Damn you Peter Jackson! I’d lost all interest in your trilogy of films based on The Hobbit when I began watching these epic, extended edition five-disc Blu-ray singles of The Lord of the Rings films. It didn’t take long to get sucked back into the Jacksonian world of Tolkien, especially when each film is has been beautifully transferred to Blu-ray. Not that any of the movies should have any wear and tear; they were made at the dawning of the digital age (has it really been over 10 years?), but the images on all three are simply brilliant in HD. Argh! They’re just SO FRICKIN GOOD!
What’s the big deal, you say, all of these films have been available on Blu-ray for a year. Actually, the extended additions with the three additional DVD’s of bonus material were only released as a collector’s set and not available to purchase on their own. Therefore, if you don’t want to pony up the big cash money wad for all three at once, you can now get them one at a time, giving yourself ample opportunity to explore the cinematic world of Tolkien and marvel in the genius of Peter Jackson, and his army of actors, effects artists, digital wizards, cameramen and sound gurus. I’m gushing, I know. But I don’t care. The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the greatest film achievements of this young century and will stand up for generations as one of the crowning achievements in popular cinema.
Furthermore, the Blu-ray singles include an Ultraviolet code to instantly stream or download the films to compatible devices,
such as laptops and tablets. NOT that a tiny screen is the way to view these grand films. However, if you just can’t go a day without Froddo and Sam, the option is available.
I’ll end by reiterating my opening statement. Damn you, Peter Jackson, because of the greatness of these three films, and because I’ve come to trust you as a storyteller, I’m compelled to go see The Hobbit film this Christmas, even though I had virtually no interest. But then I think back to when The Fellowship of the Ring came out in 2001. I had a passing interest in the film, even though I wasn’t a fan of swords and sorcerers and dungeons and dragons. That film rocked my world and here I am, 10 years later, salivating all over my keyboard. If The Hobbit films are only half as great as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, I’ll be a happy movie fan.
The Extended Edition Blu-ray sets have been released in English 6.1 DTS-HD MA audio and includes the newest transfer of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring which was re-mastered from the original 2k digital files.
About the Trilogy and the Films
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy tells the story of Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), a hobbit who battles against the Dark Lord Sauron to save his world, Middle-earth, from the grip of evil. In the films, Frodo and his fellowship of friends and allies embark on a desperate journey to rid Middle-earth of the source of Sauron’s greatest strength, The Oneâ„¢ Ring — a ring that has the power to enslave the inhabitants of Middle-earth. The trilogy tells tales of extraordinary adventures across the treacherous landscape of Middle-earth and reveals how the power of friendship, love and courage can hold the forces of darkness at bay. Beside Wood, the films star Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, featuring Sean Bean and Ian Holm, with Andy Serkis as Gollum. The films also star Marton Csokas, Craig Parker and Lawrence Makaoare.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
In this first part of the Trilogy, the young hobbit Frodo Baggins inherits a ring; but this ring is no mere trinket. It is the One Ring, an instrument of absolute power that could allow Sauron, the dark Lord of Mordor, to rule Middle-earth and enslave its peoples. Frodo, together with a Fellowship that includes his loyal hobbit friends, humans, a wizard, a dwarf and an elf, must take the One Ring across Middle-earth to Mount Doom, where it first was forged, and destroy it forever. Such a journey means venturing deep into territory manned by Sauron, where he is amassing his army of Orcs. And it is not only external evils that the Fellowship must combat, but also internal dissension and the corrupting influence of the One Ring itself. The course of future history is entwined with the fate of the Fellowship. The film won four Oscars® for Best Visual Effects, Cinematography, Makeup and Original Score.
Special Features:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Feature Extended Edition Part 1
- The Lord of the Rings: War in the North — The Untold Story Trailer
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- Commentary with Cast
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 2 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Feature Extended Edition Part 2
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- Commentary with Cast
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 3 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part 1 From Book to Vision
- Peter Jackson Introduction
- JRR Tolkien: Creator of Middle-earth
- From Book To Script
- Visualizing the Story
- Designing and Building Middle-earth
- Middle-earth Atlas Interactive
- New Zealand and Middle-earth Interactive
Disc 4 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part Two From Vision to Reality
- Elijah Wood Introduction
- Filming The Fellowship of the Ring
- Visual Effects
- Post Production: Putting It All Together
- Digital Grading
- Sound and Music
- The Road Goes Ever On…
Disc 5 (DVD)
- Behind-the-Scenes Documentary Created by Filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
In their parallel journeys, the Fellowship will stand against the powerful forces spreading from the Two Towers — Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where Saruman has bred a lethal army of 10,000 strong; and Sauron’s fortress at Barad-dÁ»r, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers culminates in the astonishing battle for the refuge, Helm’s Deep, the Kingdom of Rohan’s ancient large stone fortress, besieged by Uruk-hai warriors. The film won two Oscars: Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.
Special Features:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Feature Extended Edition Part 1
- The Lord of the Rings: War in the North — The Untold Story Trailer
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- Commentary with Cast
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 2 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Feature Extended Edition Part 2
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- Commentary with Cast
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 3 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part 3: The Journey Continues
- Peter Jackson Introduction
- JRR Tolkien: Origin of Middle-earth
- From Book to Script: Finding the Story
- Designing and Building Middle-earth
- Gollum
- Middle-earth Atlas Interactive
- New Zealand as Middle-earth
Disc 4 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part 4: The Battle for Middle-earth
- Elijah Wood Introduction
- Filming The Two Towers
- Visual Effects
- Editorial: Refining the Story
- Music and Sound
- The Battle for Helm’s Deep is Over…
Disc 5 (DVD)
- Behind-the-Scenes Documentary Created by Filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam (Sean Astin), led by the mysterious Gollum (Andy Serkis), continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) struggles to fulfill his legacy as he leads his outnumbered followers against the growing power of the Dark Lord Sauron, so that the Ring-bearer may complete his quest. The film, which won Academy Awards® in all 11 categories for which it was nominated, took wins for Best Picture, Director, Editing, Art Direction, Costume Design, Visual Effects, Makeup, Adapted Screenplay, Sound Mixing, Original Song and Original Score.
Special Features:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Feature Extended Edition Part 1
- The Lord of the Rings: War in the North — The Untold Story Trailer
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- Commentary with Cast
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 2 (Blu-ray)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King Feature Extended Edition Part 2
- Commentary with Director & Writers
- Commentary with Design Team
- Commentary with Production and Post Production
- BD-Liveâ„¢ enabled
Disc 3 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part 5: The War of the Ring
- Peter Jackson Introduction
- JRR Tolkien: The Legacy of Middle-earth
- From Book to Script
- Designing and Building Middle-earth
- Home of the Horse Lords
- Middle-earth Atlas
- New Zealand as Middle-earth
Disc 4 (DVD)
- The Appendices Part 6: The Passing of an Age
- Introduction
- Filming The Return of the King
- Visual Effects
- Post-Production: Journey’s End
- The Passing of an Age
- Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration for Into the West
Disc 5 (DVD)
- Behind-the-Scenes Documentary Created by Filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
For more information:
Official Website: www.lordoftherings.net
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