Dive Deep into Middle-earth: Your Ultimate Guide to the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions
You have visited Middle-earth. You saw the theatrical cuts of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That’s cool, casual tourist. However, if you want to really experience Tolkien’s vision, you must try the Extended Editions. It’s like upgrading from a pony ride to Shadowfax. There’s more story, more depth, more awesome.
Where to Watch the Extended Magic
Ready to dive into Middle-earth? Streaming services cover you. Here’s where to find those Extended Editions:
- HBO Max (now just Max): Max is your platform for all three Extended Editions – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. Think of it as your digital Rivendell.
- Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video hosts the complete Extended Edition trilogy. If you’re already in Prime, you’re only a click away from the magic.
- Max Amazon Channel: If streaming services confuse you, find The Fellowship of the Ring and Return of the King Extended Editions on the Max Amazon Channel. It’s a meta streaming experience for movie lovers.
- Rent or Buy Options: Not into streaming? No problem. Rent or buy the Extended Editions on platforms like Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango, and Movies Anywhere. Perfect for your collection, just don’t let it make you Gollum-like. You can buy Return of the King on Amazon Video or Microsoft Store, or rent it on Plex.
- The War of the Rohirrim on Max: If you crave more Middle-earth content, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is streaming exclusively on Max. It premiered on HBO on March 1st. Dive into Rohan’s history!
The Epic Length and Added Goodies
Prepare for a marathon. The Extended Editions are not just longer; they are significantly beefier. We mean:
- Total Runtime: The full Extended Edition trilogy runs approximately 11 hours and 22 minutes. That’s a long time – like some international flights!
- Bonus Footage: Each film gets substantial extra footage. The Fellowship of the Ring gets about 30 extra minutes, while The Two Towers adds around 40 minutes and The Return of the King sees a whopping 50 extra minutes. It’s like finding Lembas bread when starving in Mordor.
- Extra Scenes and Character Moments: These Editions add crucial character development and lore. For instance, Fellowship of the Ring‘s cut deepens character connections and provides context fans crave. You get unseen conversations and new scenes that enhance the story.
- Extended vs. Theatrical: Think of theatrical versions as appetizers and Extended Editions as a full banquet. While the theatrical cuts are good, the Extended Editions offer a richer experience, fulfilling Tolkien’s vision better.
- Extended vs. Special Extended: There’s also a “Special Extended Edition”! These include deleted scenes from regular Extended releases. The Mouth of Sauron scene was in this Special Edition only. Regular Extended misses about 45 minutes of those scenes. The Special Extended is for the ultimate completist.
Extended vs. Theatrical: Is Longer Really Better?
For Lord of the Rings? Yes, especially if you are a true fan.
- The Superior Experience: While theatrical versions are great, Extended Editions are superior. They provide a more complete experience for Tolkien enthusiasts.
- Enhanced Story and World: Extra scenes aren’t just filler. They enhance context and deepen character relationships, making the world even richer.
- Character Depth and Plot Clarity: Especially in Fellowship, extended scenes significantly improve character development and provide vital context, making the film more impactful.
Want to Own the Precious? Purchasing Options
If you prefer physical media or digital ownership, the Extended Editions are available.
- Amazon.com: Amazon is a prime place to purchase Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition sets. From Blu-rays to digital copies, they have it all.
Canon or Not Canon? That is the Question.
For Tolkien purists, canon matters. Are the Extended Editions part of Middle-earth stories?
- Generally Canon: While debates occur in lore forums, Extended Editions are considered canon-adjacent. They mostly expand existing scenes without changing core plot points. Think of them as footnotes adding detail.
Return to Theaters? You Shall Not Pass… Up This Opportunity!
Pull out your cloaks and popcorn! The Extended Editions return to theaters.
- 4K UHD Remastered Theatrical Re-release: Warner Bros. and Fathom Events bring back the remastered 4K UHD Extended Edition trilogy! Select AMC, Regal, and Cinemark theaters will host these screenings. Seeing Middle-earth in glorious 4K is an experience fans should not miss.
Related Quibbles and Queries
Navigating Middle-earth can be tricky. Here are common questions answered:
- The Hobbit Before Lord of the Rings?: Yes, chronologically. To follow the timeline, start with The Hobbit, which is set 60 years before Lord of the Rings. Think of it as essential backstory.
- Legolas in The Hobbit?: Movie-Legolas appears; book-Legolas does not. Orlando Bloom appears in The Hobbit, but Legolas isn’t in Tolkien’s original novel.
- Legolas in War of the Rohirrim?: Nope. Legolas takes a break in this Rohan-centric tale. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim does not include him.
Movie by Movie: Extended Edition Run-Down
Need details on each Extended Edition? Here’s the breakdown:
- The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition: 228 minutes (or 3 hours and 48 minutes). Adds about 30 minutes plus fan credits. Released on VHS and DVD back in 2002.
- The Two Towers Extended Edition: 235 minutes (or 3 hours and 55 minutes). Packs roughly 45 minutes of new footage plus more credits. Released on VHS and DVD in 2003.
- The Return of the King Extended Edition: A hefty 4 hours and 10 minutes (250 minutes). It includes another 50 minutes of material. This is the longest and considered most rewarding.
- Return of the King Alternate Versions: Brace yourself for FOUR versions!
- Theatrical Release: 3 hours 21 minutes (201 minutes).
- Blu-Ray Extended Edition: 4 hours 23 minutes (263 minutes).
- Special DVD Extended Edition: 4 hours 14 minutes (254 minutes).
- DVD Widescreen Edition: 3 hours 12 minutes (192 minutes).
Confused? Go for Blu-ray Extended Edition for maximum Middle-earth.
Character Ages: Wrinkles of Middle-earth
Ever wonder how old characters really are? Prepare for some time-twisting numbers:
- Gandalf’s Age: Timeless basically. As a Maia spirit (Olorin), Gandalf existed before time itself. In Middle-earth as a wizard, he was around for about 2000 years.
- Gollum’s Age: He’s nearly 600 when he meets his end. Born as Sméagol in Third Age 2430, he died in 3019. The Ring can increase lifespan, but not your complexion.
- Frodo’s Age: He is 50 when he starts his quest. He’s 33 at Fellowship‘s start yet takes 17 years before leaving the Shire, making him half a century old at launch.
- Aragorn’s Age: Ancient for humans. At 87 years old, he meets Frodo in Bree.
- A ripe old age of 210. He was 88 when he met Gandalf the White. Talk about aging gracefully.
Random Bits of Middle-earth Trivia
For those who like to impress:
- Cate Blanchett’s Pay: Practically sandwiches. Cate Blanchett joked that the cast got “free sandwiches” and “no one got paid for Lord of the Rings. Hollywood accounting!
- Saruman’s Cut Death Scene: Peter Jackson cut Saruman’s death from the theatrical Return of the King. The scene was too long. The Scouring of the Shire went for time.
- Why 2 Blu-ray Discs?: Extended Editions are huge. Each film uses more than 50GB. That exceeds a single disc. Compressing them means quality loss.
- Helm’s Deep Battle Length: The Battle of Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers is about 39 minutes long. Grab your snacks.
- The Arkenstone: The Heart of the Mountain. Thorin Oakenshield wanted this gem in The Hobbit. His ancestor Thrain discovered it, shaped by Dwarves.
- What Happened to Tauriel?: Tauriel, from The Hobbit films, is banished by Thranduil after Kili’s death. Evangeline Lilly thinks she returned to Mirkwood. Her fate is unclear.
- Fan Club Credits: The Extended Edition DVDs/Blu-rays list fan-club members. They financially supported the project. A nod to fandom.
- Mouth of Sauron – Human or…? Human! The Mouth of Sauron is a living man. He is a Black Númenórean renegade and Sauron’s messenger.
Your guide to the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions. Grab your streaming device or disc. Settle in for the ultimate Middle-earth experience. Schedule a bathroom break. It’s a long journey, even for seasoned adventurers.
