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List Price: $24.98 | | Label: New Line Home Video
Salesrank: 2076
Released: November 18, 2003 |
| Our Price: $15.45 |
| Used Price: $6.99 |
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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.
DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
DVD ROM Features
Documentaries
Interactive Menus
Interviews
Photo gallery
Production Sketches
Scene Access
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:
One Ring To Find Them 
2009-10-29 - Like 1983 being the year for movies that have 3 in common, 2002 was the year for part 2's (Star Wars, Harry Potter and this). Again, can't really remember what wasn't in the original release so I'm reviewing the extended one. The cast continues to capture the essence of their characters and adding new dimensions (like the romance between Aragorn and Arwen, which is hardly touched upon in the books). The new cast members (Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, etc.), like the original cast, capture the characters perfectly. Gollum is finally featured (having brief cameo spots in the first) and is the scene stealer of the film (another common occurance of 2002 was the advent of realistic looking CG characters; Yoda, Dobby and Gollum). The dual nature of the character is intriguing and you really feel sympathy towards him as he's completely bound to the Ring. And Andy Serkis really does an excellent job of switching between the softer voice of Smeagol and the harsher tone of Gollum. The action sequences build upon what the first film has done; the Warg battle and the Battle of Helm's Deep, along with the attack on Isengard are noteworth. Again, from what I can recall of the theatrical version, this is the superior version. For thanks to a new scene, we see the brotherly relationship between Boromir and Faramir and how Denethor (who originally was first shown in Return of the King) favors Boromir.
Great Deal
2009-10-26 - After buying the Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition The Two Towers, I am very pleased. I already owned the two towers on dvd befor buying the extended version, so I knew that the movie was good. It is even better now that I can watch it with the tons of scenes that were not included in the first realeses. I reccomend this dvd to anyone who wants the entended edition but not all of the extra features in the multidisk sets.
The only con I can think of, is that, the disk is double sided so you have to handle it carefully. Other than that, this is a really good deal.
Simply a Must-Have
2009-10-15 - I own both the theatrical and extended version. and don't agree with the official amazon review. The extended version is simply a must-have for the following reasons:
The theatrical version was hard to follow at times, but the extended version explains everything, so that the scenes and story-lines makes much more sense.
While running time for a theatrical version always dictate limited playing time, it becomes apparent two minutes into the extended movie just how much detail and clarification is lost in the theatrical version.
Peter Jackson clearly envisioned the extended version as the film to watch, it's clear in the pace and rhythm of the editing which seems to flow much better.
Good
2009-10-15 - The movie came in on time, and was in perfect condition. I was very happy with this purchase.
Fine opening to ambitious fantasy trilogy 
2009-10-09 -
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
(USA/New Zealand - 2001)
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 (Super 35)
Theatrical soundtracks: Dolby Digital Surround EX / DTS-ES / SDDS
Somewhere in Middle Earth, an unassuming hobbit (Elijah Wood) comes into possession of a powerful ring coveted by evil forces throughout the land, and he embarks on a quest with elves, humans and fellow hobbits to destroy the ring once and for all.
The first in a trilogy of fantasy films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels, helmed by the unlikely figure of Peter Jackson (previously responsible for splatterfests like BAD TASTE and BRAINDEAD). Despite a three hour running time, the film is invigorated by strong production values, excellent performances (especially Ian McKellen as a helpful wizard, Viggo Mortensen as a brave mortal who joins forces with his otherworldly brethren, and Wood as the hapless hobbit entrusted with a sacred mission) and a breakneck pace which remains faithful to the spirit of Tolkien's endeavors.
The computer generated castles and landscapes are breathtaking in places, but Jackson is forced to overplay his hand in this respect, and the trickery loses some of its impact after a while, but there's no denying the craftsmanship and dedication of the production team. Christopher Lee plays the central villain with frightening gravitas, and there's a wealth of fine supporting players, including Liv Tyler, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving, amongst many others. An extended version of the film has since appeared on home video.
Followed by THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002).
