Sacramento’s exclusive access to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm format hit a significant snag this week when the Esquire IMAX Theatre on K Street experienced major technical failures during Wednesday night screenings. The 6:30 p.m. showing lost its final five minutes when the 70mm film projector failed, forcing the theater to usher patrons out before the film’s conclusion. The 10:15 p.m. audience faced even worse conditions, enduring a 1 hour and 10 minute delay before the film could start, followed by another 10 minute interruption mid-screening. Theatre Director Doug Link acknowledged the issues via email to KCRA 3, confirming the specific projector malfunctions that impacted both showings.
What makes these technical failures particularly frustrating is Sacramento’s unique position in the movie theater landscape. The Esquire IMAX is the only theater in the entire region capable of showing The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm format. Nationwide, only 26 theaters possess this specialized projection capability, making Sacramento’s venue exceptionally rare. Since The Odyssey’s July 17 premiere, 70mm showings have been consistently selling out, indicating strong community interest in experiencing this premium format. The theater has indicated its commitment to continuing The Odyssey in 70mm despite the technical setbacks.
If you were one of the moviegoers affected by Wednesday’s technical problems, there’s a path forward. Theatre Director Doug Link is working directly with affected patrons to find resolution, and you can reach out to him at dlink@imax.com to discuss your experience. Were you planning to catch The Odyssey in 70mm at Sacramento’s Esquire IMAX?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
