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deterioration of the film. At least a DVD copy of the film now exists, as the print had
to be disposed of.

Below is a frame enlargement from the film - the lines and marks are the result of VS,
and cant be cleaned off the film. Of course the positioning of the lines and marks vary
frame by frame, giving the effect of a weaving cobweb like pattern over the image.

The National Film and Sound Archive’s (NFSA) web site describes
Vinegar Syndrome as follows –

Vinegar syndrome is a term used to describe the chemical reaction that goes on during
the deterioration of cellulose triacetate film support.

When cellulose triacetate begins to decompose, 'deacetylation’ occurs and the acetate
ion reacts with moisture to form acetic acid, producing a vinegar odour when the can
is opened.

The presence of the odour does not mean the film has degraded, but rather that the
reaction is taking place. However, the reaction is continuous, and once started, it
cannot be stopped or reversed. In fact, the reaction is autocatalytic, which means it
feeds on itself and speeds up over time. The acid produced can also react with the dyes
in colour films, causing dye fading and damage to both the image as well as the base.

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