Just because a film was shot in 1.33:1 and was later matted down to 1.85:1, it doesn't mean that the 1.33:1 ratio is better. If FFC, or any other director, really wanted the movie to be 1.33:1, then that's how he would have shown it in the theaters at that ratio.

The reason that many directors shoot in 1.33:1 and then matte it for the theaters is to prepare for eventual release on video and on television. So although what is above and below the widescreen version isn't really important, they'll uncover it when they need to format it for regular TV sets.