Very badly cropped DVD

I just watched the DVD. It's one of my favourite movies from the 1980's, and I am very pleased with the transfer, clarity, etc. I think that the differences between the VHS version and the DVD might be attributable to this: it may have been shot in full-frame (1.33:1) -- as all Hollywood films were prior to 1953. But then, when it was released to theatres, they cropped it (presumably more at the top and bottom) to present it in a modest widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio. That way, when they released the film on tape, they did not have to crop the picture or resort to pan and scan; they just transferred the original print to tape. However, since DVDs are genuinely targeted at cinephiles who want to replicate in their home "the theatrical experience," Touchstone decided to present the film as it was screened in theatres, not as it was filmed. I think that this could be an explanation. The director probably framed each scene in such a way that the composition would look good either way.