The Intermission Purpose

An Intermission is a period used within a performance or production to allow the audience to have a break/recess within theatrical plays, concerts, opera, and feature films. Intermissions can still be seen within theatrical plays, opera, and concerts, but have mostly disappeared from modern feature films. Within this article we will explore the history of the intermission, why has it disappeared from modern feature films, and lastly why they should be reintroduced in future feature films with long run-times.

By the 1930’s talkie films became the mainstream of cinema. Reel projectors became more advanced and operators became better and faster at switching reels; the use of intermissions were used only when needed, usually due to a film’s long runtime. Films such as Gone with the Wind (with a 248 minute runtime) included an official intermission. But by 1950 with the development of 3-D cinema (also known as 3 Dimension Motion Pictures), intermissions were not only used for long run-times, but also to service the projector (Mortaljouney, 2010). 3D Films such as House of Wax and Dial M For Murder with very short run-times (less than 100 minutes) included an official intermission (Furmanek, 2021). Intermissions were seen at the time as a staple in many big production films (also known as Epic Films), which could also feature an overture, entr’acte, and or exit music.

By the 1960’s it was very common for films with run-times of over 145 minutes to have an official intermission present. In many of these films the intermission was placed following the ending of an intense or emotional interaction of characters, a plot twist, or to show a lapse of time. For many of these scenes music is used with an intermission title card or a fade to black screen. Intermissions were also seen during this time for potential income as it allowed the audience time to refill on refreshments and buy more concessions. Also during this time with the rise of drive-ins, intermissions also served as a break between two separate films. To indicate the length of this intermission, drive-ins would use a countdown and savvy advertising techniques to keep the audience’s attention and increase sales at the snack bar.

By the 1970’s longer films did not necessarily mean an official intermission was required or to be provided by the film studio. An example according to the Coppola Restoration DVD set, the 1972 film The Godfather was originally planned to have an intermission following the restaurant scene, but was later removed (Internet Movie Database, 2022). However this did not stop theaters from putting in their own intermissions. With longer films, theaters still saw the importance an intermission could have on concession revenue. Also during this decade the emergence of the VHS home system was released. Now film fans could own their own versions of Hollywood films and re-watch at their convenience. However, films with longer run-times were unable to fit into a single VHS case due to the amount of space required to hold the film tape. In order to preserve the tape as well as the film’s presentation quality, films with longer run-times were generally released in two-tape VHS sets. As a result, films with long run-times that normally did not have a break were forced to be released in two parts. Viewers had to change the VHS tapes allowing for a brief break in within the film. 

By the 1990’s official intermissions had largely disappeared from the theaters. Film studios no longer provided intermission title cards. The fade to black screen was a common transition technique between scenes within films, which allowed for theaters to place a break wherever needed. Many theater companies began to realize that having an intermission within a viewing could limit the amount of times an entire film could be viewed by multiple audiences. For example, a 180 minute film might only be able to be screened three times daily on one screen with an intermission present, while not having an intermission would increase the total screening to four. Audiences knew the runtime of the film was long and were more likely to buy concessions prior to the start of the film, as a result, theaters were likely to make more money on concessions the more daily viewings that were available. The first Academy Award winning film to not have an official intermission with over a 180 minute runtime was the 1990 film Dances With Wolves. The long runtime did not deter audiences, grossing over $424 million at the box-office (Box Office Mojo, 2022). With the success of the film, film studios determined that audiences could sit through a three hour film without the need of a break. Dances with Wolves is also noted as one of the first three hour films released in one VHS case, stretching the limit of tape that could be held (the extended edition of the film, with a runtime of 237 minutes had to be released in two-tapes).

Above: Dances With Wolves (1990), VHS releases for the theatrical and extended editions

Three different versions of Alexander (2004), intermission title card added to the Final Cut edition.

By the early 2000’s VHS’ began to decrease in popularity due to the emergence of DVDs (Shannon, 2022). DVDs were more convenient as audiences had to place the disk in the player, not rewinding or switching of tapes. A DVD had the capacity to hold the entire length of a film and also provided the convenience of stopping and resuming the film with ease. DVDs also provided audiences with the option of theatrical or extended editions, with directors in some cases adding intermission title cards to accompany the film (e.g., Alexander, The Hateful Eight).

With the use of an intermission no longer practiced in cinema, studios found other means of showing longer runtime films without the need of making heavily edited cuts. Studios began releasing films in two separate parts. The first noted American film released in this format was Kill Bill (2003) which was released in two volumes (Kill Bill later released in 2011 as one volume; known as Kill Bill the Whole Bloody Affair). Since then many films have followed this structure including Che (2008), Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2010/2011), Twilight: Breaking Dawn (2011/2012), The Hobbit Trilogy (2012/2013/2014), Hunger Games: Mocking Jay (2014/2015), It (2017/2019), The Avengers: Infinity War (2018/2019), Dune (2021/2023), Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2022/2023), and Wicked (2024/2025).

For some the use of a film intermission is an outdated practice that is no longer needed due to the ways in which audiences consume media. With the easy access of digital streaming, audiences can subscribe to streaming services such as Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon Prime, Disney+ to watch the latest films according to their schedule. Digital streaming has become so lucrative that specific films are produced and only available to specific media platforms. The 2019 Netflix film The Irishman with a runtime of 209 minutes was not released with an intermission as audiences could stop and resume viewing at their convenience. 

Having the opportunity to see Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Extended Edition (2003) in theaters was a remarkable experience, but having to sit for 250 minutes (over four hours), without stretching made viewing the film difficult and uncomfortable at times. Having an intermission would have relieved the discomfort. Besides, there is a certain mystique, wonder and excitement in films that include an intermission, it’s an experience that is unique as an audience member. Reaching the end of one part makes you question what possibilities could happen in the second part. The use of an intermission in films that are complex helps audience members critically examine and reflect on what they have viewed. When long runtime films are not presented with an intermission audiences can become overwhelmed or confused. As noted by director Oliver Stone who regretted not including an official intermission in two of his films stating “I lived through this experience with JFK and Nixon. JFK should have had an intermission. It should have come right after the Donald Sutherland scene, because then there’s just too much information flooding in. You need a break.” (Stone, 2016, pp.10). Although Hollywood has begun splitting long runtime films (films of 240 minutes or longer) into two part feature screenings, viewing half of the film then having to wait another year for the second part takes away from storytelling and consistency of the entire film. The audience may forget specific details included in the first half of the film, which can impact their perception of the second half and or the entire film itself. All in all, an intermission serves as an important technique used in productions that should not be forgotten. Film companies, directors, screenplay writers,and audiences should begin to consider the reappearance of an intermission in long productions to provide an astounding experience when consuming entertainment.

– Tall Curt  (July, 2022)