Mania Grade: A+
Disc Grade: A+
Reviewed Format: DVD
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis
Writers: Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson, based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien
Director: Peter Jackson
Distributor: New Line Home Entertainment
Original Year of Release: 2002
Retail Price: $39.99
Extras: anamorphic widescreen; EX 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround; DTS ES 6.1 Surround Sound; 2.0 Stereo Surround Sound; audio commentary tracks; documentary featurettes; interactive map; galleries; storyboards; filmographies; trailers; booklet; English subtitles

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THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING SPECIAL EXTENDED EDITION

New Line Home Entertainment has re-released Peter Jackson's adaptation of the first third of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece novel in a special extended director's cut (though they've avoided this term). Naturally, the first question about this 30-minutes longer version is, how does it compare to the theatrical release version? Well, the simple answer is that it's 30 minutes better whatever is good or great about the movie is good and great for an extra half hour. And the extended edition (from here on XE) footage is so seamlessly integrated that it doesn't feel like an "extra" half hour. Usually, I find it disturbingly untidy that there's more than one version of any movie. Of course, most films have variants for every venue in which they appear: airline versions, TV versions, versions to satisfy every country they play in, etc. But for a film adapted from such a great book full of wonderful material that takes such pains to be as faithful to that book as possible, every frame of film becomes precious. And to have over 30 minutes more of this without stretching the movie experience into a burden is a great gift to the audience. For all intents and purposes, this should be considered the version of the film, the one that should be preserved and seen the most. Why wasn't this the cut shown in theaters? That likely has a lot to do with economic considerations and is a gauge of how long a film people are willing to sit through. Then why go to the trouble to prepare this version? On DVD, one can take as long an intermission as one likes. There's also an extra impetus, as this version is the one that will likely play on network television, stretched over two nights.

In order to give the film a proper digital presentation, it has been separated onto two discs. Ordinarily, this would be a terribly annoying move after all, do we really need seven different soundtrack options? For a clue to why this works, just look at the set's beautiful slipcase packaging, which tries to look like a fine leather-bound volume a design that is carried through to the menus. Each volume of the novel is divided into two parts ("Return of the Shadow" and "Fellowship of the Ring" in this case), and the DVDs replicate this with the movie. While watching, one can see how the film divides so easily in two, giving one the perfect opportunity to fetch a snack, stretch your legs, and change discs. (Those with carousel players can just push a button.)

For a description of the film itself, please refer to my original review. On first viewing this extended version at a New Line screening, I frantically scribbled notes on added and extended scenes that I noticed. However, the DVD producers have anticipated this by marking these chapters accordingly in both the set's booklet (many of these chapter titles are taken directly from the book). Much of the new XE material comes right at the beginning, restoring more prologue material an indication of how the XE expands understanding and depth throughout. One major factor in the book that is given a bit better service (though not enough) for the XE is a few looks at the Middle Earth map, which helps the reader/viewer orient themselves. Galadriel's introduction of the Ring's history is more thorough, and then the story is handed off to Bilbo, who tells us about hobbits and the Shire. We get more material in general on the hobbits, and later a bit more about all the races of Middle Earth. There's a scene in a hobbit tavern, more explanation of the elves' migration, more dialogue between Gandalf and Saruman that grounds the wizards' relationship better, and a better look at the petrified trolls barely glimpsed before. More time is spent examining details of the Mines of Moria, and during the extended stay of the Fellowship in Lothlorien a memorable farewell scene is included in which Galadriel offers the heroes gifts. There are general bits that paint the characters in greater detail, and plot points that were previously rushed over are made plain.

In addition to a high bitrate transfer with several audio options, the film is afforded a record four commentraks with over 30 participants. One with Jackson and co-writers Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh; a second with members of the design team; a third with members of the production and post-production crew; and finally one featuring ten of the actors. All participants note differences between book and movie details and explain the details of their job on the feature. Above screen, titles appear that identify each speaker a welcome innovation, especially on the tracks with over a dozen participants. Though since these titles are tied to their particular commentraks, it means that one can't toggle among the various soundtrack and subtitle options. In order to watch the film with a commentrak and be able to read the dialogue subtitles, one has to start up the film with a chosen track, then retreat through the menus to choose the subtitles and resume. A minor quibble, but perhaps an avoidable one. They're masterful tracks, seamlessly edited so that it's impossible to tell whether or not everyone is in the same room at the same time. Though the production side is interesting, the writers' track is more intimate with only three voices, and of course the actors are born to entertain.

So far, if you watch the film through, and then again with each commentrak, you've spent over 17 hours with this disc set already. Discs three and four, dubbed "The  Appendices," give a thorough and I mean thorough account of the film's production, from book to screen in every facet. Part One is more concerned with pre-production, while Part Two covers filming, post-production and promotion. 17 documentaries account for six hours of viewing time. There are also many galleries of photographs and artwork (some with audio commentary provided, viewable via menu or slideshow), some video clip sections, and some unique features. An interactive atlas section tracks the story across a map of Middle Earth, with video clips from the movie illustrating every stop. By choosing to follow Gandalf's path, you can see that he traveled around quite a bit between escaping from the tower to his arrival at Rivendell. How to get through all this material? Well, you know you might get the flu this winter what better way to spend your down time?

There's been some grumbling about how labels release both standard and deluxe DVD versions to gouge the fans, but that situation seems to be improving. The amount of time between these releases has been reduced, with an effort made to inform the consumer of what their choices are. If you bought the standard DVD release a few months ago, New Line gave you a coupon to buy this special edition at a discount. They've extended that incentive by also including a coupon in this set good for one theater admission to see THE TWO TOWERS (for a limited time).

What more could you ask for? Well, there's also a gift set version which includes another DVD containing a National Geographic documentary on the film, trading cards, plus decorative bookends. The bookends are neat, and will make a nice display some day when all three extended editions are available, but nobody really has room for bookends on their DVD shelves. However, I'm sure someone will buy the DVD gift sets of all three just to collect the bookends.