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

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do you folks prefer the theatrical or extended editions of the film and why?

I'm considering downgrading from my EE box set for the standard editions as I find the EEs to drag quite a bit.

I know Peter Jackson said the theatrical versions are the definitive versions of the films, but I'm not sure if this comment was made out of marketing than anything else. I know he's gotten a lot of flack, especially for the ending of TTT.

The last time I watched the EEs (2014) I felt like Return of the King dragged a bit despite some solid additions, but I might prefer the theatrical especially with

[Show spoiler]the 'surprise' of The Dead joining the battle which was not a surprise in the EE. .

. However, that was just an awesome moment the first time I saw the movie (theatrical) and I wish it were retained in the extended.

However, I think with the first two movies there is enough content to make them more worthwhile than the theatricals.

[Geoff D]

That's what I mean about the power of editing, the theatrical keeps that wonderful reveal in ROTK whereas the EE blows its wad much too early. Then people will always bring up the inclusion of Saruman making the ROTK EE essential but the reason why it was dropped is that the filmmakers felt it just didn't work because it's got such a small impact on the story at large, and I agree. If they simply found the Palantir in the water and had no interaction with Saruman whatsoever then nothing would change in the narrative going forward, and Jackson says in the commentary that he wishes he could've avoided going back to Isengard completely.

[Arawn]

I already knew it was going to happen anyway, I read the book!

[ScarredLungs]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I'm the opposite. After watching the EE trilogy, I find the theatricals to be incomplete and extremely irritating. I can't ever bring myself to watch anything other than the EE versions. They are far richer in context and much deeper in character which creates a much stronger connection for me as a viewer.

I agree. If I watch the Hobbit / LOTR movies I only watch the EE. In fact, I have only seen the EE of Two Towers and Return of the King.

[DCW]

I far prefer the editing of the theatrical cuts, the extended's are a fun watch but too drawn out to watch repeatedly IMO.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by DCW

I far prefer the editing of the theatrical cuts, the extended's are a fun watch but too drawn out to watch repeatedly IMO.

Extended Editions... once a year... all in one sitting!

[rickah88]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Extended Editions... once a year... all in one sitting!

That doesn't happen when you have kids...trust me on this!
I'm lucky if I can squeeze the film into one "mom takes kids out with friends" viewing, and the extras into another same type outing.
Repeat viewings can be a little more flexible as I've already seen it.

[DCW]

I'm impressed with you marathoning them but as said above, I don't think I could get away with it with kids. Plus I feel like this would be me afterwards:



There's specific things in each extended movie I wish were in the theatricals, the extended Lothlorian scene in Fellowship, the Boramir flashback in Towers, and Sauraman's death scene in King, but overall I feel like less is more in each movie's case.

[BNex99]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

That's what I mean about the power of editing, the theatrical keeps that wonderful reveal in ROTK whereas the EE blows its wad much too early. Then people will always bring up the inclusion of Saruman making the ROTK EE essential but the reason why it was dropped is that the filmmakers felt it just didn't work because it's got such a small impact on the story at large, and I agree. If they simply found the Palantir in the water and had no interaction with Saruman whatsoever then nothing would change in the narrative going forward, and Jackson says in the commentary that he wishes he could've avoided going back to Isengard completely.

That's a good point, but I feel like since they do have to go back to Isengard for the Palantir anyway, it does bring up the issue of Saruman and Wormtongue, which Gandalf then awkwardly tosses aside. Even if it doesn't affect the story going forward, I still feel a more finely-cut version of the scene would have given a proper wrap-up to the characters and added to the sense of dread as Frodo and Sam get closer to Mordor, but without overstaying its welcome.

But that's just my armchair editor's opinion I wasn't in the cutting room with them.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do you folks prefer the theatrical or extended editions of the film and why?

I'm considering downgrading from my EE box set for the standard editions as I find the EEs to drag quite a bit.

I know Peter Jackson said the theatrical versions are the definitive versions of the films, but I'm not sure if this comment was made out of marketing than anything else. I know he's gotten a lot of flack, especially for the ending of TTT.

Theatrical is all you need. Extended cuts add in stuff that's mostly useless and does nothing but slow these movies to a grinding halt.

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Theatrical is all you need. Extended cuts add in stuff that's mostly useless and does nothing but slow these movies to a grinding halt.

Unless you appreciate maximized character development and more accurate continuity.

[CinemaScope]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Theatrical is all you need. Extended cuts add in stuff that's mostly useless and does nothing but slow these movies to a grinding halt.

I was never that bothered about the extended editions, I was quite happy with what I saw at the cinema, but I can't resist a bargain & bought the Italian extended box set for around £18 (I think), I must get around to looking at it one day.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Arawn

I already knew it was going to happen anyway, I read the book!

I never read the book, so it was a very cool experience and I still remember the audience's similar reaction/cheers to it.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by imsounoriginal

Theatrical is all you need. Extended cuts add in stuff that's mostly useless and does nothing but slow these movies to a grinding halt.

I agree with this totally...except for the second half of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. All the stuff in Lothlorien should've been in the theatrical cut. All of it.

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

Unless you appreciate maximized character development and more accurate continuity.

It's like 20% character development, 50% Gandalf recapping things for the audience, 30% enjoyable but unnecessary story extensions, and 100% inessential. The theatricals are paced to perfection and contain everything you need to enjoy the story to its fullest

[Ulisez]

Originally Posted by iScottie

Do you folks prefer the theatrical or extended editions of the film and why?

I'm considering downgrading from my EE box set for the standard editions as I find the EEs to drag quite a bit.

I know Peter Jackson said the theatrical versions are the definitive versions of the films, but I'm not sure if this comment was made out of marketing than anything else. I know he's gotten a lot of flack, especially for the ending of TTT.

I had the EE blu-rays though downgraded to the 'Limited Edition' DVD's which have both cuts of the films. Prefer the pacing of the Theatricals for all three, though I like mixing it up by watching the Theatrical of Fellowship and EE of the remainder two or watch the theatricals of the first two, and the EE of Return of the King. Plus, the packaging is top notch in my humble opinion.

[motorheadache95]

I haven't seen the theatrical versions of any of the films since they were first released on DVD-- all 3 films I saw in the theater, and then would rent on DVD (there was still a video store then!) to watch one last time before the Extended Edition was released and I would buy that.

But now that you guys are mentioning it, I DO remember thinking that the extended editions were much slower paced, especially that first half of Fellowship of the Ring which seemed to take a lot longer to get the story really going. I think it's high time to revisit the theatricals next time I watch the films and see what I think.

[imsounoriginal]

If you're watching for the first time, go theatrical 100%. Buddy of mine was forced to watch the EEs by his roommates when he first saw LOTR and now he hates everything Middle-Earth with a passion. The EEs are a mini-series, a curiosity at best. The theatricals are actual movies.

But weirdly enough, the EEs of The Hobbit are actually better. Or at least the EE of the last Hobbit movie is essential, the others are more or less the same (but I'd still prefer the EEs if given the choice).

[Arawn]

Too much Alfrid!

[imsounoriginal]

Originally Posted by Arawn

Too much Alfrid!

Worth it, just for his final scene.