See ‘Oppenheimer’ the way Christopher Nolan intended, in this type of theater, in Florida

As film fanatics and history buffs alike race to see "Oppenheimer" on opening day (Friday, July 21, 2023), some are attempting to see the movie the way the director intended.

Director Christopher Nolan ("Inception," "The Dark Knight") has been vocal about fans seeing the upcoming World War II biopic in IMAX 70mm theaters, with one of the sought-after theatres housed in South Florida. It's one of the 19 theaters that have the ability to show the movie the way Nolan prefers.

Nolan spoke to the Associated Press about his decision to shoot scenes on IMAX 70mm film and why it makes a difference in his movies. He also elaborated on the best viewing experience for "Oppenheimer" so viewers can catch every detail.

Here's where to see "Oppenheimer" in 70mm IMAX in Florida and how to get Nolan's best viewing experience.

Deep dive into 70mm: Only 19 US theaters have IMAX 70mm screens to show 'Oppenheimer' as Christopher Nolan intended

What is 'Oppenheimer' about?

The name might give it away but “Oppenheimer” is a thriller based on J. Robert Oppenheimer (actor Cillian Murphy of "Red Eye," "Batman Begins") a theoretical physicist who led the Manhattan Project that developed an atomic bomb for the United States during World War II.

Written, directed and produced by Nolan, the cast also includes an impressive lineup, such as Florence Pugh ("Black Widow," "Don't Worry, Darling"), Robert Downey Jr. ("Iron Man," "Sherlock Holmes"), Emily Blunt ("The Edge of Tomorrow," "The Devil Wears Prada"), Jack Quaid (son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan), Matt Damon (the "Bourne" movies), Rami Malek ("Bohemian Rhapsody," "Night at the Museum"), Josh Peck ("Drake and Josh," "Drillbit Taylor), and Devon Bostick.

What does 70mm film projection mean?

70mm film projection is a wide high-resolution film gauge for motion picture photography, according to Indiewire. It is a process of projecting movies onto a big screen using a film print that is 70mm wide, which is about twice the size of regular 35mm film.

The movie was shot using some of the highest-resolution film cameras that exist. The film was shot entirely on large format film stock, meaning a combination of IMAX 65mm and Panavision 65mm. The film reel for "Oppenheimer" is 11 miles long and weighs 600 pounds.

While it's impossible to shoot all of the movie in IMAX (as the cameras are too loud for scenes with dialogue), sequences that used the IMAX cameras will expand to fill the entire screen in 70mm theaters.

Why does director Christopher Nolan prefer 70 mm film projection format to view 'Oppenheimer?'

Nolan told AP is a longtime fan of the filming method, his other films like "Dunkirk" and "Tenet" were also filmed entirely on large format film stock.

He explained that viewers are getting the feeling of 3D without the glasses, adding that the sharpness and clarity of the cameras immerse them in the world of the film.

“You rarely get the chance to really talk to moviegoers directly about why you love a particular format and why if they can find an IMAX screen to see the film on that’s great,” Nolan said to the Associated Press. “We put a lot of effort into shooting the film in a way that we can get it out on these large format screens. It really is just a great way of giving people an experience that they can’t possibly get in the home.”

Where can you see 'Oppenheimer' on a 70mm film in Florida?

Moviegoers can see "Oppenheimer" in 15 perf/70mm film in Fort Lauderdale at the AutoNation IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science.

Where are all the 19 IMAX locations showing 'Oppenheimer?'

Here's where to see it in IMAX:

• Harkins Arizona Mills 25 & IMAX – Tempe, Arizona

• AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX – San Francisco, California

• Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood & IMAX – Universal City, California

• TCL Chinese Theater IMAX – Hollywood, California

• Regal Edwards Ontario Palace & IMAX – Ontario, Canada

• Regal Irvine Spectrum 21 + IMAX – Irvine, California

• Esquire IMAX – Sacramento, California

• Regal Hacienda Crossings & IMAX – Dublin, California

• AutoNation IMAX, Museum of Discovery & Science – Fort Lauderdale

• Regal Mall of Georgia & IMAX – Buford, Georgia

• IMAX Theatre at Indiana State Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana

• Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre, Michigan Science Center – Detroit, Michigan

• Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX – Grand Rapids, Michigan

• AMC Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX – New York, New York

• Regal UA King of Prussia & IMAX – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

• Providence Place Cinemas 16 and IMAX – Providence, Rhode Island

• AMC Rivercenter 11 & IMAX – San Antonio, Texas

• Cinemark 17 & IMAX – Dallas, Texas

• Regal Opry Mills & IMAX – Nashville, Tennessee

If I don't have access to an IMAX theater with 70mm screens, will I still have a good viewing experience?

In any IMAX theater, including IMAX digital, the sequences shot with IMAX cameras will still expand to fill the entire screen, allowing viewers to experience the full effects. Viewing on other "premium large format" screens 70mm, 35mm, and Dolby Cinema will still be impressive for audiences.

Nolan assures audiences that his team has worked for months to digitize the original film for other formats to ensure the best experience on every screen.

“This is the exciting thing about shooting an IMAX film: When you scan it for the digital format, you’re working with the absolute best possible image that you could acquire, and that translates wonderfully to the new projector formats like the laser projectors,” Nolan said.

Now you've selected the best theater. Where is the best place to sit according to Nolan?

Once you finally settle on a theater, time to pick your seats. And Nolan has a suggestion for that as well.

“When I’m in a theater that’s Cinemascope ratio, I like to be right near the front, middle of the third row,” Nolan said. “When I’m in a stadium, IMAX 1.43:1, then I actually like to be a little behind the center line right up at the middle. So, a little further back.”

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 1 Florida movie theater can show 'Oppenheimer' the way Nolan would want