Not seen in theaters, this unique version of the epic adventure features over 30 minutes of new and extended scenes integrated into the film by the director.
In every aspect, the extended-edition DVD of Peter Jackson’s epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring blows away the theatrical-version DVD. No one who cares at all about the film should ever need to watch the original version again. Well, maybe the impatient and the squeamish will still prefer the theatrical version, because the extended edition makes a long film 30 minutes longer and there’s a bit more violence (though both versions are rated PG-13). But the changes–sometimes whole scenes, sometimes merely a few seconds–make for a richer film. There’s more of the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien, embodied in more songs and a longer opening focusing on Hobbiton. There’s more character development, and more background into what is to come in the two subsequent films, such as Galadriel’s gifts to the Fellowship and Aragorn’s burden of lineage. And some additions make more sense to the plot, or are merely worth seeing, such as the wood elves leaving Middle-earth or the view of Caras Galadhon (but sorry, there’s still no Tom Bombadil). Extremely useful are the chapter menus that indicate which scenes are new or extended.
Of the four commentary tracks, the ones with the greatest general appeal are the one by Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the one by 10 cast members, but the more technically oriented commentaries by the creative and production staff are also worth hearing. The bonus features (encompassing two complete DVDs) are far superior to the largely promotional materials included on the theatrical release, delving into such matters as script development, casting, and visual effects. The only drawback is that the film is now spread over two discs, with a somewhat abrupt break following the council at Rivendell, due to the storage capacity required for the longer running time, the added DTS ES 6.1 audio, and the commentary tracks. But that’s a minor inconvenience. Whether in this four-disc set or in the collector’s gift set (which adds Argonath bookends and a DVD of National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring), the extended-edition DVD is the Fellowship DVD to rule them all. –David Horiuchi
Buy “The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring “ For Only $25.43
March 22, 2008
#1
… It left me cold with it’s Hollywood special effects and lack of acting from actors who depend on special effects. But i guess for the dumbing down of america generation who lacks imagination this will look like a masterpiece. It is a piece alright. Maybe someday americans will go to the movies to see great acting. It’s sad that so many people need special effects and computer generted stuff to say that it’s a good movie. I feel sorry for you brain-dead generation. But i guess the old saying is true. If a million people jump off a bridge would you? I guess the answer is really “yes”.
March 22, 2008
#2
Wow, you mean I can be bored out of my mind for an extra half hour, but wait, you give me all the bonus stuff too, man, I could be comatose for an even longer period of time.
I really tried to like this movie, I gave it every benefit of the doubt, I ignored the running time, I ignored my better judgement, but I couldn’t have foreseen how much I wouldn’t like this movie. I place it in my top 5 bad movies I have had the misfortune to see, number one is and probably always will be jeepers creepers. I know it took three books to tell the story, but three movies? I sat there watching, the end came and then I thought, what the??? That’s the end, and even the ending didn’t make sense, hey guys, let’s say we failed and go whack some random evil and let some little guy go off and fight the darkness with his friend, I’m sure they will be ok, and it’s ok that we failed. Another thing, how is it a few random individuals with individual talents can somehow just take out a huge ammount of unstoppable evil? I’m just glad I didn’t pay to see it and saw it for free at someone’s house.
March 22, 2008
#3
If anything makes me sick, its this very trilogy.
Most trilogys make the first two movies good and the 3rd movie rubbish; Back to the future, Jaws, Terminator, Matrix, Blade. Hovever this trilogy, with all its hours one for story, couldn’t even do that, let alone the 3 I hoped for.
Granted ‘Fellowship of the ring’ had me. But I had hoped to see Frodo stare, wide-eyed, at the same king knocking everyone about in ‘Fellowship’ by the end of return of the king. I did not want to see a big animal-like eye which had to be ripped off from the Lion-o sword as seen on ‘Thundercats’. The wars were useless and a bit pointless as neither had anything to do with the ring being destroyed.
I would have been so much happier if they threw another 25-30 mins into ‘Fellowship’ and let Frodo fight Sam over throwing the ring into the volcano…. and then let either of the two throw it in.
If you want to see some green and some special effects. If need to stare at something for hours because you have nothing better to do and hope to feel a connection to other human beings due to its awards and some mild depression. This movie might be okay therapy for you.
Lloyd Harris
March 22, 2008
#4
I think it will be a awesome! I am sure though becuase I have not seen the Extended Edition but if its Lord of the Rings and the Director is Pj I know it will be good I know the Pj and the Wonderful actors such as Elijah wood, Billy boyd, Sean Astin, Dominic m., Viggo m., Liv tyler, Cate b., Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom.
I think this is the best they have done in a movie I am talking about the normal version not extended, they have such drama, such passion for each other whenever I wacth it I feel like I am there!
Its definatley the best movie!
They made all there swords, knifes, bows, ect. they made the aromor the clothes they dezigned specially for this movie this has got to be the movies with the most work in to it!
I am sure the Extended Edition will be wonderful, Come on people think if your a lotr freak like me you would love this for a christmas present! It has 50 minutes more on the ROTK that you get in this set and like 30 minutes on the TT and FOTK dvd you get in this set. This is a all time favorate for you!!!!!
Its the top on my christmas list so if you get it I hope you will enjoy it!
And I rated it 4 becuase I have not actually seen the extended editions yet but I know they will be awesome!
March 22, 2008
#5
I missed it in the theatres but since it seemed like most of the reviews for Lord of the Rings were very good I decided to watch it recently on Pay per View. I may just have been tired but I found this movie to be very tedious to watch, I almost shut my TV off. The sets were beautiful, the actors seemed to be well cast (they did a good job of making 5’8″ Elijah Wood look 3’8″), the story even seemed sensible but somehow the movie just seemed so very long. From what I’ve read it is almost completely faithful to the book, which is rare but good, I don’t know what I’d change. Why was so much of the story shot with a bluish tint? I don’t think I’ll be buying it but if I do it’ll be to watch in stages and for the extras’, those should be really good.