Why King of Prussia's Imax 70Mm Print of 'The Odyssey' Is Such an Elusive Visual Feat

Take a closer look at Why King of Prussia's Imax 70Mm Print of 'The Odyssey' Is Such an Elusive Visual Feat with expert analysis.

Q1: Why are there only 25 theaters showing this format worldwide?
A1: Maintaining 15/70mm projection rigs requires rare machinery, specialized mechanical parts, and trained analog projectionists. Most cinema chains converted entirely to digital projection over a decade ago, leaving only two dozen venues worldwide capable of running these heavy physical prints.

Q2: How does the King of Prussia screen compare to a standard multiplex auditorium?
A2: The King of Prussia IMAX screen measures roughly 71 by 90 feet, filling the full 1.43:1 aspect ratio when playing 70mm film. Standard multiplex screens use wider, shorter ratios (such as 1.85:1 or 2.39:1) that crop out up to 40 percent of the vertical image captured by native 65mm cameras.

Q3: Is the visual difference noticeable to someone who isn't a film technician?
A3: Yes. The sheer physical size of the frame, paired with the organic color depth and ultra-high resolution of 70mm celluloid, creates a distinct sense of three-dimensional depth and immense scale that is immediately visible compared to compressed digital projection.

Chloe Bennett

Chloe Bennett

Culture, Media & Entertainment Columnist

Chloe Bennett explores the intersection of pop culture, streaming entertainment, digital trends, and contemporary lifestyle. Her weekly commentary reaches thousands of culture enthusiasts.

Tags: king of prussia imax