Customer Reviews

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Special Extended Edition (4 Discs) (Widescreen)

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This is it: the final part of "Lord of the Rings". This DVD set is 4 DVDs: the 4 hour 10 minute version of the film spread over 2 DVDs and 2 DVDs loaded with bonus materials. The coolest one is the "Aragorn battles Sauron: abandoned concept". The scene at the Black gates involving the Aragorn & the Troll was originally supposed to be Sauron in the troll's stead. I won't waste time and space in saying the synopsis of this film, other than Lord of the Rings goes out with a bang. In this extended edition you get additional scenes from the book and some other cool ones; as well as massively in-depth bonus materials. True Lord of the Rings fans will agree with Peter Jackson: the theatrical version WAS too short. Note to collector's: inside is an advertisement for a replica of Frodo's short sword, Sting which can glow blue. This film deserves all the Oscars it won. Lord of the Rings IS our generation's "Star Wars"

The extra scenes this time around do not always add to the movie. While as a LOTR's fan I would still recommend getting this set, just don't count on liking it better. I won't pick out specifics, everyone is going to have their favorite grips and cudos here. I would add that it is amazing what got chopped in terms of special effects. Overall, interesting, but not an improvment to the movie like the first two extended editions were.

The extended version is just a continuous view of a great movie. The scenes you didn't get to see in the regular version is on this one. You don't know what your missing till you view the extended. The little gift you receive is a bonus. so for those die hard LOTR fans I recommend the gift set or at least an extended version of all three movie releases. OH! and the special features behind the scenes disk is a must have as well. Enjoy!

Wow. That's what I said once I finished 'The Return of the King Extended Edition'. After it's astounding prequels, this final touch to The Lord of the Rings is truly an amazing piece in itself. Not only is there nearly and hour of new and extended scenes, but there are two extra discs with documentaries, stills, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage of about just everything you could think of. I loved watching 'Cameras in Middle earth', and I actually cried when it was over for the fellowship of the actors. There was a mirror experience with them and the story; just as we are saddened when Gandalf, the elves, Frodo, and Bilbo leave Middle earth, we are also saddened by the eventual breakup of the actors and crew who have become such close friends over the years. It was a wonderfully personal look into the making of a movie that we don't rarely see. I felt as though I knew the people after watching. There is also a lengthy tribute to J.R.R Tolkien with much information on his work and life, discussed by people who've studied his writings for years. I'm glad Peter Jackson put this in- Tolkien deserved recognition for creating such a beautiful world as Middle earth.

As for the movie itself, I loved it. Many of the extended or new scenes that were put in I felt belonged there. Some of them should have stayed in the original movie, especially the scene where Frodo and Sam see a crown of flowers on the fallen king.
However, a few scenes were a little bizarre, and I'm glad they were cut. The avalanche of skulls in the paths of the dead, for example. It wasn't in the book, and not only that, it just really didn't go. At all. I thought it was weird and I'm glad it wasn't in the real movie.
Above all, the worst possible scene was the mouth of Sauron. It was disgusting and not how I pictured him at all. Actually, he made me laugh. He wasn't frightening, or mysterious, and dark, like he was written in the story. The costume and special affects were silly and gross. That's all. Extremely glad it didn't make it into the movie, and I wish it hadn't made it into the extended edition as well, but hey, I guess some people liked it.
The rest of the added footage however was very special. I loved all of it, especially the extra scenes between Lord Denethor and Faramir. As in The Two Towers EE, it added deep insight into that family relationship, and again, should have been kept in.
All in all, this set is a real treat, and will not disappoint.

This purchase was a replacement for our original copy which was loaned out and never returned. The kids watch the trilogy constantly, whether a marathon over their school breaks or to review scenes for school projects on battles, archery, sword fighting or costumes etc for drama/fine art options.

Great Movie, great price. If you've never seen it, buy all three extended volumes, plug them into your player and enjoy.

Peter Jackson's epic adaptation of "Lord of the Rings" reaches its pinnacle in "Return of the King." The stellar cast, mind-blowing special effects and heartbreaking script are all present in the third movie, which is not only the last of the "Lord of the Rings" films, but the best.

Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) are still following the treacherous Gollum (Andy Serkis) on the path to Mordor, with the increasingly strained Frodo unaware that Gollum is sowing suspicion between the two best friends. By the time he realizes his mistake, he's been dragged into the lair of Shelob, a monstrous spider, and then abducted by orcs who want the Ring he carries. Determined to find his friend, Sam heads into an orc citadel...

Meanwhile, Gandalf (Ian McKellen) takes Pippin (Billy Boyd) with him to Minas Tirith, after the hobbit has a close encounter with Sauron through a palantir. \Not only is the city under siege, but the Steward Denethor is slowly going insane, even sending his one remaining son, Faramir (David Wenham), on a suicide mission to reclaim a dead city. With Minas Tirith crumbling, Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) only hope may to be summon an army of the dead, who will only obey the King of Gondor. But even the dead won't help him if Frodo doesn't destroy the Ring...

The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy is one of those once-in-a-lifetime movie experiences. There has never been anything quite like it in movie history, and there probably never will be again. It seems somehow fitting that the book that every other fantasy has to measure up to, has now become a sweeping cinematic triumph that actually stays halfway loyal to the books. Good things come to fans who wait, I guess.

Peter Jackson really outdoes himself. You know those battle scenes in "Two Towers" and "Fellowship of the Ring," with the swooping camera and thousands of orcs, clashing with men on a gloomy battlefield? In "Return of the King," Jackson surpasses that. There's everything from volcanic eruptions to an invasion of howling ghosts to the attack of the oliphaunts (like elephants, only bigger). Each action scene a shattering ride, and there's no guarantee that all the beloved characters will make it out alive. Some of them don't.

But if Jackson manages the epic battles well, he does an even better job with the gentler, quieter moments. The action slows down, and the characters take a moment to support and comfort each other. They cry, they hug, they think about home -- such as Gandalf comforting the frightened Pippin with a description of the afterlife. Jackson and his fellow screenwriters Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens throw themselves into the semi-formal language of Tolkien's world, resculpting Tolkien's words into equally rich movie dialogue.

Elijah Wood gives an unparalleled performance as Frodo Baggins. Frodo's gradual deterioration is wrenching to watch, and the climactic scene at Mount Doom displays just what the Ring can do to even the pure-hearted hobbit. Sean Astin follows up with his powerful performance as Sam, who is increasingly the "strong" hobbit, rather than the follower. The final scenes between these two outstanding actors are beautiful and understated.

But all the supporting cast also give powerful performances -- Boyd and Dominic Monaghan put their characters through some intense growing pains, and the "I'm going to take care of you" scene is enough to bring tears to your eyes. Mortensen gets more kingly every moment, while Ian McKellen balances action with grandfatherly wisdom. Bernard Hill has a quietly moving final scene, while Miranda Otto makes the despairing Eowyn a strong, kick-butt heroine.

Perhaps the most striking thing about "Return of the King" is the final fourth of the film. While the "multiple endings" may annoy some viewers, it seems somehow right to gently let go of these characters rather than have a sudden, splashy finale. And whether they have a happy or sad ending, Jackson never lets us forget that they all made sacrifices to battle Sauron.

"Return of the King" brings the epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy to a close, and cements Jackson's reputation as a master filmmaker. With the outstanding cast, beautiful scripting and amazing direction, this is the best of the "Lord" films -- and that's saying something.

I see two distinct type of reviews that have been made. Either people liked this movie, (and the other two), or they really did not. That is OK, but while some think that it sprang from D&D, they need realize that this book was copyrighted 1955. It is obvious that those who did not like the book would not have seen the movie so by natural extention, I believe that those so object to it, really never have read the books. This, (and the other two movies) are the pinnacle in movie technically, as well as visually stunning made to date. They are fantistic!