Open Matte/Alternate aspect ratio releases

[WhySoBlu?]

Originally Posted by bigshot

Here is an interesting example of why you can't go strictly with historical accuracy. Here is a scene from Arrow's new H G Lewis box set. Which of these is correct, 1.85 or 1.33?

[Show spoiler]

If you go purely by history, you would pick 1.85. If you go by what you see with your eyes, it's pretty clear that it was composed for 1.33. Arrow is nice and gives you both, but I know which version of this film I'll choose, and it isn't historically accurate.

That would only be clear if we knew the intentions of the film makers. If they intentionally wanted a tight close-up in that shot, then it doesn't really matter if the other version looks better to you, now does it? Your preferences shouldn't be playing a part in this at all - it's not about what you want, it's about what the people who made the film intended.