I've been working my way through the new Extended Edition DVD of The Two Towers. The Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring was so densely packed with interesting content that, even after a year, I still haven't managed to watch it all, and this release continues in the same vein. In other words, it's a film geek's fantasy come true.
In many ways, these extended DVDs are an even bigger fanboy treat than the cinema releases of the movies. Aside from the definitive longer cuts of the movies, which relegate the already excellent theatrical releases into distant memory, the DVDs contain many hours of interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and commentaries. There's no fluff to be seen anywhere on these discs -- everything on them has been produced exclusively for the DVDs, and is of an amazingly high standard.
It's fascinating stuff that covers every aspect of the filmmaking process from script to cinema, but it's also oddly personal in its tone. I get the feeling that the movies have been so exhaustively documented not merely as an academic exercise, but as a means for the filmmakers to share their amazing personal experiences with the viewing public. The friendships forged and hardships involved in making the movies are all right there on the screen. Many people dream of spending time working on movies this significant. With the extras on these DVDs you can experience that, vicariously but vividly.
Every aspect of the presentation is first-rate. The packaging is a sturdy cardboard-but-faux-leather textured slipcase affair (assuming you aren't unlucky enough to get the embarrassingly cheaply-produced Region 2 versions, anyway) and even the menus are masterfully done, with musical clips from each individual scene played over the scene selection menus, and absolutely no irritating logos, trailers or copyright warnings of any kind when you insert the disc (something I'd desperately like to see done more often... they're so pointless).
If you liked the movies, or even if you didn't, get these DVDs. You'll thank me for it.
I can not imagine how a DVD release could be any better than this. These sets are absolute treasures, and I'm grateful to Peter Jackson, New Line, and everyone involved in the production for putting so much unprecedented effort into what is essentially a huge, unnecessary gift to the fans. If all that these box sets contained was the extended cut of the movies, they would still be worthwhile purchases. The sheer tonnage and quality of the extras included makes a geek like me feel like it's all my childhood Xmases condensed into one day.
I can't wait for the moment when there will sit three extended edition box sets, side by side. A dozen DVDs of distinction. Mine. My own. My precious.
Oops. Did I say that? Sorry. I think these damn things are corrupting me.
Woooo! Gimme gimme gimme!
You're definitely right about the geek fantasy. The TTT extended edition box set was excellent - from the extra scenes added in and the DTS sound to the extras and the lovely presentation. It was exactly the kind of DVD box set that I expect from such an epic film.
In particular, I thought the extra Faramir flashback scene was crucial. As well as getting Sean Bean an appearance in the movie, Faramir gains a lot of depth as a character.
I loved Return of the King, though I thought a few bits that Peter Jackson wasn't given time for (he wanted two hours - the Weinsteins limited him to three, which he broke anyway) were sorely missed. I'm excited at the prospect of what could be added in for the extended edition.