV adoption made it irrelevant
- Industry moved to widescreen
Advantages of 1.85:1:
- Much wider/more cinematic
- Better fills theater screens
- More dramatic compositions
- Provides theatrical experience
- Distinguishes film from TV
- Modern appearance
Visual Difference:
At 1080p height:
Academy (1.37:1): Almost square shape - very narrow width relative to height.
1.85:1: Much wider rectangle - significantly wider than Academy format.
Size Comparison:
Academy is 35% narrower than 1.85:1!
At 1080p height:
- Academy: 1480 pixels wide
- 1.85:1: 1998 pixels wide
- Difference: 518 pixels (35% wider)
Modern Usage:
1.85:1 Today:
- ✅All modern theatrical films
- ✅Film festival standard
- ✅Professional cinema
- ✅Industry standard
- ✅Universal acceptance
Academy Ratio Today:
- ❌Essentially never used
- ❌Only for historical restoration
- ❌Archival purposes
- ❌Educational reference
- ❌No modern production
Films That Used Each:
Academy Ratio (Historical):
- Casablanca (1942)
- Singin' in the Rain (1952)
- Gone with the Wind (1939)
- Citizen Kane (1941)
- Sunset Boulevard (1950)
1.85:1 (Modern):
- Almost all modern films
- Every modern theatrical release
- Current festival standard
- All modern cinema
Why Academy Was Replaced:
Reasons for Change:
- Television Competition:
- TV was emerging
- Needed to differentiate
- Theatrical films needed to be special
- Wider format was solution
- Screen Technology:
- Theater screens expanded
- Needed wider format to fill them
- Academy ratio left black space
- Widescreen was improvement
- Audience Expectation:
- Audiences wanted something different
- Wider meant more cinematic
- Theatrical experience valued
- 1.85:1 delivered on this
- Industry Standardization:
- 1.85:1 became universal
- Equipment manufactured for it
- Projectors optimized for it
- Industry-wide adoption
If You Encounter Academy Ratio:
Restoring Old Film:
- Keep Academy if that's the original
- Document original format
- May provide context to film
Recreating Historical Look:
- Don't use Academy (too narrow)
- Use 1.85:1 instead
- Close enough for modern audiences
- More practical for production
Educational/Documentary:
- Reference Academy historically
- Explain the transition
- Show how cinema evolved
Streaming Old Content:
- Display in original format
- Or convert to 1.85:1/16:9
- Letterbox if needed
- Preserve image integrity
Aspect Ratio Evolution Timeline:
- 1920s: Silent films used 4:3 equivalent
- 1932: Academy ratio (1.37:1) introduced
- 1950: Academy becomes standard
- 1953: 1.85:1 aspect ratio introduced
- 1960: 1.85:1 becomes new standard
- 1970: 1.85:1 becomes universal
- 1980s: 2.39:1 gains popularity
- 1990s-present: 1.85:1 and 2.39:1 coexist
- 2000s-present: 1.85:1 remains the standard for theatrical films
Key Differences Summary:
| Aspect | Academy | 1.85:1 |
|---|---|---|
| When | 1930s-1950s | 1950s-present |
| Width | Narrow (1.37:1) | Wide (1.85:1) |
| Cinematic | Not really | Yes |
| Theater fill | Poor | Good |
| Status | Obsolete | Current |
| Modern use | Historical only | Professional |
| Why changed | Too square | More cinematic |
Key Takeaway:
Academy ratio (1.37:1) is a historical format from the 1930s-1950s that has been completely replaced by 1.85:1 since the 1950s. Academy was too square-like and didn't fill theater screens effectively. 1.85:1 is 35% wider and became the modern theatrical standard that remains in use today. Academy is only encountered in historical films or archival restoration work.
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