‘Mohicans’ Set for Widescreen Format

When “The Last of the Mohicans” comes to home video on March 10, watching it will be a unique experience for many renters. That’s because FoxVideo will release the film in a widescreen format.

For the uninitiated, that means the picture will be rectangular rather than the usual nearly square shape of a TV screen. Instead of filling the screen, there will be a black section above and below the picture.

People not used to this format may find it annoying; anyone who hasn’t seen it before may think their cassette is defective.

“There’s bound to be some complaints but we’re hoping most people will appreciate the movie better this way,” said FoxVideo President Bob DeLellis.

Normally when films are transferred to television or home video, a process called pan-and-scan is used, cropping the borders to squeeze the picture into the square TV shape.

“For a movie like ‘Mohicans,’ with a lot of panoramic scenes, you’d lose so much by doing it the normal way,” DeLellis said.

The widescreen format is different from what’s known as the letterbox format, which is the closest to the width-to-height aspect ratio on a theater screen. Wide-screen is a compromise, instigated by “Last of the Mohicans” director Michael Mann.

“This format has some panning and scanning in it, but very little,” DeLellis said. “The bands surrounding the ‘Mohicans’ picture are smaller than the bands in the letterboxed format.”

The retail price of “Mohicans” will be $95--FoxVideo’s standard major-movie price.

John Thrasher, chief buyer for Tower Video, said he does not think FoxVideo’s decision will lead retailers to order fewer copies because they fear some consumers will be turned off by the wide-screen format.

“We’re planning to order as usual,” Thrasher said. “I don’t think the widescreen format will hurt. It’s a movie people want to see. They’ll see it any way they can.”

The laser disc version of “Mohicans” won’t be out until April--in letterbox form. For laser disc fans , however, that’s the format of choice.

What’s new on video: Among the new releases:

“JFK: The Director’s Cut” (Warner, $25). Rather than reduce the $90-plus price tag of the original, Warner is selling a different version at the lower price, adding 17 minutes to director Oliver Stone’s three-hour-and-10-minute original. The shorter one is better. Whether you accepted Stone’s conspiracy theory about JFK’s assassination or not, the original was a fast-paced, gripping movie. In the director’s cut, extra footage, scattered throughout, underscores what doesn’t need underscoring.

“Single White Female” (Columbia TriStar, no set price). In this unconvincing, often silly thriller, a New York yuppie (Bridget Fonda) advertises for a roommate and gets a mousy psychotic (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who tries to take over her identity--emulating the evil nanny in “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle.”

“Unlawful Entry” (FoxVideo, $95). Ray Liotta plays a menacing L.A. cop who develops a fatal attraction for a well-to-do woman (Madeline Stowe)--to the chagrin of her husband (Kurt Russell). Fair but predictable thriller.

“Mo’ Money” (Columbia TriStar, no set price). Damon Wayans of TV’s acerbic “In Living Color” stars in this hit-and-miss comedy about a small-time hustler who falls for an executive (Stacey Dash) and gets into trouble with crooks. Fast-moving, featuring some funny sequences, but some real clunkers too--plus a violent climax that’s out of place in this lighthearted comedy.

“Where the Day Takes You” (Columbia TriStar, no set price). Glitzy, phony music-video-like touches undercut this sometimes harrowing look at runaway teen-agers struggling to survive on the violent, drug-ridden streets of Hollywood. Excellent performances by Dermot Mulroney and Sean Astin.

“3 Ninjas” (Touchstone, $95). Three kids schooled in martial arts by their grandfather (Victor Wong) wipe out arms dealers. If you’re over 8 years old, you’ll probably find this low-budget hit crassly derivative and imbecilic.

“Diggstown” (MGM/UA, $95). In this tale of two con men, a hustler (James Woods) and his partner (Louis Gossett Jr.), boxing small-town toughs, try to scam a cagey crook (Bruce Dern). Not in a league with “The Sting” or other great con movies, but fairly entertaining because of the skills of director Michael Ritchie and the exceptional cast.

“Monster in a Box” (New Line, $93). Monologuist Spaulding Gray scored with the pithy ‘Swimming to Cambodia” in 1987 but his new material--an incoherent mix of anecdotes, commentary, reflections and self-examination--mostly falls flat.

Upcoming on video: Just announced: The Steven Seagal action/adventure “Under Siege” is due March 31; “Consenting Adults,” the thriller starring Kevin Kline, is available April 7; “Sarafina!,” featuring Whoopi Goldberg, comes out April 14.

Also: “The Waterdance” and “Death Becomes Her” (Wednesday); “A League of Their Own” (Feb. 17), “Honeymoon in Las Vegas,” “Sneakers” and “Cool World” (Feb. 24); “Whispers in the Dark,” “Singles” and “Of Mice and Men” (March 3); “Wind” and “Bebe’s Kids” (March 10); “Mr. Saturday Night” and “Captain Ron” (March 24); and “Pinocchio” (March 26).