Odyssey's IMAX 70mm: A Midnight Pilgrimage for Film Purists

Director Christopher Nolan's film "The Odyssey" is drawing thousands of dedicated fans to a select few theaters nationwide, specifically those equipped with IMAX 70mm projection. This format, renowned for its massive image and immersive sound, is considered by many cinephiles to be the only way to truly appreciate the nearly three-hour film.

John Marks, an Indiana resident, drove his family to Woodridge's Cinemark Seven Bridges and IMAX at 2 a.m. to catch a screening. He stated it was "definitely worth all the hype," highlighting the extraordinary lengths fans are going to for this ultimate viewing experience.

Nolan himself has championed this large-format presentation, explaining that standard theaters and home viewing cannot replicate the intended scale. The film was shot entirely using specialized IMAX cameras, a rarity for a full-length feature, which required extensive engineering to adapt for dialogue recording and extended shooting.

Showing "The Odyssey" in IMAX 70mm presents significant challenges due to the scarcity of compatible projectors. These machines are decades old, and their parts are increasingly difficult to source, leading theaters like Cinemark to retrofit and rebuild them. The Woodridge Cinemark installed its projector just weeks before the film's release.

Chicago-area enthusiasts, including advocates like Emily Ward, are pushing for more IMAX 70mm installations in the city, as current Chicago IMAX theaters lack the necessary aspect ratio. For now, the pilgrimage to theaters like Woodridge continues, with tickets priced at $25 for this unparalleled cinematic event.