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

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by DaViD Boulet

It hadn't gone through *digital* color grading PRIOR to this blu-ray release because the original Fellowship was "mastered" onto 35mm analog film for the intermediate, so much of the "color grading" had to take place using traditional analog means.

This is the first time the entire Fellowship has been mastered to a digital intermediate, allowing digital color grading tools to be used comprehensively for the first time.

Fellowship's DI was completed some time ago (see interview below). It's only now - finally - that Warners have gone back to the digital well.

http://archiv.arri.de/news/newslette...erl_lesnie.htm

[mrpink134]

Picking the set up in 20 mins! Can't wait! I will let everyone know what I think.

[ApolloOne]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

This is not something generally performed on a Macbook Air.

Nice one!

[Stinky-Dinkins]

Originally Posted by Robert Harris

Thank you! We have a winner!

FotR arrived a decade ago, when the digital intermediate (DI) process was in its infancy. Analogue shots only had the capability of normal photographic timing, meaning basic changes in yellow, cyan and magenta exposures and density. This was the basis of the problematic theatrical Blu-ray, which was scanned dupe.

While the other two films had gone through the DI stage completely, the first in the series had been the unfortunate step-child, having arrived just a bit early. Now, for the first time, the entire film, inclusive of analogue shots has been taken back into post-production, allowing the filmmakers their shot at full digital grading with a full set of modern tools.

For the record, a digital grade toward a DI record will normally take weeks or over a month for a normal length production. 200-400 hours is not unusual. Double that for LotR, and calculate the time and expense. A DI color suite with a top colorist generally bills out between $600-800 per hour.
When a filmmaker gets a shot at this, it is not taken lightly.

This is not something generally performed on a Macbook Air.

RAH

Sorry, but that doesn't make sense given the evidence. If you watch the Appendices they have an entire segment about the digital grading process that FotR initially went through and how much of the film was digitally graded. One of the portions that was digitally graded, for example, was the Shire and Hobbiton. They specifically show how they (Lesnie under Jackson's supervision) systematically and intentionally removed green from the image to give it a "warm" look that Jackson specifically wanted for this part of the film. The opposite has happened with this release, the green bias in this portion completely negates that effect. It's clear when watching this that this new timing was not something Jackson originally wanted to achieve and was simply unable to because the "DI process was in its infancy." Its color timing is completely unlike TTT or RotK which don't have this lean towards green/teal/whatever you want to call it and were entirely digitally graded.

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

[Lnds500]

Originally Posted by stinky-dinkins

sorry, but that doesn't make sense given the evidence. If you watch the appendices they have an entire segment about the digital grading process that fotr initially went through and how much of the film was digitally graded. One of the portions that was digitally graded, for example, was the shire and hobbiton. They specifically show how they (lesnie under jackson's supervision) systematically and intentionally removed green from the image to give it a "warm" look that jackson specifically wanted for this part of the film. The opposite has happened with this release, the green bias in this portion completely negates that effect. It's clear when watching this that this new timing was not something jackson originally wanted to acheive and was simply unable to because the "di process was in its infancy." it's color timing is completely unlike ttt rotk which don't have this lean towards green/teal/whatever you want to call it and were entirely digitally graded.

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

+10000000

[binarymelon]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

It's color timing is completely unlike TTT RotK which don't have this lean towards green/teal/whatever you want to call it and were entirely digitally graded.

This will be the deciding factor for me. If there are comparable scenes that look nothing alike, then in my opinion it will either have been a mistake (from the sounds of it, it will never be admitted as one) or a horrible judgement call by Jackson.

[WorkShed]

Originally Posted by Bill Hunt

Yeah, but Bill Hunt is a total a--hole and he's on the Warner payroll!

That's awesome! Despite what I said earlier about your LOTR review, I still love to read The Digital Bits and get other perspectives on releases.

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Sorry, but that doesn't make sense given the evidence. If you watch the Appendices they have an entire segment about the digital grading process that FotR initially went through and how much of the film was digitally graded. One of the portions that was digitally graded, for example, was the Shire and Hobbiton. They specifically show how they (Lesnie under Jackson's supervision) systematically and intentionally removed green from the image to give it a "warm" look that Jackson specifically wanted for this part of the film. The opposite has happened with this release, the green bias in this portion completely negates that effect. It's clear when watching this that this new timing was not something Jackson originally wanted to achieve and was simply unable to because the "DI process was in its infancy." Its color timing is completely unlike TTT or RotK which don't have this lean towards green/teal/whatever you want to call it and were entirely digitally graded.

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

I do agree that this is issue is confusing. I know that full-feature DI was very rare. Wasn't Jason X the first film to be completely scanned into a computer for DI. That was released in 2001, the same year as FOTR. I know that FOTR is a heck of a lot longer than Jason X, but you would think that some digital DI was done to FOTR for the theatrical release and not just for this Blu-ray.

Again, I'm not trying to make myself sound like an expert. I'm asking for clarification. Your input into this, RAH, is appreciated.

EDIT: Or was O Brother, Where Art Thou the first? I remember renting Jason X and watching the features where they stated that Jason X was the first. So confusing.

[PRO-630HD]

How much is the set going for at walmart in store?

[Robert Harris]

Originally Posted by Stinky-Dinkins

Sorry, but that doesn't make sense given the evidence. If you watch the Appendices they have an entire segment about the digital grading process that FotR initially went through and how much of the film was digitally graded. One of the portions that was digitally graded, for example, was the Shire and Hobbiton. They specifically show how they (Lesnie under Jackson's supervision) systematically and intentionally removed green from the image to give it a "warm" look that Jackson specifically wanted for this part of the film. The opposite has happened with this release, the green bias in this portion completely negates that effect. It's clear when watching this that this new timing was not something Jackson originally wanted to achieve and was simply unable to because the "DI process was in its infancy." Its color timing is completely unlike TTT or RotK which don't have this lean towards green/teal/whatever you want to call it and were entirely digitally graded.

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

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

[omicron]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Fellowship's DI was completed some time ago (see interview below). It's only now - finally - that Warners have gone back to the digital well.

http://archiv.arri.de/news/newslette...erl_lesnie.htm

Perhaps, but I thought this version of the FOTR was a rescan of the original film as well. As such it would have to be regraded.

[mrpink134]

Im watching it right now! The Horror! It looks great! Why is that? Maybe I am not sitting 3 inches away looking for green tint! I recommended this, It looks great.

[Toasterlad]

Originally Posted by karlosfunkster

Heks, I think you're missing the point. You can watch it for free in many different ways.

Please list the different ways.

[TheZoof]

I also stayed up late last night to watch FOTR and it does look fantastic.

The screenshots I seen don't seem to be accurate(more likely my computer screen distorts it) however I am telling you all right now that this disc is beautiful.

It isn't AVATAR perfection mind you however I don't think anyone can say it isn't an improvement over theatrical.

I have to wait until Friday night to watch TTT...

[flodsby]

audio is amazing!!!

[WorkShed]

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

I absolutely agree with you on that point, Robert!

[MerrickG]

Originally Posted by Todd Smith

That is the other issue. I would simply go rent this if I could, but where? I dont know of a single video store still open in my neck of the woods and who knows if/when Netflix will get these. I also dont know anyone else who is buying the set, so that option is out. The gamble of buying is the only option and if you end up not happy with what you see, you cant return it.

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.

[Toasterlad]

Originally Posted by merrick97

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

Tell me where I can rent the EE.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by omicron

Perhaps, but I thought this version of the FOTR was a rescan of the original film as well. As such it would have to be regraded.

It has been made aware from the beginning that this was a remaster using the original 2k digital elements. WB has never stated that this was a rescan of the original film elements.

[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.

[Sky_Captain85]

Picked this up at Wal-Mart today for $60. $4 bucks more expensive at Future Shop.