Ahead of its Time: The Story of Dublin's Original IMAX Theatre

Sad Professor · 26-07-2017 07:56PM #1

I came across this on Twitter and thought I'd give it a plug.

As we all know, Dublin currently has a "fake IMAX" cinema in Cineworld – basically a retrofitted but otherwise bog-standard digital multiplex screen with better than average sound and 3D projection. But did you know that Dublin used to have a real 70mm IMAX cinema (over twice the size of the current screen) that closed down? Due to lack of business (it mostly only showed nature documentaries), Sheridan's IMAX theatre, as it was known, closed down in 2000 after operating for less than 3 years.

Well, it seems someone is making a documentary about it. Here's a trailer:

I remember it well but was sadly never in it and it seems they went bust just a few years before 70mm IMAX went mainstream by which point it seems even IMAX had given up on the format.

Anyone remember it?

Mr E · 26-07-2017 09:15PM

I went to it a few times. The "movies" were 20-30 minutes long but pretty cool for what they were. They were the same price as full length movies.

I think they were the first to have modern 3D too (using the style of 3D glasses that are in the cinema today). A massive novelty at the time.

errlloyd · 27-07-2017 10:25AM

I heard a rumour that screens three and four of the current Parnell Street Cineworld were one back then, with the massive IMAX inside it. 3 and 4 (Along with 8,9 and 17) are the best screens in Cineworld. I really hope one day they knock them back together.

pixelburp · 27-07-2017 10:55AM

So it DID exist: there was a little part of me that could have sworn there was a proper IMAX screen in Dublin for a spell, that it was located in what's now Cineworld. Glad to know I haven't completely lost my marbles!

pajor · 27-07-2017 11:04AM

Circa 1999 when we were living in Wicklow, my sister went on a school tour to Dublin where they did a few things. One of them was going to the IMAX where they saw some film about mountain climbing I think it was.

So it did indeed exist.

Falthyron · 27-07-2017 11:11AM

Yeah, I saw the documentary about space on the IMAX screen many years ago. It was impressive, but noticeably short in duration. My Dad took my brother and I to it, so I can't recall the price.

honru · 27-07-2017 11:16AM

Fairly sure I saw Fantasia 2000 at this and it was pretty sweet.

Agent Coulson · 27-07-2017 12:39PM

I went to it a number of times but they were only showing shorts which were stunning to see.

IMAX lacked feature films at the time ( from memory) and was just a novelty an expensive one for shorts at that compared to going to see features.

Goodshape · 27-07-2017 02:13PM

Myself and a friend mitched school one day to go have a look

. Watched a documentary on rollercoasters which would have been utterly useless if it weren't for the massive IMAX.

Really impressive screen and a shame it's no longer around now that they've actually started making good use of them elsewhere. The current Digital LieMAX is just insult to injury really, particularly when most punters aren't aware that they're getting short changed.

bogmanfan · 27-07-2017 02:34PM

I remember it well. Saw a documentary about Everest, one about Rollercoasters and a 3D one on dinosaurs. They were all around 30 minutes long, and there were way too many screenings each day ( I think they started around 10.30 and went on to 11.00 at night ). Combined with a very slow turnaround, where each film would screen every day for at least a month, they were never going to survive.

As mentioned previously, this was before the likes of Gravity, Interstellar etc, and mainstream films weren't available. The sound and screen were amazing though. Can only imagine how something like Dunkirk would have worked in there.

jaykhunter · 27-07-2017 02:48PM

I went there, thought it was awesome. Sadly they never showed anything that'd keep you coming back. Nature/educational documentaries are for school day trips

Hopefully we can get a proper IMAX again now that there's general increase in interest for this technical stuff, but I won't hold my breath.

Tusky · 27-07-2017 03:03PM

I went once or twice. Think I saw a nature doc and something about mountain-climbing. Really wish we had a genuine IMAX in Dublin again - surely it would do great business?

OU812 · 27-07-2017 03:12PM

Tusky wrote: »

Really wish we had a genuine IMAX in Dublin again - surely it would do great business?

Wouldn't put money on it. Most people aren't that interested. They certinally wouldn't pay over whats being charged now in multiplexes.

I went to see Dunkirk last night in Odeon Charlestown, which is not my local one, but we went there for the iSense experience.

It was incredible, HUGE screen, massive immersive sound & a crystal clear picture. It only cost €7.50 (Wednesday special). Well worth it but I probably wouldn't pay more than a tenner & at that, only for blockbusters & even then not for all them. Next time I'll probably go to it is for Star Wars in December.

I remember seeing one of the transformer movies in iMax in NYC years ago & it was fantastic, but again, it was a once off.

Goodshape · 27-07-2017 03:20PM

OU812 wrote: »

Wouldn't put money on it. Most people aren't that interested. They certinally wouldn't pay over whats being charged now in multiplexes.

The LieMAX they have at the moment is constantly packed for any new blockbuster they put in it and costs an insulting €18.20 per ticket.

As I said above, I'm willing to bet most people just don't realise they're not getting a proper IMAX experience. There's certainly nothing in the marketing that alludes to it being anything other than the "Ultimate" IMAX cinema experience.

So yeah, I'd say a proper IMAX would do well – but the fake one is doing well enough that I doubt they're incentivised to upgrade. I think the space the one single IMAX was in is now 4 money-making screens and a bar.

Ciaran_B · 27-07-2017 03:35PM

Did they show live concert recordings? I'm 99% sure I saw a Rolling Stones recording there many years ago.

Sad Professor · 27-07-2017 03:36PM

Tusky wrote: »

I went once or twice. Think I saw a nature doc and something about mountain-climbing. Really wish we had a genuine IMAX in Dublin again - surely it would do great business?

I don't think so. How many 70mm IMAX films have been released in the last decade? Less than a dozen? It would be showing letterboxed 4k projections with all the grain scrubbed off the rest of the time. Plus the same nature documentaries that nobody wanted to see before. Existing installations that survived this long are probably getting by, but I can't see how a new one would make any business sense. I'm open to correction, but I'm pretty sure there are no new 70mm IMAX cinemas anywhere in the world. They remain a novelty unfortunately.

OU812 · 27-07-2017 03:38PM

Incidently, there's three iMax screens in Manhattan - 59.1 km², Population 1.7m - Vs. - none in Dublin - 115 km², Population 1.9m

Goodshape · 27-07-2017 03:46PM

OU812 wrote: »

Incidently, there's three iMax screens in Manhattan - 59.1 km², Population 1.7m - Vs. - none in Dublin - 115 km², Population 1.9m

Or Dublin City – 71km², Population 500k, depending how you measure it

Falthyron · 27-07-2017 03:51PM

The BFI IMAX at Waterloo in London is one of my favourite venues to attend. It has managed to stay open, but only by licensing itself out to various cinema chains. I believe it is with ODEON at the moment. If one was to open/re-open in Dublin, it will need the backing of a major chain.

We have a solid film industry and we ought to produce a state of the art venue to promote the work being done here and for international premieres. It would be a lot cheaper than a Bertie Bowl! :pac:

Tusky · 27-07-2017 03:58PM

OU812 wrote: »

Incidently, there's three iMax screens in Manhattan - 59.1 km², Population 1.7m - Vs. - none in Dublin - 115 km², Population 1.9m

A strange comparison. Manhattan has a lot of things Dublin doesn't have. And the population of New York City (all within a reasonable commute of the IMAX screens) is 8.5m.

And the population of Dublin (including suburbs) is closer to 1.3m isn't it?

OU812 wrote: »

Wouldn't put money on it. Most people aren't that interested. They certinally wouldn't pay over whats being charged now in multiplexes.

I went to see Dunkirk last night in Odeon Charlestown, which is not my local one, but we went there for the iSense experience.

It was incredible, HUGE screen, massive immersive sound & a crystal clear picture. It only cost €7.50 (Wednesday special). Well worth it but I probably wouldn't pay more than a tenner & at that, only for blockbusters & even then not for all them. Next time I'll probably go to it is for Star Wars in December.

I remember seeing one of the transformer movies in iMax in NYC years ago & it was fantastic, but again, it was a once off.

But the fake IMAX screens already charge full whack and are always full for blockbusters screenings.

spurious · 27-07-2017 04:19PM

I saw a thing about insects in it.

Skerries · 28-07-2017 06:36PM

I heard at the time that it was going to go up to Belfast

robdbp · 26-08-2017 10:10AM

Hi Everyone,

Rob here, I'm actually the person who's making the documentary! Came cross this thread and just wanted to say a quick thanks for posting and sharing memories of the original IMAX cinema!

I started filming the documentary last August (2016), and wrapped filming 2 weeks ago. We are scheduled to complete some additional filming in the coming weeks, and editing is complete (except for the additional scenes mentioned).

I'll try to answer some of your questions posted in the thread as best I can... I was a staff member in the original IMAX cinema, and went on to work as a 35mm Film & Digital Film Projectionist, and even worked in UGC / Cineworld after they had moved into the original IMAX site, so I have a lost of insight into the building etc which, hopefully comes through in the documentary, along with other original staff members.

Thanks again, and any other questions you have, just post them and I'd be happy to try answer them!

Regards,
Rob

judeboy101 · 26-08-2017 10:13AM

Went a few times back in the day, looked very much like bfi in London, massive screen, simply massive.

robdbp · 26-08-2017 10:20AM

errlloyd wrote: »

I heard a rumour that screens three and four of the current Parnell Street Cineworld were one back then, with the massive IMAX inside it. 3 and 4 (Along with 8,9 and 17) are the best screens in Cineworld. I really hope one day they knock them back together.

After the original IMAX closed, Cineworld (UGC at the time) moved into the empty side of the Parnell Centre, and refurbished the building and floors to the layout that is currently used to this day.

So the 2nd Floor, where the Cineworld Concessions Stand is, and Screens 3 and 4 are, used to be the original IMAX lobby, Box Office, Concessions Stand, and entrance to the Auditorium / Screen.

From my understanding of having worked in both the original IMAX and then UGC / Cineworld, the original IMAX Auditorium / Screen (62 foot wide and 82 foot high) was basically divided in half, from the understanding that they put an additional floor in half-way in height, if that makes sense?!

So the current Cineworld Screen 17 (the new Digital IMAX) would have been the top half of the original IMAX Auditorium, and Screens 3 and 4 would have been the bottom half of the original IMAX Auditorium. The current projection room is a somewhat downsized version of what would have been the original IMAX projection room.

Screen 15 and 16 were just empty space in the original IMAX on the 3rd floor, and the projection room for Screen 3 and 4 are also housed on this floor.

The Cineworld Cafe Bar and Screens 1 and 2 on the 1st Floor were just also empty space behind walls when the original IMAX was in operation.

I'm unaware of what additions where made to what we called the "Old Side" of UGC / Cineworld, which is the current Screens 5 to 14, as this was the original Virgin / UGC cinema, which now adds up to 10 screens, but I believe the old Virgin / UGC complex only had 9 screens total, so at some point, an additional Screen was built.

Keep in mind, the empty original IMAX part of the building lay empty and unused from October 2000, until it was re-opened as UGC in September 2003, so it's hard to keep track of what building work was happening, as it was walled off from the rest of the Parnell Centre. (Went from IMAX to work in Century City arcade, so was able to piece together all of the information as time went on!)

Hope that all makes sense!

Rob

robdbp · 26-08-2017 10:23AM

Ciaran_B wrote: »

Did they show live concert recordings? I'm 99% sure I saw a Rolling Stones recording there many years ago.

YES! Rolling Stones - To The Max ran in the original IMAX... The film print was divided into 2 parts, and had to have an intermission!

robdbp · 26-08-2017 10:26AM

Skerries wrote: »

I heard at the time that it was going to go up to Belfast

After the Dublin IMAX closed down in 2000, the Sheridan Group open a site in Belfast in 2001 and a site in Bournemouth in 2002. Unfortunately both site suffered the same fate as Dublin and closed after a short run.

Tony EH · 26-08-2017 10:29AM

honru wrote: »

Fairly sure I saw Fantasia 2000 at this and it was pretty sweet.

Yep, I went to that too. The only IMAX film I've ever seen and I actually don't like 'Fantasia'.

Never gave a tinkers cuss about either the format or the nature docs that it was mostly used for. I'm quite happy with a bog standard 2.35:1 screen. Never understood the fascination behind the IMAX gimmick. Frankly, if the film is any good, I don't care what I'm watching it on. I also just don't like the IMAX ratio either. I find "wide" mor comfortable than "tall".

Certainly, it was "ahead of its time" and ahead of the content too. I'd say if it was still around, it would be doing rocking business.

robdbp · 01-12-2017 11:42AM

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to share that the film has been completed! "Ahead Of Its Time" - The Story of Dublin's Original IMAX Cinema is now available exclusively on Blu-Ray & DVD through our website for a limited period only! Visit imaxdublin[dot]com to buy your copy today!

Regards,
Rob (Director)

OU812 · 01-12-2017 04:17PM

Best of luck with it Rob.

Interestingly, Odeon Blanch are advertising an IMAX opening in December. Don't know if it's full imax though

Sad Professor · 01-12-2017 04:37PM

OU812 wrote: »

Best of luck with it Rob.

Interestingly, Odeon Blanch are advertising an IMAX opening in December. Don't know if it's full imax though

Assume all newly announced IMAX screens are digital conversion jobs. The large format IMAX theatres are too big for a multiplex and I suspect still don’t make any financial sense. If they did IMC wouldn’t be splitting up the Savoy.

robdbp · 02-12-2017 10:26AM

Thanks!

Yes I heard about Blanch a few weeks back, it's a conversion of an existing screen, with reclining seats and some fancy bits and pieces... I don't believe we'll ever see a full-sized IMAX like the original again, unless it was a brand new cinema built from scratch to be honest.

OU812 wrote: »

Best of luck with it Rob.

Interestingly, Odeon Blanch are advertising an IMAX opening in December. Don't know if it's full imax though

antomag · 20-12-2017 09:54PM

I went many times and thought it was superb. I did some charity work before it opened and travelled to belfast to meet with the Sheridan group and convinced them to open the imax with Everest and they laid on a great opening night and the national council for the blind made a nice few bob out of the opening night.

Ahead of its Time: The Story of Dublin's Original IMAX Theatre

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