Index: code/freespace2/freespace.cpp
===================================================================
--- code/freespace2/freespace.cpp	(revision 5644)
+++ code/freespace2/freespace.cpp	(working copy)
@@ -2803,6 +2803,11 @@
 		// Set the clip region for the letterbox "dead view"
 		int yborder = gr_screen.max_h/4;
 
+		// Ensure that the bars are black
+		gr_set_color(0,0,0);
+		gr_rect(0, 0, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+		gr_rect(0, gr_screen.max_h-yborder, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+
 		//	Numeric constants encouraged by J "pig farmer" S, who shall remain semi-anonymous.
 		// J.S. I've changed my ways!! See the new "no constants" code!!!
 		gr_set_clip(0, yborder, gr_screen.max_w, gr_screen.max_h - yborder*2, false );	
@@ -4545,9 +4550,9 @@
 			yborder = gr_screen.max_h/CUTSCENE_BAR_DIVISOR - fl2i(Cutscene_bars_progress*(gr_screen.max_h/CUTSCENE_BAR_DIVISOR));
 
 		//Set rectangles
-		//gr_set_color(0,0,0);
-		//gr_rect(0, 0, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
-		//gr_rect(0, gr_screen.max_h-yborder, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+		gr_set_color(0,0,0);
+		gr_rect(0, 0, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+		gr_rect(0, gr_screen.max_h-yborder, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
 		//Set clipping
 		gr_reset_clip();
 		gr_set_clip(0, yborder, gr_screen.max_w, gr_screen.max_h - yborder*2, false );
@@ -4556,9 +4561,9 @@
 	{
 		int yborder = gr_screen.max_h/CUTSCENE_BAR_DIVISOR;
 
-		//gr_set_color(0,0,0);
-		//gr_rect(0, 0, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
-		//gr_rect(0, gr_screen.max_h-yborder, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+		gr_set_color(0,0,0);
+		gr_rect(0, 0, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
+		gr_rect(0, gr_screen.max_h-yborder, gr_screen.max_w, yborder, false);
 		gr_reset_clip();
 		gr_set_clip(0, yborder, gr_screen.max_w, gr_screen.max_h - (yborder*2), false );
 	}