(SPOILER WARNING) The Extended Version of Fellowship of the Ring

[Edena_of_Neith]

SPOILER WARNING

-

-

-

SPOILER WARNING

-

-

-

SPOILER WARNING

-

-

-

SPOILER WARNING

-

-

-

The extended version is better than the theatrical version.

It is also different, in enough minor ways to make a major difference in the story.

It is more ominous and frightful than the theatrical version. It has a sizeable dose of what I would call a genuine Horror element in it.
It is more dramatic and it is more sad.
It is more surreal.

Boromir is a main character in the extended version.
So is the Ring. The Ring is a main character. (yes, I said that. There is no mistake in the typing.)

Frodo is an even more powerful character, more heroic and more helpless, in the extended version.
Boromir is far more likeable, understandable, and sad.
Aragorn is more human, more likeable, and more sad.
Gimli, is far more likeable.
Galadriel, is more likeable and more understandable without losing any of her mystique.

The extended version is more violent.
The battle in Moria is considerably more violent.
The final battle is more violent and more dramatically sad.

 

[Welverin]

Spoilers? What spoilers?

What's with the short post?

The extended version is better than the theatrical version.

Imagine that.

Boromir is a main character in the extended version.

I think I liked him the most of all the characters in the movie. So good news for me.

So is the Ring. The Ring is a main character. (yes, I said that. There is no mistake in the typing.)

As it should be.

Gimli, is far more likeable.

Me like dwarves.

 

[madriel]

I was supposed to go over to my brother's tonight to see it. So far, no luck in finding a copy anywhere. All the stores were sold out first thing this morning except for one store that had a copy of the Collector's Edition. He's currently trying some out of the way stores.

WHEN I get to see it, I'm sure I'll be impressed too.

 

[frankthedm]

The Collectors edition big box

I am lucky, my friend Tobus phone had one reserved at a suncoast and phoned ahead for a copy for me. Hell be giving me mine in abot 25 minutes from now.

Those Book ends will make NICE terreain.

 

[Welverin]

I was supposed to go over to my brother's tonight to see it. So far, no luck in finding a copy anywhere. All the stores were sold out first thing this morning except for one store that had a copy of the Collector's Edition. He's currently trying some out of the way stores.

Odd, when I went to the mall earlier (around 6:00), there were plenty of copies everywhere I looked. The collector's edition was only $50 at Best Buy and the extended was only $30.

 

[Dr Midnight]

I got my copy today, with my Episode II DVD (and free though incredibly crappy Star Wars 2003 calendar) from Best Buy.

Watched all the action scenes from AotC and giggled with glee until the LotR viewing party was ready to begin... only one of us showed up.

First, as a designer, I'd just like to comment on the package design for the edition. It's quite possibly the best looking design for a DVD- or just about anything else- I've ever seen. The set itself is just beautiful. That rich grey-green and parchment combination is winning, and the concept illustrations are a fantastic touch.

The movie- It was really good. I found myself asking over and over "why did they ever take this out?" The answer is, of course, that the running time was EXTREMELY tough on me. I was a bit tired by Amon Hen. Still, all the little things add up to a fantastic, almost new experience. The new opening scene about "concerning hobbits" is just fantastic. "At our hearts, however, is our love of peace and quiet." (paraphrased) That line was great, and it baked my chest-region with good feelings. The gift-giving scene wasn't what I was hoping for, but the lembas scene and merrymaking in the Green Dragon scene made Merry and Pippin much more digestable characters.

The only new thing I didn't like was Strider's interference in the Merry, Pippin, and Boromir tussle. I'm no Tolkien scholar, but I don't feel Strider is the "all right now, break it up" type, and I don't think it helped to give him a moment to look foolish in.

All in all, there's no reason to watch the original version anymore. It's there on your DVD shelf to fill space and provide you with that one disc of supplemental stuff. The theatrical movie DVD may as well be a frisbee.

Can't wait to watch the commentaries and all the hours of bonus goodies... Such a feast, for twenty-five bucks. Life as a geek is good.

 

[Droogie]

I agree that the extended version seems a bit slow.

But I agree that there were a few things that I was surprised that they cut : Gimli's line about how the doors to Moria are invisible when closed and Gandalf explaining that "even the lords of moria can forget about their secret entrances" needed to be in the theatrical version; could have avoided some confusion in some people. The singing at the Green Dragon was fantastic, as was Sam's attempt at verse. I thought the "regarding hobbits" material stretched the beginning more than needed, but it did contribute to the horrific impact of the black riders violating such an idealistic place, so I'll forgive it.

The added scenes fleshed out all the characters nicely. You can really see Frodo's transition from happy-go-lucky to tragic and tortured.

AS I said in the other thread, Tolkien fans will love this cut, but casual movie fans might fall asleep.

I really can't decide which version I like better right now. I like the added scenes, but I can't help but to appreciate the leaner, more focused storytelling of the original.

 

[Femerus the Gnecro]

What's the verdict on the differing intros? I really, really like the original intro. Is the extended version's intro even better? If so, how?

If not, how?

-F

 

[Edena_of_Neith]

(this post is not intended as an insult to anyone)

Many people have become accustomed to quick gratification in films.
That is to say, there is action in the film (be it fights, chases, or whatever) very early on.
That is not the case in the extended version of FOTR. Anyone seeking quick gratification is going to be disappointed.
Watching the extended version of FOTR properly, requires a little self-discipline.

Anyone who pays attention to the film, and does not interrupt the flow of the story by talking (or leaving and coming back ((is this the good part now, where they fight?)) will find themselves pulled into the story.
And once the story does pull you in, it does not let you out again. You live the story along with the rest of the characters, and the film is rather hard on the viewer - it definitely leaves you shaken up and thoughtful. It is not something you quickly put out of your mind, after seeing this film.
It is a powerful story. It is more powerful than the books themselves, in my opinion (and, it is darker than the books, at least as the books came off to me.)

The suspense builds up throughout the film in a way greater than it did in the theatrical version. A growing feeling of fear and of impending doom hits the viewer, is felt through empathy with the characters ... and the way in which the characters fight back against that growing fear and doom is valiant, noble, and seemingly futile.
Yet they keep trying, the main characters. In the face of the death of Gandalf, they keep going. In the face of the death of Boromir, they keep going. It is almost incredulous, the way the main characters maintain their courage and fortitude in the face of the darkness that grips the film from the moment Bilbo is shown to be in pain, searching for the Ring, desperately needing it.

Obviously, the tension is not released at the end of the film.
You are left hanging. As Tolkien intended.
This was, apparently, a point of complaint among non-Tolkien viewers. The tension was racheted up to the point of unbearability, and then left that way at the end of the film. Emotion took over from reason, and some viewers called it a bad film (they would hate the extended version far more) because the tension was not relieved, even though they knew it was only the first one-third of the story.

 

[WizarDru]

What's the verdict on the differing intros? I really, really like the original intro. Is the extended version's intro even better? If so, how?

If not, how?

-F

This depends what you mean by intro. If you mean Galadriel's introduction, with the final battle against Sauron, at the beginning of the film, this is virtually untouched. I thought I saw a couple of new reaction shots on the elvish warriors, but that's all, if anything.

The beginning of the movie is quite different, and I'm not sure if I prefer it to the theatrical version. It's wonderful, you understand, but some of Gandalf's now redundant dialogue is removed, and I kinda miss it. On the other hand, the host of extra scenes in Hobbiton are much loved, particularly the scenes at the Green Dragon...with the old Gaffer and I'm guessing the unnamed bloke is Ned Sandyman.

So much goodness here for those who are looking for it. I don't think this obsoletes the theatrical version, which is faster paced...but it's like an advanced course in Tolkein, after you've finished the beginning course. I can't wait to rewatch with the different audio commentaries (of which there are FOUR).