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

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by General Vyper

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.

he's still going to be busy doing the hobbit for the next 2-5 years...

and if im not mistaken the EE's are supposedly going to be released when the Hobbit movie comes out. who knows tho, just a waiting game.

[owa]

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.

It's too bad most others aren't as understanding of those of us that want both or for those that prefer the theatrical. IMO, it's a little ridiculous for people to get so bent out of shape because a studio is giving us more choices. If they were only releasing the TE, I could understand getting upset. But they're not doing that. If someone wants the EE, fine, wait until it's released (they've said it's coming). But why jump all over those of us that want the theatrical edition?

[#Darren]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

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.

But hasn't Jackson himself said the theatrical editions are the true editions....

[Almanack]

My wife is ill today in bed...

She's switching back and forth between all 6 Star Wars movies and all 3 LOTR movies. I said to here, we have them on DVD... Why watch them on broadcast TV.

She said, she's flipping back and forth on the commercial breaks so she feels like she's watching both...

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by iDarren

But hasn't Jackson himself said the theatrical editions are the true editions....

Umm...NO!

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by owa

It's too bad most others aren't as understanding of those of us that want both or for those that prefer the theatrical. IMO, it's a little ridiculous for people to get so bent out of shape because a studio is giving us more choices. If they were only releasing the TE, I could understand getting upset. But they're not doing that. If someone wants the EE, fine, wait until it's released (they've said it's coming). But why jump all over those of us that want the theatrical edition?

I think most of you seem to be missing the point. The POINT is that the studios are milking us constantly! There is no reason not one single reason that anyone can give why the complete set with all extras and both films could not be released by next summer. Not one single reason! What you couldnt wait an extra six months to have the "Utlimate Editions" and not have to anti up twice? Who cares what edition you like....its about the studio's screwing us again and again......thats for you Cardinal Fan.

[General Vyper]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

he's still going to be busy doing the hobbit for the next 2-5 years...

and if im not mistaken the EE's are supposedly going to be released when the Hobbit movie comes out. who knows tho, just a waiting game.

I don't have detailed knowledge of PJ's work schedule, all I know is he said that he wanted to have input to the production of the EEs and that meant a delay because of his work commitments on the Hobbit.

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by General Vyper

I don't have detailed knowledge of PJ's work schedule, all I know is he said that he wanted to have input to the production of the EEs and that meant a delay because of his work commitments on the Hobbit.

Thats code for double dip! There is nothing, not one single thing he could add to the current EE's other than making sure they were mastered right!

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Mr.White

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

It would be pretty hard to top the trilogy, but as long as they're in the same ballbark that's okay by me. I wouldn't bet against them.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

You made some very good points.

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

Exactly. That's what drives people crazy. You KNOW the EEs are coming sooner or later, so no one is really getting the wool pulled over their eyes.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by Russell_L

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).

What I've heard is that these may be movie only, so all the disc space can be used to max out the video and audio datarates. But don't quote me on that. As soon as I can confirm anything, I'll post it on The Bits.

[bluflu]

Lord of the Rings is New Line's crown jewel. I'm surprised and glad to see them release any version this soon into Blu-ray's life. I'm sure there will be several editions over the next few years just like with DVD.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/studio/...io=newline.htm

[Grumpz]

What I don't like is I only want the EE's.

So I skip the TE's coming out this year, whenever, and wailt 3, 4 or 5 years and buy the EE's but have to pay for the TE's as they most definitley will include both.

For people who only want the TE's, they get them now...for cheaper.

[owa]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

I think most of you seem to be missing the point. The POINT is that the studios are milking us constantly! There is no reason not one single reason that anyone can give why the complete set with all extras and both films could not be released by next summer. Not one single reason! What you couldnt wait an extra six months to have the "Utlimate Editions" and not have to anti up twice? Who cares what edition you like....its about the studio's screwing us again and again......thats for you Cardinal Fan.

I would disagree mostly because I never feel *forced* to buy anything. If I felt like the studios were "milking" me, I just wouldn't buy whatever movie I felt that way about. Simple as that. Whenever they release another version and add something or just repackage it or whatever, you don't have to buy it. The choice is still yours. In this case and IMO, there is even less reason for the whining because they've told everyone upfront that they're releasing the TE first and at some point will be releasing the EE. I, for one, am thankful that they're releasing the TE earlier so I don't have to wait another year or so to have the LoTR on blu-ray (but then again, like I've said already, I like the TE version almost as much as the EE version).

[Todd Smith]

Originally Posted by owa

I would disagree mostly because I never feel *forced* to buy anything. If I felt like the studios were "milking" me, I just wouldn't buy whatever movie I felt that way about. Simple as that. Whenever they release another version and add something or just repackage it or whatever, you don't have to buy it. The choice is still yours. In this case and IMO, there is even less reason for the whining because they've told everyone upfront that they're releasing the TE first and at some point will be releasing the EE. I, for one, am thankful that they're releasing the TE earlier so I don't have to wait another year or so to have the LoTR on blu-ray (but then again, like I've said already, I like the TE version almost as much as the EE version).

I understand all sides to this debate, but what I keep coming back to is that they are simply testing the will power of those of us who would much rather have the EEs. Its all about money........they could just as easily do seamless branching with these and we could have both versions, then they could release the uber set with all extras when the Hobbit hits. If this was any other catalog release within reason, we would get both versions.

I understand what they are doing and why it makes sense from a business perspective, but I dont have to like it and fortunately I can make my voice heard on these forums even if it does little to no good it makes me feel a bit better When it comes down to it, they are trying to milk us and I am not going for it...........A rental or two a year until the real versions hit will work just fine.

[owa]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

I understand all sides to this debate, but what I keep coming back to is that they are simply testing the will power of those of us who would much rather have the EEs. Its all about money........they could just as easily do seamless branching with these and we could have both versions, then they could release the uber set with all extras when the Hobbit hits. If this was any other catalog release within reason, we would get both versions.

I understand what they are doing and why it makes sense from a business perspective, but I dont have to like it and fortunately I can make my voice heard on these forums even if it does little to no good it makes me feel a bit better When it comes down to it, they are trying to milk us and I am not going for it...........A rental or two a year until the real versions hit will work just fine.

Did you read this post about the editions and using seamless branching:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1357

Also, it's my opinion that the same people complaining about this would probably be complaining about the cost of the boxset in such a version (that included everything). Guess we'll see though especially if the EE does include everything.

[flyboy66]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Exactly. That's what drives people crazy. You KNOW the EEs are coming sooner or later, so no one is really getting the wool pulled over their eyes.

Bill,

but when is enough enough? This has been going on all the way back to the VHS days with Star Wars and continues on to this day through several formats! Consumers need to take a stand and stop this crap!

[Batman1980]

My stance on it might me taken that way, only got the LoTR trilogy one on DVD, same for me on blu-ray. I absolutely love the movies but see no reason to buy them again just to have them in an even longer version.

[General Vyper]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

Thats code for double dip! There is nothing, not one single thing he could add to the current EE's other than making sure they were mastered right!

Then I guess he wants to make sure they are mastered right. But there might be other factors that we don't know about.

[Bill Hunt]

Originally Posted by flyboy66

Bill,

but when is enough enough? This has been going on all the way back to the VHS days with Star Wars and continues on to this day through several formats! Consumers need to take a stand and stop this crap!

I think you need to take a deep breath, step back and see the bigger perspective on this. And I really don't mean that to sound sarcastic. But you do get that this is a business, right? The studios make movies, release them into theatres and then make DVD and Blu-ray versions that they sell to consumers? And a significant portion of the profit for all that allows them to make us more movies, and even more importantly allows them to fund the preservation and restoration of the films we all love? Does it drive me crazy that there's been like 15 different editions of Terminator 2 and Tomorrow Never Dies released on disc in the last 10 years? Sure. But I'm certainly not going to get bent out of shape over a couple different versions of a film I love being released on disc a couple different times, especially when they're debuting on a new format that I happen to be excited about... and especially when YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN ADVANCE.

Look... Lucasfilm has been re-releasing the Star Wars films in various forms since 1977. What's irritating about it is that they haven't yet delivered the ultimate DVD box set they've been teasing for 12 years now. But only a very slow person at this point (or someone who just fell off the turnip truck) is going to buy any new version of Star Wars on disc without realizing that another, maybe more elaborate one is going to be released eventually.

There's gratuitous and even shameless double-dipping, sure. That's one thing. This, IMHO, isn't it. I understand a measure of your frustration, but look... new formats mean new versions of films you probably already own. That's how it works. Actually, that's kind of the point. Plus, you have to remember that not everyone wants or will even be able to afford the cost of a $300 ultimate edition box set of these films with 700 hours worth of extras. For some people - for MOST people actually - a cheaper more movie-only edition like this is all they want. And again, you have the freedom to choose, and you KNOW a better edition is coming eventually in advance.