Austin's only 70mm theater cuts capacity to 'The Odyssey'

Experiencing "The Odyssey" exactly as intended in 70mm has become an odyssey itself. Austin's only 70mm theater is working through an air-conditioning issue as the film continues drawing sold-out crowds. All IMAX screenings of "The Odyssey" are sold out in Austin.

The three-hour film - shot entirely on IMAX film and designed for 70mm IMAX presentation - is screening at just one Austin theater capable of projecting 70mm film: Galaxy Theatres. 

While they're often mentioned together, 70mm and IMAX aren't the same thing. Seventy-millimeter refers to the film format, while IMAX refers to the theater experience with its large screen and specialized projection system.Austin's IMAX theater at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum uses a dual-laser projection system, not IMAX 70mm film, but it can screen films in the same 1.43:1 aspect ratio as IMAX 70mm, allowing images to fill the theater's full screen.

Air conditioning limits capacity at Austin's only 70mm showing of 'The Odyssey'

A user who identified himself as Richard, the theater's general manager, addressed moviegoers directly in a Reddit post after guests raised concerns about warm temperatures inside the auditorium.

According to Richard, the theater's rooftop air-conditioning unit failed, but a replacement was ordered nearly two months ago. Because the unit is custom-built for the theater, it has yet to arrive.

Rather than cancel one of the country's limited 70mm screenings, Galaxy opted to continue screenings while renting six industrial portable air-conditioning units to cool the auditorium.

"We had a choice: cancel 70mm entirely until the AC was fixed ... or try everything possible to keep one of the few 70mm presentations in the country available for Austin movie lovers," Richard wrote. "We chose the second option."

To help keep temperatures down, the theater has reduced attendance to about 60% of capacity and plans to lower it further following customer feedback. Richard said auditorium temperatures have generally ranged between 72 and 78 degrees, adding that staff have posted notices and informed guests before ticket purchases.

"The only thing I ask is that you please don't take your frustration out on our team," Richard wrote. "None of them caused this, and they've been working incredibly hard trying to make the best of a difficult situation while still bringing something special to Austin."

San Antonio theater stops 'The Odyssey' screening due to projector malfunction

About 80 miles south, moviegoers encountered a different problem.

AMC Rivercenter's 70mm IMAX screening in San Antonio was interrupted multiple times after a projector malfunction, forcing the theater to stop the film.

According to KSAT, staff offered refunds and vouchers to affected guests while repairs were underway.

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