Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Versions) - April 6, 2010

[EvilE981]

Originally Posted by horhay2313

Does the EE add anything that the theatrical edition missed? what I mean is it really that much more to the viewer get from watching the EE version? Does the theatrical version miss plot points that EE has?

I've never seen the EE as the regular versions are a bit long. I'd like to check the EE version if I am really missing a huge deal here, if not then I'll leave that to the true fans.

IMO the EEs are soo much better. There is so much more scenery that makes you feel just how hard the journey is not to mention the arial shoots of the landscape from New Zealand must look so amazing on Blu. There is more back story and character development.

To me it just feels more complete. After seeing the EEs the theatrical edts feel rushed, thrown together, and half azzed. You really get a sense of how hard this journey was for them by watching the EEs. I mean if you are a fan and want to experience the journey and really get into the movies-then the EEs are the way to go. If you just want to watch a movie and be done with it then stick with the theatrical edts.


My suggestion is for anyone who's not seen the EEs pick them up used on DVD for like 14 bucks each or less. Or rent them for less. But that's just me.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

Are you really that dumb? My Argument is not what version of the films is better! My argument is that the studio's are s-rewing us again and again on these double and triple dips IN EVERY SINGLE FORMAT! There is no reason in the world whatsoever that the Blus should come in one box and have both versions and all supplements PERIOD! Until the consumer (that means you sheep) take a stand then they will keep doing this over and over.......oh and if you cant wait and make a statement because you HAVE TO HAVE IT RIGHT NOW...then you got some serious issues.

Sounds like you got issues too fella. Now why don't you stop with the insults already. Like others have said, it's not really a screw job if you know what's coming and it's obvious you know what's coming. I'll say it again real slow, just so you can understand me. It's not a double dip if YOU or I don't buy it twice and it sounds like neither one of us plan on buying the trilogy twice. So you got a problem with corporate greed in this country? You can get in line right behind me on that one, but i don't think buying a stupid movie once or twenty times is gonna change the world or the way a movie production company does business. The only way you can change that is by not buying their products at all and you don't seem to be in favor of that, do you? You want the EE's? You want them done right? Well it appears you're gonna have to wait and I think there could be a ton of reasons, besides greed, as to why both editions are not available right now, in one complete box set. Seems like you're the greedy one, because you want everything on your terms with no regard to the variables and fluid nature of such a huge undertaking as this. Can Peter Jackson sleep tonight or see his family, or do you want him working round the clock till every last stitch of the trilogy is pressed to BD, and both parts of the Hobbit are finished, and whatever other movie he's working on is finished? Why do you think companies are releasing blurays to begin with, because they're all such fantastic movie buffs like us? No, the only reason we're getting any of these movies in HD to begin with is because they have a "new" product we want and they know that we'll pay money for it. Is this concept new to you, or have you been baking pies and giving them to the cashier at best buy in exchange for all your new movies?

[Bill Hunt]

Just a few words of advice: It's not an issue of which version of these films is better. I prefer the Extended Editions too. But there ARE fans who like the theatrical cuts, and plenty of fans want both. This way, you have the option to buy the theatrical versions now on BD if you want them, and if you don't you can wait a couple years and get an elaborate Extended box set. You're aware that the other version is coming, so nobody is getting screwed. This talk is a little silly. It's not really a double-dip if this is the first time these films have appeared on Blu-ray, which it is. Nobody is being forced to buy, but this gives you the choice to if you wish. Better still, the simple fact of having these theatrical editions available at all on Blu-ray will help drive major player sales in the 4th quarter, which is good for the Blu-ray format as a whole

You wanna talk REAL double-dips on Blu-ray? Look at Disney's No Country for Old Men or Sony's Casino Royale. The studio released basic editions first, then 2-disc sets less than a year later, all without warning people up front that if they wanted a better version one was coming.

Let's be real here - there are things worth getting upset about and things not so much. I'm just saying.

[Mr.White]

Do you think that "The Hobbit" will be as succesful as the LOTR Trilogy,you know oscar material and all that?

[Batman1980]

With Peter Jackson being involved, as well as Guillermo Del Toro, not only should these movies be incredible but they should look incredible too.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Just a few words of advice: It's not an issue of which version of these films is better. I prefer the Extended Editions too. But there ARE fans who like the theatrical cuts, and plenty of fans want both. This way, you have the option to buy the theatrical versions now on BD if you want them, and if you don't you can wait a couple years and get an elaborate Extended box set. You're aware that the other version is coming, so nobody is getting screwed. This talk is a little silly. It's not really a double-dip if this is the first time these films have appeared on Blu-ray, which it is. Nobody is being forced to buy, but this gives you the choice to if you wish. Better still, the simple fact of having these theatrical editions available at all on Blu-ray will help drive major player sales in the 4th quarter, which is good for the Blu-ray format as a whole

You wanna talk REAL double-dips on Blu-ray? Look at Disney's No Country for Old Men or Sony's Casino Royale. The studio released basic editions first, then 2-disc sets less than a year later, all without warning people up front that if they wanted a better version one was coming.

Let's be real here - there are things worth getting upset about and things not so much. I'm just saying.

You made some very good points.

I can see where people would complain if the following were to occur:

We'll not have any plans in the future to offer the Extended Edition in Blu-ray.

*Everyone goes out and buys the Theatrical Edition.*

Oh, we changed our minds and we are going to release the Extended Edition on Blu-ray.

[Russell_L]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered already, but I didn't want to go through 1300+ posts. Anyway, does anyone know if all the special features/supplements on the theatrical-release DVDs will be on the new Blu editions? I just want to know if I can safely get rid of those DVDs (while keeping my EE DVDs).

BTW, Bill Hunt's comment above is absolutely spot-on!

[Deciazulado]

My opinion on this is, the LotR movies are long and people will always want a choice of theatrical and/or EEs. I don't know what the studio and director's ultimate plans are, but I would think it would be better, easier, and probably higher quality (bitrates/soundtracks/supplements et al) to have, in this case, the theatricals and the EE's as separete discs/editions to optimize each. Seamless branching can be used etc and people might say that would also make having both versions cheaper (but it would increase the complexity and time to do of the authoring so those costs might offset the price) but as I said, in this case we're taking about some very long movies so if they released one decent theatrical set and one mega EE set, welll, there you have the choice to pick up your prefered version, or both, and I personally wouldn't mind that. As Bill said it's not a double dip if you know what you're buying and when.

To me the ultimate Lord of the Rings for the collector would be something like this:



Theatrical Extended
7-disc set 12-disc set

[GoodToGo]

Hmm warner bought out new line, didnt know that. I hope it is not region locked, thats all.

[Bageara]

Originally Posted by Deciazulado

To me the ultimate Lord of the Rings for the collector would be something like this:



Theatrical Extended
7-disc set 12-disc set

[MarekM]

Originally Posted by GoodToGo

Hmm warner bought out new line, didnt know that. I hope it is not region locked, thats all.

because of Warner, I am sure they will be region free..

Marek

[LeBougre]

Originally Posted by MarekM

because of Warner, I am sure they will be region free..

Marek

Yes, me too
No problem about that.

[GoodToGo]

Too late, already took the plunge. Preordered from Amazon

[bajor27]

Originally Posted by GoodToGo

I am sick and tired of hearing people ***** about the SE vs EE. Dont want the SE? Leave the damn thread already, there are lot of people who dont want to hear your high horsed shiat about how better the EE edition. When it releases, by all means get it but in the meantime, let those who enjoy the SE rejoice at the latest news.

Okay. Bye

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by highdefw

I know you guys really want to see the EE but honestly, you will wait 3 more years with nothing in the mean time? Double dipping I understand, but nothing at all??? IT'S 3 YEARS!!!

...and yes that is quite some time for a movie

Renting? The only reason to buy this release and then buy the EE in 2-3 years is if you plan to watch these movies more then 3 or 4 times a year. If your answer to this is no well might as weel just wait for the EE

[blu_world]

wow this EXTENDED EDITION thing is a big thing to most people....even amazon people are rating it bad because this of....



it makes me wonder if the Studio is reading right now in full right that it should be EXTENDED EDITION in the start....


Unless they surprise us with a EXTENDED STEELBOOK EDITON

[Ernest Rister]

wow this EXTENDED EDITION thing is a big thing to most people....

No less than Viggo Mortensen is on record stating that he thinks the theatrical versions aren't "true versions" of the films. Jackson was under contract and had to stay under tight time restrictions for the theatrical versions, but he shot his original script, knowing he'd be able to release the "true version" on home video. For many fans, this is the version that is the most complete and that's why its a "big thing" to most people.

[P@t_Mtl]

[QUOTE=space-monkey;1826871]Much of the material in the EEs is terrible. Extra Gimli comic relief, HORRIBLE extra stuff on ROTK's Paths of the Dead sequence, the terrible Entdraught sceen in TTT, awkward editing everywhere. Much of acting in the extra stuff is pretty bad, too.

No one can tell me Eowyn's song, or the Houses of Healing is any good. They're just not.

More != better.

Even FOTR, the best of the EEs, suffers from strange editing choices.

Buy these, if only for the sake of preserving the moment in time. THIS is the Oscar-winning trilogy, not the bloated EEs.[QUOTE]

You're kidding right? That is funny, you're saying that since the thetrical cut won the Oscar, the EE is crap?

[General Vyper]

Originally Posted by blu_world

wow this EXTENDED EDITION thing is a big thing to most people....even amazon people are rating it bad because this of....

it makes me wonder if the Studio is reading right now in full right that it should be EXTENDED EDITION in the start....

Unless they surprise us with a EXTENDED STEELBOOK EDITON

I think people are seeing a conspiracy to rip them off where none exists. PJ wants to be involved in the production of the EEs to ensure he gets everything just how he wants it. There's no reason to delay the theatricals, but the EEs need input from PJ and he's busy doing the Hobbit.

Some people say they should just release a pack with everything in it - well I for one wouldn't want that, since I'd be paying for versions of the movie (the theatricals in my case) that I'd never watch.

I've got no probs with the way this is being handled. It's not like we are all waiting to see the movies for the first time at home is it.

[davcole]

If Newline had only come out with the theatricals and then the extended edition only on DVD. I'd more understand the decision for separate releases. However they did release a DVD set that contained seamless branched versions of both films. If they did that for DVD then they certainly could have done that for BD. Then at a later time they could have come with a deluxe set that included all the extras.

As for people like myself who will wait for the extended versions, if you've ever seen the Extended Editions, I don't know how you can go back to the theatricals, particularily RETURN OF THE KING as there are other subplots and additions in that story. If you are a LORD OF THE RINGS fan and have not seen the Extended Editions, you really owe it to yourself to see them.

Now one question that I do have with the theatrical's being released. Will they be 5.1 like the theatrical DVD or will it be 6.1 like the EE's?