Britannica Sources used in this answer

How did Fred Zinnemann film Oklahoma! differently from many studio musicals?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Fred Zinnemann stands between Marlon Brando, left, in a suit, and Montgomery Clift, right, in a tank top, on the set of From Here to Eternity, with lockers in the background. — Fred Zinnemann (From left to right) Marlon Brando, Fred Zinnemann, and Montgomery Clift on the set of *From Here to Eternity* (1953).

The 1955 film adaptation of Oklahoma! was a unique project for director Fred Zinnemann, who was primarily recognized for his work on classic dramas rather than musicals.1

The production was notably different from other studio musicals of the time due to its unprecedented technical requirements. It became the most expensive musical produced to that date, costing $7 million, because Zinnemann filmed the entire production twice in two distinct wide-screen processes: the 70-mm Todd-AO process and the 35-mm CinemaScope process. This dual-filming approach was implemented to ensure the movie could be exhibited in a wider variety of theaters than the Todd-AO format alone would allow. Additionally, the film was noted for its commitment to remaining largely faithful to the original stage production, with creators Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II retaining significant creative control.12