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List Price: $24.98 | | Label: New Line Home Video
Salesrank: 1487
Released: November 18, 2003 |
| Our Price: $8.66 |
| Used Price: $4.98 |
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MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Not seen in theaters this unique version of the epic adventure features over 40 minutes of new and extended scenes integrated into the film by the director. DVD set consists of four discs with hours of original content including multiple documentaries commentaries and design/photo galleries with thousands of images to give viewers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film. Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship continue their quest to destroy the One Ring and stand against the evil of the dark lord Sauron. The Fellowship has divided and now find themselves taking different paths to defeating Sauron and his allies. Their destinies now lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard where the corrupted wizard Saruman waits and Sauron's fortress at Baraddur deep within the dark lands of Mordor.Running Time: 223 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY UPC: 794043650420
Description of The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition):
The extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of The Two Towers adds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up The Return of the King. While the 30 minutes added to The Fellowship of the Ring felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in The Two Towers at times seems a bit extraneous--we see moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.
While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended Fellowship, the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on The Two Towers remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. --David Horiuchi
The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition) Reviews:
GREAT MOVIE! 
2008-09-05 - This movie is awesome.
From the very begining it is fast-paced(but not to fast)and breathtaking.
With great actors, a wonderful plot, and amazing battle scenes, it will quench your thirst for a...um...thirst-quenching fantasy!
I LOVE THE MOVIE!!!
2008-08-18 - I LOVE THE MOVIE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS CHECK OUT THE TOTAL INFO...
DISC 1:
4 AUDIO COMMENTARIES
- Director/Writer/Producer Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (Writer/Producer), Philippa Boyens (Writer)
- The Design Team
- The Production/Post-Production Team
- The Cast
SELECT A SCENE:
* New Scene! - ** Extended Scene
AUDIO SOUND:
- Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround Sound
- DTS ES 6.1 Surround Sound
- Stereo Surround Sound
LANGUAGE:
- English
SUBTITLES & CLOSED CAPTION:
- English
- Spanish
WIDESCREEN 2:35:1
- Movie Running Time (1Hrs 46Mins)
THE STORY CONTINUES ON DISC TWO...
DISC 2:
4 AUDIO COMMENTARIES
- Director/Writer/Producer Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (Writer/Producer), Philippa Boyens (Writer)
- The Design Team
- The Production/Post-Production Team
- The Cast
SELECT A SCENE:
* New Scene! - ** Extended Scene
AUDIO SOUND:
- Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround Sound
- DTS ES 6.1 Surround Sound
- Stereo Surround Sound
LANGUAGE:
- English
SUBTITLES & CLOSED CAPTION:
- English
- Spanish
WIDESCREEN 2:35:1
- Movie Running Time (1Hrs 48Mins)
- End Credits (20 Mins)
TOTAL RUNNING TIME (3Hrs 35Mins)
DISC 3:
The Appendices Part 3 - The Journey Continues...
TRT = Total Running Time
Introduction by Peter Jackson = (TRT - 1:49)
PLAY ALL: DOCUMENTARIES (UNINTERRUPTED 3 HRS. EXPERIENCE)
- J.R.R. Tolkien - Origins of Middle-earth = (TRT - 29:29)
- From Book to Script: Finding The Story = (TRT - 20:57)
- Designing Middle-earth = (TRT- 45:42)
- WETA Workshop = (TRT- 43:48)
- The Taming of Smeagol = (TRT- 39:34) + 10 Stars!
- Andy Serkis Animation Reference = (TRT- 1:47)
- Gollum's "Stand In" = (TRT- 3:19)
- Middle-earth Atlas - Inter the Map! (Video Clips)
- New Zealand as Middle-earth = (TRT - 14:26)
CHAPTERS:
* J.R.R. TOLKIEN: ORIGINS OF MIDDLE-EARTH
* FROM BOOK TO SCRIPT: FINING THE STORY
* DESIGNING AND BUILDING MIDDLE-EARTH
* GOLLUM
* MIDDLE-EARTH ATLAS
* NEW ZEALAND
ADDITIONAL FEATURES: GALLERIES
- Artwork Audio Commentary: Image with Red Stamp Symbol
- Slideshow Features: By Activating Feature Image & Audio Gallery will Auto-Advance
- The Peoples of Middle-earth = (999 Photo's)
- Realms of Middle-earth = (519 Photo's)
SUBTITLES:
- English
- Spanish
- Closed Caption
DISC 4:
The Appendices Part 4 - The Battle For Middle-earth Begins
TRT = Total Running Time
Introduction by Elijah Wood: = (TRT - 1:06)
PLAY ALL: DOCUMENTARIES (UNINTERRUPTED 3½ HRS. EXPERIENCE)
- Warriors of the Third Age = (TRT - 20:57)
- Cameras in Middle-earth = (TRT - 1:08:09)
- Big-atures: = (TRT - 21:49)
- WETA Digital = (TRT - 27:31)
- Editorial: Refining The Story = (TRT - 21:57)
- Music for Middle-earth = (TRT - 25:19)
- The Soundscapes of Middle-earth = (TRT - 21:26)
- The Battle for Helm's Deep is Over = (TRT - 9:27)
CHAPTERS:
* FILMING "THE TWO TOWERS"
* VISUAL EFFECTS
* EDITORIAL REFINING THE STORY
* MUSIC & SOUND
* THE BATTLE FOR HELM'S DEEP IS OVER...
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
1) The Flooding of Isengard Animatic: Original Animatic = (TRT - 2:30) + Split Screen Comparison = (TRT - 2:30)
2) Sound Demonstration "Helm`s Deep" 1/8 - (1) On-Set Production Audio, (2) Foley, (3) Effects 1: Weather, Torches, Horns (4) Effects 2 Weapons, Ladders, Objects (5) Effects 3 Marching, Hits, Falls (6) Dialogue & Vocal Effects (7) Music (8) Final Mix
GALLERIES:
* Audio Commentary: Image with (Red Stamp) Symbol
* Slideshow Features: By Activating Feature Image with Audio Commentary
- Production Photos = (58)
- Abandoned Concepts: Slime Balrog = (27)
- Abandoned Concepts: Endless Stair = (4)
MINIATURES GALLERIES:
Barad-dur = (54) * The Black Gate = (34) * Fangorn Forest = (8) * Helm's Deep = (27) * Osgiliath = (22) * Ruined Isengard = (52) * Zirakzigil = (9)
COMING SOON!
Director Guillermo del Toro
The Hobbit (2011) (announced)
The Hobbit (2012) (announced)
Local Shire Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, relative of Frodo Baggins, is living a quiet, peaceful life until Gandalf the Grey walks into his home with a band of wandering dwarfs and drags poor Bilbo into a quest that entails defeating a dragon, a three way battle of men, dwarfs and monsters and, most importantly of all, lead Bilbo into contact with a peculiar ring that has had and will have a great impact on the future of their world. - More info at IMDb.com
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Part Two of a Masterful Trilogy.
2008-06-30 - After repeated viewing of "The Fellowship" I fell in love with that movie.
But, kind of like that movie I really didn't care for The Two Towers at first, but after repeat watches, I love this one too.
The battles are epic, the story is wonderful, the acting is top notch as always, the cinematography is just amazing.
All in all, another long and epic journey through the "Rings" world.
Part two is just as good as one and I can't say enough good things about this movie.
Highly recommended.
A Masterpiece of Epic Proportions
2008-06-16 - "The Two Towers" is as close to a perfect movie as I've seen. It's epic in scope, both in the actual story as well as the task of adapting the book into a movie. While showing respect for the source material, Jackson wasn't afraid to tweak here and there in order to make the story work as a movie. Instead of having half the movie tackle the Aragorn/Rohan story and the latter half detail Frodo and Sam's quest towards Mordor like the book did, the movie blends these two story lines together and makes them flow together as one cohesive story.
If you liked and enjoyed The Fellowship of the Ring, things just get better from this point. The direction is ambitious in a way that elevates the beauty of the story and Midde-earth in general to a whole new level. The beautiful score is enough to bring tears to your eyes during the emotional moments and will make you hug your legs closer to your body during the battle scenes. And oh there are plenty of those. The battle at Helm's Deep is a cinematographic triumph , showing fighting that it better choreographed than any dance could hope to be.
"The Two Towers" is simply a masterpiece of epic proportions that should be as renowned as the source material. Whether you like the widescreen version, full screen, or the extended edition, this is something that everyone should see.
10/10 Classic.
Not perfect but pretty darn close
2008-06-07 - First of all, if you're going to watch these films you may as well get the full story. These Extended Editions are the best for fans of the book as well as newbies who don't mind a more complicated storyline than the theatrical editions. They are chock-full of more action, more humor and (dare I say it) more plot. Even The Two Towers, in which Peter Jackson took one of the most significant deviations from the novel (deciding that it would be more dramatic as well as realistic for Faramir to be tempted by the Ring), includes scenes that give additional backstory to the multiple subplots. It's such a beautiful film that it made even me, who is normally a stickler for movies sticking to such important plot points, fall in love with it. Gollum is absolutely stunning - the amount of physical discomfort that Andy Serkis forced himself into is mind-boggling but obviously worth it, given the results.
