MY DVD Collection - 09 Feb 2007

The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring

(Der Herr der Ringe - Die Gefährten [de])

New Zealand / USA 2001
d: Peter Jackson
Warner Home Video (Region 2 de)

>> The Cast & Crew [click to show or hide]

rt: 218:47 (+4%PAL= 227) min
dvd-rl: 18 Nov 2003
ar: 2.35:1 (16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen)
sd: English Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German DTS-ES 6.1 (discrete) • Audio Commentary 1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 2 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 3 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 4 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
st: German, English, German (captions)
supp: 4-Disc Special Extended DVD Edition
DISC 1
• The Film (101:18 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast
DISC 2
• The Film (continued) (117:29 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers (continued)
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast (continued)
DISC 3 - "The Appendices Part One - From Book To Vision"
• Introduction (by Peter Jackson) (1 min)
• "J.R.R. Tolkien: Creator Of Middle Earth" documentary (22 min)
• "From Book To Script" documentary (20 min)
• Visualizing The Story: "Storyboards And Pre-Viz: Making Words Into Images" featurette (13 min) - Early Storyboards: 'The Prologue' (8 min); 'Orc Pursuit Into Lothlorien' (2 min); 'Sarn Gebir Rapids Chase' (2 min) - Pre-Viz Animatics: 'Gandalf Rides To Orthanc' (1 min); 'The Stairs Of Khazad-Dum' (2 min) - Animatic To Film Comparisons: 'Storyboard To Film Comparison: Nazgul Attack At Bree' (2min) (3 Angles); 'Pre-Viz To Film Comparison: The Bridge Of Khazad-Dum' (3 min) (3 Angles) - "Bag End Set Test" featurette (7 min)
• Designing And Building Middle-Earth: "Designing Middle-Earth" documentary (41 min) - "Weta Workshop" documentary (43 min) - "Costume Design" featurette (12 min) - Design Galleries (1000s of images): 'The Peoples Of Middle-Earth'; 'The Realms Of Middle-Earth'
• Middle-Earth Atlas feature (Map of Middle-Earth)
• New Zealand As Middle-Earth:Hobbiton (1 min) - Weathertop (1 min) - Ford Of Bruinen (1 min) - Rivendell (1 min) - Lothlorien (1 min) - River Anduin (2 min) - Amon Hen (2 min)
DISC 4 - "The Appendices Part Two - From Vision To Reality"
• Introduction (by Elijah Wood) (0:29)
• Filming The Fellowship Of The Ring: "The Fellowship Of The Cast" documentary (35 min): "A Day In The Life Of A Hobbit" featurette (13 min); "Cameras In Middle-Earth" documentary (50 min); Production Photos (100s of images)
• Visual Effects: "Scale" featurette (16 min) - Miniatures: "Big-atures" featurette (16 min); Galleries (100s of images) - "Weta Digital" documentary (25 min)
• Post Production: Putting It All Together: "Editiorial: Assembling An Epic" featurette (13 min) - Editorial Demonstration: "The Council Of Elrond" (2 min) (7 Angles)
• "Digital Grading" featurette (12 min)
• Sound And Music: "The Soundscapes Of Middle-Earth" featurette (13 min) - "Music For Middle-Earth" featurette (13 min)
• "The Road Goes Ever On..." featurette (7 min)
• Easter eggs: DISC 2: Go to the last page of the Scene Selections Menu and move to the last Chapter Numbers Selection (48). Press [Down] to reveal a silhouette of Two Towers. Press [Enter], and you'll get access to the Two Towers Preview Clip originally shown after the End Credits of The Fellowship Of The Ring (4 min) - DISCS 3 and 4: Go to the Main Menu and press [Down] from the last choice to highlight the icon at the centre of the bottom. Press [Enter] to access the DVD Production Credits
• 8-Page Booklet (with Fold-Out Appendices Map)
• Packaged in a 4-Disc Digi-Pack (featuring Production Sketches and Artwork) housed in a Custom Slipcase

>> Reviews [click to show or hide]

Unlike so many big budget productions, the first movie instalment of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth trilogy doesn't condescend to a teenage audience, but creates a sophisticated universe which abides by its own laws: a primordial world older than history and legend, back in the realm of myth. Here young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Wood) comes into possession of the ring of power - a talisman of evil so potent it corrupts everyone who touches it. Under the guidance of the wizard Gandalf (McKellen), Frodo escapes the clutches of the fearsome ring wraiths along with his faithful friend Sam (Astin), and heads for the kingdom of the elves, where they hope to thwart the encroaching forces of doom. Mostly, the film makes light work of Tolkien's richly Celtic imagination. You don't so much admire its virtuoso camerawork as lose yourself in the grandeur of the Gothic design, the bucolic Shire and mountain ranges riddled with mines and fire pits. Granted, there's a sermonising element which invites parody, but it never wants for menace (parents should probably steer young children clear). In unveiling the Holy Grail for action-fantasy aficionados, director and co-writer Peter Jackson has begun a series to rival Star Wars in the pantheon.
— TCh, Time Out Film Guide
•••••
•••••
An extraordinary work, grandly conceived, brilliantly executed and wildly entertaining. It's a hobbit's dream, a wizard's delight. And, of course, it's only the beginning.
— Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
•••••
Though faithful in every detail to Tolkien, it has a vigorous life of its own -- grandeur, moral heft and emotional depth.
— Time, Richard Corliss
•••••
New Zealand director Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures) has joined Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens in adapting the celebrated fantasy trilogy of J.R.R. Tolkien into three features, of which this is the first. It's full of scenic splendors with a fine sense of scale, but its narrative thrust seems relatively pro forma, and I was bored by the battle scenes.
— Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
•••••
Back in the day, the whole idea of a Lord of the Rings movie would have seemed a desecration. Where Ralph Bakshi's ill-fated and largely forgotten animated version lacked gravitas, Jackson has marshaled all manner of digital wizardry in the service of Tolkien's pre-technological fantasy of doughty little creatures defeating the forces of absolute evil. The effects are more literal than literary and less archaic than newfangled. Utopia exists: Not only have Ian Holm, who plays Bilbo Baggins, and Elijah Wood, as his nephew Frodo, been reduced to an imaginary hobbit height of three feet, but Liv Tyler's Elvish princess seems to have enjoyed some sort of virtual liposuction. Indeed, impossible crane shots notwithstanding, everything feels visually enhanced. Even the unnaturally green and rolling New Zealand landscape has seemingly been improved with impossible gorges and canyons.
Although the Elvish settlement of Rivendell resembles an Alpine ski lodge for garden gnomes, and the more rustic Elves of Mirkwood would appear to dwell in a kind of tree house expansion of the Enchanted Tiki Room, the movie only rarely achieves a sense of kitsch grandeur—as in the image of colossal statues in the river mist. More often, it's a cluttered attic of cloying pre-Raphaelite visual notions. The equivalent of Tolkien's often turgid descriptions, a single Jackson image is likely to include falling leaves, cascading water, and streaming sunlight (not to mention the sound of panpipes in the gloaming). The strongest sequence is virtually monochromatic, for being set amid the ruined columns of a vast underground city.
— J. Hoberman
•••••
The Extended Edition DVD includes the following changes to the film.
During the prologue, more is shown of the ambush and death of Isuldur, emphasizing his betrayal by the Ring.
After the prologue, we open with a close-up of the Middle Earth map and pan to hear Bilbo writing his book, starting with a description of hobbits. This voices over scenes around Hobbiton and Gandalf and Frodo's meeting. Much of the Gandalf-Frodo dialogue is removed
When Gandalf and Bilbo are in Bag End, Bilbo notes that the people knocking on his door are the Sackville-Bagginses.
During the party, Bilbo greet a guest, then hides from the S.B's with Frodo. He tells Frodo how much the latter means to him.
After the Ringwraiths set out, the Hobbits are shown dancing and singing in the Green Dragon Inn. References are made to troubles in the outside world and Frodo encourages Sam about Rosie Cotton.
After Frodo and Sam set out, they hear singing and run to find the woodelves leaving for the Gray Havens.
After the company leaves Bree, they pass through the Midgewater Marshes. Later, Aragorn brings a killed deer to the hobbits. Frodo wakes up late at night to hear Aragorn singing about Beren and Luthien.
The stone trolls are show in close up and mentioned by Sam.
Dialogue between Aragon and Boromir during the "still sharp" scene with Narsil.
In the Council of Elrond, Boromir mentions his dream and reaches for the Ring. Gandalf recites the poem "One Ring to rule them all.." in black speech, causing the ground to shake and sun to go dark and provoking Elrond.
After the Council of Elrond, Aragorn visits his mother's grave and remembers Elrond telling him of his destiny. This followed another scene in which the company are sent off by Elrond and the elves.
Gandalf stops Frodo as they approach Moria to warn him about the Ring's power growing.
In the mines, Gandalf mentions mithril and lights up an old mithril mine. He notes the value of Bilbo's mithril shirt.
Additional fight scenes during the battle in the Chamber of the Marzabul.
Lothlorien is completely revised. The company are first on Haldir's flet with the Elves distrusting Gimli and leery of Frodo.
Scene of the elves and the company approaching Caras Galadhon
More dialogue when Celeborn and Galadriel meet the company
Sam recites a poem verse about Gandalf
Galadriel acknowledges her possession of one of the elf-rings
As the Fellowship leaves, Galadriel gives them each a personalized gift that will end up being critical to their future. Legolas gets a special bow, Sam gets some elven rope that comes in handy when he faces a giant spider in The Two Towers, and a touching moment between Gimli and Galadriel.
Celeborn gives Aragorn a knife before they leave and warns them they are being tracked by something
Boromir spots Gollum following the boats. Sam tries to get Frodo to eat or sleep. An exchange between Aragorn and Boromir about going to Minas Tirith before setting off for Mordor.
Extra action in the final battle.
An important extra line of dialogue in Boromir's final scence.
The SE also includes 10-15 minutes of fan club credits.

The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers

(Der Herr der Ringe - Die zwei Türme [de])

New Zealand / USA / Germany 2002
d: Peter Jackson
Warner Home Video (Region 2 de)

>> The Cast & Crew [click to show or hide]

>> The DVD [click to show or hide]

rt: 225:44 (+4%PAL= 235) min
dvd-rl: 18 Nov 2003
ar: 2.35:1 (16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen)
sd: English Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German DTS-ES 6.1 (discrete) • Audio Commentary 1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 2 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 3 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 4 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
st: English, German, German (captions)
supp: 4-Disc Special Extended DVD Edition
DISC 1
• The Film (102:11 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast
DISC 2
• The Film (continued) (123:33 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers (continued)
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast (continued)
DISC 3 - "The Appendices Part Three - The Journey Continues..."
• Introduction (by Peter Jackson) (2mins)
• "J.R.R. Tolkien: Origins Of Middle Earth" documentary (29 min)
• "From Book To Script: Finding The Story" documentary (21 min)
• Designing And Building Middle-Earth: "Designing Middle-Earth" documentary (46 min) - "Weta Workshop" documentary (44 min) - Design Galleries (1642 images): 'The Peoples Of Middle-Earth'; 'The Realms Of Middle-Earth'
• Gollum: "The Taming Of Sméagol" documentary (40 min) - Andy Serkis Animation Reference (2 min) - Gollum's "Stand In" (3 min) - Design Gallery: Gollum (95 images)
• Middle-Earth Atlas feature (Map of Middle-Earth)
• New Zealand As Middle-Earth: Emyn Muil (2mins) - The Dead Marshes (2 min) - Rohan (3 min) - Edoras (2 min) - Ithilien (2 min) - Fangorn Forest (2 min) - Helm's Deep (2 min)
DISC 4 - "The Appendices Part Four - The Battle For Middle-Earth Begins"
• Introduction (by Elijah Wood) (1min)
• Filming The Two Towers: "Warriors Of The Third Age" documentary (21 min) - "Cameras In Middle-Earth" documentary (68 min) - Production Photos (60 images)
• Visual Effects: Minatures: "Big-atures" documentary (22 min); The Flooding Of Isengard Animatic: 'Original Animatic' (2 min); 'Split Screen Comparison' (1 min); Galleries (204 images) - "Weta Digital" documentary (27 min) - Abandoned Concepts: 'Slime Balrog' (27 images); 'Endless Stair' (4 images)
• "Editorial: Refining The Story" documentary (22 min)
• Music And Sound: "Music For Middle-Earth" documentary (25 min) - "The Soundscapes Of Middle-Earth" documentary (21 min) - Sound Demonstration: "Helm's Deep" (1 min)
• "The Battle For Helm's Deep Is Over..." featurette (9 min)
• Easter eggs: DISC 1: Go to the last page of the Scene Selections Menu and Select "Of Herbs And Stewed Rabbit". Press [Down] to reveal a Hidden Ring Symbol. Press [Enter], and you'll get access to the "MTV Movie Awards" Clip of Andy Serkis (and Gollum) accepting the Award for Best Virtual Performance (3 min) - DISCS 3 and 4: Go to the Main Menu and press [Down] from the last choice to highlight the icon at the centre of the bottom. Press [Enter] to access the DVD Production Credits
• 8-Page Booklet (with Fold-Out Appendices Map)
• Packaged in a 4-Disc Digi-Pack (featuring Production Sketches and Artwork) housed in a Custom Slipcase

>> Reviews [click to show or hide]

Sean Astin as Frodo's stout-hearted companion Sam brought the first film into emotional focus, as they set off for the perils of Mordor together in its bravely anti-climactic last scene. And Sam brings a lump to the throat this time too, as he waxes lyrical about the meaning of their quest: how ordinary folk must endure dark times and search for good in this world. The centrepiece in the Tolkien triptych is more of the same. Much, much more. Those who found The Fellowship of the Ring exhaustingly episodic will not be encouraged by the proliferation of subplots here: Mortensen's Aragorn emerges as a charismatic leader; Pippin and Merryweather get lost in the woods; Arwen is token romantic interest; Gandalf is resurrected only to disappear for most of the running time; while Frodo and Sam are sidetracked by a CGI Gollum with a split personality. A naked, scuttling creature of debasement and deceit, Gollum exposes the insidious corruptive power hanging round Frodo's neck. In size and scale, Jackson has redefined the word 'epic' - but his attention to the small things really gives this series its awesome stature.
— TCh, Time Out Film Guide
•••••
Fans of the first movie (who are politely invited to stop reading at the semi-colon and get in line) will not be disappointed; neophytes (listen up) may find the endless mixing it up with digital hordes a bit wearisome, even if the combatants are horrific hyena-riding orcs. The much-beloved Ents—walking trees to you—have a pop surrealist panache that suggests the greening of Salvador Dalí. Not even elf ears can do much for Liv Tyler in the thankless, underwritten role of an Elvish princess in love with the valiant Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen). So far as human interest goes, the movie is stolen by a cyborg performance of the highest order: the pitiful Gollum (Andy Serkis, radically modified). A sneaky, clammy, amphibious creature with (as Faramir, brother of Boromir, unnecessarily points out) "an ill-favored look," Gollum is the soul of the movie—particularly after his consciousness begins to fissure.
— J. Hoberman
•••••
Towers, while not quite so varied as Fellowship in its moods and settings, has a grave gusto that energizes every moment...a thrilling work of film craft.
— Time, Richard Corliss
•••••
Moviegoers should be almost as entranced by the teeming, glorious landscapes and dark, bloody battlegrounds of Two Towers: astonishing midpoint of an epic movie fantasy journey for the ages.
— Chicago Tribune, Michael Wilmington
•••••
A l'ennui s'ajoute alors un plaisir tranquille de l'exploration assistée, celui-là même qui rend pour un tant supportables les mauvaix jeux vidéo plastiquement réussis.
— Cahiers du Cinéma - Erwan Higuinen
•••••
In November 2003, an extended edition was released on DVD with over 40 minutes of new footage. The EE is a complete re-cut of the movie and almost every scene includes small changes in framing, pacing, dialogue or camera angle. Major changes are listed (spoiler warning):
After Frodo wakes up, there is a scene of Frodo and Sam descending a cliff with the help of the elvish rope. The title now appears over a panoramic shot of the hills.
There is a brief shot of Frodo and Sam huddled under their cloaks during a rain storm, with Gollum following.
After his taming, Gollum debates whether to take the hobbits to Mordor or not
The first scene with Merry and Pippin is expanded. It is made clear that there are two groups of orcs, one from Mordor and one from Isengard. They also force Merry to drink a vile orc draught.
In Saruman's first scene, he orders his orcs to cut down Fangorn forest to feed the fires of Isengard and the wildmen swear allegiance to him.
An extended sequence in which Eomer finds Theodred at the Fords of Isen and brings him back to Edoras.
When Eomer is banished, he is presented with a banishment order signed by King Theoden.
In the camp outside of Fangorn, extra dialogue makes it clear that the orcs think Merry or Pippen has the Ring. An orc sneaks up behind the hobbits and is about to attack them when he is beheaded (thus correcting a goof in the theatrical version). There is also a little more action when the Rohirrim massacre the orcs.
During the passage of the marshes, Gollum refuses to eat the elvish bread. There is additional dialogue between Frodo, Sam and Gollum.
Lots of extra dialogue in the Gandalf reappearance scene, including Legolas noting the the elves taught the trees to talk and Gandalf predicting that Merry and Pippin will rouse the Ents.
While taking the Hobbits to his home, Treebeard recites poetry that puts the hobbits to sleep. He then leaves them there, going off to summon the Ents.
During the ride to Edoras, Gandalf and the others camp for the night. Gandalf and Aragorn discuss the coming war and Frodo's quest. Part of this was in the trailer.
After the Black Gate sequence is a new scene. Merry and Pippin drink from a stream near Treebeard's home and grow taller. They are then attacked by a tree before being rescued by Treebeard. Treebeard then tells them about the Entwives.
After Aragorn stops Theoden from killing Wormtongue, he extends his hand to Grima. Grima spits on it and then runs off.
A brief funeral scene for Theodred which includes Eowyn singing.
A new scene in which Aragorn calms Theodred's horse Brego and sets him loose. (This is the horse that later picks up Aragorn beside the stream).
A new scene in which Grima describes Aragorn to Saruman, who scoffs at the "Heir of Isulder". This was seen in the trailer.
Before leaving Edoras, Theoden assures his squire that they will return.
Extra dialogue when Sam and Frodo are captured by Faramir, emphasizing Faramir's dislike of war.
During the march to Helm's deep, Theoden tells Aragorn about Eowyn. Eowyn serves Aragorn a vile-looking stew during the trip and he tells her his remarkable age.
Additional dialogue in Arwen and Aragorn's parting.
When Frodo and Sam are brought to the cave, they are told that Boromir's cloven horn was found. Faramir then remembers a dream of Boromir's funeral boat passing him on the river. This leads to an extended flashback of Boromir and Farmair reclaiming Osgiliath from Mordor. Denethor (their father) expresses his disappointment with Faramir and then sends Boromir to Rivendell to claim the Ring.
Faramir's men beat up Gollum after catching him.
Right before the women and children are sent into the caves, Eowyn asks Aragorn to let her fight beside him.
During the preparation at Helm's Deep, there is a cut to the Entmoot. Treebeard tells the Hobbits the Ents have just finished saying "Good morning".
A little more fighting during the battle at Helm's Deep.
After Treebeard discovers the destroyed part of the forest and sounds the alarm, thousands of trees depart to join the battle at Helm's Deep.
When the orcs retreat from Helm's Deep, they find a forest waiting to destroy them.
We find out who won the orc-killing contest between Gimli and Legolas.
After the destruction of Isengard, Merry and Pippen discover a rich larder of food, including a supply of pipe-weed.
Faramir shows Frodo and Sam a way out of the city. He realized that Gollum's secret route is Cirith Ungol and advises Frodo not to take it, then threatens Gollum.

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King

(Der Herr der Ringe - Die Rückkehr des Königs [de])

New Zealand / USA / Germany 2003
d: Peter Jackson
Warner Home Video (Region 2 de)

>> The Cast & Crew [click to show or hide]

>> The DVD [click to show or hide]

rt: 252:22 (+4%PAL= 263) min
dvd-rl: 10 Nov 2004
ar: 2.35:1 (16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen)
sd: English Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German Dolby Digital 6.1 Surround EX • German DTS-ES 6.1 (discrete) • Audio Commentary 1 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 2 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 3 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo • Audio Commentary 4 Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
st: English, German, German (captions)
supp: 4-Disc Special Extended DVD Edition
DISC 1
• The Film (122:21 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast
DISC 2
• The Film (continued) (130:01 min)
• Audio Commentary 1 by The Director And Writers (continued)
• Audio Commentary 2 by The Design Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 3 by The Production/ Post-Production Team (continued)
• Audio Commentary 4 by The Cast (continued)
DISC 3 - "The Appendices Part Five - The War Of The Ring"
• Introduction (by Peter Jackson) (2 min)
• "J.R.R. Tolkien: The Legacy Of Middle-Earth" documentary (30 min)
• From Book To Script: "From Book To Script: Forging The Final Chapter" documentary (25 min) - Abandoned Concept: 'Aragorn Battles Sauron' (5 min)
• Designing And Building Middle-Earth: "Designing Middle-Earth" documentary (40 min)- "Big-atures" documentary (20 mins) - "Weta Workshop" documentary (47 min) - "Costume Design" featurette (12mins)- Design Galleries (2123 images): 'The Peoples Of Middle-Earth'; 'The Realms Of Middle-Earth'; 'Miniatures'
• "Home Of The Horse Lords" documentary (30 min)
• Middle-Earth Atlas feature (Map of Middle-Earth)
• New Zealand As Middle-Earth: East Ithilien (3 min) - Dunharrow (2 min) - Paths Of The Dead (2 min) - The Pelennor Fields (3 min) - The Black Gate (2 min) - Mordor (3 min)
DISC 4 - "The Appendices Part Six - The Passing Of An Age"
• Introduction (by Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan) (2 min)
• Filming The Return Of The King: "Cameras In Middle-Earth" documentary (73 min) - Production Photos (69 images)
• Visual Effects: "Weta Digital" documentary (42 min) - Visual Effects Demonstration: "The Mumakil Battle" (0:31 min) (7 Angles) (with Optional Commentary)
• Post Production - Journey's End: "Editorial: Completing The Trilogy" documentary (22 min) - "Music For Middle-Earth" documentary (22 min) - "The Soundscapes Of Middle-Earth" documentary (22 min) - "The End Of All Things" documentary (21 min)
• "The Passing Of An Age" documentary (25 min)
• "Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration For 'Into the West'" documentary (32 min)
• Short Films: "DFK6498" (Directed by Cameron Duncan) (5 min); "Strike Zone" (Directed by Cameron Duncan) (11 min)
• Easter eggs: DISC 1: Go to the last page of the Scene Selections Menu and Select "The Siege Of Gondor". Press [Down] to reveal a Hidden Ring Symbol. Press [Enter], and you'll get access to a Spoof Interview with Dominic Monaghan and Elijah Wood (9 min) - DISC 2: Go to the last page of the Scene Selections Menu and Select "Fan Club Credits". Press [Down] to reveal a Hidden Ring Symbol. Press [Enter], and you'll get access to an "MTV Movie Awards" Clip involving Ben Stiller and Peter Jackson (6 min) - DISCS 3 and 4: Go to the Main Menu and press [Down] from the last choice to highlight the icon at the centre of the bottom. Press [Enter] to access the DVD Production Credits
• 12-Page Booklet (with Fold-Out Appendices Map)
• Packaged in a 4-Disc Digi-Pack (featuring Production Sketches and Artwork) housed in a Custom Slipcase

>> Reviews [click to show or hide]

The first thing we see is a maggot wriggling on the end of a hook, and behind it, the grinning face of Smeagol (Serkis). It's a typically incisive piece of picture-making and storytelling, taking us back before The Fellowship to a time of supposed innocence and the moment of corruption - the rediscovery of the ring on the river bed. What follows may be the longest climax in film history: more than three hours of mad kings, massing troops, battle cries and ballyhoo. In terms of spectacle, there's nothing like it. Jackson has weight of numbers on his side. But for the first time in this mammoth undertaking, the director seems overwhelmed by logistics - and if he isn't, we are. Return of the King is no less dynamic than the previous chapters, but too much of the dialogue sounds like an orientation exercise. Some story strands are crudely abbreviated; others fail to develop elements that were already well-established. Given the inordinate running time, it's hard to avoid the feeling that we've already been here, done this. As to how the trilogy's themes of leadership, self-sacrifice, loyalty and honour speak to our own troubling times, Tolkien's anti-fascist allegory doesn't allow for ambivalence or ambiguity.
— TCh, Time Out Film Guide
•••••
The second half of the film elevates all the story elements to Beethovenian crescendo. Here is an epic with literature's depth and opera's splendor -- and one that could be achieved only in movies. What could be more terrific?
— Time, Richard Corliss
•••••
Represents that filmmaking rarity -- a third part of a trilogy that is decisively the best of the lot. With epic conflict, staggering battles, striking landscapes and effects, and resolved character arcs all leading to a dramatic conclusion to more than nine hours of masterful storytelling.
— Variety, Todd McCarthy
•••••
The most hallucinatory of war films, The Return of the King concludes the Lord of the Rings trilogy with a burst of smoky grandeur. As our suffering Frodo (Elijah Wood), his faithful Sam (Sean Astin), and the grotesque Gollum (Andy Serkis) continue on their mission behind enemy lines, Gondor is besieged. Will the United Nations of Middle Earth be too late? As a wizard tells an elf—or is it vice versa?—it's "the great battle of our time."
Be that as it may, Peter Jackson's hobbit epic is certainly the greatest feat of pop movie magic since Titanic—albeit more boy's tale than romance. Speaking as a deprogrammed, once-upon-a-time Tolkien cultist, I imagine that fans will be ecstatic. The multifarious characters all come to fruition; even if the movie hadn't had the mystical good fortune to coincide with the wars against the Taliban and Saddam Hussein, its complex mythology would still have the inevitability (and superior CGI) of a perfect storm. Truly, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts; it's fruitless to point out that Jackson's magnum opus is hermetic and overdetermined, lacking the visionary chutzpah and demented social energy that characterized the great pulp fantasies created by Fritz Lang in the 1920s, Die Nibelungen and Metropolis.
What else is there to compare this to? The Matrix trilogy imploded; the Star Wars series seems but a pale Tinkertoy Tolkien imitation. For three and a half hours, Jackson deploys multitudes of digital and digitally enhanced creatures—not just orcs and ents, but dive-bombing pterodactyls, Humvee mega mastodons, dragonic battering rams, lava ogres, and the scariest spider that ever spun a web. Conflict is eternal. The extravagant battle scenes are spiced with flash-forward telepathies and enlivened by stray shards of character psychology ...
Look, don't listen. (Aragorn's Agincourt speech is not exactly Shakespeare.) And, as Pippin learns from the peep stone, don't look at anything too long ere it begins to look back. The natural wonders of New Zealand notwithstanding, Jackson's visuals have a fusty, storybook quality. The besieged citadel Minas Tirith is a splendid Dubrovnik-like stone city, but in more contemplative moments, the production design tends toward the chintzy. The elf forest has the feel of an emptied-out tropical resort; the interiors have the cloying quality of a Victorian faerie painting. Yet, with four or five narratives to follow, there probably hasn't been so much parallel action in any movie since the Birth of a Nation or even Intolerance. It's so addictive that The Return of the King suffers when it returns to ordinary two-story suspense—not that the climactic cataclysm isn't suitably colossal, as the Black Tower crumbles, the Black Land collapses, Mount Doom erupts, and the Great Eye explodes.
In short, this Krakatoa is at once exhausting and riveting. It's a technological marvel, and for those not with the program, a bit of a bore. And that's before the interminable farewells, Celtic airs, longing looks, Shire celebrations, and expeditions into a New Age sea of light that make up the lugubrious closer. The Ring trilogy may be fiercely chaste, but its hobbituary denouement is gayer than anything in Angels in America. Now, there's a scenario worthy of Lang.
— J. Hoberman
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Le Retour du Roi, ultime volet d'un seul et même monument du cinéma, se pose sans ambages comme l'un des plus beaux films jamais réalisés. Une oeuvre d'émotion pure, un rêve de cinéma, l'expression d'une symbiose parfaite entre spectaculaire et intime.
— Positif - Yannick Dahan
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Jackson n'a toujours pas d'autre solution pour enjamber l'ampleur du récit que de faire courir en parallèle les actions, comme des sprinters dans des couloirs. A force de se cogner, les blocs narratifs s'unissent en épopée dérisoire. Tentant de retourner en force cette figure imposée, Jackson en annule pourtant toute efficacité.
— Cahiers du Cinéma - Jean-Philippe Tessé
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In December 2004, an extended edition of the movie was released on DVD, containing 50 minutes of new footage. It a complete re-cut of the movie and so almost every scene contains small changes in pacing, music, framing, etc. Some use slightly altered takes. Major changes are listed below (spoiler warning):
a) Some extra dialog in Merry and Pippin's first scene at Isengard, making them seem a little "stoned" from the pipe-weed.
b) A final confrontation between Gandalf and Saruman has been restored, including the final fates of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue and a slightly different acquisition of the Palantir.
c) The celebration at Edoras has a few extra little snippets, most notably a drinking game between Legolas and Gimli.
d) Right before Pippin takes the Palantir, Aragorn enters the Great Hall and has a conversation with Eowyn about a dream she had.
e) Extra dialog from Merry when Gandalf and Pippin leave.
f) An extra line of dialog when Pippin meets Denethor.
g) After Gandalf storms out of the White Tower, he has a long monologue explaining the history of Gondor to Pippin.
h) A new scene with Frodo, Sam and Gollum centered on the discovery of a ruined and defaced statue at the crossroads.
i) When Pippin and Gandalf are talking on the balcony, an alternate take is used in which Gandalf chokes on his pipe smoke.
j) After Frodo and Sam begin climbing the stairs, Sam warns and threatens Gollum not to betray them.
k) Additional footage when the Orcs cross the river showing they take the Gondorians by surprise.
l) More dialog from Faramir and more violence as well.
m) A scene in which Merry asks to serve Theoden and Gimli and Legolas wonder what is happening in Gimli's home.
n) After Faramir arrives in Gondor, there is a scene where Denethor confronts him for not taking the Ring, which includes an appearance by Boromir.
o) An additional scene between Pippin and Faramir before the former swears fealty to Denethor.
p) Additional dialog when Faramir is riding out of Gondor.
q) Additional lines from Eomer after he tells Eowyn not to encourage Merry.
r) An additional line of dialog when Aragorn says farewell to Eowyn.
s) More dialog from Legolas when he explains the Paths of the Dead. The Paths of the Dead sequence is heavily revised, including the appearance of thousands of skulls, wispy ghosts, an earthquake and Aragorn's emergence from the mountain.
t) We see Gothmog dismounting the warg as the siege of Gondor begins; additional action during the siege of Gondor, including the Orcs using a small battering ram on the gates and cheering on the approach of Grond.
u) A new scene in which Aragorn attacks the Corsair ships, which includes a cameo by Peter Jackson.
v) A scouting report is brought to Theoden on his way to Gondor; a conversation between Merry and Eowyn.
w) More footage as Denethor takes Faramir to be cremated alive.
x) As Gandalf is riding to rescue Faramir, he is attacked by the Witch King.
y) The charge of the Rohirrim is moved to after this scene.
z) Another line of dialog before Denethor lights his pyre.
aa) More action during the battle of the Pelennor, including a fight between Gothmog and Eowyn.
bb) After Eowyn kills the Witch King, Gothmog tries to finish her off.
cc) Pippin's search for Merry is much longer and he finds him at night.
dd) Eomer finds Eowyn on the field and mourns when he thinks she is dead. A restored healing sequence between Aragorn and Eowyn.
ee) A much longer fight among the Orcs in the tower of Cirith Ungol.
ff) After Sam rescues Frodo, we see a surviving Orc sneaking off with the Mithril shirt.
gg) Aragorn finds a Palantir in the White Tower and confronts Sauron.
hh) Faramir and Eowyn meet in Minas Tirith after Aragorn leaves.
ii) Frodo and Sam are captured by Orcs while trying to get to Mount Doom.
jj) Near Mt. Doom, Frodo and Sam throw away the last of their gear.
kk) While resting, Sam sees a star through the clouds.
ll) At the Black Gate, the Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Pippin, Merry, and Eomer are first confronted by the Mouth of Sauron. (This also induces a goof as he has disappeared when they retreat from the gate.)
mm) More dialog when Gollum (acting as Smeagol) attacks Frodo on Mt. Doom.