I can see why the cuts were made; and I can see why LOTR geeks like me will love the extended version. So it’s a win-win situation, as they say.
What struck and delighted me was all the names of People, Places and Things that are only mentioned in the additional scenes. This is probably one reason why these scenes were deleted in the first place–TMI for the novice viewer. But here’s a list (from memory–I undoubtedly missed some) of names in the new footage;
Smeagol: It’s during Gandalf & Frodo’s dialog in Moria (the “many that die deserve life” scene). Gandalf refers to him as Smeagol, and says that was his name before the Ring drove him mad.
Still no battle cry of the dwarves. I wanna hear Gimli yell “barak Khazad!” and go medieval on some orcs–hopefully they’ll work it into Helm’s Deep.
We do get to see Lurtz lick the blood (his own) off a knife. Ewww.
Mine’s shipping tomorrow (I’m told). I hope it arrives before I go to see The Two Towers. jsc1953, your comments about FOTE jibe with every other review I’ve read, so I’m really looking forward to watching it. I wish PJ would be allowed to leave the films long and unedited for the first release!
Actually, I did miss dear Lobelia Sackville-Baggins in the original film version – her name, her theft of Bilbo’s spoon collection, her general busy-bodiness. There’s just something archetypal about her character.
The OP shouldn’t feel the LOTR geek because of an appreciation for the whole cloth of Tolkein’s work. After all, the book did come first!
I got mine saturday, but am waiting for a group viewing.
I did look for my name in the credits (charter members of the fan club) and watched the TT preview Easter Egg (on disc 2, navigate to chapter 48 {so it is showing in the center}, then select the right column oif chapter numbers and go down past 48. Two towers will show. select this to see teh TT preview that was attached towards the end of the run of FOTR)
Avalonian: lots of discussion of Glamdring on the bonus features disk (I watched disk 3 last night). There’s not a lot there that isn’t already known to the serious fan who’s been tracking the filming for the past 5 years. But the sheer size and scope of the production, and level of fanaticism shown by the filmmakers, is truly, deeply, impressive.
Jerevan: I bear the title of Tolkien geek proudly.
More names from the additional footage: Nenya. Elessar.
Mine came yesterday and I watched it last night. Four hours of bliss. Very well done. Much better sense of narrative. I could have used another half hour.
And I’m almost certain that Lobelia was in the theatrical release… Remember a shrill femal voice outside of Bag End, and Bilbo telling Gandalf “I’m not at home”? Who do you think he was trying to avoid, there?
Saw a HUGE stack of new DVD players at WallMart over the weekend - $58 each!
So for those of you who have seen the extended version - are there just longer scenes of what was in the original release, or totally new scenes. (I hope that question makes sense…)
