LOTR Director's Cut Reviewed 315
popala writes "The first review is in on Home Theater Forum. There are a few screenshots from the unseen scenes and the whole thing is reviewed dvd by dvd! Although I don't like the review itself - I think it is a bit dry and not very journalistic, I do think it is still worth a read - even just a glance of the screenshots from cut scenes."
Finally! (Score:3, Insightful)
I wish it weren't still missing the whole Tom Bombadil sub-plot... But the 'spirit' of the book is there.
Tom Bombadil (Score:4, Insightful)
Tom's Greatest Hits (Score:5, Funny)
Now on Amazon.com at 20% off!
Re:Tom's Greatest Hits (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Tom's Greatest Hits (Score:5, Funny)
Shatner: Ol
Tom Bombadil is
a handsome
fellow
His shirt
is bright blue
and
his boots
yellow................
Oh My GOD! There's something out on the WING!!!
Director: CUT! CUT! CUT! Dammit Bill, get with the program. Why don't you take 5 and give your wife a call or something.... oops... sorry.
Tim Benzedrine (Score:2)
Re:Tom Bombadil (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Tom Bombadil (Score:3, Interesting)
(I NEVER liked the Tom Bombadil part of the story - it felt like it didn't fit one bit, but I did wish they would have kept some of the Barrow Downs in there. The Barrow Dows were important for two reasons: 1 - They explain why the swords the hobbits carry the rest of the story are magic, which as you mention becomes very important in the last book. 2 - It's a character development moment for Frodo, who plays the hero for the first time in the book by getting his friends out from the Barrow Downs with the help of the ring. The movie portrayed Frodo as much more of a chicken than he was in the book. In the book his problem was being too heroic and standing up to the bad guys when he was outclassed and really should have been running. In the book, thats' how the Ringwraith stabbed him with the magic blade that nearly killed him - Frodo jumped forward in front of his friends and tried to interpose himself between the wraith and his friends. - attacking it with his newly aquired barrow-down sword. He's a much more likable character in the book - very selfless and brave despite the fact that he isn't very good at fighting. One of the themes of the book is how he has to learn to use the help being provided to him by his friends and not carry the burden all himself.
Re:Tom Bombadil (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Tom Bombadil (Score:3, Insightful)
While Tom and Jar Jar are similar at first glance, a closer look will reveal pretty quickly how completely different from each other the two characters really are.
Still, I don't believe most people hated Jar Jar because he wasn't really an interesting character. They hate him because he's too "cutesy" and annoying. This, to me, is Tom Bombadil in a nutshell, despite how fleshed out either character is (or isn't)
I was glad to see that the TB storyline was not in the movie. It really would have ruined the dark, erious mood of the movie.
Re:Finally! (Score:3, Funny)
Careful what you wish for... (Score:2, Funny)
Experience the originals...one last time. .
Of course, the "Special Edition" theatrical re-release will just have some pointless new CG, and the "restored" scenes with Bombadil in a kilt talking like Butterfly McQueen, and it'll act to pave the way for the "prequels," which will in turn reduce Tolkein's vision to an insulting merchandising ploy and...oops. Wrong icon.
--
Lots of extras... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:3, Funny)
Liv Tyler vs. Elijah Wood?!? What red blooded American male would want to see Liv Tyler naked instead of Elijah Wood naked? Oh that's right, all you strange heterosexuals.
Dinivin
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:2)
I'd be curious to know how you've managed to get a look at both their asses.
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:2)
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:5, Funny)
He's so hot!
Re:Lots of extras... (Score:5, Funny)
I don't remember seeing Frodo's nude scene when it was in theatres
Yeah, who'd've thought they'd have to paste that hair on more than just his feet.
Jackson doesn't like "Director's Cut" (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Jackson doesn't like "Director's Cut" (Score:2)
Semantics only (Score:4, Informative)
He explained it something to the order of, it makes it seem like his vision was not carried out by the theatrical release.
Re:Jackson doesn't like "Director's Cut" (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Jackson doesn't like "Director's Cut" (Score:5, Informative)
I don't really see the appeal (Score:3, Funny)
Better, go back to the source: A copy of LOTR with a an epilogue by Prof. Tolkien saying "Well, I usually write with a 2B pencil, but they go blunt very easily... I use the SharpOMatic-800 sharpener, or sometimes I'll use a biro."
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:3, Insightful)
A director's cut is an edition of a film with scenes added or modified from the theatrical release -- presumably the suits forced modifications on the director, which he remedies on the DVD/video release. It's "what the director wanted". You're complaining about "Behind the Scenes" documentaries or something...
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:5, Informative)
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:2)
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:3, Interesting)
The Appeal of Knowlege (Score:4, Insightful)
If you don't care, or if you already knew, then do what a lot of people are going to do anyway: Get a copy from a friend who shelled out the extra bucks for the Director's Cut. (Or get the Cut and don't watch the extra footage.) No one's forcing you to watch it, just to pay for it, and not necessarily even that.
Re:The Appeal of Knowlege (Score:4, Funny)
I'm still cleaning the coffee off my monitor from the spit-take I did on that one.
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:5, Interesting)
Well I think it's very interesting, it's the equivalent of a copy of 1984 that I saw (and would have bought if I had the cash at the time), which was basically a copy of the original manuscripts, with the author's and editor's comments scribbled all over them.
When there's really a work of art that fascinates you, don't you feel an urge to know what went into putting it together?
-- Pete.
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:5, Interesting)
Disclaimer: this is only recommended for the hard-core or those who like a peek (OK, more than a peek; an exhaustive examination) into how a writer performs his craft. To the casual fan the whole project starts to seem like your dry-ceaning analogy.
Re:I don't really see the appeal (Score:2)
To make this even more perfect, imagine the above being read by Ben Stein.
Directors cut? (Score:3, Interesting)
I wish hollywood would stop trying to sell us something that we've already got again, on the pretext that it's got extra bits in that the director decided were a bad idea the first time round.
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2)
"Veritas, Aequitas"
Re:Directors cut? (Score:4, Informative)
Try to find the Japanese version. In the U.S. release, they drop down from the ceiling and fire two shots and the scene is over. In the NC-17 versions, there is a really sweet slow motion firefight. That is just one of the many things that they cut out in the U.S./Canadian release. I also hear that the Dutch version is pretty good, with some differences in audio and extras. The forums at the Boondock Saints website [theboondocksaints.com] have more info.
Re:Directors cut? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Directors cut? (Score:5, Funny)
is that a euphemism for cross dresser?
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2)
LOTR:SE QT Preview [lordoftherings.net]
Note, it's the same 4 minute preview from the original DVD for those of you who own it.
Re:Directors cut? (Score:4, Informative)
Actually the studio gets to decide what is released, and other editors get at the film after the director. He has input as to what is released, but the studio makes the final call. Often much of the directors vision is cut for time or to get a rating. So there really is a directos cut which is his vision of the film and a studio cut which is much more politically created.
Re:Directors cut? (Score:5, Informative)
As for 'bits that the director decided were a bad idea the first time around', excessively long films are bad for studios, since cinemas cannot show them as often. Whilst a 4 hour cut no doubt does more justice to FOTR, I'm sure Jackson had considerable pressure to make the theatrical release as short as possible.
I for one can't wait to get my copy
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2, Informative)
Good point.
They could have made it into six movies instead. Tolkein always insisted that LoTR was six books, often published in three volumes. I guess the studio got a bit worried that people might lose interest in those six years.
To which Tolkien are you referring? (Score:3, Informative)
No he didn't. Au contraire -- he wrote it as one book and was most miffed that it was published as three separate volumes. That was forced on him by the publishers, who were afraid the public wouldn't go for such a lengthy tome. (Depending on which account you read, this either happened right at the beginning or when Ace Books published it in America.)
Re:To which Tolkien are you referring? (Score:3, Informative)
I agree that Tolkien said that LOTR is all one book even though it is published as separate volumes.
But I disagree that JRRT was miffed that he was "forced" to publish it as three volumes. RoTK wasn't even complete when the Fellowship was published so the publisher couldn't have forced the breakup.
According to the information in the covers of my copies of the books:
FoTR: First published in 1954
TTT: First published in 1954
RoTK: First published in 1955
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2, Insightful)
Usually bean counters, nervous nellies, studio bigwigs who don't think the public will "get it", etc. Basically the people you can thank for you eventually having two or more versions of the same movie on home video. e.g. Theater Cut, "Directors Cut", Real Directors Cut, Boxed Set of Trilogy, Boxed Set or "Directors Cuts", Boxed Set of Real Directors Cuts.
And they wonder aloud why there's so much P2P sharing of video...
Re:Directors cut? (Score:4, Interesting)
My personal favorite of these if you get the chance, try watching the "Highlander: Endgame" 2 disc set. The first disc is the theatrical version. The second is the full version. The theatrical version had the interference of the studios and five (FIVE!!!?!?!?!?!) unrelated editors. The editors literally pulled setups to jokes out of the movie and left the punchlines at times. The fight scenes seem to be cut of the most exciting and interesting frames (why cut 1.5 seconds when someone's being kicked?). On second thought, these Highlander editors are pretty bad to start. Ever seen Highlander 2?
Fear the editors and studios. They have a lot more pull than you could imagine.
Re:Directors cut? (Score:2)
Thank you, slashdotting! (Score:5, Funny)
Don't click that link! (Score:5, Funny)
Don't you know that if you see an unseen scene you destroy it?
There's something very quantum mechanical about all this, I'm sure. But if you're content to merely contemplate the unseen scene, you can come near the Tao of Middle Earth.
Re:Don't click that link! (Score:2)
There is an easy fix for this: Put a towel over your head.
Not really the First Review (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/
Have both had their reviews up at the beginning of the week. You can also catch reviews of Star Trek III, Spider-man, etc.
Re:Not really the First Review (Score:5, Funny)
Sound about right?
Re:Not really the First Review (Score:2)
In Other News... (Score:4, Funny)
George Lucas was quoted, "There seems to be a bit of this going around."
Edited scenes (Score:5, Interesting)
I probably won't be buying this, but I hope someday to have a friend who does (take that, MPAA!) so that I can see the scene where Galadriel dispenses her gifts. Frankly, one of the biggest disapointments of FotR (which, largely, I really enjoyed) was the reduction of Gimli from character to caricature. I'd hope to see in that scene some glimmer of the Gimli that, IMHO, should have been, or have confirmed that Jackson simply had no idea of what to do with a dwarf and decided to settle for Stupid Dwarf Jokes.
Re:Edited scenes (Score:3, Informative)
"- The group is handed cloaks and food by the elves
as well as parting advice. Galadriel gives gifts
to each of the members. Gimli has a very
unlikely request. Wait till you hear what he
receives. "
It's in there.
Oh, come now. (Score:3, Insightful)
Gimli the Angry Drunken Dwarf (Score:5, Funny)
Other Reviews (Score:4, Informative)
OK, so we've got some extra scenes... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:OK, so we've got some extra scenes... (Score:4, Insightful)
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:OK, so we've got some extra scenes... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:OK, so we've got some extra scenes... (Score:2)
They really cut those 13 years down quick with a shot of Sam and Frodo leaving the pub.... heh
Re:OK, so we've got some extra scenes... (Score:4, Insightful)
It's a giant demon dripping fire from its skin looking really pissed off. You need a better reason than that to run away?
Not a troll (Score:3, Informative)
1) Were the two (yes, there were two not one) cars removed from the background of the farmyard scene?
2) Have the forest scenes been added? Many scenes of the forest were cut for looking too jungle-like (LOTR was filmed in New Zealand). Most shots of trees in the movie were of foreign pines and the like.
Re:Not a troll (Score:2)
Probably no cars.... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Not a troll (Score:2, Informative)
There was only one car. If you look closely you'll see that the other 'car' is smoke coming from a chimney in the distance. The one car has already been removed on the regular DVD.
Preaching to the Choir (Score:2, Insightful)
as well as parting advice. Galadriel gives gifts
to each of the members. Gimli has a very
unlikely request. Wait till you hear what he
receives.
I wonder... Could it be a strand of hair? He forgets, most people have read the book and are eagerly waiting for those cut parts to be re-introduced into the film.
Not director's cut. Call it extended edition (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Not director's cut. Call it extended edition (Score:3, Funny)
Here's The Text, but with some formatting (Score:5, Informative)
Studio: New Line Year: 2001 Rated: PG-13 Film Length: 208 minutes Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (2.35:1) Subtitles: English
One ring to rule them all, One ring to find them, One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
Published in 1954-1955, J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece Lord Of The Rings trilogy still remains one of the most definitive works of imaginary fiction ever written. The extraordinary efforts to get this trilogy to the screen is a testament of how popular these stories are today. Featuring 350 constructed sets, 100 or more locations, and 20,602 extras, this is the largest film project ever undertaken by a studio. New Line took a huge gamble and risked everything by filming all three movies back-to-back without knowing the fate of the original release. That gamble obviously paid off as Fellowship of the Ring grossed a phenomenal $157 million in just 12 days and held the No. 1 spot for weeks since its opening.
Perhaps the most significant testament to the film's success lies in how magnificently the book was adapted to the screen. I was a pre-teen when I first read the entire trilogy. The book sparked my imagination like no other book has since. Never would I have believed that anyone could capture my imaginations and put them on the screen. Production designer Grant Major and art director Dan Hennah have created a visual masterpiece -- from the wonderfully pleasing Shire to the soaring elven town of Rivendell to Moria, the dwarven caves deep inside a mountain. The incredibly varied terrain of New Zealand was used to great advantage in the movie, and it was very difficult to tell what was natural scenery and what was constructed set or even computer generated effects.
Set in the mythical land of Middle Earth, in an era of goblins and wizards, the evil Lord Sauron and his dark forces once again threaten to rule all. The fate of the world relies on who possesses the one ring, which holds unspeakable power. Lord Sauron created the ring out of the fiery depths of Doom Mountain years and years ago, but it was during a battle where Sauron was killed that the ring changed hands. The ring is lost once again only to be found by Gollum, a lowly creature that gets poisoned by its power. The ring is eventually stolen by a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. And so, this is where the trilogy begins.....
As the film opens, Gandalf the Wizard (Ian McKellen) is visiting his old Hobbit friend, Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm). When Bilbo makes a daring announcement to a group of party guests, Gandalf realizes that Bilbo is in possession of a very important ring. Gandalf convinces Bilbo to give up the ring, and give it to the very young Frodo (Elijah Wood). When the secret of the ring is finally revealed to the old Wizard, Frodo is warned to leave the Shire at once. However, evil agents are already on their trail. Pursued by dark riders, the Hobbits are forced to team up with a mysterious stranger named Strider (Viggo Mortensen). The reluctant adventurers make their way to Rivendell, a temporary safe haven, where a grand council decides the ring must be destroyed by returning it to the fire from which it was made. With reluctance, nine chosen companions embark on a most perilous quest.
The Director's Cut
It is not until you watch this Director's cut that you realize how much bigger-than-life this epic has become. The film becomes a totally fresh and new viewing experience mainly thanks to the film's cleverly reconstructed 15-minute opening, which is included in the addition of 30 minutes of footage that greatly flesh out the characters and bring more depth to the story. As many times as I have seen this film in its standard version, this new cut was an awe-inspiring experience for me. I'll never watch the standard version again.
The Lord Of The Rings: FOTR arrives in a brand new 4-disc edition housed inside an attractive book-like casing. The movie is spread across discs One and Two. This means that nearly 1:45 minutes into the film, you will need to switch to disc two in order to continue. The upside is that this enables the inclusion of four new audio commentaries as well as several audio formats including English Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround and English DTS ES 6.1 Surround. The downside is that when you switch discs, you must go into the SETUP area and once again set your audio preferences. The bottom line is that you will not be able to watch an uninterrupted presentation of the film. Discs Three and Four contain The Appendices, Part I and II.
The added footage
What I am going to do now is break down the list of added footage for you, as well as including a handful of screenshots. Please note that most of this is from memory, and there is always the possibility I may be describing a scene that was already in the standard version. I think my memory is pretty good and that I will come very close to being pretty accurate. Also please realize that since a small amount of added footage comes through quick cuts, I may have missed a few minor additions.
Disc One
- In a newly reconstructed introduction to the film (and before the opening credits), we listen to added narration from Bilbo as he sits at his table working on his memoirs. We learn more about the Hobbits...their passions for food, planting and celebration. More importantly, we are introduced to the ring at a much earlier interval.
- During a fireworks display, Bilbo welcomes guests and hides from others as he has extended dialogue with Frodo.
- In the library. Gandalf reads more of the history of the ring, complete with added flashback.
- A party has Merry and Pippin dancing on a table as others talk about the war brewing beyond their borders.
- A beautiful sequence where in the woods just outside of the Shire, Sam and Frodo peer upon a group of wood-elves on their way to the harbor beyond the grey towers. Sam also complains about not being able to sleep amongst the roots.
- An extended sequence inside the Prancing Pony regarding Strider.
- Additional dialogue with Strider. The Hobbits talk amongst themselves as to whether they should trust Strider and if he really is a friend of Gandalf.
- A walk through a marsh filled with mosquitos (great rear channel effects here). Later, Strider sings beneath the light of the moon about a love he lost.
- Saruman consulting the "eye of Sauron" which tells him to "build an army worthy of Mordor."
- Frodo awakens after being stabbed by the blade of a Wraith. He is in a thicket surrounded by Troll statues.
- As the Wraiths chase Arwen Undómiel, they stop at a river crossing. One of the wraiths calls out to her, demanding she give up the halfling. (not certain if the wraith call was in the original version)
- A really cool sequence that takes place during the roundtable meet in Rivendell. As Frodo places the ring on the table, Borimor goes for it, claiming it is a gift to be used against Mordor. A spell is raised that literally shakes the mountains.
Disc Two
- A brand new sequence opens the second disc as Aragorn (formally known as Strider) visits the grave of his Mother as Elrond Peredhil reminds him of his destiny.
- Elrond bids farewell to the departing nine companions as the fellowship awaits the ring bearer.
- A short sequence upon a wintry mountain where Saruman responds to Gandalf, reminding him of the dangers of going into the Moria mines.
- A short dialogue sequence where Gandalf asks Frodo to help an old man. Gandalf asks the Hobbit how his shoulder is as both discover how powerful the influence of the ring is becoming. The wizard advises Frodo to only trust himself. We also learn that Gandalf is sensing impending danger inside the Moria mines that will ultimately test him.
- Another sequence has Gandalf becoming irate over not being able to find the words to open the doors of Durin that lead the way to the heart of Moria.
- Inside the mines of Mordor, against a steep cliff, Gandalf points his way down the chasms as he shows his companions the true wealth of Moria.
- A newly found passage into the great hall of the mines of Mordor. Gandalf speaks of the oncoming Balrog. The jump across the bridge is also greatly extended with a new set of stairs to cross and a much earlier arrival of a full-formed Balrog.
- As Frodo walks through the woods he hears additional calls of Galadriel, Lady of the Galadrhim. Gimli makes a very uncourteous remark about the lady after being captured by elves. Later, Aragorn tells Frodo that Gandalf's death was not in vain.
- The group is handed cloaks and food by the elves as well as parting advice. Galadriel gives gifts to each of the members. Gimli has a very unlikely request. Wait till you hear what he receives.
- As the group makes a short stop on shore, there is another sighting of Gollum in the water. Sam pleads to Frodo that he is truly his friend and wants to help. Boromir and Aragorn argue.
- An extended battle sequence between Aragorn and the head Orc.
- As Frodo embarks on his final journey of this installment, he remembers the words of Gandalf, who briefly appears in flashback.
Again, I must stress that all of this is from memory. Please be kind if I made any mistakes here. Fortunately, the added material can easily be identified by going into Select a Scene where asterisks indicate **new scene as well as **extended scene. Please note that I did not refer to this area prior to writing the above scenes.
How is the transfer?
To say that this is an absolutely flawless transfer and leave it at that would be sort of shortchanging this review -- but it would be the absolute truth. What we have here is an absolutely pristine image that is very close to Hi-Def. The transfer looks absolutely smooth and with extremely accurate colors -- especially in the facial flesh tones. Blacks are rock solid and the picture never becomes too sharp nor soft, giving this film a very natural beauty.
This DVD features both English Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround and English DTS ES 6.1 Surround. Even though My system is limited to a 5.1 setup, it wasn't difficult to get totally immersed in the audio presentation. As I usually expect from most DTS tracks, the sound has a very spacial quality to it -- not sounding the least compressed. This is one hell of an aggressive mix with sound that is extremely accurate and detailed. The rear channels are nearly always active throughout, and there's tremendous LFE channel support that adds booming floor-shaking response. This is one of the strongest sounding LFE tracks in memory -- so strong in fact that I was very concerned about blowing out my subwoofer.
It really becomes difficult to define a transfer that is as beautiful as this one. Thus far, Attack Of The Clones has become the best DVD I have seen, thanks to its direct digital transfer. I was amazed to see that this film transfer looked almost as good. This tells you much about the effort New Line has put into making this DVD look flawless.
Special Features
As I sit here with four discs containing over 6 hours of material, I sort of hesitate to move on. What lies before me is over a full day's worth of review material devoted to one DVD package. I will do as thorough of a job as I can with this, but will mostly highlight what you can expect out of these supplements.
Disc One and Two
As you pop in the DVD, you are welcomed at a Hobbit table where a book, The Fellowship of The Ring opens to reveal a page of menu selections.
Disc One contains the first part of the Director's cut which runs close to 1hr. 45 minutes. The side break is at the 1:45 mark where Pippin inquires "when are we goin'?!". A black screen comes up prompting you to continue to Disc Two.
From the Special Features menu you can select any one of four commentaries. These commentaries feature: Track One: The Directors and Writers: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Track Two: The Design Team: Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah and Tania Rodger. Track Three: The Production/Post Production Team: Barrie Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Andrew Lesnie (and a approximately 11 more) Track Four: The Cast: Eliijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monoghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee and Sean Bean.
What is very unique here is that each supplemental audio commentary track is accompanied by a subtitle identifying each different speaker.
Now I must apologize in advance. Commentaries are usually the last thing I review. After spending a day writing this one, I am going to briefly touch upon just one of the commentaries. That commentary is of the cast. First, you will be very happy to learn that all of them are here together in one room -- except for Christopher Lee whose tracks seemed to have been recorded separate. Two things of immediate interest here. First, it's a very tame group effort for such a bunch of young cast members. Second, it seems all of these individuals are watching the added DVD material for the very first time as many of them seem to be in awe of what they are watching. McKellen talks about a windy day in the shire and the problem of keeping his hat on. The group never hesitates to point out where each scene was filmed -- especially when an actor crosses from an outdoor set onto a soundstage. You'll also hear the cast talk about "BK", who is Elijah's 3'4" double, used in scenes where height comparison was needed. Christopher Lee talks about some of the falls he had to do, being knocked around quite often (but fortunately not from any great height). A wraith chase through the woods leading the Hobbits to the Ferry is not so fondly recalled here. The boys had an awful time in the pouring rain not only from shoes that went flying off...but by the time they reached the bottom of the hill, they were so exhausted they had to be carried back up.
I realize I have merely scratched the surface on the commentaries, but I think all of you understand that I just cannot rewatch 3 hours of material to give you the type of review you want.
Disc Three
Here begins what is called The Appendices. They are spread out across Discs Three and Four. Let's begin with Disc Three which is titled Part One: From Book To Vision
As in the rear pages of the Tolkien books, these Appendices give the back stories and origins of how the mythology of Middle Earth was created. Part One (Disc Three) has 2.5 hours worth of documentary material and Part Two has 3.5 hours of additional documentary material.
Let's begin with Disc Three: Part One: From Book to Vision
We begin with an Introduction from director Peter Jackson who not only welcomes you aboard, but lays out exactly what you can expect from the two supplemental discs before you. In fact, he gives you several options of how you can best navigate through all of the enclosed material.
J.R.R. Tolkien - creator of Middle Earth begins with Peter Jackson talking about the sheer wealth of information that Tolkien brought to his books. From there, we get a thorough background history on Tolkien who became an orphan at the very early age of 12. His Mother actually was the person who inspired him to read, and after her death, he was committed to continue with his literary studies. We learn of his studies of the English language at Oxford, as well as his involvement in the World War where most of the suffering he witnessed had a profound affect on his later writings. Tolkien Biography author Humphrey Carpenter tells us that Tolkien wrote the first installment of the book almost blindly, not knowing what its structure would be, practically shaping it all as he went along. The documentary also explores the phenomenon of the books, thanks to its underlying themes of human existence. (length: approx. 22 minutes)
From Book to Script reveals how much Jackson is a real fan of the books, first reading the trilogy at the age of 18. Director of Photography Andrew Lesnie agrees -- this was the first book that really taught him how powerful words could be. We go down the line in interview after interview with cast members and filmmakers like Sean Bean (Boromir), Dominic Monaghan (Merry) and others who talk about their first experiences reading the books. The subject of proposing a three-film deal to New Line Cinema is discussed here, with added comments from filmmakers and cast members such as Christopher Lee (Saruman), who was actually in favor of the decision. The team responsible for shaping the script into a three film story talk a little about what the process was like. The cast members talk about the incredible writing process of the film. John Rys-Davies (Gimli) jokes about revisions of the script that were slipped under his door the night before a shoot. One of the most difficult characters for Jackson and his team was Arwen 'Evenstar' Undómiel, a character that had a very small role in the book series. In order to make her a character with some weight, more material had to be added for her. The scenes around the table of Elrond was also difficult to shoot because of the amount of material that was in the book. We also learn how the evil encased within the ring had to be animated -- given its own character. (length: approx. 20 minutes)
Visualizing the story contains a wealth of storyboards, animatics and animation to film comparisons. Here we go...
Storyboards and Pre-viz: Making words into images presents Jackson, his effects and miniatures team as they discuss the amount of detail that was involved in order to shoot the film as fluidly as possible. Every single frame in this film was story boarded by Peter. This greatly helped the visual and effects team. Jackson took the storyboard process one step further by creating small models with little figurines so that camera shots could be more accurately conveyed. (length: approx. 13 minutes)
There are three early storyboards that are really cool to watch -- especially for the fact that they play as individual movies set against music and dialogue. In addition to an alternate prologue (done with storyboards and CGI), there are two abandoned scenes that have been cleverly recreated for this DVD. Very cool!
In Pre-Viz Animatics we watch how computer graphics laid out the blueprint for what was to be filmed, including specific camera angles. The scenes presented here are Gandalf rides to Orthanc and The Stairs of Khazad-Dum.
Animatic to film comparisons give you a split-screen look at how two specific scenes look from original storyboard concept to final print.
Finally, in this section, Bag End set test is a very nice treat to watch. In a yet unfinished wooden set, film production and set design members partake in a sort of blocking test. It's funny to watch Jackson scurry around the set (acting like Bilbo) as someone holds up a head on a stick that represents Gandalf. (length: approx. 6 minutes)
Let's go to Designing and filming Middle Earth...
Designing and building Middle Earth takes us through original book illustrations of trolls, Wizards and Goblins that create such a believable environment that you think it was all once real. We take a look at a team of designers who, before the script was finished, put together models and drawings that portrayed a totally believable world inserted in shots of actual New Zealand locations where the stories originated from. There are some very interesting home movies of the models being built, as well as the many drawings that were offered for feedback before sculpturing began. This is a very extensive featurette that goes far more into depth than I could describe here, but it represents the huge collaborative effort of creating the world of Middle Earth. (length: approx. 41 minutes)
Weta Workshop takes us to Camperdown Studios, a place that Elijah Wood describes as "Willy Wonka's chocolate factory without the candy". Everything in the film that you saw was made here -- all the armor, all the weapons, the creatures and miniatures. I think you will be mesmerized as you weave through the very tight shop filled with an awesome amount of miniature models (that aren't so miniature). Some of the miniatures were the size of soundstages. All the masks, and yes, hairy feet were created here as well. My favorite part was watching the creation of the Cave Troll made out of plaster and skin. We also learn how impossible it is to create armor, due to all its complexities. (length: approx. 43 minutes)
Costume Design introduces us to Costume Designer Nglia Dickson and her 40 seamstresses that created the costumes for the film. Nglia talks about how huge and complex the project was, being very thankful that a lot of designs were already in place before she came aboard. I was absolutely amazed to look at footage of a warehouse lined with rows upon rows of costumes. With original concept drawings in hand, Nglia takes us through each set of characters and how costumes (and their colors) were specifically designed for their race and personality. (length: approx. 12 minutes)
There are two design galleries that represent the peoples and realms of Middle Earth. There is such a wealth of information here presented as a slide show that I cannot go through it all in one sitting. Let me just say that it is chock-full of original artist renderings from enemies such as Sauron, The Cave Troll and Orcs to the characters that make up the fellowship. Then there are original drawings of all the realms of Middle Earth that include (among others) The Shire, Bree, Moria and Rivendell. So much material here and so little time.
Middle Earth Atlas lays out a large map of the entire landscape as you use your remote to pick a location and see scenes from the film that show how that area was involved in the journey.
New Zealand as Middle Earth lets you use your remote to pick particular locations on a map and see where they were filmed. For instance, Rivendell was filmed in Wellington, with its beautiful forests and landscapes. We watch how sets were built against these backdrops.
Disc Four
Okay, time to move on to Disc Four, Part Two: From Vision to Reality
Once again we are treated to an introduction to all the material on this disc. Surprisingly, that introduction comes courtesy of Elijah Wood (Frodo) who tells us that this portion of the DVD covers everything from the film's production right on through the film's release. He also gives you some advice on how to properly navigate your way through the material.
Filming The Fellowship of the Ring is divided into four main areas. Let us take a look at them....
The Fellowship of the Cast, as you would expect, takes us through the casting process. Since none of these actors had worked together before, Jackson talks about being nervous once all of them got off the plane in New Zealand, meeting each other for the first time. In separate interviews, the cast members talk about leaving home for an extended period and meeting each other for the first time. You will have a big fat smile on your face as you hear the story of how Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Orlando Bloom (Legolas) first met. Ian McKellen talks about taking a year out of his life, away from home, making new friends. It turned out to be a kind of Boy Scout adventure for the men -- a real boys club. There are some great stories here told by the actors themselves, including one about Sean Astin (Samwise Gangee) being very nervous about a helicopter ride. Another story involves John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) taking a small group of 12 out to a restaurant and ordering enough food for 40 people. I love to hear Billy Boyd tell this story while doing a dead-on impersonation of the actor. This is simply just a fun collection of individual stories from all the cast members that truly show how much they love one another. (length: approx. 34 minutes)
I heard the news today oh, boy! A Day In The Life of a Hobbit starts at 5am and takes us through the makeup and prosthetics that go into making a Hobbit. We see how the feet are attached, as well as the ears which absorb sound and make it difficult to hear. There are some really fun home movie footage of cast members in makeup eating and relaxing between film takes. We are also introduced to Elijah's smaller version of himself as we dwell into the art of staging a scene to show proper size proportions. (length: approx. 13 minutes)
Cameras in Middle-Earth is a very lengthy look at how so many units of camera crew managed to shoot the entire epic in a remarkably short period of time. Jackson depended on the people that ran these units to be in places he could not. The documentary takes us through the many realms of the film as we visit location after location, watching how each segment was shot. Christopher Lee talks about the unusual amount of takes that Peter Jackson wanted from him, wanting to get words and mannerisms exactly right. Cast members recall trudging through the marshes where the water was absolutely freezing cold while Peter Jackson was by his trailer giggling about it all. It's interesting to watch how outdoor location shots of Rivendale had to be duplicated for later shots done inside of a studio. Lighting was a major importance here. Jackson talks about filming on the snowy mountaintops with helicopters bringing the entire cast and crew aboard...all except Sean Bean (Boromir) who refused to fly, and instead took a ski lift to the top. As the featurette draws to a close, we watch Jackson coordinate the huge fight that comes at the end of the film. It was an incredibly long shoot in blazing hot weather, and there's some great behind-the-scenes footage here that captures it all. (length: approx. 50 minutes)
Production Photos contain about 72 stills that were taken on location.
Let's take a look at the section devoted to Visual Effects...
Scale simply deals with heights. There's a relationship of size between Hobbits and Humans. This featurette looks at things such as scale compositing, forced perspective, and creating sets that properly portray size. There's also a very interesting look at the big rigs used in the film and the small people that drive them. These big rigs were used to make the Hobbit characters seem smaller. (length: approx. 15 minutes)
Miniatures begins with Big-atures. Miniature Director of Photography Alex Funke talks about the importance of using miniatures rather than creating them digitally. These miniatures models became the basis for some of the most jaw-dropping visual sequences of the film. The bigger the miniature, the more realistic that model is going to look on screen. We take a look at much of the miniatures used in the film and how they were combined with the live action sequences. (length: approx. 16 minutes)
After you are through watching the above featurette, you can browse through hundreds of photos that make up the miniatures gallery. Presented in slide-show fashion, just about every realm from the film is represented here.
Weta Digital takes us through the post- production process of adding visual effects to the film. This specially built facility was built to bypass huge costs, in order to create all the digital effects. Of course, you can be assured that you will be shown lots of digital computer effects in this segment, including the creation of the squid creature that grabs Frodo. My favorite part? Taking a look at how the original wraith kings (as seen through Frodo's invisibility) was shot. You see the live actors reaching for what would be Frodo. Coool! (length: approx. 24 minutes)
Let's look at Post Production: Putting it all together....
Editorial: Assembling an Epic introduces us to Editors John Gilbert and Peter Skarratt who talk about the immense size of the film project, and the huge amount of footage that ended up in the editing room. There were eight units producing footage daily, and it was up to the editors to sort through 5 million feet of film, bringing it down to 4 million feet. One of the most difficult scenes to edit was Arwen's horse chase scene. There were just hours and hours of footage with horses that had to be trimmed down to just a few minutes. There's also discussion about the scenes that were deleted from the film early on and now being reinserted in this DVD. (length: approx. 12 minutes)
You couldn't ask for anything better than this! Anyone interested in filmmaking will indeed cherish Editorial Demonstration: The Council of Elrond, which consists of 36 different takes and illustrates the challenges faced by the editorial team. Six windows play above the final cut of the film. Each of those six windows will highlight a take that was selected by the editor as the one used in the film.
Digital Grading talks about shooting footage on location, which looks all too real, and nudging it up a bit -- adding elements that make it look sort of unworldly. This is done by taking a film negative, scanning it, and then manipulating the image with a variety of tools. Once you add colors and highlights it gets scanned back onto the negative. Supervising Digital Colourist Peter Doyle takes us through raw footage and shows how individual sequences were manipulated. Graded and ungraded images are compared inside-by-side windows. (length: approx. 12 minutes)
Let's take a look at Sound and Music...
The soundscapes of Middle-Earth is all about the sound design of the film. There was a wealth of sound effects that had to be created in the studio. Using high-tech equipment, a small team of artists created sounds that transported the audience to Middle Earth. There are several examples here how sounds were created for many of the key sequences. You'll be surprised how plungers and rubber floor mats became very useful. The biggest challenge was creating the screams of the ring wraiths. How was it done? It was actually the screams of Fran Walsh. (length: approx. 12 minutes)
Music for Middle-Earth introduces us to composer Howard Shore who wrote the music that guided our emotions throughout the film. Shore worked on the film for nearly two years. We watch the composer on the soundstage of Skywalker Ranch (where I personally stood not more than 1 month ago), where he conducts the orchestra. We learn how a dialect coach helped put together a song sequence sung by Viggo Mortenson (Aragorn). What surprised me is that he made up the tune himself and was simply looking for the words. The Abbey Road studio is the setting for a chorus of young boys that added the sweet, emotional passages to the film. Later, shore talks about writing a score as if it were an Opera, bringing a certain kind of grandeur to the soundtrack. (length: approx. 12 minutes)
Finally...
The Road goes ever on is the perfect closing featurette as it looks at the promotional aspects of the film, particularly the premiers where cast members were treated like royalty by their adoring fans. There's some quick footage from Elijah's home movies as the cast arrives at a French premiere. Featured here are hordes of fans, grand speeches of thanks and lots of flying confetti. Peter Jackson talks about the film being more than just a job -- it was a breathtaking experience where friends came together and created something really special. (length: approx. 7 minutes)
DVD-ROM content basically takes you to New Line's website that promises updated Lord of the Rings content.
Easter Eggs? Check out the reviews on other websites. After spending hours on this review I just did not have the strength to search. I do know there are 2 eggs hidden somewhere in this package.
What is not here?
With all the added material that is available here it is utterly surprising to find a lack of promotional materials. There are no trailers nor TV spots nor poster stills. Forgiveable? I suppose so.
Final Thoughts
Seriously folks, my head is spinning. I must have spent 10 hours on this review between watching the film itself and going through two discs of supplemental material. By far, this is the most extensive project I have ever worked on -- and it's no wonder -- Lord Of The Rings is the most elaborate cinematic epic ever, and the journey is just beginning.
One might look at this 4-disc package as being complete overkill for the average fan. Fortunately, it isn't the average fan that this set is geared towards. This is a visual encyclopedia that shows every aspect of the film's journey from pre-production to promotion.
Most of all, this set is the product of a huge amount of care and dedication that started with Peter Jackson and his team who provided this wealth of supplemental material right on down to New Line Cinema that has produced one of the most beautiful transfers ever to be seen on DVD. It is that reason that I let myself age a full day while writing this review. Consider it a homage to the magnificence of this set!
Release Date: November 12, 2002
not very journalistic (Score:5, Funny)
Unlike, of course, the fine prose found on Slashdot.
Director's Cut? (Score:3, Funny)
If he'd had his own way then there'd be rat monkey's running about all over the place, various characters would have flip top heads and Frodo's weapon of choice would be a lawnmower. Damn right Jackson doesn't call it the 'Driector's Cut'.
*Those who know of Jackson's previous work will know exactly what I'm waffling about.
Re:Director's Cut? (End of trilogy spoiler...) (Score:3, Funny)
Would add to the Gollum/Frodo thing at the end though, wouldn't it? To paraphrase Brain Dead...
Sam: "You ate Frodo!"
Gollum: "Not all of him..."
Cheers,
Ian
(Brain Dead is also called Dead Alive in some places)
Re:Director's Cut? (Score:2)
And Legolas would fire a bazooka through Orthanc, blowing up a sheep on the other side.
cut scenes? (Score:5, Funny)
November 12th (Score:5, Funny)
It's a conspiracy to get the geeks away from their jobs.
Is it "better"? (Score:4, Funny)
Anywhoo,
I just hope LOTR is not going to turn into something like the Aliens series where:
You have the original.
Then the directors cut
Then the Extended Edition
Then the Anniv. Edition
Then the Extended Special Edition.
Quite frankly, everything after the directors cut just made Aliens into an even longer movie.
The thing about the Directors Cut version it *The movie made *PERFECT* sense if you'd seen the first one.
I got LOTR as a gift --*coff*bullshit*coff*-- for my son, knowing, that this extended edition was coming a few more months down the road.
When I have extra income (/sound of coffee being snerked thru noses) I might get this set...or, heck, borrow it from a friend who does. I've got a few who were waiting for *this specific* edition.
Errr...decisions, decisions....
Re: (Score:2)
I prefer the DIgital Bits for detailed DVD reviews (Score:3, Interesting)
LotR puzzle: Saruman as traitor (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:LotR puzzle: Saruman as traitor (Score:3, Interesting)
In the literary version, he decides to pursue his own agenda, but it is basically the same as Sauron's. He's a powerful, megalomaniacal figure, good gone bad with hubris. Sort of what should have happened in AotC, how great a story would it have been to have Count Dooku just a misguided good guy? Over the edge? I digress...
The movie simplifies the story by just putting him under Sauron. He's basically the center of all evil in the world anyway, and everything's his fault. Evil just straight getting lumped together makes for a simpler, less complex story. Could've kept the old story in, frankly, with Saruman's corruption less obvious right away, but hey.
Re:LotR puzzle: Saruman as traitor (Score:2, Interesting)
But I would have loved to have seen Christopher Lee give that recruiting speech to Gandalf. Great stuff.
Other reviews.... (Score:5, Informative)
Here are a couple more reviews of the extended DVD.
This review [thedigitalbits.com] is a pretty good rundown of the DVDs.
and
This one [theonering.net] is a rundown of Xoanon's review and there is a nice Question and answer format at the end where fans of, well, the Fan Site [theonering.net] write in with their questions. Tons of SPOILERS --you're warned.
Why it's so good! (Score:2)
Everything in the special edition is new. No extras are repeated. And Robert says this is the best work to date.
His other work includes discs like Tron. Which had some of the best interviews with cast put on a disc. It feels almost like a reunion.
Out of note, if you had DirecTV for the last month they have been playing the Special Edition of LoTR on PPV. Sans extras of course. Both DishNetwork and DirecTV also had the High Definition version of LoTR theatical version on PPV as well.
The Important Question (Score:4, Informative)
I recently purchased the "Full Screen Edition" of LotR:FotR only to find out that it won't play with ANY of the media players for Linux. Having browsed through the portion of the DVD that is recorded as an iso9660 filesystem, I suspect that it won't play on a Mac, either. I've have checked the packaging carefuly and there are NO indications on the outside that this is the case.
Since I am, and will remain, Microsoft-free, I'm returning the DVD to Wal-Mart because, as far as I'm concerned, it's a defective product.
Re:The Important Question (Score:3, Informative)
On the off chance that you are referring to the sticker on the outside of the box that says something like 'Theft Prevention Device Inside', then that refers not to the DVD, but to an electronic theft prevention device that keeps you from walking out the door of the shop with the DVD in your pants. (I was confused by this once myself when unable to get a DVD to play properly on Linux, but I later found that it worked fine on another computer -- the DVDs are multilayer DVDs and some poorly adjusted players won't read the second layer correctly.
Double Standard (Score:3, Funny)
Then you shop at Wal-Mart.
Interesting anti-Slashdot mechanism (Score:4, Funny)
http://slashdot.org/slashdot-should-cache-artic
First time I've seen this happen. Creative, very revealing, and very true.
Re:/.ed (Score:3, Offtopic)
Slightly offtopic, but this always amazes me. Why oh why are people surprised that an article gets slashdotted straight away? Do you expect it to get slashdotted after, say, 150 posts? Knock,knock people - if it can hold up to the traffic to get us to 150 posts it isn't going to get slashdotted.
Re:/.ed (Score:5, Funny)
Q.
Re:Posting URL's (Score:2, Interesting)
No, the page was not yet indexed/cached. I guess it won't ever, since it's URL contains more than two parameters (s and threadid) and google refuses to index active pages with more than one paramenter.
Re:You Maniacs! You blew it up! (Score:5, Interesting)
(I admin their servers...)
Re:You Maniacs! You blew it up! (Score:2)
And for the record, I really dislike story submissions that try to get in the 'first post' by commenting on the story themselves...