Product Description

This critically acclaimed epic trilogy follows the quest undertaken by the hobbit, Frodo Baggins, and his fellowship of companions to save Middle-earth by destroying the One Ring and defeating the evil forces of the Dark Lord Sauron. All three titles in their extended editions are packaged together: "The Lord Of The Rings Motion Picture Trilogy Special Extended DVD Edition.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #156 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-12-10
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Number of discs: 12
• Formats: PAL, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 12
• Running time: 681 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
The extended editions of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings present the greatest trilogy in film history in the most ambitious sets in DVD history. In bringing J.R.R. Tolkien's nearly unfilmable work to the screen, Jackson benefited from extraordinary special effects, evocative New Zealand locales, and an exceptionally well-chosen cast, but most of all from his own adaptation with co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, preserving Tolkien's vision and often his very words, but also making logical changes to accommodate the medium of film. While purists complained about these changes and about characters and scenes left out of the films, the almost two additional hours of material in the extended editions (about 11 hours total) help appease them by delving more deeply into Tolkien's music, the characters, and loose ends that enrich the story, such as an explanation of the Faramir-Denethor relationship, and the appearance of the Mouth of Sauron at the gates of Mordor. In addition, the extended editions offer more bridge material between the films, further confirming that the trilogy is really one long film presented in three pieces (which is why it's the greatest trilogy ever--there's no weak link). The scene of Galadriel's gifts to the Fellowship added to the first film proves significant over the course of the story, while the new Faramir scene at the end of the second film helps set up the third and the new Saruman scene at the beginning of the third film helps conclude the plot of the second.

To top it all off, the extended editions offer four discs per film: two for the longer movie, plus four commentary tracks and stupendous DTS 6.1 ES sound; and two for the bonus material, which covers just about everything from script creation to special effects. The argument was that fans would need both versions because the bonus material is completely different, but the features on the theatrical releases are so vastly inferior that the only reason a fan would need them would be if they wanted to watch the shorter versions they saw in theaters (the last of which, The Return of the King, merely won 12 Oscars). The LOTR extended editions without exception have set the DVD standard by providing a richer film experience that pulls the three films together and further embraces Tolkien's world, a reference-quality home theater experience, and generous, intelligent, and engrossing bonus features. --David Horiuchi

Synopsis
Peter Jackson's suitably massive interpretation of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. All three huge, action-packed movies in one box. See individual titles from Entertainment in Video for greater detail.

Customer Reviews

men and women of the west ...
"Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship; but it is not this day! An hour of wolves, and shattered shields, when the Age of Men comes crashing down; but it is not this day! Today we fight! By all that you you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!"

this says it all (even in todays world but lets not go there). what books and what a movie all of them. cheers peter jackson.
lord of the rings
star wars
and then the rest.. miles miles behind.

Awesome films, plus looks great on your shelf
Most people who buy the Lord of the Rings films have probably already seen them. But don't let that stop you from buying this box set! I think that any film fanatic should own this trilogy, it's almost a law, and you don't meet many that don't. That's because those who are fanatic about film, or even those who just like to watch them every now and again can see how amazing these three are. Peter Jackson has not cut any corners in the making of these films, he has put his heart and soul into making them and that has paid off for him.

Incredible special effects in the battle scenes, a classic storyline and one of the most star-filled casts in history. What more can you ask for? I'll tell you what more you can ask for, the extended editions! If I could give a sixth star, it would go to these. I loved watching these for the first time after only seeing the theatrical versions, to watch and come across a part when I say 'Ah, this bit's new!'. And don't be fooled into thinking that the extra scenes are just the rubbishy parts that were cut because they were too boring. The added material is just as entertaining as the rest of it; if not more entertaining because you haven't seen it before (If you've already seen the originals). The Return of the King, especially, has must-see extras. Saruman's death perhaps being the most significant, as I was slightly disappointed when the first version did not show what happened to him. Anyway, from a few extra lines to entire scenes, the extra material make the set well worth buying.

As for the casing, well, this set is worth the price (which I think is very reasonable) just for the cases that the discs come in. When I opened them for the first time, it felt like I was handling something special. They make normal DVD boxes look so cheap and tacky in comparison!

BUY THIS SET! You won't regret it.

No Blu-Ray version yet?
This will surely be the total catalyst for Blu-Ray players to be sold when this superb set is converted to the HD format of Blu-Ray.

Overall the movies and sound (real room shaking stuff on a decent surround sound system) even on DVD put anything else to shame.