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Why is 2.35:1 so overused on DVDs?

I'm disappointed that the DVD "Star Wars: Phantom Menace" is in this aspect, because it's obviously been cropped down to 2.35:1 (yes, this flick wasn't worth the wait, but I like it anyway, "and so do a helluva lot of other people"...so no cheap shots are appreciated/tolerated). My memory of seeing it in the theater was that its natural aspect was closer to 1.85:1, and indeed I do see that the bottom and top of facial closeups and other scenes on the DVD, are missing!

It seems to me, that unless the original film negative (or D-1 videotape) was somehow shot with 2.35:1 (where nothing above or below the shot was even recorded), that the studios should NOT just throw away the top and bottom of the original 1.85:1 negative when they master the DVD...especially if they presented the full size of the print in theaters to begin with...

Besides, widescreen tv's are 1.85:1, and not 2.35:1, so it seems like a completely useless aspect ratio for the most part...encouraging people who buy the DVD to further crop the film by using the "zoom" feature in some way on their widescreens...

My understanding of 2.35:1, was that this was "Cinemascope", and only a few films such as "Lawrence of Arabia" were meant to be presented this way (and were originally presented in this aspect when first run in theaters...whether or not the original 70mm negative actually was 2.35:1. or 1.85:1).

Any real information on the reason why I'm being cheated out of my money when buying these DVD's (in order to see the film, and not a cropped middle of the shot), is appreciated. It certainly can't be a profit motivation on anyone's part, and it does "mar the art" by erasing part of the film...so that only leaves one explanation: Idiocy!


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Topic - Why is 2.35:1 so overused on DVDs? - CarlEber 20:07:50 12/17/01 (82)
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