Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780780646483
Edition: (c)MMIII New Line Home Entertainment, Inc.
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
ISBN: 0780646487
Label: New Line Home Video
Languages: EnglishOriginal Language
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
Number Of Items: 2
Publisher: New Line Home Video
Release Date: May 25, 2004
Running Time: 201 minutes
Studio: New Line Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: December 17, 2003

---

Related Items:

• The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
• The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition)
• The Matrix Revolutions (2-Disc Widescreen Edition)
• The Matrix
• The Matrix Reloaded (Widescreen Edition)
• see more

Browse for similar items by category: Click to Display

---

Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films gave "double-dipping"--releasing a DVD then releasing an improved version shortly afterward--a good name by offering both a better film and stupendous extras in the Extended Editions. This "triple-dip" 2006 Limited Edition falls far short of that standard but is still of interest to devoted and casual fans.

What do you get?
Both the theatrical and extended versions of The Return of the King are on one double-sided disc. The versions use seamless branching, meaning that the scenes that are common to both versions are stored on the disc only once. If you choose to watch the extended version, the disc "branches" out to the added or extended scenes. What does this mean to the viewer? Not much. The viewing experience is the same because the branching is imperceptible. But because both versions of the film don't have to be stored on the disc in their entirety (which would be seven and half hours total), both versions together fit on two sides of one disc. The downside is that whichever version you watch, you have to flip over the disc halfway through; the film breaks at the same spot it did on the Extended Edition, right after the entrance of the wolf-head battering ram. Also lost are the meager features included on the theatrical edition, plus the four commentary tracks, two discs of bonus features, and DTS 6.1 ES sound from the four-disc Extended Edition.

What's new?
The second disc has an 112-minute documentary directed by Costa Botes, who was personally selected by Peter Jackson. Rather than the formal documentary structure of other editions, it consists of off-the-cuff interviews and random bits of behind-the-scenes action and special-effects work: The charge of the Rohan, the horses, the Mumakils, the lava of Mount Doom, and the burning of the ring. You'll also see Ian McKellen flubbing his lines and conducting the crowning ceremony in a flowery wig. It's entertaining, but because there's no structure (there are chapters, but no menu or chapter listing), it's not as convenient to watch, and go back to, as a documentary broken up into bite-size pieces. Note: New Line Home Entertainment couldn't release this material on its own à la the King Kong Production Diaries due to contractual restrictions.

Bottom line: Do I need this edition?
This Limited Edition combination of theatrical and extended versions plus new documentary seems likely to appeal to two camps. One is the devoted fan, who already owns both editions but has to have everything LOTR. The other is the casual fan who liked the movie in theaters, heard good things about the Extended Edition, and doesn't need a ton of bonus material. This edition is attractively priced for that buyer, and the packaging is quite handsome. In between is the devoted fan who already owns both editions but doesn't feel the need to watch more bonus material. When watching the whole movie, that fan will always choose the Extended Edition, but keeps the theatrical edition for (1) watching with guests, (2) the music video, or (3) the convenience of skimming through favorite scenes without having to change discs. That fan can safely skip this edition, as can home-theater fans who love DTS. --David Horiuchi

Description:
The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn 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.




Rating: - Honestly Susprised :)
I did not think they could suscessfully make a flim of this story without it being a shambles. I was very happy to learn I was wrong they did an outstanding job with special effects as well as the tale told in the movie by staying on task with what needed to be included and triming what could be taken out.

---

Rating: - Part 3 in the Epic Trilogy!!!
I love The Return of the King a lot better than the theatrical version, because a lot of really awesome things were left out, like Saruman's cameo, more battle sequences, and a more overall satisfaction to the trilogy! It it extremely long, 250 minutes! If you need to know the story, here's my version; The film begins with how Smeagol became Gollum. Later, we see Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and King Theoden heading to Isengard to get information out of Saruman. At Rohan, Pippin sees in the ... Read More

---

Rating: - Perfect product! Got here right on time!
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone. Perfect product, exactly like description. Got here right on time.

---

Rating: - THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER!
I sat trying to think of a cool, witty, or flashy title for this review, but I couldn`t think of one good enough for the movie. All of them fell short of it`s wonder. The plot, actors, and screenwriting of This movie left me gasping. So even if you have to settle for a lame review title afterwards, please see this movie.

---

Rating: - New Item
Item shipped in a timely manner and packaged well against damage. Love the LOTR series and this is a welcome addition to my collection.

---