The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set)

Starring:Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom
Studio: New Line Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
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 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) or the unadorned four-disc set, the extended-edition DVD is the Fellowship DVD to rule them all. --David Horiuchi
Description
Presented in packaging illustrated by famed artist Alan Lee, this gift set includes the 4-disc Platinum Series Special Extended DVD Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, collectible Argonath polystone figures created by Sideshow Weta, a new version of the National Geographic Beyond the Movie DVD and exclusive Decipher trading cards.

The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Average customer rating:

Good Buy

A masterpiece that will go down in history

I Wish Amazon Has 10 stars to select!

A jewel in your shelf

Pretty slick

The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Starring: Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Viggo Mortensen , Sean Astin , and Sean Bean
Director: Peter Jackson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000654ZK0
Release Date: 2004-12-14

Amazon.com

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

Description

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.

Customer Reviews:

Good Buy.......2007-07-03

Awesome collection of this masterpiece, lord of the rings set as all available behind the scenes and extra we want, and the movie with extended version, what more can you want?

A masterpiece that will go down in history.......2007-07-01

There is a reason why these 3 films got Best Picture nominations (and a win) 3 years in a row as well as winning 11 Oscars in its final year. THESE FILMS ARE AMAZING. Return of the King is the best followed by Fellowship and then Two Towers, but all get 5 stars, placing it as one of the best films ever made. The extended scenes are not really useful but some (like Saruman in "King") are good. The special features makes paying the extra price worth it. Excellent films

I Wish Amazon Has 10 stars to select!.......2007-06-27

The title says it all. This movie trilogy deserve more than 5 stars and this trilogy is the greatest, the best etc etc movie ever made by one of the greatest director.

Miss this kind of movie so much. Hope the will be more from Peter Jackson

A jewel in your shelf.......2007-06-26

this is one of the best products in the dvd market out there. Don't miss the chance to get one before they are gone like the collectors editions with the polystone figures. Which are not in stock anymore.

Pretty slick.......2007-06-25

So far we've watched the first movie. The extra footage is great and holds true to the books. I would recommend this for any fan of LOTR.

The Lord Of The Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

awesome movie
The ring
Purchased out of curiosity
Outstanding! Outstanding! Outstanding!
Better than expected

The Lord Of The Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Viggo Mortensen , and Peter Jackson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001VL0K2
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com

As the triumphant start of a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves you begging for more. By necessity, Peter Jackson's ambitious epic compresses J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings, but this robust adaptation maintains reverent allegiance to Tolkien's creation, instantly qualifying as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. At 178 minutes, it's long enough to establish the myriad inhabitants of Middle-earth, the legendary Rings of Power, and the fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans--led by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood)--who must battle terrifying forces of evil on their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Superbly paced, the film is both epic and intimate, offering astonishing special effects and production design while emphasizing the emotional intensity of Frodo's adventure, and ends on a perfect note of heroic loyalty and rich anticipation.

After the breaking of the Fellowship, Frodo and Sam journey to Mordor with the creature Gollum as their guide in The Two Towers. Meanwhile, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) join in the defense of the people of Rohan, who are the first target in the eradication of the race of Men by the renegade wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee) and the dark lord Sauron. Fantastic creatures, astounding visual effects, and a climactic battle at the fortress of Helm's Deep make The Two Towers a worthy successor to The Fellowship of the Ring, grander in scale but retaining the story's emotional intimacy.

With The Return of the King, the greatest fantasy epic in film history draws to a grand and glorious conclusion. The trilogy could never fully satisfy those who remain exclusively loyal to Tolkien's expansive literature, but as a showcase for physical and technical craftsmanship it is unsurpassed in pure scale and ambition, setting milestone after cinematic milestone as Frodo and Sam continue their mission to Mordor to destroy the soul-corrupting One Ring. While the heir to the kingdom of Men, Aragorn, endures the massive battle at Minas Tirith with the allegiance of Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf, Frodo and Sam must survive the schizoid deceptions of Gollum, who remains utterly convincing as a hybrid of performance (by Andy Serkis) and subtly nuanced computer animation. Jackson and cowriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have much ground to cover; that they do so with intense pacing and epic sweep is impressive enough, but by investing greater depth and consequence in the actions of fellow hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd), they ensure that The Return of the King maintains the trilogy's emphasis on intimate fellowship and remains faithful to Tolkien's overall vision. By ending the LOTR trilogy with noble integrity and faith in the power of imaginative storytelling, The Return of the King, like its predecessors, will stand as an adventure for the ages. --Jeff Shannon and David Horiuchi

Description

Customer Reviews:

awesome movie.......2007-06-12

really great movie. once you start you cant stop watching untill you finish them all.

The ring.......2007-06-02

I think this is one of the best movies made and the game is a whole lot of fun.

Purchased out of curiosity.......2007-05-18

Purchased b/c it was a great deal! And had never seen them. NOT as good as Harry Potter thought. I think they are a bit dragged out, but really good stories. Lots of fighting and blood....I could do w/o half of it.

Outstanding! Outstanding! Outstanding!.......2007-05-14

This is a excellent trilogy set of The Lord Of The Rings! Peter Jackson did a outstanding job of making these 3 films. Wish I could give it more stars than 5, because it keeps you excited and wanting more!

Better than expected.......2007-05-14

I recently hooked up my home entertainment sytem, and started puchasing my favorite movies. I have collected quite a few so far, and i must say that this trilogy is by far the best sounding i have come across. You can definetly see that a lot of attention was paid to detail.

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)

Average customer rating:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans
Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!
Best movie of all times!!!
i didn't like it!!!
One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio...

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
Starring: Wood , Mckellen , Mortensen , Astin , and Lee
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000067DNF
Release Date: 2002-11-12

Amazon.com essential video

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

Description

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.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary:Four feature-length commentaries including over 30 participants
DVD ROM Features
Documentaries:17 original documentaries and featurettes
Interactive Menus
Interviews
Introduction
Multiple video angles
Other:Over 30 minutes of new music scored by Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore
Photo gallery:Gallery with over 2,000 photos and conceptual sketches
Production Sketches
Storyboards

Customer Reviews:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans.......2007-06-30

I only had the regular version of the Fellowship and the extended version of the Two Towers and Return of the King. I just recently picked up this extended version to complete the set and am very glad I did. If you are even a casual Tolkien fan, the extended versions of each film are the only way to go. The added scenes make the whole experience much richer.

Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!.......2007-06-14

An incredible adventure that captures the imaginations and makes you laugh and cry! You will enjoy all the characters and miss them when they are gone! And the special effects makes you believe it is all real! Peter Jackson did an amazing job! And the cast is perfect! A real gem of a movie! I think everyone should own it!!!!

Best movie of all times!!!.......2007-05-31

This has to be the best movie of all times!!! I LOVE it! I will never grow tired of it...not even when I'm 99!!! I love all of the characters...but here are my favorite:

1. Aragorn (Strider ... ranger from the North)
2. Gandalf (love that old wizard!)
3. Merry and Pippin (sort of like Pintel and Ragetti from Pirates... always together and always funny)
4. Sam (good 'ol Sam)
5. Gimili
6. Arwen
7. Fodo Baggins (hip hip, hooray!)

This is a great movie ... I really like the extended scenes. This is a five star movie. I hope Peter Jackson does:

the Hobbit or, There and Back Again, a Hobbit's tale

i didn't like it!!!.......2007-05-16

I rented this movie and it was so boring. My whole family hated it. I hated it. I wish the whole world hated it. It was about 4 elf dudes who went on a stupid quest to destroy a "ring of Power" (oh that's SO scary) and in the end they don't even destroy it, the movie just ends with them looking at a mountain. I know there are two more movies that explain what happens next, but it is moronic that i (or my family) should have to sit through two more 3 hour long movies just to find out what happens. Entertainment needs to be fast and digestible, not long and bloated like this. The length is what kills it. If the whole movie had been like 2 hours it would have been decent, but c'mon, 9 hours?!?! No way. I have a life and I can't spend it watching one movie. Now the acting. It was the worst acting perhaps in history. The accents were so obviously phony and all the actors were hammy and pretentious. This is a movie guys, not some event that requires extreme emoting. The F/X were unimpressive. The CGI is very obvious, and it is very obvious that the elf dudes are the same height as everyone else. Why do people like this movie? It was depressing! There was nothing to be learned from this foolishness, just a bunch of grown men swinging plastic swords around. What a waste of time and life this movie is.

One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio... .......2007-05-15

Ok I would be giving this movie 5 stars but the copy I got has a really strange aspect ratio. Its like a 2.35:1 but inside a 1.85:1 ratio. It makes it look like there are three different elements: the movie in the center in a 2.35:1 aspect ratio but a lighter shade of black in a 1.85:1 aspect ratio then the darker normal black bars... Its really annoying and looks very unprofessional. Whats even stranger is that the extended version I have looks perfect. I like the theatrical version better but it has this strange aspect ratio. Does anyone know why?

The Lord Of The Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

awesome movie
The ring
Purchased out of curiosity
Outstanding! Outstanding! Outstanding!
Better than expected

The Lord Of The Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0001VL0KC
Release Date: 2004-05-25

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

awesome movie.......2007-06-12

really great movie. once you start you cant stop watching untill you finish them all.

The ring.......2007-06-02

I think this is one of the best movies made and the game is a whole lot of fun.

Purchased out of curiosity.......2007-05-18

Outstanding! Outstanding! Outstanding!.......2007-05-14

Better than expected.......2007-05-14

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans
Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!
Best movie of all times!!!
i didn't like it!!!
One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio...

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Noel Appleby , Sean Astin , Sala Baker , Sean Bean , and Cate Blanchett
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Widescreen Edition)
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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Two-Disc Special Edition) (Harry Potter 2)

ASIN: B00003CWT6
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Amazon.com essential video

As the triumphant start of a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves you begging for more. By necessity, Peter Jackson's ambitious epic compresses J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings, but this robust adaptation maintains reverent allegiance to Tolkien's creation, instantly qualifying as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. At 178 minutes, it's long enough to establish the myriad inhabitants of Middle-earth, the legendary Rings of Power, and the fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans--led by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood)--who must battle terrifying forces of evil on their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Superbly paced, the film is both epic and intimate, offering astonishing special effects and production design while emphasizing the emotional intensity of Frodo's adventure. Ending on a perfect note of heroic loyalty and rich anticipation, this wondrous fantasy continues in The Two Towers (2002). --Jeff Shannon

Description

DVD Features:
3D Animated Menus
DVD ROM Features:Exclusive online content
Documentaries:3 in-depth programs that reveal the secrets behind the production of this epic adventure, including: -"Welcome to Middle-earth" in-store special as shown by Houghton Mifflin -"The Quest for the Ring" as debuted on the FBC Network -"A Passage to Middle-earth" as premiered on the SCI-FI Channel
Featurette:15 featurettes originally created for lordoftherings.net, which explore the locales and cultures of Middle-earth and include interviews with cast members Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler and others. Exclusive 10-minute behind-the-scenes preview of the next The Lord of the Rings theatrical release, The Two Towers.
Music Video:Enya "May It Be" music video
Other:An inside look at the Special Extended DVD Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Preview of Electronic Arts' video game, The Two Towers Double Amaray Packaging
TV Spot
Theatrical Trailer:Original theatrical trailers

Customer Reviews:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans.......2007-06-30

Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!.......2007-06-14

Best movie of all times!!!.......2007-05-31

i didn't like it!!!.......2007-05-16

One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio... .......2007-05-15

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Who bought this?
Lord of the Rings, The Best Movie Ever!
lord of rings
Wonderful!
Wonderful Trilogy

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)
Starring: Lord of the Rings 3pak
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers - The Complete Recordings
The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings

ASIN: B000GTLR2A
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Amazon.com

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films gave "double-dipping"--releasing a DVD then releasing an improved version shortly afterward--a good name by offering both a better film and stupendous extras in the Extended Editions. This "triple-dip" 2006 Limited Edition trilogy falls far short of that standard but is still of interest to devoted and casual fans.

What do you get?
Both the theatrical and extended versions of all three films--The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King--are on three double-sided discs. The versions use seamless branching, meaning that the scenes that are common to both versions are stored on the disc only once. If you choose to watch the extended version, the disc "branches" out to the added or extended scenes. What does this mean to the viewer? Not much. The viewing experience is the same because the branching is imperceptible. But because both versions of the film don't have to be stored on the disc in their entirety (which would be six or seven hours total for each film), both versions together fit on two sides of one disc. The downside is that whichever version you watch, you have to flip over the disc halfway through; the film breaks at the same spot it did on the Extended Edition. Also lost are the meager features included on the theatrical edition, plus the four commentary tracks, two discs of bonus features, and DTS 6.1 ES sound from the four-disc Extended Editions.

What's new?
Each film has a second disc with a documentary directed by Costa Botes, who was personally selected by Peter Jackson (about five hours for all three documentaries. Rather than the formal documentary structure of other editions, they consist of off-the-cuff interviews with Peter Jackson, Alan Lee, and others, and random bits of behind-the-scenes action and special-effects work. Those who have worked their way through the many hours of bonus content on the other editions might recognize some of this footage, such as the Hobbit actors mocking whichever of them is not around, then greeting him warmly when he shows up. Other things--Liv Tyler riding a fake horse, interviewing the rank-and-file cast members, touring Peter Jackson's trailer, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd clowning around as a framing device, Ian McKellen flubbing his lines and conducting the crowning ceremony in a flowery wig--seem new. And some bits seem geared to those who've watched the other material--for example, some of the visual tricks explained there are only glimpsed without explanation here. They're entertaining, but because there's no structure (there are chapters, but no menu or chapter listing), they're not as convenient to watch, and go back to, as a documentary broken up into bite-size pieces. Note: New Line Home Entertainment couldn't release this material on its own a la the King Kong Production Diaries due to contractual restrictions.

Bottom line: Do I need this trilogy edition?
This Limited Edition combination of theatrical and extended versions plus new documentary seems likely to appeal to two camps. One is the devoted fan, who already owns all the previous editions but has to have everything LOTR. The other is the casual fan who liked the movies in theaters, heard good things about the Extended Editions, and doesn't need a ton of bonus material. This edition is attractively priced for that buyer, and the packaging is quite handsome. In between is the devoted fan who already owns all the previous editions but doesn't feel the need to watch more bonus material. When watching the movies, that fan will always choose the Extended Editions, but keeps the theatrical editions for (1) watching with guests, (2) the music videos, or (3) the convenience of skimming through favorite scenes without having to change discs. That fan can safely skip this edition, as can home-theater fans who love DTS. --David Horiuchi

Description

Disc 1: For the first time, the Theatrical and Extended versions of each film are on one disc! This 2-sided DVD puts both versions of the epic film on one convenient, portable disc. You can choose which version you'd like to see from the main DVD menu.

Disc 2: Each film has a new behind-the-scenes documentary created by filmmaker Costa Botes. Mr. Botes was personally selected by Peter Jackson to capture every moment during production of the trilogy. He had unprecedented access to the cast and crew during staff meetings and down time, training and rehearsals, laughter and arguments.

Mr. Botes created 3 feature-length documentaries using a raw editing style that gives the viewer a complete fly-on-the-wall experience. Here are the types of stories and moments you can expect to find throughout the 3 documentaries (one per film in the trilogy):

Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dom Monaghan (Merry) are the ultimate comedy duo, hamming it up for the camera. Highlights of their antics include: candid descriptions of how uncomfortable Treebeard's branches could be, hanging out in their trailer with an "inflatable" friend, and more!
When Peter Jackson loses a roll of 3-D film, it's up to everyone to find it. See the lengths that the crew go to uncover the lost photos!
New Zealand means beautiful landscapes and... rain, snow, wind and more! See how frustrating Mother Nature can be when even the most menacing Ringwraiths must huddle under giant umbrellas.
Even the best laid plans can change and the easiest tasks can take longer than expected... cast and crew deal with scene changes, long hours, overtime and additional takes.
Pranks on set? Really? Get a good laugh from Ian McKellan in a "fancy" Gandalf wig, Andy Serkis assessing his Gollum getup, orcs and Uruk-hai doing a little between-take dancing and more!
And, of course, there are things that go wrong…a phone ringing during a scene, forgetting a line or two, and mastering a fight sequence that doesn't even get into the final film!

FAQs
Still have questions about this release? Here are some Frequently Asked Questions from fans.

When Is The Lord of the Rings Going to Be Released in High Definition (Either HD-DVD or Blu-ray)?
The high definition formats that have recently launched offer exceptional picture and sound quality in addition to new interactive bonus feature capabilities. New Line Home Entertainment is committed to the high definition format and is very excited about the idea of releasing the Trilogy in the format. However, New Line is also committed to maximizing the capabilities of the technology to deliver a cutting edge high definition experience. This will take more time as well as the participation of the filmmakers to achieve. It is currently not scheduled for release until, at the earliest, 2008.

I already own both versions of each film. Why doesn't New Line just release the documentaries?
Having unprecedented access to the cast and crew during film production inevitably means that there are some restrictions. In this case, releasing these documentaries unaccompanied by the film would be nearly impossible because of agreements that are in place with the cast and crew. We wanted to make the documentaries available while also giving the fans something they don't have, which is why we included both versions of the film on one disc.

How are these documentaries different from the ones on the special extended DVD editions?
The in-depth documentaries on the Special Extended DVD Editions were custom made for the DVDs using new interviews from the cast and crew incorporated with the behind-the-scenes footage to tell the stories. The Costa Botes documentaries use only creatively edited behind-the-scenes footage to give you, the viewer, a feeling of "being there" in the moment while things are happening. There is no narrative to tell the story, but instead a constantly running series of clips that show the raw moments that make up the day-to-day progress on a large film production.

Do I have to flip the disc over to watch the whole movie?
Yes. Due to space capacities of the DVD format and the use of seamless branching, both the theatrical and extended versions of the film are split in the middle of disc 1, so part 1 of the film is on one side of the disc and the conclusion is on the other.

Customer Reviews:

Who bought this?.......2007-07-03

Lord of the Rings is an excellent trilogy. I must say that Return of the King had to be my faviorte of the lot. Why do I rate this one star? Whats the point of having a two sided dvd? Put the regular movie on one side and the extended movie on the other side. Was that so hard to think of? They probably just needed some extra cash and didnt think of that idea. I bought the Extended editions to look cool for my dvd collection, but I lent the movies to a friend and left with just the cases. I realized that watching a movie and flipping over the dvd halfway thru the movie was stupid. I bought the regular versions instead of these sets. I'll put them in the extended cases so it looks better. Why would anyone want to watch a movie and get up half way thru it to flip it over anyways?

Lord of the Rings, The Best Movie Ever!.......2007-06-28

Handfull and Compact, this set is the best option to get all in one versions of the movie. However the extra stuff is kind of boring.

lord of rings.......2007-05-30

very nice way to have the full set covers are pretty. Box to hold them all together so when you want to have a movie marathon (cause you are stuck in a snow storm and cant leave house), they are all together and easy to find next one.
Did have a little oops and didnt realize the discs are two sided with part 1 on one side and part 2 on other so had the disc upside down and couldnt figure out where the rest was (only did that on fellowship figured it out and was good by towers). All in all great movies very nice way to have them and make sure you read the books too.J.R.R. Tolkien Boxed Set (The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings)

Wonderful!.......2007-05-14

A DVD collection you must have! Greatly designed. Beautiful menus and music. The box design is very nice. Worth to collect it!

Wonderful Trilogy.......2007-05-11

What can be written of this marvelous trilogy, directed by newzelander Peter Jackson? Just enjoy each one of the Oscars that these film earned,
theatrical and director's extended cut, on the same disc.

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Full Screen Edition)

Average customer rating:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans
Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!
Best movie of all times!!!
i didn't like it!!!
One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio...

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Noel Appleby , Sean Astin , Sala Baker , Sean Bean , and Cate Blanchett
Manufacturer: New Line Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000065U3Q
Release Date: 2002-08-06

Product Description

Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic adventure of good against evil, the power of friendship and individual courage. The saga centers around an unassuming Hobbit named Frodo Baggins who inherits a Ring that would give a dark and powerful lord the power to enslave the world. With a loyal fellowship of elves, dwarves, men and a wizard, Frodo embarks on a heroic quest to destroy the One Ring and pave the way for the emergence of mankind.

System Requirements:
Starring: Elijah Wood, Sir Ian Mc Kellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Hugo Weaving, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd.
Directed By: Peter Jackson.
Running Time: 178 Min., Color.
This film is presented in "Standard" format.
Copyright 2002 Warner Home Video.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com essential video

As the triumphant start of a trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring leaves you begging for more. By necessity, Peter Jackson's ambitious epic compresses J.R.R. Tolkien's classic The Lord of the Rings, but this robust adaptation maintains reverent allegiance to Tolkien's creation, instantly qualifying as one of the greatest fantasy films ever made. At 178 minutes, it's long enough to establish the myriad inhabitants of Middle-earth, the legendary Rings of Power, and the fellowship of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and humans--led by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and the brave hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood)--who must battle terrifying forces of evil on their perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the land of Mordor. Superbly paced, the film is both epic and intimate, offering astonishing special effects and production design while emphasizing the emotional intensity of Frodo's adventure. Ending on a perfect note of heroic loyalty and rich anticipation, this wondrous fantasy continues in The Two Towers (2002). --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

The only way to go for Tolkien fans.......2007-06-30

Lord of The Rings - Kicks Butt!.......2007-06-14

Best movie of all times!!!.......2007-05-31

i didn't like it!!!.......2007-05-16

One of the best movies ever made but the dvd I got has a really strange aspect ratio... .......2007-05-15

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Excellent movie!
Great Film, Excellent Option
The Fellowship of the Ring
Going Down Down Down in a Ring of Fire
If you only want the movie, buy this...

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Theatrical and Extended Limited Edition)
Starring: Sean Astin , Sean Bean , John Rhys-Davies , Ian Holm , and Christopher Lee
Director: Peter Jackson
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
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ASIN: B000GIXLNO
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Amazon.com

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films gave "double-dipping"--releasing a DVD then releasing an improved version shortly afterward--a good name by offering both a better film and stupendous extras in the Extended Editions. This "triple-dip" 2006 Limited Edition falls far short of that standard but is still of interest to devoted and casual fans.

What do you get?
Both the theatrical and extended versions of The Fellowship of the Ring are on one double-sided disc. The versions use seamless branching, meaning that the scenes that are common to both versions are stored on the disc only once. If you choose to watch the extended version, the disc "branches" out to the added or extended scenes. What does this mean to the viewer? Not much. The viewing experience is the same because the branching is imperceptible. But because both versions of the film don't have to be stored on the disc in their entirety (which would be six and half hours total), both versions together fit on two sides of one disc. The downside is that whichever version you watch, you have to flip over the disc halfway through; the film breaks at the same spot it did on the Extended Edition, right after the council at Rivendell. Also lost are the meager features included on the theatrical edition, plus the four commentary tracks, two discs of bonus features, and DTS 6.1 ES sound from the four-disc Extended Edition.

What's new?
The second disc has an 85-minute documentary directed by Costa Botes, who was personally selected by Peter Jackson. Rather than the formal documentary structure of other editions, it consists of off-the-cuff interviews with Peter Jackson, Alan Lee, and others, and random bits of behind-the-scenes action and special-effects work. Those who have worked their way through the many hours of bonus content on the other editions might recognize some of this footage, such as the Hobbit actors mocking whichever of them is not around, then greeting him warmly when he shows up. Other things--Liv Tyler riding a fake horse, a snowfall during shooting, interviewing the rank-and-file cast members, touring Peter Jackson's trailer--seem new. And some bits seem geared to those who've watched the other material--for example, some of the visual tricks explained there are only glimpsed without explanation here. It's entertaining, but because there's no structure (there are chapters, but no menu or chapter listing), it's not as convenient to watch, and go back to, as a documentary broken up into bite-size pieces. Oddly, the documentary is in widescreen, but not anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TVs. Note: New Line Home Entertainment couldn't release this material on its own a là the King Kong Production Diaries due to contractual restrictions.

Bottom line: Do you need this edition?
This Limited Edition combination of theatrical and extended versions plus new documentary seems likely to appeal to two camps. One is the devoted fan, who already owns both editions but has to have everything LOTR. The other is the casual fan who liked the movie in theaters, heard good things about the Extended Edition, and doesn't need a ton of bonus material. This edition is attractively priced for that buyer, and the packaging is quite handsome. In between is the devoted fan who already owns both editions but doesn't feel the need to watch more bonus material. When watching the whole movie, that fan will always choose the Extended Edition, but keeps the theatrical edition for (1) watching with guests, (2) the music video, or (3) the convenience of skimming through favorite scenes without having to change discs. That fan can safely skip this edition, as can home-theater fans who love DTS. --David Horiuchi

Description

The Award-winning $1 billion dollar franchise is revisited with three new 2-disc limited editions. Each DVD features the theatrical and extended versions of the film and a new documentary. Filmmaker Costa Botes, who was personally selected by Peter Jackson, created three ground-breaking documentaries using rare behind-the-scenes footage.

DVD Features:
Documentaries:Never-before-seen behind-the-scenes documentary by Costa Botes, the filmmaker director Peter Jackson personally hired (85 minutes)
Other:Part I - 106 minutes (Extended); 93 minutes (Theatrical) Part II - 122 minutes (Extended); 86 minutes (Theatrical)

Customer Reviews:

Excellent movie!.......2007-05-14

Great movie. The DVD video quality is great, the menus are nice, and is nicely compacted in 2 DVD's. You should have it.

Great Film, Excellent Option.......2007-05-14

Don't listen to all the movie geeks complaining that they don't like this version because it's "a cash-in" or "lacks bonus features", because they're not exactly the normal buyer. This version of Lord of the Rings is an excellent choice for those of us who aren't "collecting" the movies in any way, and just want to be able to watch the Theatrical or Extended versions without paying for a lot of extra junk. What the hell do I care about the behind the scenes featurettes? I watch movies to be pulled into a fantasy, not to nitpick and peruse every technical detail in the filmmaking process.

Simply put, if you just want to watch the movies in both their forms, this is the best, least expensive choice. The quality is the same as previous versions with the exception of DTS audio being absent (Dolby surround is still present) and the packaging is nice. Yes, because of the extended cut, you'll need to flip the disc. Boo hoo. This is a lot of movie, and I'd rather have a nice quality version of it than a super-compressed one on a single side... And at least this is on one disc, rather than being on multiple discs that needed to be swapped in the Extended version DVD set.

The movie trilogy itself is stupendous. Yes, a Tolkien fan might tell you it's a "bastardization" of the story, but really-- do not listen to them!-- They're being nitpicky because narrative was expanded and certain scenes were dropped for film. It happens to ALL books when they become movies because there's just no way to fit everything or make the narrative as it plays out in a book match the visual format of film. The ultimate Tolkien geek would have had you sit through a seven-hour "Fellowship of the Ring" if he got his way.

If you're a hardcore film buff who needs to know every behind-the-scenes detail, skip this one. If you're a Tolkien geek who has a tendency to place Peter Jackson in the same category as George Lucas in terms of merchandising, then skip this one. If, however, you're a well-adjusted adult who hasn't got a standee of Gandalf in his living room and doesn't care which brand of soap flakes they used to simulate snow in scene 23 (or whatever), then this may be the best version you could own until the switch to HD comes along.

The Fellowship of the Ring.......2007-05-13

Shows more of what was not released in the theatrical version.

Going Down Down Down in a Ring of Fire.......2007-01-05

I spent the equivalent of a full day's waking-hours in front of my big screen TV this past winter break with just the 2 sets of the four Harry Potter movies and the three Lord of the Rings movies.

I am NOT a couch potato.

Well, at least it was time well spent. Finally...some movies that really make the grade. I've been hard-pressed to find a good 5-star movie that I haven't seen. And here I've had these two sets of films that have been out there all this time that that for whatever reason I've had an aversion to. Silly me.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was movie making at its best. Especially considering that the movie had very high standards to live up to after more than 50 years of building such a loyal, cult following of the classic J.R.R. Tolkien book.

Hobbits, Elves, Men, Dwarves, Wizards, Orcs all co-surviving, albeit without much harmony, in Middle Earth. And all lust for the great Ring of Power made by the Dark Lord Sauron. But only little Frodo Baggins controls its Destiny. Thus is the 9-hour epic saga of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003).

There is a terrific list of A-list actors giving A-list performances. It's a long one: Therefore, most notably you have Elijah Wood as Frodo, Sean Astin as Sam, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Andy Serkis as Gollum (what a performance!), Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Orlando Bloom as Legolas Greenleaf and John Rhys-Davies as Gimli. I know. I know....How could I not mention Christopher Lee, Liv Tyler and all the others??? Well, that's the point. The whole cast was awesome. Even the no-names that played Orcs.

Kudos to Director Peter Jackson for going beyond the Hollywood standard of 120 minutes to tell each chapter of the story. Jackson kept a lot of the character development that usually isn't transferred from novel to movie adaptation. And Jackson was a master not just at directing his cast, but at getting the special effects perfect. The Lord of the Rings movie adaptation will be as classic as the novel because of Jackson.

If you somehow missed these movies as I did until recently for whatever crazy reason, I hope that my little review has encouraged you to add them to your cart. As for Harry Potter...well that's another review entirely, of course.

Frodo Lives!

If you only want the movie, buy this..........2006-12-01

I was irritated at New Line for not being able to put out one official edition of this movie. They put out the theatrical, then the extended and now a limited edition. It's just a way for them to make more money off of the movie and it's irritating. What they should have done is put out the theatrical and extended together or at least put the theatrical in with the extended version, but nope - they want to make more money off the movie.

I have the extended version and the theatrical, but if you buy this, all you get is one behind the scenes video. I bought this since it had the theatrical and extended on one CD, however, you have to switch the discs over to watch the second part of the movies. I was buying this to avoid that. You're actually getting less as well since there are no other features. You're better off just keeping the copies you have, however, if you're wanting to watch the movies only then this set is good for you. It's a great movie, but like others, I gave it a one for New Line's pettiness at trying to squeeze more money out of a movie and not coming out with an official, one-time version of the movie. Shame on you New Line!

National Geographic Beyond the Movie - The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring

Average customer rating:

Interesting
Has nothing to do with the film.Do not buy it.
Not quite what I wanted.
LoTR Fans: Save Your Money
About history more than myth...

National Geographic Beyond the Movie - The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring
Starring: John Howe (II) , Phil Crowley , Peter McHugh , Oliver Muirhead , and Alan Lee (II)
Director: Lisa Kors
Manufacturer: Nat'l Geographic Vid
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005UV3Q
Release Date: 2002-02-19

Amazon.com

The connection between National Geographic and The Lord of the Rings may seem tentative, but this illuminating TV special proves otherwise. While incorporating cast and crew interviews and film clips from director Peter Jackson's 2001 blockbuster The Fellowship of the Ring, this hourlong documentary transcends timely opportunism to explore the myriad inspirations for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy classic, beginning with the influence of Tolkien's idyllic childhood in rural England, which served as the model for Tolkien's threatened Hobbit paradise. Equally fascinating are the influence of Tolkien's experience in World War I, the "evil" of industrial development, and especially the influence of Anglo-Saxon poetry (notably Beowulf) and the mythology of the Finnish Kalevala, which formed the basis of Tolkien's elfish culture. Tolkien's passion for nature conservancy and cultural preservation is what ultimately serves the National Geographic agenda, but eloquent testimonials by archaeologists, anthropologists, and filmmakers make this a most agreeable hour of justified propaganda. --Jeff Shannon

Description

National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings explores throught provoking questions for viewers who want to go beyond the richly fanciful film into the world that started it all.

Customer Reviews:

Interesting.......2004-12-26

I thought it was very interesting. I was intrigued by the ideas of Tolkien'a life as presented by National Geographics. As well as the influences that went into the "Lord of the Rings." I found it very insightful. I've studied Tolkien before maybe that is why I enjoyed this more than other reviewers.

Has nothing to do with the film.Do not buy it........2004-04-10

This National Geographic DVD has nothing to do with the actual film. It just compares the characters with real life characters.
Save your money and do not buy it for it is irellevant to the film. Tolkien repeatedly said that his Lord Of The Rings books were not allegorical and yet we still have those that like to use it to make up their own revisionist history.
Shame on you National Geographic for selling this piece of tripe.

Not quite what I wanted........2004-01-31

I purchased this DVD hoping to find an exploration into the historical and anthropological background to Lord of the Rings. Did it deliver? Well...sort of.

It gives us some information (precious little) about the life and times of J.R.R. Tolkien - but nothing much that we did not all ready know: he fought in World War I, he was from the English countryside and was not a fan of industrialization, he was educated and taught at Oxford, etc.

Some insight is provided into the historical aspect of the Trilogy. Tolkien was heavily influenced by Beowulf and Anglo-Saxon history. Most illuminating was the discussion of the Nordic Kalevala, and the possible roots of Elvish. (For all you MST 3K fans out there, the Kalevala is the source of the Sampo).

Where I feel the documentary went wrong is that there is not enough of such material. Instead, it comes off as too much of a plug for the movie The Fellowship of the Ring. It is chock full of interviews with Peter Jackson and the cast and would certainly be at home as an extra on the DVD. It also tries to justify its existence by providing parallels between themes in the book (like nature conservation) and our world today.

Unfortunately, we live in a time when we seem to be at war every other year. Sauron's and Saruman's abound. It is not too hard for us to find the parallels between Earth and Middle-earth for ourselves. As Christopher Lee puts it at the end of the documentary, "Where is the Ring Bearer now?"

Where indeed?

LoTR Fans: Save Your Money.......2003-12-17

This is getting one star because you can't give it a half star.

The worst part about this DVD is that it doesn't do a good job at masking the fact that's its not really educational- it feels more like a long winded commercial for the movie. It hits on historical bits and points here and there but never goes into much detail. Additionally, it just seems to wander from point to point without a lot of structure.

Sleep inducing, really.

Save your money.
LoTR can easily sell itself without the help.

About history more than myth..........2003-12-07

How sad that so many so-called fans of LOTR don't want to think about the actual meaning of the story. Tolkien's passions, his influences, the things he most valued and most feared, permeate the Lord of the Rings, and it is his life and influences that this documentary explores, not a behind-the-scenes look at the movies. If you want to see how the movies were made, there are plenty of other dvds to watch. One review said Tolkien would be horrified at this documentary; on the contrary, he would probably be fascinated by all the "boring" parts about nature, language and vanishing culture!

Secrets of Middle-Earth - Inside Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring"

Average customer rating:

Great In-Depth Analysis

Secrets of Middle-Earth - Inside Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring"
Starring: J.R.R. Tolkien , and Patrick Curry
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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J.R.R. Tolkien - Master of the Rings

ASIN: B00009RXKL
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Description

Using the latest mapping techniques and the brilliant art of the Brothers Hildebrandt, follow the journey of Frodo and the rest of the Fellowship. Visit fantastic locations throughout Middle-earth, including Isengard, the Mines of Moria, and Barad-dur - the Fortress of Sauron. Learn more about intriguing characters such as the White Wizard Saruman, Galadriel, and Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. This magical and entertaining program also reveals the influences that shaped Tolkien's remarkable work and examines the intricate themes that he wove into this great epic. Featuring amazing new insights by renowned authorities, this film takes you deeper into this great book than ever before.

Customer Reviews:

Great In-Depth Analysis.......2004-05-16

This video is pretty good. It goes into the story and explains how and where the ideas came to be. It's much more in depth than the bonus footage you get with the movies...I suggest however that you purchase the 4 pack with all the titles from this collection, instead of paying for each one. I must admit though, these videos are definite must haves for any Tolkien fan.

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