They just keep on coming, here are the latest Extended DVD reviews from people who saw the extended cut during the Moviefone/AOL screenings…
holbytla attended the dvd screening in Virginia, which I guess is not that special unless it takes you an eight hour drive to get there.. Anyway, her review can be found here: [More]
Next up is Charles who wrote a very nice summary of what he saw… [More]
Diane‘s also got to see the extended cut and here’s what she has to say about it: [More]
And next up is Jeff‘s review. I’m starting to think that there were more people at the Chicago-screening then there were at the other ones… [More]
A very short review came in from Timothy, but then again; if you read all the reviews before this one you can probably dream what’s in the film anyway. [More]
And then there was Elf who accidently sent her review to the GreenBooks staff (thanks Quickbeam), and we nearly had to miss out on her very good review! [More]
And last but not least there’s the review from Brian over at LightsOutEntertainment which is a great read as well! You can check that one out here: [More]
I hope it is not too late to get this review in. I was one of the fortunate few who were able to view the FOTR Extended Edition at the theater in Dallas last night. It was incredible and that does not do it justice. The difference in sound was the first thing that brought awareness that this was something never seen or heard before. I must have seen the original movie in theaters eight times or more and have watched it at home at least that many, but this was spectacular! The combined effect of the surround sound with the enhanced sound nearly lifted me out of my seat. When the musical themes swelled, the whole theater felt it–literally and emotionally. It does justice to Howard Shore’s score. The only word that comes close is “seamless.” The introduction of new music and scenes and dialogue was all perfectly seamless. Even when you know where it is different, it is so well done it feels right–like the difference between the movie and the book. It was so true to the spirit of the original that the changes did not detract. The fact that Howard Shore wrote new music to accomplish this is part of the secret. The music with which you are familiar flows into the new and carries the other components with it. Since the first few scenes were unchanged, one had time to adjust to the sound difference before being treated to the additional screen material. Every bit of added scene only complimented the original. I dearly love the way the original handled the opening and agree it was perfect for a time-limited version. This time the worlds and characters were given more depth–some of which I wish had made it to the theater cut. The viewer is given a much greater understanding of who the hobbits are and what the values are that makes Frodo who he is. The light-hearted nature of the hobbits has more time to emerge as you watch Merry and Pippin. Likewise, the conflict in Aragorn is conveyed MUCH better. You–and especially the viewer not so acquainted with the books–now understand how deep the struggle goes in him regarding his heritage and a little more concerning his relationship to Arwen. As one reviewer put it, you see the high regard the elves have for him. And you feel the weight of the destiny he has to choose to accept or reject. The struggle in Boromir also is given new dimension. The relationship between Legolas and Gimli begins to show glimmers of humor and depth of feeling. Both characters are strengthened by the exposure. This satisfies a little the wishes of all who wanted to see more interplay like the books portrayed. The humor introduced in all the characters such as Gandalf’s impatience with Pippin, Pippin’s over-indulgence with food, and Aragorn’s addition to the sword-training scene make them warm and authentic. They emerge as real people with feelings with which one identifies. The scene that benefitted the most from the additional material was Lothlorien. The added exterior and interior views of the land as well as the depth given to Haldir and company was very helpful and enjoyable. The gift-giving scenes make sense out of things they will have to explain somehow in the movies to come. Gimli’s affection for Galadriel has a much greater basis for its existence now. The gravity of the situation and the respect the elves have for the Company are emphasized as the elves reveal they have never before clothed outsiders in their cloaks. My suggestion to New Line would be to show this Extended Version in theaters in limited scope–many theaters but only limited screens–just before the premiere of The Two Towers. The fans who wanted a refresher, those poor souls who never got around to seeing the first one, and all of those of us who want to see the Extended version in all its glory would come. I know I would go again, and I have ordered the Extended DVD Collector’s Gift Set! It deserves to be seen in the theater. Nothing else will quite do it justice. It would be quite a money-maker and would only strengthen the fan base for TTT. One runs out of superlatives when talking about this movie, but they really are all that apply!
This is my first time writng in, but the Extended Version was so spectacular it requires it. I went expecting a bit of a line and other fans ‘dressed’ for the occasion. Alas, I was the only one in partial dress. But, everyone else was able to identify the right line easily enough. 😀
I have found previously in other movies that added scenes and extended movies normally don’t justify the expense of buying it again. Nothing story-intensive is usually there, just some side tidbits. This Extended DVD IS the exception. The start of the movie is most different, the trip between Hobbiton and Rivendell really pulls alot of loose ends together and sets up for on-coming scenes, Rivendell and Lochlorien have been expanded with most-important scenes and revelations. Especially between Grimli and Galadriel. This was a part that should never have been cut out of the original theatre release.
And the digital format and theatre projection was breathtaking. The difference was like having seen it orignally on a badly received TV signal through rabbit-earred antennas. The clarity, sharpness and color presentation were just – breathtaking. Immediately noticed when the green General Audiences Previews screen came up. And the TTT trailer preview – Webster’s hasn’t created the words to do it justice in writing.
Others have already gone into details. This is just my spin on it.
I saw the extended DVD edition last night in Chicago on the big screen.
I read somewhere that the extended DVD is in some ways a different movie than the original theatrical version. That is very true. The original theatrical version forsakes some characterization for a streamlined plot. Many of the extended DVD version’s new and extended scenese added to characterization. We especially get “new” scenes that add to the characterization of Aragon, Gimli, Bilbo, Boromir, Galadriel, and Celeborn. Celeborn actually gets more than one line! He is even the one who gives the Fellowship their elven cloaks and their boats, so that they can outrun orcs that are after them. The whole Lothlorien scene has much new material added in, so that it is much closer to the book. Galadriel no longer seems so mysterious and perhaps sinister. We now get to see her more caring and lighter side, especially in the gift giving scenes and in her greeting the Fellowship. we even get to see Nenya during the mirror scene, when she tells Frodo to bear a ring of power is to be alone. We get to see wonderful interaction between her and Gimli, both when she first greets the Fellowship and when she bestows her gifts (Merry and Pippin get daggers, Sam gets the rope, she talks to Aragon about Arwen, Legolas gets a bow). In fact, Gimli’s characterization is also much improved. Before, I felt like he was just a stock character. Now he is rounded, with more lines throughout the movie. Lothlorien itself now feels more like a sanctuary than a mysterious, dangerous forest. The other major changes are in Hobbiton, with the opening scene being very much different– Bilbo writing his book and talking about Hobbits, with humorous scenes of Hobbits interspersed, including a Hobbit getting wax out of his ear, and a snippet of Sam gardening. Though, for some reason I can’t touch upon, I liked the theatrical version’s opening better. We also get to see Bilbo’s dread of the Sackville-Bagginses in this opening scene and during the party. There is also much more interaction of Bilbo with the guests at the party, as well as a humorous scene between him and Frodo at the party. We also get to see the Gaffer, Sam, Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Rosie at a pub. Though I didn’t really feel that scene added that much. In fact, I felt there was a little too much humor added into the Hobbiton scenes now.
There is a wonderful scene when Frodo and Sam first set out on their journey when they see Wood Elves going to the Grey Havens, and Sam mentions how it makes him sad and mentions the towers near the see. Great foreshadowing of Arwen’s plight and the plight of the Elves, and maybe even of Frodo leaving at the end of the books. We also get to see good interaction between Sam and Frodo when Sam tries to go to sleep on the ground under a tree and says he can’t. This is another instance where we see the very close relationship between Sam and Frodo. Although, no place do we outright hear that Sam is Frodo’s gardener.
The journey from when we first meet the Black Riders/Nazgul to Bree is pretty much the same. There are a few more lines at Bree here and there, but things are pretty much the same there.
There is more to the fight scenes with the troll in Moria and to the fight scene at the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen. There are also new lines at the gates of Moria, with a funny exchange between Legolas and Gimli and between Gandalf and Pippin.
We also learn that the riches of Moria was mithril, which makes Frodo’s wearing a mithril coat much more meaningful. Gandalf even says that Bilbo’s mithril coat was worth more than the whole Shire.
There is much more of Boromir’s temptation by the ring, beginning with a new scene at the Council of Elrond, in which he almost takes the ring until Gandalf utters the Black Speech. Boromir seems much more sinister and tortured in this version. I really felt like he was a traitor in the midst of the Fellowship.
We get more background on Aragon, seeing him at his mother’s grave in Rivendell, his interaction over Arwen with Galadriel in the Lothlorien gift-giving scene, his singing of Luthien and Beren after passing through the Midgewater Marshes.
There are many more humorous lines here and there throughout.
In some ways I liked the theatrical version better, with the much more streamlined plot, but in some ways I liked this one better, with much more characterization. In short, buy both DVDs.
I have been a regular reader of your TORn site and have appreciated the updates. Here’s one of my own. I was one of the fortunate few who were able to view the FOTR Extended Edition at the theater last night. It was incredible and that does not do it justice. The difference in sound was the first thing that brought awareness that this was something never seen or heard before. I must have seen the original movie in theaters eight times or more and have watched it at home at least that many, but this was spectacular! The combined effect of the surround sound with the enhanced sound nearly lifted me out of my seat. When the musical themes swelled, the whole theater felt it–literally and emotionally. It does justice to Howard Shore’s score.
The only word that comes close is “seamless.” The introduction of new music and scenes and dialogue was all perfectly seamless. Even when you know where it is different, it is so well done it feels right–like the difference between the movie and the book. It was so true to the spirit of the original that the changes did not detract. The fact that Howard Shore wrote new music to accomplish this is part of the secret. The music with which you are familiar flows into the new and carries the other components with it.
Since the first few scenes were unchanged, one had time to adjust to the sound difference before being treated to the additional screen material. Every bit of added scene only complimented the original. I dearly love the way the original handled the opening and agree it was perfect for a time-limited version. This time the worlds and characters were given more depth–some of which I wish had made it to the theater cut. The viewer is given a much greater understanding of who the hobbits are and what the values are that makes Frodo who he is. The light-hearted nature of the hobbits has more time to emerge as you watch Merry and Pippin.
Likewise, the conflict in Aragorn is conveyed MUCH better. You–and especially the viewer not so acquainted with the books–now understand how deep the struggle goes in him regarding his heritage and a little more concerning his relationship to Arwen. As one reviewer put it, you see the high regard the elves have for him. And you feel the weight of the destiny he has to choose to accept or reject. The struggle in Boromir also is given new dimension.
The relationship between Legolas and Gimli begins to show glimmers of humor and depth of feeling. Both characters are strengthened by the exposure. This satisfies a little the wishes of all who wanted to see more interplay like the books portrayed. The humor introduced in all the characters such as Gandalf’s impatience with Pippin, Pippin’s over-indulgence with food, and Aragorn’s addition to the sword-training scene make them warm and authentic. They emerge as real people with feelings with which one identifies.
The scene that benefitted the most from the additional material was Lothlorien. The added exterior and interior views of the land as well as the depth given to Haldir and company was very helpful and enjoyable. The gift-giving scenes make sense out of things they will have to explain somehow in the movies to come. Gimli’s affection for Galadriel has a much greater basis for its existence now. The gravity of the situation and the respect the elves have for the Company are emphasized as the elves reveal they have never before clothed outsiders in their cloaks.
My suggestion to New Line would be to show this Extended Version in theaters in limited scope–many theaters but only limited screens–just before the premiere of The Two Towers. The fans who wanted a refresher, those poor souls who never got around to seeing the first one, and all of those of us who want to see the Extended version in all its glory would come. I know I would go again, and I have ordered the Extended DVD Collector’s Gift Set! It deserves to be seen in the theater. Nothing else will quite do it justice. It would be quite a money-maker and would only strengthen the fan base for TTT. One runs out of superlatives when talking about this movie, but they really are all that apply!
As far as the new ‘introduction to Hobbits’ at the start…well, the background stuff between Frodo and Sam, and at the Green Dragon was very useful for the emotional buildup of the central characters, but, otherwise, I felt that the originally released version of the intro/Hobbiton part was more likely to grip the interest of an audience.
Further on, the Frodo/Sam relationship was deepened well in the additional traveling scenes.
Throughout the film, one could see where PJ had sliced a few seconds here and there to try to edit down to the 3 hour limit.
It was however, incredibly heartbreaking to see how much had been lost by the cuts at Lothlorien. The giftgiving for all was beautiful, and Gimli really grew as a terribly touching character.
The other thing that I think was tremendously amplified in emotional impact was Aragorn and Boromir’s relationship, and the importance of this relationship for setting Aragorn on his path to take up the challenge of his heritage. Yes, Boromir showed more terrible lust for the ring at Rivendell, held back only by the powers of Gandalf. But he also challenged Aragorn more to remember the world of Men and his heritage. “Yes, there is great weakness [in the world of Men]; but there is also great strength.” And at the same time the scene at the grave of Aragorn’s mother really underscored how distanced Isildur’s heir had become from Humanity — and thus from _himself_ and from confidence in his own strength to fight the Evil.
Boromir was seen killing many more Uruk-hai, and Aragorn had a heartbreaking added line before the tear fell from his face after Boromir’s death…recalling the exchange between the two at Lochlorien, when Boromir had dreamed of returning to the White City with him, and the guards calling out that the Lords of Gondor had returned. The guards would still call, but Boromir would not be there.
So in sum, the majority of the additions layered great depth to the emotional charge of the story for virtually all the protagonists, and these are the strengh of the Extended Edition.
