I will say this right now this is quite possibly one of the hardest pieces I have ever had to do in my time on Ciao. I know it is not in the right place as I am writing about the Extended edition and not the one listed. But I was sick of waiting for Ciao to get off their backside and do something about it so it is here instead (I will transfer it over later when the category appears).

Now I loved The Fellowship of the Ring movie! In fact it my gf and I went and saw it twice in the first week it was out, it was that good. The visuals were fantastic. The story was taut as a bow, and the action sequences were amazing. It was well deserved of its Oscar nominations and as most people I know have said it should have gotten the Best Film Oscar.

So when the original DVD came out I just had to get it I was that hooked. I watched I enjoyed again what I saw and had a wail of a time. Then at the end of the 2 DVD’s jam packed with goodies was the trailer for the Special Extended Edition and I was lost forever! I had to have it! I wanted to see these extra bits to the film that were mentioned. I wanted to peruse the exclusive documentaries that would be included.

I HAD to have it or I would not be fit to live with!! But I had to wait until November (Cries)

So after looong months of waiting the day finally comes and I sit here eagerly caressing my ‘precious’ DVD slip case with a treasure that I have so long waited to see. I sit in my dark, dank hole and take out the first disc and sit back in my puddle to relax as……

Synopsis:

Now I thought originally of writing a synopsis and then realised something. About 60% of the population have seen the movie already. As well there are so many opinions about The Fellowship of the Ring on the site it would be impossible to match what has already been written as a synopsis. So if you have not seen the film go and hunt one up then:) I also do not know if I am going to have enough space here to write a synopsis! There is so much stuff on these DVD’s it is unbelievable.

DISC 1: From the Forging of the Ring to the Creation of the Fellowship (My own title for it but it helps)

and

DISC 2: The Fellowship heads out and fractures like a China Doll

As always with extended editions of any movie there is a question to ask!

Does it enhance the film?

In the case of The Fellowship of the Ring this is a most emphatic YES!!!! This edition of the movie does not detract from the original movie. The thirty or so extra minutes just add definition to what you have seen before. It is not like the Abyss where the story is totally redefined by the Special Edition version with mankind all of a sudden being on the brink of Nuclear War.

At some points it is just a small scene adding more definition to the journey that is undertaken. But then there are moments where you wished there was more and there is!!!! As in the Council of Elrond sequence where Boromir’s (Sean Bean) obsession is now given so much more definition and Gandalf’s power and authority are much better defined. From the opening of the film to its conclusion the Special Edition helps to clear up pieces within the cinematic version that may have left you a little confused. But in the end both versions stand tall and proud as cinematic masterpieces.

Also included on the first two DVD’s is a set of commentaries. However I have to say that so far I have only watched one at the moment. That commentary was one involving a large proportion of the main cast talking about the film, the cast and incidents that happened along the way. Like did you know that Viggo Mortenson’s first day on set was the fight with Ringwraith’s and that he had only picked up a sword three days earlier!!

The other commentaries are one by the Producers and Directors and the other by the Weta Special Effects people defining why things were done the way the were.

Disc’s 3 & 4

In overview these disc’s are the creation of the movie from grass roots through every step of the production process to the finished product. They are a combination of video diary, cast and crew interviews, and lots more that are hard to explain. I think it is quite possibly the most comprehensive and exhaustive overview of film production process I have ever seen and a must for anyone who wants to discover how a film is made. I can also quite honestly say that I still do not think I have watched all of it but I definitely plan to soon.

(One other thing to anyone out there that has the original 2DVD set and has seen the trailer for the Special Edition. They kept their promise!!! Every single article and feature has not been seen before! Its all brand new and sparkly bright:))

DISC 3 - "From Book to Vision"

As the title says Disc3 is the preproduction of the film. Starting with the novels themselves and taking you through the production of the film one step at a time.

· Brief Documentary on Tolkien and his influences.

This is a mixture of archive footage and photo’s with some interviews with Tolkien’s biographers. Plus it also has a short interview with the boy who reviewed the Hobbit for his father. It does not really tell anything new but it gives newcomers insight into the man behind the books.

· Adapting the book into a screenplay & planning the film

Interviews again with the team behind the script including the explanation of why Tom Bombardil is not in the film.

· Designing and building Middle-earth

This documentary is just wow. The things the crew did to keep true to Tolkien’s dream is unbelievable. Bringing over the premier Tolkien artists to help visualise sets was just one of them.

· Storyboards to pre-visualization

This is just very weird but an essential part of how LOTR got made. Amongst the many things you will find here are.

Abandoned animated story sequences.

CGI previsualisation sequences from the film.

Storyboard/final film sequences to show you the beginning and end result.

This was incredibly fascinating view of the creation process of LOTR.

· Weta Workshop visit - An up-close look at the weapons, armor, creatures and miniatures from the film

In all honesty I have only been able to watch ten minutes of this so far because Richard Taylor’s voice drives me up the wall and I have to stop. Although the documentary has been fascinating so far. I just hate the guys voice.

· Atlas of Middle-earth: Tracing the journey of the Fellowship

This is an interactive map through which you can trace the journey across Middle Earth. Most of the places where the Fellowship stop are not named in the film so by clicking on a location you get a small video sequence showing you where they were in relation to the map and the film.

· A interactive map of New Zealand highlighting the location scouting process

This was fascinating. Although only ten minutes long. It is a map with all the locations on. You click on a location and in response the location is shown to you in its before LOTR and after LOTR.

· Galleries of art and slideshows with commentaries by the artists

This is an in depth look at the costumes of every character and all the races. With monologues on the decisions behind how and why the costumes and equipment were designed the way they were.

· Guided tour of the wardrobe department

This is an in depth look into the design of the characters costumes. With information explaining the decisions on the styles of the Middle Earth races. There is also information on decisions behind the costumes of all the main characters. Did you know over 16,000 costumes were created for this film.

DISC 4 - "From Vision to Reality" This DVD is about the filming and the post production of the movie.

· Bringing the characters to life
· A day in the life of a hobbit
· Principal photography: Stories from the set
· Scale: Creating the illusion of size
· Galleries of behind-the-scenes photographs and personal cast photos
· Editorial and visual effects multi-angle progressions
· Sound design demonstration
· And much more!

It is at this point I have to say that The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition is a magnificent piece of work. The love and care put into this piece by everyone involved really shines through. Making this presentation truly exceptional. What they advertised on the original DVD and in television adverts is met and exceeded by a mile and a half. It is truly comprehensive and will answer any question you ever had about the movie making process along the way.

This set of 4 DVD’s has for me redefined what is value for money. At only £24.99 in the shops it is a great bargain and totally outclasses all its rivals on every level in what it offers. I honestly cannot wait for next year and The Two Towers Special Edition to see how they top what they have already done.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition
Additional Features:
Widescreen (2.35:1) version of the Special Extended Edition
Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround Sound
DTS ES 6.1 Surround Sound
Stereo Surround Sound
Price: £24.99 £22.49 At Amazon)