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

[Mithrandir-Grey]

Originally Posted by thebard

Someone correct me if I'm wrong... I got the later release, and I think the only differences are:

- No digital copy
- No collector cards

(still come in black amray cases inside, btw!)

what are these collector cards? I got mine when it was released but I didn't receive any collector cards?

Edit: sorry I've just seen them. They were a warner bros store exclusive if my memory serves me correctly. Never mind.

[Gold Ranger]

I'm waiting for the Individual 5 Disks release to drop in price. I'd rather own them seperately.

One question though...
The Theatrical version Blu-Ray's... Is there anything Special Features wise that isn't on the Extended version Blu-Ray's?

[baheidstu]

NP. There are lots of the sturdy box versions kicking around where I am too. In fact, I saw those versions at HMV where people who are more movie "collectors" go, and the new flimsy box at Wal-Mart which is where more casual buyers go, so maybe the flimsy box is a cheaper alternative aimed at those more casual buyers.

[Early Memphis]

So puzzling. Apparently, if you want all the extras, you get the EE Trilogy - but you end up with a re-color graded picture that drives some folks up the wall. Plus, it appears that the originals have DNR & AS (artificial sharpening) issues - big time. And why are there no PQ/AQ grades from the theatrical editions? Were they done away with once the EE's were released? That's wack. Pity there's no poll with this thread - so the fence-sitting, non-trigger-pulling amongst us could get a better sense as to the general opinion.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

So puzzling. Apparently, if you want all the extras, you get the EE Trilogy - but you end up with a re-color graded picture that drives some folks up the wall. Plus, it appears that the originals have DNR & AS (artificial sharpening) issues - big time. And why are there no PQ/AQ grades from the theatrical editions? Were they done away with once the EE's were released? That's wack. Pity there's no poll with this thread - so the fence-sitting, non-trigger-pulling amongst us could get a better sense as to the general opinion.

I'm not sure if I'm misinterpreting your post, but if you want all the extras, you have to buy both the Theatrical, and the EE releases. The EE has way more of course.

The review for the Theatrical edition is right here: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-L...y/5174/#Review

I bought the Theatrical edition on BD, mostly because it was really cheap on Walmart (like $10), but I'd certainly suggest getting the EE set over it if you find a reasonable price for it (~$40). I have them on DVD in the nice leather-bound book-style packaging, so if/when I get the EE BD's I'll likely just put them in those.

[Early Memphis]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

I'm not sure if I'm misinterpreting your post, but if you want all the extras, you have to buy both the Theatrical, and the EE releases. The EE has way more of course.

The review for the Theatrical edition is right here: https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-L...y/5174/#Review

I bought the Theatrical edition on BD, mostly because it was really cheap on Walmart (like $10), but I'd certainly suggest getting the EE set over it if you find a reasonable price for it (~$40). I have them on DVD in the nice leather-bound book-style packaging, so if/when I get the EE BD's I'll likely just put them in those.

Hey, thanks for that link, pardner. I clicked on every Theatrical Trilogy version I saw on the page (or thought I did ), and none of them had the PQ/AQ ratings (lower PQ score but I thought some of the TE caps looked better ). And thanks for the tip on the extras. I take it from your recommendation that there's nothing critical on the Theatricals which isn't on the EEs. I really only got curious about these again because I liked The Hobbit.

P.S. I just saw where WM has the original trilogy for $9.96 tomorrow.

[Filmmaker]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

And thanks for the tip on the extras. I take it from your recommendation that there's nothing critical on the Theatricals which isn't on the EEs.

You can only get the original trailers on the Theatricals. For me, that's critical but YMMV.

[HomerThompson]

Theatrical trailers matter to me for older films where they are rare. But newer films have them so readily available in 1080p online for download that it doesn't matter much to me.

[grim_tales]

Are the EE BD's worth buying even though I still have the DVDs (US)? Even to this day I still havent got through every extra on there (done the majority/all of the docs but not all the commentary tracks). Are the same or different?
I dont have that much space so cant justify double dipping

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by grim_tales

Are the EE BD's worth buying even though I still have the DVDs (US)? Even to this day I still havent got through every extra on there (done the majority/all of the docs but not all the commentary tracks). Are the same or different?
I dont have that much space so cant justify double dipping

The EE boxset includes all the same Appendice DVD's as the DVD extended sets. The only difference (that I know of), which often gets overlooked, is the Blu-ray includes a few on the set documentaries from Costa Botes. These were only available on the Limited edition DVD's that came with both the theatrical and EE versions on flipper discs.

Here's some more info on those docs:

http://costabotes.com/making-of-lord-of-the-rings/

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

So puzzling. Apparently, if you want all the extras, you get the EE Trilogy - but you end up with a re-color graded picture that drives some folks up the wall. Plus, it appears that the originals have DNR & AS (artificial sharpening) issues - big time. And why are there no PQ/AQ grades from the theatrical editions? Were they done away with once the EE's were released? That's wack. Pity there's no poll with this thread - so the fence-sitting, non-trigger-pulling amongst us could get a better sense as to the general opinion.

The problem with the transfers of the Theatrical Editions is that they're all minted from DVD era masters.

The Extended Editions all came from new HD masters and haven't been processed, hence why they have better picture quality.

[BaerGriggs]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The EE boxset includes all the same Appendice DVD's as the DVD extended sets. The only difference (that I know of), which often gets overlooked, is the Blu-ray includes a few on the set documentaries from Costa Botes. These were only available on the Limited edition DVD's that came with both the theatrical and EE versions on flipper discs.

Here's some more info on those docs:

http://costabotes.com/making-of-lord-of-the-rings/

Technically if you wanted EVERY single feature ever released on home video, the DVD gift sets had exclusive discs that weren't in the other extended editions.

[B72]

Originally Posted by MifuneFan

The EE boxset includes all the same Appendice DVD's as the DVD extended sets. The only difference (that I know of), which often gets overlooked, is the Blu-ray includes a few on the set documentaries from Costa Botes. These were only available on the Limited edition DVD's that came with both the theatrical and EE versions on flipper discs.

Here's some more info on those docs:

http://costabotes.com/making-of-lord-of-the-rings/

How are theses Botes docs ?
Worth it ?

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by B72

How are theses Botes docs ?
Worth it ?

I haven't seen them personally, but they're not your typical documentary from what I've read. They're more candid, and I guess more raw than a straight up behind the scenes doc usually is. The docs are a little over 5 hours..


Here's what this site's review said about it:

Costa Botes' Fellowship of the Ring Documentary (Disc 5, SD, 85 minutes): Last but certainly not least, a separate DVD is devoted to the behind-the-scenes documentary filmmaker Costa Botes shot during the filming of The Fellowship of the Ring. Less invasive than the Appendices, Botes' documentary sits back and soaks in the experience, capturing passing interactions between the actors, watching with great anticipation as Jackson descends to speak with the troops, and creating a wholly different yet wholly complementary companion to the rest of the Appendices. Unfortunately, it's presented in non-anamorphic widescreen, adding pillar-boxed insult to standard-def injury.

Costa Botes' Two Towers Documentary (Disc 5, SD, 106 minutes): The journey continues in filmmaker Costa Botes' second behind-the-scenes documentary, shot during the filming of The Two Towers. As he did with The Fellowship of the Ring, Botes explores the daily grind of the production from a passive position, blending into the surroundings like a chameleon. Alas, it too is presented in non-anamorphic widescreen, meaning its presentation is far from satisfying, even for an SD documentary.

Costa Botes' Return of the King Documentary (Disc 5, SD, 113 minutes): Botes' third and final feature-length documentary continues its narrative and draws to close with uncanny effortlessness. As is the case with his previous production documentaries, it isn't nearly as extensive as the Appendices content, but it approaches everything from a completely different direction. Once again, the only downside is that it's presented in non-anamorphic widescreen.

[MifuneFan]

Originally Posted by BaerGriggs

Technically if you wanted EVERY single feature ever released on home video, the DVD gift sets had exclusive discs that weren't in the other extended editions.

Oh that's true. There's a Making of Gollum DVD, a National Geographic one, and one about the music. Not sure if there were others.

[B72]

non- anamorphic ? pillar boxed ? for 5 hours
Is this 1999 ?
I love making of stuff and have watched the appendices several times
Wanted to see these but I may pass - I guess I'm a snob

Haven't seen the content but love the cover for Making of Gollum

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Early Memphis

So puzzling. Apparently, if you want all the extras, you get the EE Trilogy - but you end up with a re-color graded picture that drives some folks up the wall. Plus, it appears that the originals have DNR & AS (artificial sharpening) issues - big time. And why are there no PQ/AQ grades from the theatrical editions? Were they done away with once the EE's were released? That's wack. Pity there's no poll with this thread - so the fence-sitting, non-trigger-pulling amongst us could get a better sense as to the general opinion.

Regarding the PQ differences of the theatrical and extended versions...

While there are some rather slight color differences on Two Towers and 'King, the main difference is with Fellowship where the color is dramatically different leaning toward a more teal push on the extended. However, in my opinion, the extended version is a far better, overall presentation on a properly calibrated display. I have viewed extended Fellowship on three different pro calibrated ISF displays and I have seen no major issue. Others will disagree.

All three extended versions are spread over two discs and as mentioned come from different masters which do give them an edge in detail and film-like presentation (especially Fellowship) over the theatricals.

[Geoff D]

I watched the theatrical version of Fellowship again the other night, and I've got to say I thought it looked pretty good. It's not perfect, but it's miles ahead of the average catalogue catastrophe vomited up by Universal and Paramount.

The EE is better in terms of sheer detail, though the altered colour is not to everyone's taste! I don't mind it at all, but that's just me.

And a 'thumbs up' for the Costa Botes documentaries, they're ace. Aside from the candid nature of the footage, you get to see certain scenes being shot which have never been released, like Eowyn fighting off some Orcs in the caves at Helm's Deep.

[The Fallen Deity]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I watched the theatrical version of Fellowship again the other night, and I've got to say I thought it looked pretty good. It's not perfect, but it's miles ahead of the average catalogue catastrophe vomited up by Universal and Paramount.

The EE is better in terms of sheer detail, though the altered colour is not to everyone's taste! I don't mind it at all, but that's just me.

And a 'thumbs up' for the Costa Botes documentaries, they're ace. Aside from the candid nature of the footage, you get to see certain scenes being shot which have never been released, like Eowyn fighting off some Orcs in the caves at Helm's Deep.

+1

The DNR on the Theatrical Edition is no where near as bad as some other DNR'ed transfers.

I'm not majorly fussed about the colour changes on the Extended Edition, after all it's not the original version of the film that was released in cinemas back in 2001. It's not terrible, just different.

It's not like the Theatrical Edition has had it's colour timing altered, I just wish that it was more detailed.

I don't know if it's just me but I think that the Extended Edition of The Fellowship Of The Ring looks more detailed than the Extended Editions of the other two films, mind you they look fantastic as well.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by The Fallen Deity

+1

The DNR on the Theatrical Edition is no where near as bad as some other DNR'ed transfers.

I'm not majorly fussed about the colour changes on the Extended Edition, after all it's not the original version of the film that was released in cinemas back in 2001. It's not terrible, just different.

It's not like the Theatrical Edition has had it's colour timing altered, I just wish that it was more detailed.

I don't know if it's just me but I think that the Extended Edition of The Fellowship Of The Ring looks more detailed than the Extended Editions of the other two films, mind you they look fantastic as well.

You sure about that? You'd better look again.

FOTR - http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...less=1#auswahl
TTT - http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...less=1#auswahl
ROTK - http://caps-a-holic.com/hd_vergleich...less=1#auswahl