Rating: 
Summary: Great movie. Get this version of the movie on VHS or DVD
Review: The added (or maybe cut from the very long original) scenes in this extended version help tell the story better than the original version (1/2 hour longer). It explains how some things came to be, and may not have been in the original only for the fact that this is a really long movie (but well worth it).No question. If you want your own movie for your home, get this version. It is too bad they had to release this version months after the original came out on DVD. (I have both now). I suppose the makers of this movie want to make as much as they can out of this series of movies. But the extended version is better than the original, and possibly worth getting (Buy it for your wife's birthday...) even if you already have the original. Personally, I will wait next time for the extended version for Two Towers before I run out and buy the original.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff. . . .
Review: I like the extended version of the movie better than the original theatrical cut. Many of the scenes that were added back into the movie really helped to "fill" out the story more. My only complaint is that the extras on this DVD set do not include some of the extras on the original version DVD. I don't own the original version, but by just comparing the names of the featurettes you know that they didn't put those from the original version into the extended version. (sorry for making it sound complicated)
However, there is a lot of movie-making-magic to explore in the DVDs. I really enjoyed watching the costume design and weapons design featurettes. After watching the extended-cut movie for the first time, I recommend watching it again with the actors' commentary. It's very amusing.
Rating:
Summary: Simply superb
Review: This edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is simply superb. The additonal and extended scenes increase the depth of the movie and add a sense of time passing in many instances such as the scene in the Green Dragon. The presentation of the Gifts of Galadriel, left out of the theatric version, were perhaps the most welcome addition.
Rating:
Summary: Professor Tolkien would be happy, I think.
Review: I cannot believe some of the reviews I have read on this site. I can understand if people just do not like the subject matter, it is a matter of taste. There seem to be alot of action/adventure/fantasy fans, however, that are picking fault with the DVD for rediculous reasons. 1. It is too long.
The LOTR is a BIG story, in many ways. It is simply not possible to fit the whole thing into a neat 1 1/2 hour feature. I for one found that the 3 1/2 hours flew by. 2. It is in widescreen. I just do not understand why anyone would want to watch anyone elses version of the film other than the director's (i.e the pan and scan editor's). Why would you also want to loose 50% of the shot - especially that wonderful New Zealand scenery. Call yourselves film buffs - GO AND GET A WIDE-SCREEN TV!!! This DVD is absolutely gorgeous. The casting is spot on, the script is faithful, the acting is magnificent, the cinematography is superb. The fact that Peter Jackson has brought this "unfilmable" story to the screen and it in not a travesty is remarkable. The fact that the film is remarkable is miraculous.
(I like it :-)
Rating:
Summary: The Cinematic Hit of The Year
Review: Lord of The Rings is one of the most prosperous films that has ever been produced. Many people detest to the amount of violence in the film even though it is almost a direct replica of a series that most parents encourage their children to read. The Lord Of The Rings is a production of one of the most fabulous novels that have ever been written in the Fantasy genre. Tolkien wrote books that will be republished countless time in order to keep the World reading about a classic good and evil tale. Peter Jackson does a marvelous job keeping the movie consistent with the book and still manages to produce an exciting, capturing, and interesting movie. If people criticize this movie for any reason then they have absolutely no sophisticated taste in movies and any prejudice against this story should be prosecuted because they are criticizing one of the most renowned writers in the 1900s.
Rating:
Summary: Big screen or small, Peter Jackson is a genius.
Review: Okay, I admit it: I'm a big old, giant size, gooberific fanboy geek, and once I saw the second of Peter Jackson's LOTR movies, I rushed to the nearest computer terminal and bought the deluxe 4-DVD "remix" version of the first film. Man, am I glad I did. This film, in all it's various manifestations, is a fascinating study in how new media have adapted to meet different audiences. When I saw the first film in the theatres, I thought, "WOW.", but I still felt some nagging doubts about what I had seen. The film was spectacular, but felt like it was missing a little bit here, and a little bit there. Well, it turnsout that all the things I was looking for were in the film, but were skillfully nipped out to make the big screen version a physically-endurable event. The other, longer, more nuanced film is one that was made to be seen at one's own pace in the comfort of our hobbit-like little homes. So there it is: the little links in the plot, the extra shadings of character, the elf-y stuff, the snug splendor of the Shire, the extra connective tissue that makes this film move along at a slower, more deliberate keel, and which makes all nagging doubts vanish like some subtle magical spell. Both versions make sense -- the theatrical release felt just about right -- my attention didn't wander, and my [bottom] didn't hurt when I headed for home. Then the DVD version felt more satisfying and has all the geely behind-the-scenes stuff that I'm still watching now. Plus, it had additional Liv Tyler footage: I'm in heaven!
Rating:
Summary: the best movie
Review: THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE AND I RECCOMEND IT TO EVEYONE. THERE ARE TO MANY SCENCES THAT ARE GOOD.
Rating:
Summary: The additional time is well spent...
Review: The addition of 30 minutes has made a world of difference in what was already a great movie. The story is smoother, the expanded character development makes more sense, and the wonder that is middle earth draws you in far deeper than the original film. The extended version a rare treat -- it's longer but yet feels faster than the original while magically also seeming more complete. The small price to pay for these improvements is having the movie spread over two DVD disks instead of a single one. Frankly it's worth it. A wonderful film to own and cherish, I'd recommend it to anyone who loved the theatrical release.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive version
Review: There are so many reasons to own this version I can't touch on them all here. The new 30 minutes of footage are used well. It slows the pace of the film down, making the film feel less frantic, so that when you're in the Shire, you get to dwell there a bit longer, absorbing the feel of the place and getting to know more about the peaceful ways of the Hobbits. Much more detail is given about Middle Earth, taking it a step closer to Tolkien's vision. Lothlorien, which seemed all but glossed over in the theatrical release, is seen as it should be from afar, golden and mysterious, and we're given the added pleasure of spending a bit more time there. At last we get to see the gifts of the elves, which makes sense later when they are used. It is wonderful to see each of the Fellowship's interaction with Galadriel (Cate Blanchett,) who is given considerably more screen time. The hints of Tolkien's fondness of songs and the shots of the band of hobbits and men sharing meals around the fire serve to fill in the feel of the books,as well as deepen character development. Both Aragorn and Borimir's character are more fleshed out by the added scenes. Then there are scenes of great beauty, such as the Sam and Frodo's first glimpse of the elves, which may not advance the plot, but are breathtakingly gorgeous. This is a rich, must-have item to watch over and over. Image and sound are first rate. An added bonus is the appendices, which are voluminous and informative. In here you'll find everything you wanted to know aboiut how this film was put together, from conception to finished production. Everything about this version is first class, even the elaborate packing, replete with gorgeous drawings from the world of Tolkien. Highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: Longer isn't better. Buy the theatrical release.
Review: Borrow the Extended Edition from a friend; but for repeat viewings, own the version that was released in theaters. Having been a repeat viewer of the 3-hour Fellowship, and a fan of the books, I was given the Extended Edition as a gift. Viewing the added scenes was interesting - once, to satisfy my curiosity. I was then invited to watch the Extended Edition with a roomful of people who had not seen the theatrical release, and I was able predict the points during which their interest would lag. In my opinion, Extended Edition suffers in comparison to the theatrical release in two ways: pacing (there are some stretch-and-yawn moments among the added scenes, in addition to a few wonderful ones); and an unfortunate early "spoiler" regarding Boromir's overwhelming need to take the Ring from Frodo. Yes, this scene is true to the book, but it works less well on film. By confirming Boromir's intentions almost from the moment he's introduced - and exposing Gandalf's open and somewhat hostile distrust of Boromir - the film loses not only some of its suspense, but a significant amount of its poignancy. It's tough to have empathy with Boromir when instead of seeing him slowly seduced by the Ring, you find yourself viewing him as an obvious villain and wondering why such smart elves and wizards would allow this guy to join their sensitive mission. In summary, viewing both versions has strengthened my respect for Fellowship's original editors, who demonstrated enormous wisdom in choosing what to leave out. (I only wish similar restraint had been used to reduce Treebeard's painfully long speeches in Return of the King. Again, it was charming in the book but on film, it should be subtitled, "Go get popcorn now." So shoot me.
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