The "Open Matte" legend began when rumors surfaced of a rare 1080p master—originally intended for HDTV broadcast or internal studio use—that "opened" the frame. Because the film was shot on Super 35mm film, the cameras actually captured a much taller image than what was shown in theaters. In an version, those black bars are removed to reveal the hidden footage at the top and bottom, filling a modern 16:9 television completely. The Hunt for the "Exclusive"
Soundtrack & Editing Considerations (10:00–11:00) watchmen 2009 directors cut open matte 1080 exclusive
Watchmen (2009) Director’s Cut Open Matte refers to a specific viewing format that expands the standard widescreen image to fill a 16:9 screen by revealing information previously hidden by letterboxing. Versions Comparison Theatrical Cut (162 mins): The standard version released in cinemas. Director's Cut (186 mins): The "Open Matte" legend began when rumors surfaced
Shot on Super 35 film, this version removes the black bars (2.39:1 ratio) to show more vertical detail in a 1.78:1 (16:9) ratio. Where to Find It The Hunt for the "Exclusive" Soundtrack & Editing