The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended Edition) (2001-2003)

[BaronVH]

I have now seen it all. There are people putting down Mr. Hunt and Mr. Harris on blu-ray.com. We might not have Blu-ray as a format if not for the efforts of Mr. Hunt. Further, people are questioning the professional qualifications of the person that restored the Godfather movies without even seeing the results.

I will go and buy this today, as these are some of my favorite movies. I purposely did not buy the theatrical versions even when the trilogy was $9.99 at Target due to the fact that I like the extended versions so much. I might not like the new color. I might like it. If I don't like it, at least I will know that the director approved it. There are many times that a director has done something I have not liked, and it will not be the last. However, if Peter Jackson, Bill Hunt, and Robert Harris all say this was the way it was meant to be, then I accept it. It is not like special effects or the story was altered. Many movies have color changes applied to them for many different reasons.

What really bothers me is that people that actually have seen the movie say that the screenshots and videos posted on the internet are not accurate, yet people still refuse to temper their opinions or at least keep an open mind. I clearly remember an internet article discussing how Blu-ray will fail only to see that the person was affiliated with the company behind HD-DVD. I am glad that people challenge when a theatrical element is changed, but this is not even the theatrical version. It still exists. Just keep an open mind. If you still do not like it after that, then that is great.

[Toasterlad]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

1. Borrow it from the Library - Libraries are cool, I'm a Librarian
2. Borrow it from a friend
3. Netflix - technically not free, but it feels like it's free since you pay a monthly fee, and you Yanks have it so you can get the Discs in the mail too
4. Watch them at the store - bet you 10 to 1 they're on right now
5. "Don't mention the war!"

Those are just 5 ways you can watch LOTR EE without buying the set yourself.

1. My library is not carrying it.
2. I don't know anyone who's buying this set.
3. Netflix is not carrying it.
4. I don't consider standing in a store for 4 hours an option a reasonable person would suggest.

Try again.

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

I stand corrected. Originally, about 30% of the film apparently did not receive digital grading. They've now returned to frame one, and re-graded the entire production from original film as well as combined data files. I was under the impression that in '01, very little of the non-efx film had been scanned. Incorrect. What they performed at that time, the outset of the DI process is amazing for the period.

I began working with very early DI, c. 1994, in very low resolution, and everything was problematic. We had the ability to scan a 65mm image in low rez, but not to record at any quality. Our only ability was to record in Vista, and then lose another optical generation returning to 65.

Now we can record 65mm in 8k, and record in 4. There are almost too many tools enabling image manipulation.

If one compares the digital work on the trilogy against Kong (2005), one can only wonder where Mr. Jackson will take the technology with The Hobbit.

RAH

That doesn't really address the issue that portions that were digitally graded in a specific, meticulous, and intentional way to achieve a certain timing have been given an entirely different timing with this release. You can watch them tweaking the color of Hobbiton and talking very specifically about what they want to do with the image to achieve the effect they were gunning for. In these scenes they specifically say they removed green for the desired effect (which is clearly their intent and nothing to do with restrictions inherent to working with DI's being a new thing,) this is not consistent with this new re-graded imagery...nor is it consistent with TTT or RotK which were entirely digitally graded from the outset. Not only is it not consistent, it's the polar opposite of what they're saying in that video. You really don't get any more clarity on the issue than what is seen in the Digital Grading Appendices bonus material. You have to admit - the new color timing is, given the specifics provided in that video (from Jackson and Lesnie directly) set against the backdrop of this new release, much of the time contradictory.

Originally Posted by BaronVH

We might not have Blu-ray as a format if not for the efforts of Mr. Hunt.

I'd never put either of them down and I appreciate their effort, but this is a completely ridiculous claim. Absurd.

[BohemianGraham]

Originally Posted by Toasterlad

1. My library is not carrying it.
2. I don't know anyone who's buying this set.
3. Netflix is not carrying it.
4. I don't consider standing in a store for 4 hours an option a reasonable person would suggest.

Try again.

How do you know the library and/or Netflix isn't carrying it, give people some time to get stuff in! Not everyone has new releases the day they come out! Jesus, talk about wanting things instantly.

Also, you don't have to stand in the damn store for 4 hours, just enough to see how "horrible" the green tint is, if it's really that big of a deal for you.

[bhampton]

Hi,

This set is tempting of course and I'm glad to know it's out there.

I prefer the theatrical cuts for a number of reasons.

a) the movies are long enough already
b) I don't have to change discs
c) it's the stuff I loved in "real" theaters
d) Some of the extended stuff is crap

Still.... It's tempting none the less. I just looked over my extended versions on DVD and it's a beautiful 12 disc dvd set which I'm sure I would only be able to sell for maybe $5 at this point and I don't know anyone who would want if if I gave it away.

With that in mind I think I'll hold off on this version till it's realeased without all the DVDs inside or until Target puts it up for $7.99 on Black Friday.

-Brian

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Toasterlad

Tell me where I can rent the EE.

Originally Posted by Toasterlad

1. My library is not carrying it.
2. I don't know anyone who's buying this set.
3. Netflix is not carrying it.
4. I don't consider standing in a store for 4 hours an option a reasonable person would suggest.

Try again.

Then don't watch it. I don't care. You have a dilemma that I can't solve.

[Parasite68]

i just got my collector set in from BB. Popped in FOTR and OMFG it looks stunning!!! Also the packaging is really classy too. each movie and discs packed in black bluray cases that are stored in a cardboard book like box that simply looks stunning! Excellent!!!

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by bhampton

With that in mind I think I'll hold off on this version till it's realeased without all the DVDs inside or until Target puts it up for $7.99 on Black Friday.

-Brian

I fully expect there will be some great sales on this set but I think expecting it to get to $7.99 is a little TOO optimistic. I would consider $30 to be a doorbuster. We don't know if Warner will release movie-only editions of these.

[Toasterlad]

Originally Posted by BohemianGraham

How do you know the library and/or Netflix isn't carrying it, give people some time to get stuff in! Not everyone has new releases the day they come out! Jesus, talk about wanting things instantly.

Also, you don't have to stand in the damn store for 4 hours, just enough to see how "horrible" the green tint is, if it's really that big of a deal for you.

I know that my library and Netflix aren't carrying it because they both have this nice little feature where you can search online to see what they carry. And if you wanted me to wait, you should have said "5 ways you can watch LOTR EE at some point in the unspecified future, maybe, without buying the set yourself."

And assuming that my store is showing Fellowship of the Ring (if not, I suppose I could drive around til I found one that is), I guess I'm supposed to hope that I get there right at the best possible scene to judge for myself if the color is an issue, because I'm sure you're not suggesting that I'd be uniformly happy or unhappy with the tint in all scenes of the movie, considering that movies, you know, MOVE from scene to scene, and all the scenes are different.

You know, it's okay to say, "I guess there's really no good way to judge whether or not you'll be happy with this set without buying it or borrowing it from a friend."

[Croweyes1121]

Well, guys, all I can say is thank God I didn't let the naysayers dissuade me from buying this set. Good Lord, these films look absolutely effing stunning. Is the tint there on Fellowship? Yes, it is. But unless you're sitting there fixating on each and every time you see a green/cyan tinge to the image, it just is not noticeable or remotely distracting. I simply cannot say that enough. But I'll do so just once more: it is not noticeable or remotely distracting. Just browsing through the film this morning (specifically at the problem areas people have been so concerned about), it is absolutely clear (to me anyway) that this was, in fact, an intentional, artistic choice when re-grading this film. There's no other reason I can see that some scenes which favor white would look so naturalistic and others (such as the aforementioned second breakfast scene) would look so predominantly cyan/green. The tinge may be constant for the entirety of the film, but the *level* of it is not. I'm sure someone will come along with a screen grab of photoshop disputing this, but as a film fan, I can only believe my own two eyes and how good or bad something looks on my actual home theater. And all I can say is that these films have never - ever - looked this amazingly good. HDD's 3.5 video score for Fellowship is so thoroughly off-base as to be laughable. Fellowship's video is a 4.5 if it's 1.0. And that's only if you hate the re-grade so much that you deduct .5 for it being there. Bill Hunt's review at The Bits was far more spot-on. ALL THREE films look head and shoulders better than the earlier edition, not just Fellowship. The added disc space *seriously* helps. I'm as sensitive to naturalistic film grain as I am to any other PQ aesthetic, and these films contain some of the best-realized and natural-looking (but minimal) grain I have ever seen afforded a live-action blu release. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I feel sorry for anyone out there who's passing on this and letting one (extremely minor) thing sully their enthusiasm for what I consider my favorite blu purchase of the year. I'm sure those who have made up their minds based on screen caps and youtube videos will roll their eyes at this and consider themselves lucky to have saved their money...but all I can tell you guys (as someone with nothing to gain either way by reporting my legitimate impressions of the set) that the PQ is absolutely wonderful.

[Sky_Captain85]

I think we all just need to relax, here. To quote Harrison Ford regarding the original Star Wars - "Fawk it. It's just a movie."

[DNinja]

My set is out for delivery!

I can't wait to watch these again. I may have to call some friends over tonight.

[Underworld54]

My guess is those of you who have drawn a line in the sand will eventually cave in and buy it. Look at all the members who have posted this morning saying FOTR looks great. Yup, it's just a matter of time before the power of the one ring is too much to ignore.

[BaronVH]

Yes, I will agree that my statement of the fact that we might not have this format but for Bill Hunt. That is an extreme comment, and I may have gone overboard. I will say that I clearly recall him championing the format when many were calling for it to fail. He was in contact with the studios, and he based his arguments on facts. There were many people and organizations actively trying to prolong the format war or to eliminate Blu-ray entirely. Sure, he is not responsible for the format, but he certainly was very active in seeing that it succeeded. Sorry for being off topic.

[jbat31]

Originally Posted by Toasterlad

I know that my library and Netflix aren't carrying it because they both have this nice little feature where you can search online to see what they carry. And if you wanted me to wait, you should have said "5 ways you can watch LOTR EE at some point in the unspecified future, maybe, without buying the set yourself."

And assuming that my store is showing Fellowship of the Ring (if not, I suppose I could drive around til I found one that is), I guess I'm supposed to hope that I get there right at the best possible scene to judge for myself if the color is an issue, because I'm sure you're not suggesting that I'd be uniformly happy or unhappy with the tint in all scenes of the movie, considering that movies, you know, MOVE from scene to scene, and all the scenes are different.

You know, it's okay to say, "I guess there's really no good way to judge whether or not you'll be happy with this set without buying it or borrowing it from a friend."

Another possible solution is to read all the posts from people on here who have the set. Just a suggestion.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

This video is on YouTube, if you feel like watching it.

Says the cat who's wearing non-stylish green goggles!

[42041]

Originally Posted by jbat31

Another possible solution is to read all the posts from people on here who have the set. Just a suggestion.

Not very helpful. There are numerous people willing to militantly defend even the most stinky piece of catalog dung. People's standards and expectations are all over the place.
Fortunately I'll have a chance to borrow Fellowship EE this week and check it with my own eyeballs.

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by merrick97

Todd,

I respectfully have a very hard time believing you can't rent these. It may be a little while before Netflix gets them in, but you have made it very clear that you are very much against the color change and your best bet is to probably just wait until its available on Netflix.

Who knows? During that waiting period the trilogy could end up going on a huge sale.

But make no mistake: You do not have to spend $70 to view the EE and judge for yourself.

Merrick,

In all due respect, do you live in Denver near Quebec and Evans? If you do and know of somewhere I can rent these close by (or anyone else), please let me know. ALL the Blockbuster stores that I know of have closed down in the last year or so and Hollywood video is long gone, so that leaves Netflix and who knows when or if they will get these in. If you have any other suggestions, I am all ears. The best I can do right now looks to be aripped copy which is not out of the question just so I can see this green issue for myself. I might still end up taking a gamble and buying as well, who knows. I do appreciate your concern though.

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

That doesn't really address the issue that portions that were digitally graded in a specific, meticulous, and intentional way to achieve a certain timing have been given an entirely different timing with this release.

Please keep in mind that what is being discussed is the EE version of the film (as you know), which is why changes in all areas are up for re-evaluation.

Knowing what we do about the process, I'd be the first on line to suggest a re-working of the current BD of the theatrical version, based upon all of the newly created data files for the EE, but with original color and densities.

This would not be inexpensive, but would be a wonderful move on the part of WB and Wingnut to replace the original disc with one of proper quality at a nominal cost to the consumer. This would allow fans to have both versions of all three films in top quality.

RAH

[Velmeran]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

Please keep in mind that what is being discussed is the EE version of the film (as you know), which is why changes in all areas are up for re-evaluation.

Knowing what we do about the process, I'd be the first on line to suggest a re-working of the current BD of the theatrical version, based upon all of the newly created data files for the EE, but with original color and densities.

This would not be inexpensive, but would be a wonderful move on the part of WB and Wingnut to replace the original disc with one of proper quality at a nominal cost to the consumer. This would allow fans to have both versions of all three films in top quality.

RAH

Would also stem much of the arguments against film revisionism (re the new color grade on the EE's as a whole), as the TE's were what people originally saw.