The offical ENWorld The Return of the King Extendend Edtion DVD reaction thread.

[Desdichado]

I think since nobody on this thread has (I dont think) met or spoken with Peter Jackson, it might be a good idea not to so easily throw around statements about what he did or did not understand. Obviously as director he had a lot of control, but I'm sure there were things he was made to do that he was not happy with.

Obviously you've never listened to the Peter Jackson with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens commentary tracks that run through all three of the extended edition movies. It's very easy to make statements on what PJ did or didn't understand, because it's quite clear from what he says on the commentary tracks.

Or for that matter, most of the other extras attached to the movies.

 

[David Howery]

Why'd they put in a scene from the fall of Gondolin from the 1^st age?

uh... what? Gothmog was the big ugly crippled orc commander at the Pelennor.

 

[Desdichado]

uh... what? Gothmog was the big ugly crippled orc commander at the Pelennor.

Did they say that in the movie somewhere? I haven't seen the extended one, but he didn't seem to ever be named before.

And actually, Gothmog was the "captain" of the balrogs, who was killed by Glorfindel (although he killed him in return) during the Siege of Gondolin some 6000+ years before the Lord of the Rings takes place.

 

[MulhorandSage]

Did they say that in the movie somewhere? I haven't seen the extended one, but he didn't seem to ever be named before.

And actually, Gothmog was the "captain" of the balrogs, who was killed by Glorfindel (although he killed him in return) during the Siege of Gondolin some 6000+ years before the Lord of the Rings takes place.

You're both right. Gothmog was the captain of the balrogs in the Silmarillion, and is also named in LOTR as the lieutenant of Minas Morgul who took over the battle after the fall of the Witch-King.

Between naming their battering ram "Grond" and their lieutenant "Gothmog", you have to admire Mordor's sense of tradition.

 

[ShadowDenizen]

DFEspite being a bit of a Tolkien purist, I will admit that I shed a tear (or two) over the Extended Edition RotK.

Though I still lament the fact that we didn't get "The Scouring of the Shire", we did get a more complete film with this version.

I was particualrly pleased that they expanded Eowyn's role (as they should have.) The one scene that particularly tore me up was right before the Rohirrim charged into battle at Minas Tirith, when Eowyn hugs Merry and advised "Courage. Courage for our friends." Gave me goosebumps.

Of course, I'm still miffed at PJ's portrayal of Gimli as the "comic relief."

 

[Truth Seeker]

DFEspite being a bit of a Tolkien purist, I will admit that I shed a tear (or two) over the Extended Edition RotK.

Though I still lament the fact that we didn't get "The Scouring of the Shire", we did get a more complete film with this version.

I was particualrly pleased that they expanded Eowyn's role (as they should have.) The one scene that particularly tore me up was right before the Rohirrim charged into battle at Minas Tirith, when Eowyn hugs Merry and advised "Courage. Courage for our friends." Gave me goosebumps.

Of course, I'm still miffed at PJ's portrayal of Gimli as the "comic relief."

As much as it looks like, nevertheless, Gimli has been kicking the tar out of those who faced him and taking names .

 

[mhacdebhandia]

The changes from the narrative of the books aren't half as important as the serious miscasting.

 

[Eosin the Red]

Saw it. Loved it. Wanted something more of the battle between Gandalf and the WK, but hey you can't have everything.

Now, here is hoping we get to see PJs Hobbit in the next ten years.

 

[Asmo]

The changes from the narrative of the books aren't half as important as the serious miscasting.

Ok, can you expand on this a little bit, please?

Asmo

 

[Piratecat]

I want to name a son "Grond."

I found it interesting that Aragorn's confrontation with the palantir made the ending of the film (the coronation) much more powerful. After confronting Sauron, Aragorn gets a glimpse of Arwen dying. Considering what Elrond told him, he probably thinks that she's lost to him forever.

That means that her hiding behind the flag at the end, and his shocked realization that she's alive, has much more of a payoff. Same sort of thing as Aragorn saying "for Frodo" right before they charge the Black Gates. With the Mouth of Sauron scene, he's saying it because Frodo is dead, not because they're trying to help him. Good stuff.