VistaVision Revived for '70s Style Car Chase

Director Paul Thomas Anderson sought a distinctive visual style for "One Battle After Another," aiming for the raw aesthetic of '70s cinema. Cinematographer Michael Bauman revealed the director's desire to shoot in VistaVision, a format offering a larger, richer image by placing film horizontally.

This '70s-inspired film features Leonardo DiCaprio as a father searching for his kidnapped daughter. The production utilized the unique topography of Borrego Springs, California, for a dramatic car chase scene. Bauman employed long lenses and specialized camera cars to capture the intense speed and cat-and-mouse dynamics.

The VistaVision camera, originally tripod-bound, was adapted for car mounting, pushing its capabilities. Shooting approximately 1.5 million feet of film presented challenges, requiring innovative methods to work with the vibrating camera at high speeds.

Bauman highlighted the enduring power of film and the immersive theater experience, with VistaVision contributing a strong emotional feel to the final image. The format, revived for this project, enhances the film's visual spectacle.