They did say "it was LIKE 1:85", so they got close enough to the type of wide screen format used, but missed by-this-much. Simple misremembering error (unusual for this crowd of minutiae film geeks, but nobody's perfect).
It was great fun seeing this movie in the theatre - when it was BRAND NEW in 1980. The original poster art - showed a woman with stockings and high heels in a room (or a bathroom) . There was a TV movie called "She's Dressed to Kill" (? or something like that) and it was about models being killed - one by one (on an island?) . Was this my imagination ? So when Dressed to Kill came out - I somehow thought it was going to be the same theme - models killed one by one. After Dressed to Kill ; I don't think Blowout was great or anything .. and the movie after that was DREADFUL (can't even remember the name - it's the one where Frankie Goes to Hollywood's sucky song "Relax" is used.) .
The latest unrated releases of the film clearly show that it was most definately more than 3 shots being excised to achieve the R rating. There are also following that have been reinstated but were missing from most previous versions: In the shower, the two close ups of Kate Miller's privates plus a full body shot as she is being attacked by the man from behind. Also, it has an additonal shot of his hand grabbing her crotch. In the elevator, yes Kate Miller is sliced down the middle by Bobby, but also slices her across her cheek ( nasty stuff) and then her throat, both in close up. In the final shower scene you get a close up of Liz Blake's throat as it is slit by Bobby's razor and then blood pumping through her fingers. In the psychiatrist's office, Liz refers to Dr. Elliot's bulge instead of his c**k. Tarrantino always focuses on the 3 shots, but there were more that lead to it getting cut to get an R. The unrated version is stunning and well worth watching.
I've heard Tarantino rave about this film before, but honestly, it's awful. It's so bad and obvious. The music is terrible, the acting is sub par, the sex scene in the cab is hilariously bad and over the top, and the film is blatantly ripping off Psycho, and possibly parts of Vertigo. Oh, and the scene in the elevator made me laugh. The fake blood looked like strawberry jam, it was even dry on her skin. It's way over hyped by these guys I'm afraid.
I think its absolutely brilliant actually (many others did too , as it made a lot of money), Pino Donnagios score is superb, Angie Dickinson was cast against type (great casting decision) coming off Americas good girl Policewoman,....as for ripping of Psycho De Palma is on record for saying it was more a homage to it, and for me the Elevator scene is a masterpiece of Cinema (Strawberry Jam is thicker)...The Museum scene is unique and beautifully shot and the Subway scene is ridiculous...Never has Angie looked so beautiful and she draws you in (nearly 50 at the time), and Nancy Allen gave her best ever showing.....sorry respect everyones opinion but I loved everything about it , and Im pretty sure Im not the only one who has that opinion....for me a Masterpiece
