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

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Neonxeon

As soon as the new middle earth collection was announced without any of the extras, I went straight to ebay and pulled the trigger on an unopened copy of that set for $112. I feel like I got away with theft. The only thing I wish that set came with was a slot for the theatrical editions.

I’m going to end up paying out for the 2016 set. As much as the UK Middle Earth set is tempting, the US version is still the one to beat.

I’m just going to have to grit my teeth and do it.

[Captain Keen]

For me, I prefer FOTR extended, TTT theatrical, and ROTK is about even with pros and cons for each.

I kinda wish there was a way to build your own cut, deciding which extended scenes you’d like to add to the theatrical version.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Captain Keen

For me, I prefer FOTR extended, TTT theatrical, and ROTK is about even with pros and cons for each.

I kinda wish there was a way to build your own cut, deciding which extended scenes you’d like to add to the theatrical version.

Trust me, I know the feeling. It took a long time to realize it but there’s a third cut of each film that, I think would satisfy the masses. For me, this is how I do it:

I watch the Fellowship of the Ring theatrical cut until the Council of Elrond sequence has ended, then switch to the extended cut.

For Two Towers, I just watch the theatrical cut, even if there are maybe 3 or 4 scenes from the extended cut I miss.

For Return of the King, it’s the extended cut all the way but you could easily remove 4 or 5 scenes from that version to have the most perfect version of that film.

Just like on the A/V side between the varies releases, there’s a give and take on the different cuts.

[Captain Keen]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Trust me, I know the feeling. It took a long time to realize it but there’s a third cut of each film that, I think would satisfy the masses.

I think you’re right. And it would be pretty easy to allow viewers to select the extended scenes they like and the film plays that way.

Personally, I agree completely with FOTR, actually. The opening is better in the theatrical, but the second half works better in the extended version. Both versions are good, though.

TTT is the one extended cut that I truly don’t like. It destroys the pacing and tone of the last hour, and drags on and on at points. However, I like the additional scenes with Faramir, and wish all of those could be put into the theatrical cut.

ROTK just drags on too much in the extended, even though some of the new material feels essential. I actually don’t like Saruman being in the film, it slows down the open ssssooooo much and feels like homework left over from the last film. The scene is awkwardly filmed, too, and since the ending is simplified I do think ultimately the theatrical made the best creative choice since Saruman’s role in the story was now over.

At least in the theatrical we get right into the meat of the story. I also don’t like the extra stuff with the dead army, as it spoils the power of the reveal later on when Aragorn jumps from the ship. There’s some extra “humor” that is unnecessary, too, especially in the first hour. Otherwise, I like most of the other extended scenes, and miss them when watching the theatrical, so that would be my preferred cut if I could choose.

[DukeTogo84]

Out of the three extended I think I like the Return of the King the most. So many additional scenes that really add an extra layer. Some people love the extra Saurman scene, while others don't. I personally think it's essential and have never felt bored or that it was out of place.

[Mikezilla3k]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

The Blu’s are region free, right?

Yes, they are region free.

[lee7n]

Are the extra bonus features any good? Doesn’t sound like it warrants me buying again since I bought the 4K’s last year. Thanks.

[Captain Keen]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Out of the three extended I think I like the Return of the King the most. So many additional scenes that really add an extra layer. Some people love the extra Saurman scene, while others don't. I personally think it's essential and have never felt bored or that it was out of place.

All the more reason why it would be cool to create custom cuts, so everyone can have the scenes they prefer in “their” version of the film.

Overall, I like 5 of the 6 cuts though, with TTT extended being the only one I don’t like (the theatrical cut is much tighter and tonally consistent). And luckily all versions are widely available.

Apocalypse Now, on the other hand… theatrical or gtfo! Coppola got it right the first time.

[Nick Michalak]

Originally Posted by Captain Keen

However, I like the additional scenes with Faramir, and wish all of those could be put into the theatrical cut.

I believe the flashback with Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor is so vitally important to understanding Faramir's state of mind. In the theatrical he feels a lot more two dimensional as more or less an adversary for Sam & Frodo to maneuver around. The flashback adds so much to see the bond between the brothers and the embittered relationship with the father. We certainly get that fleshed out in ROTK, but for Two Towers, Faramir is a bit short changed. I'd rather have his depth and plight established up front instead of back-filled. Also, seeing Sean Bean & David Wenham have a scene together really is so special. All the other snippets for Faramir further flesh him out.

[Captain Keen]

Originally Posted by Nick Michalak

I believe the flashback with Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor is so vitally important to understanding Faramir's state of mind. In the theatrical he feels a lot more two dimensional as more or less an adversary for Sam & Frodo to maneuver around. The flashback adds so much to see the bond between the brothers and the embittered relationship with the father. We certainly get that fleshed out in ROTK, but for Two Towers, Faramir is a bit short changed. I'd rather have his depth and plight established up front instead of back-filled. Also, seeing Sean Bean & David Wenham have a scene together really is so special. All the other snippets for Faramir further flesh him out.

As someone who greatly prefers the theatrical cut of TTT, I still completely agree with you. I wish I could add just those scenes back to the theatrical cut, as they completely change how you perceive his character up to that point.

As was already said, there really is a 'third' cut of the trilogy that would be the perfect balance between the two. But in the big scheme it's all minor stuff, the trilogy is fantastic either way and it's really just personal preferences. Especially compared to some other films with alternate versions, LOTR is good either way.

[314carpenter]

Originally Posted by Randy Miller III

I have the set and will be finishing up a review tomorrow hopefully.

[Show spoiler]I'll probably also create mini-reviews later this week for the sole purpose of lightly overviewing the new theatrical/extended Blu-ray sets (just so people know what they include) but these will mostly just point back to the Middle Earth collection.

FYI, the Cannes footage reel runs 26:55 is pretty cool. I don't know all three LOTR movies inside and out, but some of the footage is not color graded, a few shots did indeed look new to my eyes, and other scenes had alternate music cues. Nothing earth shattering but interesting nonetheless, and the Peter Jackson / Ian McKellan intro (less than 2 minutes) is a lot of fun.

Thank You for your wonderful reviews. I appreciate all of your content, all of which is a great asset, which you continue to routinely provide us all with here.

If you would kind sir, please entertain my question. What do you mean by the bolded text which I have copied from your review as seen below...

For very few fans -- again, because they're also available separately -- the primary draw of this massive collection will be those newly remastered Blu-rays of the Lord of the Rings films. (Fundamentally, the included Hobbit Blu-rays are identical to the older releases.)

I would greatly appreciate your expanded thoughts on the remastered Hobbit BD's, both in EE and TE, specifically in what manner they are identical to, and also how they differ from, the former releases.

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Middl...297743/#Review

[mikematt101]

Can anyone confirm whether the UK LOTR EEs have burned in or played generated subtitles?

[horrorguy03]

All right, for me this is my preference for the trilogy: FOTR - Theatrical, just barely, since for me the scenes with Boromir in the extended just drive me up a wall, they set him up so that he's already has a hard on for the Ring, so that his sacrifice in the movie in the extended does not work for me emotionally. When he snaps in the theatrical and lunges for Frodo, it's an awful moment, almost a shocking one, they are moments in the theatrical (The Caradhras scene) where he has that pull, but it's not in your face like it's in the extended. When he strikes at Frodo in the extended, you're like: "What took him so long?" Great extended sequences in FOTR, but Boromir makes the FOTR theatrical, the ideal version.

TTT - The Extended, since almost all of the sequences enrich what was already a great movie into a masterpiece, it's the same as "The Abyss", director's cut, the soul of the movie has been restored. The Faramir sequences alone makes this version superior than the theatrical, which feels like a kick ass thriller. The extended cut makes it a LOTR movie.

ROTK- Theatrical, hands down. When I said to a friend that I understood why the Saruman sequence was cut and I agreed with PJ on the excision, I thought he might slap the shit out of me, he was so offended. And look, all of the scenes from all the movies that were cut and put back in, as a stand alone, are ****ing cool and are worth seeing, especially if you're a fan. But yeah, it's the opposite of TTT, almost every added scene in here really SLOOOOOWS things to a crawl and frankly makes the movie worse.

So, yeah, that's my two cents.

[shamus]

has the hobbit been updated in the middle earth edition?

[Hatter106]

Can any Canadians confirm if the new Remastered Theatrical Edition set has bilingual (English & French) packaging? Thanks!

[Mr Gitz]

How can anyone in their right mind prefer the theatrical cuts? Especially of Fellowship. The extended cuts are so much better. It’s insane to me some of the stuff they cut out. Like…Bilbo’s opening narration works so much better. For people who are unfamiliar with the books, it explains Hobbits so well & you need that. The pacing is just so much better.

I find the theatrical cut of fellowship unwatchable now. The opening with Gandalf and Frodo? It’s like the dialogue has been artificially sped up or something and they cuts are abrupt and intrusive.

Now Two Towers I can understand why some people aren’t as big on the extended cut. Two Towers just doesn’t have the action or narrative drive or the other two so it can be harder to get thru. And the scenes with Treebeard just kill the pacing and slow the movie to a crawl. And as much as I love Howard Shore Two Towers EE feels overscored. But personally I still find the added scenes well worth it. I could do without the Old Man Willow sequence tho. It looks cheap and like it was added in reshoots.

That’s another thing about these movies that hasn’t aged well. I can tell just by the quality’s of the lighting, sets and make up what was shot during principal photography & what was a pick up or reshoot. I guarantee “Old Man Willow” was a pick up. But Return of the King & Two Towers have major quality differences between them. It honestly feels when I watch Two Towers that Peter Jackson spent the majority of the money on Fellowship & so certain things like Fangorn Forrest or some of the location Same & Frodo find themselves in feel so cheap.

[Kinard717]

Anyone willing to sell the 1080p remastered Return Of The King Extended Edition Disc 2? Mine arrived scratched pretty bad.

[Dr. Manhattan]

Originally Posted by Mr Gitz

How can anyone in their right mind prefer the theatrical cuts?

Many people. The theatrical cuts are better paced and the narrative is tighter and more coherent. The extended cuts are purely for hardcore fans and people who want more character and more from the story and world-building. Not everyone is like that, which is the case for most movie-goers.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by Mr Gitz

How can anyone in their right mind prefer the theatrical cuts?

I like both...I'm insane

[WinterBox]

Any reason to buy this New Remastered Extended set for $45

When you can buy the 4K version. Which includes both Theatrical/Extended for $53?