The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
This critically acclaimed epic trilogy follows the quest undertaken by the hobbit, Frodo Baggins, and his fellowship of companions to save Middle-earth by destroying the One Ring and defeating the evil forces of the Dark Lord Sauron. With new and extended scenes carefully added back into the film, the 12-disc set also includes hours of bonus features.
The extended editions of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings present the greatest trilogy in film history in the most ambitious sets in DVD history. In bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's nearly unfilmable work to the screen, Jackson benefited from extraordinary special effects, evocative New Zealand locales, and an exceptionally well-chosen cast, but most of all from his own adaptation with co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, preserving Tolkien's vision and often his very words, but also making logical changes to accommodate the medium of film. While purists complained about these changes and about characters and scenes left out of the films, the almost two additional hours of material in the extended editions (about 11 hours total) help appease them by delving more deeply into Tolkien's music, the characters, and loose ends that enrich the story, such as an explanation of the Faramir-Denethor relationship, and the appearance of the Mouth of Sauron at the gates of Mordor. In addition, the extended editions offer more bridge material between the films, further confirming that the trilogy is really one long film presented in three pieces (which is why it's the greatest trilogy ever--there's no weak link). The scene of Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship added to the first film proves significant over the course of the story, while the new Faramir scene at the end of the second film helps set up the third and the new Saruman scene at the beginning of the third film helps conclude the plot of the second. To top it all off, the extended editions offer four discs per film: two for the longer movie, plus four commentary tracks and stupendous DTS 6.1 ES sound; and two for the bonus material, which covers just about everything from script creation to special effects. The argument was that fans would need both versions because the bonus material is completely different, but the features on the theatrical releases are so vastly inferior that the only reason a fan would need them would be if they wanted to watch the shorter versions they saw in theaters (the last of which, The Return of the King, merely won 11 Oscars). The LOTR extended editions without exception have set the DVD standard by providing a richer film experience that pulls the three films together and further embraces Tolkien's world, a reference-quality home theater experience, and generous, intelligent, and engrossing bonus features. --David Horiuchi
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The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition) Reviews
I never liked the way Aragorn and Eowyn's relationship was in the original release. Another awkward scene was after the Ents' victory, Merry and Pippen were enjoying a smoke and the salted pork. I'm not only going to watch all 3 back to back again (soon)., but I think it's time to read them all once more. The extended version sets up that scene and gives it context. I watched all 3 the day after Christmas.
I've read all the novels 3 times - once when the animated "Hobbit" came out, the second about 5 years later, and the third time after Fellowship hit the big screen, so it is a journey I love to go on. I was not disappointed. The battle scenes are also even better in the extended version. Eowyn's warrior princess role in the extended version is much more satisfying and explains the Faramir piece. The additional scenes really enhanced and smoothed the flow of the story. Too jerky and all of a sudden she appears hooked up with Faramir at the end.
I was leary about purchasing another set of LOTR DVDs but hoped the added scenes would be worth the cost.
The only reason I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 is because in the picture it showes the movies in a case. They came in good timing as well. All three were individual cases. The DVD's themselves were in great condition and all three were extended editions so the person I bought it for was very happy to receive them as a gift. They do not come in one box.
I purchased this for as a Christmas gift for my daugther. I was very satiffied with the contens as well as the quality of the CD's and the printed materials, Anazon's delivery and packaging. that came with it. She was very happy withe the 12 CD's and all the maps/info.
Maybe one day there will be a Re-extended Edition. LOTR is a complex story with many complex characters. But, until there is a Re-extended Edition, you need the Extended Edition. I would love to see it enriched even more. The original movies seemed to lack justification for some of the actions that took place.
The extended edition of LOTR is a must. The extended edition provides it. I am sure there is more film that could be put it.
Some of the additional scenes filled-in parts of the story-line that readers of the books knew were relevant, making the movie more complete. Loved it all. For anyone who is a fan of the "Ring" books as well as the movies, this is a delight.
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