The Lost Art of Technicolor
By Jordan DelFiugo
Technicolor was once the hallmark of cinematic vibrance. The color film process, known for its vivid hues and surreal intensity, captured the world in a way that made every frame a work of art, with the technique being used in visually captivating works like Singin’ in the Rain (1952) and An American in Paris (1951) among others.
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Many contemporary films lack the vivid color and beauty that defined the Technicolor classics. Though the necessary chemicals and machinery required for Technicolor are no longer produced, making it now impossible to shoot film using the technique, that doesn’t mean every modern movie has to be so dull and muted. Instead, filmmakers should embrace modern technology to find new, innovative ways to capture the vibrancy and magic Technicolor once brought to the screen
Technicolor involved a multi-step technique that used three strips of film, each capturing one primary color which were then combined to create the rich, saturated look. This process demanded highly specialized equipment and chemicals, including toxic substances that contributed to significant environmental damage. Due to both its expense and environmental impact, the process was phased out by the mid 1970s, with Dario Argento’s Suspiria (1977) credited as the last known film to use it.
Suspiria used Technicolor to heighten its surreal horror elements, with the film’s almost feverish reds and deep greens serving as much a part of its nightmare as its plot. Luca Guadagnino’s 2018 remake, despite its merits, lacks the bold color choices that made Argento's original so unsettling. The 2018 version’s muted palette feels more like any other psychological thriller, lacking the visual intensity that made the 1977 film such a unique, mesmerizing experience.
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Similarly, Wicked (2024) stands in stark contrast to the colorful fantasy world of The Wizard of Oz (1939). Director Jon M. Chu defended this decision, explaining that the muted color grading of Wicked was intended to make the world of Oz feel more "real" and immersive, as opposed to "fake" or "plastic." While that may work for the tone of Wicked, it's a reminder of how the boldness of Technicolor has been traded for something far less dynamic. The question remains: Does a "realistic" color palette always serve the story better, or does it strip away the magic?
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While Technicolor was often harmful to the environment due to the chemicals involved in its production, its absence doesn't mean that color should be abandoned altogether. Thankfully, filmmakers today are finding new ways to capture the vibrance once inherent to Technicolor in more modern, sustainable ways. For instance, surrealist horror film The Love Witch (2016) used modern techniques to mimic the saturated look of old Technicolor films, maintaining the vibrant aesthetic while being far less damaging to the environment.
Not every film needs to look like a Hallmark movie or a commerical with an overexposed, flat look. The vibrancy that Technicolor brought to the screen was more than just a visual choice, it was a storytelling tool. In Old Hollywood musicals, color brought life to the music, the choreography and the spectacle. In classic horror films, Technicolor injected a nightmarish quality that made the uncanny feel even more terrifying. If filmmakers embrace modern techniques that capture the same intensity, new films can feel more alive and emotionally rich.
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Today, with technology more advanced than ever, it's possible to bring the Technicolor aesthetic into the modernn cinema landscape. Filmmakers should seize this opportunity, not only to celebrate the past but also to bring vibrant, colorful filmmaking back to the forefront in a way that feels fresh and responsible.
