Rating: 
Summary: Pure Magic
Review: A revelation that people will attempt to copy in scope from now on. One can't wait for TTT.
Rating:
Summary: Buy this one, not the regular 2-disc set!
Review: I won't repeat all of the glowing words that others have already said about this dvd... But, if you're trying to figure out which dvd to buy, get this one and not the 2-disc set. The extra 30 minutes makes the movie so much better, and flow so much more! ('Concerning hobbits' is a great outtake that really gives those not familar w/ the story a good background about what drives the main characters on, and why the quest is so unusual for creatures like hobbits!) I'm not a superfan, but did love Tolkien's works before seeing the movie. The extra footage dvd really represented the original work much more; I didn't think it was missing anything when I saw it in the theatre, but realized it was so much better when seen w/ the new footage. The extra footage isn't expanded fight scenes or unnecessary filler (like some dvds)-- this is really story-building stuff about the characters. I haven't even looked @ 3rd & 4th dvds-- I bought the set only for the extended footage (and its worth it, just for that!)
Rating:
Summary: Far better than the theatrical version
Review: I cannot express how wonderful it was to view this DVD. The addition of the previously deleted footage (especially that of Galadriel's gifts) was priceless and adds much to the film. I can hardly see how the scenes were removed in the first place. It was like watching a new film. Don't get me wrong; the theatrical version was incredible and lost almost nothing in repeated viewings (three of them) ... the emotion, the suspense, and the magic were there each and every time. This extended version DVD, however, is the movie the theatrical version should've been: as near to perfect as cinematically possible. AND the behind-the-scenes documentaries and commentary are wonderful. And, as an extremely cool bonus, it includes an adult ticket to The Two Towers. How cool is THAT? Bottom line: If you loved LOTR:FOTR in theatres, you'll be amazed at how incredible this DVD is.
Rating:
Summary: We hoped it would be good -- and it was
Review: For years, readers of The Lord of the Rings wondered if there could ever be a movie made of this trilogy that would be both good and true to the original. With the release of Fellowship of the Ring, we wonder no longer. Although a big-budget production, Peter Jackson has made a magnificent transformation of the story from book to film.Filmed in New Zealand, the movie has the look and feel of a fantasy land, both wild and beautiful. The cast is well chosen: Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey; Elijah Wood as Frodo, the feaful, yet brave Hobbit who endures the burden of ring bearer; Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, Sean Astin as Sam, Sean Bean as Boromir, Ian Holm as Bilbo, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, and Christopher Lee as Saruman. Each plays his role as a real character, not as a caricature. And they do so magnificently. The combat scenes are so intense we grip the arms of our chairs, yet there is no dependence on action to bring in an audience. Nor is there a dependence on special effects; those used are done well, but do not dominate the film. It is the story of the Fellowship as created by Tolkien that thrives here. We care about the good and despise the evil, but sometimes the line between is not entirely clear. Although true to the books, there is no slavish devotion to reproducing every word, scene, and character. For instance, Tom Bombadill has been left out, as have the songs and poems so many Tolkien devotees love. Even so, little harm has been done. Now that The Two Towers is being released, interest is once again high in the works of Tolkien. The trilogy is available more than ever in bookstores. Recordings of The Fellowship of the Ring are available on VHS and DVD. Readers and movie goers should also enjoy The Hobbit, still awaiting as good a treatment on film.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy the "Extended Version"
Review: I bought this DVD when it first came out in 2002 and then towards the holiday season of 2002 an "Extended Version" was released with around 30 minutes more added to the movie. Sure, the "Extended Version" costs more, but if you want to see more of the story then there's only one choice here, unfortunately. It would have been nice of the packaging commitee to include both the original theatrical version and the "Extended Version" in a single set (like E.T.) but then they would have lost making 2 sales to every fan. But now that the "Extended Version" and the "Shortened Version" are out, well, who wants the "Shortened Version"? Buyer beware: there are 2 versions of this film available, this one is the short straw.
Rating:
Summary: a nightmare for anyone who loves Tolkien
Review: Don't get this movie if you haven't seen it. It's awful in every regard. If you have seen it I'm sorry. If you've read the book AND seen the movie I am SO sorry you had to experience such a painful nightmare. In Lord of the Rings: Fellowship Peter Jackson has stripped the spirit of Tolkien almost entirely from the novel. What one finds in place of the mythic energy that drives the novel is technology. The landscapes of places like Rivendell are breathtaking and are clearly intended to give the film a feeling of grandeur. They do not achieve the effect their director intends because Jackson has forgotten that to tell a story you have to use language NOT just special effects and camera tricks. But this is exactly what I would expect from Hollywood where even in "art films" the difficult substance of literature and art is neglected for superficial trappings of style and craft. Entire exchanges between characters in Tolkien are reduced to one or two words in many scenes packed with clumsy dramatic pauses. Jackson entirely loses the sense of journey central to Tolkien. In Fellowship there is a sense that in Hobbiton everyone thinks all is well but a terrible storm looms far in the distance in someplace called Mordor far far away. This is achieved through the dark, intense conversation by firelight between Gandalf and Frodo in Tolkien. Jackson for the first hour of the movie makes no attempt to offer any such scene and instead squanders our attention by showing us fireworks displays in Hobbiton juxtaposed with impressive images of Mordor. Since there is no intimacy and feeling of protection surrounding Hobiton, no feeling that somehow when Frodo leave Hobbiton he is abandoning his stay before a nightmarish journey, because when we think of Hobbiton we think not of the secluded, warm atmosphere of Tolkien but just another pretty place full of spectacle. The mystery that surrounds Sauron and Mordor is lost since we him in the first minute of the movie. Even on the level of a mindless adventure movie Lord of the Rings fails. It lacks the excitement and momentum of Indiana Jones and the humanity and grandeur of Star Wars (the old series NOT the new one).
Rating:
Summary: A Towering Achievement
Review: What can be said that hasn't been said already? We are witnessing film history in the making, on the order of The Godfather series and the original Star Wars trilogy. In many ways the Lord of the Rings combines what made both series successful; the depths and personalities of its characters and spectacular scenery that is only possible in the movies. What is most impressive (to me anways) is that today's jaded audience is embracing what is essentially an old fashioned epic story about morality and power. People are talking about the very "human" struggles of its heroes and not just the special effects or strange creatures; unlike its one-dimensional counterpart, the Harry Potter series. Good triumphs over evil and it seems so easy and simplified in Harry Potter but in the LOTR "things are not always as they seem". The film asks us to be emotionally and intellectually invested in its characters and not just the fireworks (altough there is plenty of that!!!). The characters in LOTR choose the right path even when the odds are clearly stacked against them. In Harry Potter and other contemporary films the good guys have plenty of firepower and their motives are simple. Cardboard. Not everyone understands what the fuss over LOTR is all about but many people still don't understand the fuss that is made over The Godfather or Star Wars either. But for those of us in on the ride it is yet another example of why film is the supreme art form above anything else today. Neither books, music, or even television draws in so many disparate demographics and backgrounds to a single work. The FOTR is generally not going to go over well with those with short attention spans or are generally turned off by fantasy films. There are a multitude of strange creatures, magical concepts, strange languages and lands. All of which are touched upon in the film, but barely, compared to the depths J.R.R. Tolkien invested in them. The book tells its tale in its own leisurely pace, noting every tree and hill or the histories of its various people. But Peter Jackson's film brings a wonderful sense of energy, tension, and pacing that is appropriate for a film adaptation. The attention to detail and the passion the people put behind the film is apparent onscreen but you'll never truly realize it until you see the extensive but enjoyable documentaries on discs 3 and 4. I care not what other LOTR fans say about changes or omissions compared to the book. There are simply so many other things PJ expanded, tightened, or even improved upon Tolkien's story. Blasphemy? Bah. I enjoyed it immensely. As for the Extended Edition this is Fellowship of the Ring as it should have been without the demands of NewLine, theatre vendors, or the general public in the way. (But kudos to NewLine for taking the chance on this epic in the first place) Peter Jackson states this is not the "Director's Cut" but I believe he's being "diplomatic" since the Two Towers and Return of the King will be shown in the "acceptable" 3 hr time frame. The stories and characters in the Extended Edition are simply richer and has more clarity than the Theatrical Cut. And for those who read the book the Extended Edition is more faithful to its spirit. This DVD set finally gives the story of FOTR the room it needed to breathe. The FOTR is only 1/3 of a 9+ hour mega-movie and it should be viewed on those terms and not as a film in itself. The story has just begun.......
Rating:
Summary: ... Awesome!
Review: Everything about this DVD is top notch for both fans of the Books and the Movies! The additional scenes and footage within the feature are remarkable; and with 6+ hours of documentery material, this version provides the most in-depth experience for any fan of the Lord of the Rings. I, personally, can't wait for 'The Two Towers' Extended Edition, not to even mention 'Return of the King' I HIGHLY recommend this edition to anyone who enjoyed the movie!
Rating: 
Summary: WAY OVER-RATED
Review: I know I'm gonna catch flack for this but come on, i could have read all three books and the hobbit before the movie ended. It was poorly done, and Wood's performance was less then entertaining. However, not the worst movie i've seen, but not nearly deserving of being called a masterpiecce. I give it three stars because of how the plot changes speed to frequntly, the ... acting, and Elijah woods poor job. Good effects though and sendoff of the characters. also good job with bringing the mosters to life (make-up/costumes). Overall very disappointing.
Rating:
Summary: THE DVD to own
Review: Although people often say "That was the best movie I've ever seen," regardless of the film, I can honestly say, this is the best DVD I've ever seen! While I'm not an intense home theatre enthusiast, I do have a few hundred DVD's and this is the best one in my collection. The picture is stunning, the audio is top-notch. On top of that, the four audio commentaries are extremely insightful and interesting. (I thought I'd be bored with the design team's commentary, but it was just as interesting as the other three.) On discs three and four, titled the appendicies, you get several hours of documentaries and featurettes. Take note: don't be fooled by the term "featurette". All too often on DVD's today, a featurette is a five minute promo for a studio or other fluff piece. However, the featurettes on this set are usually 15 minutes to an hour long and really are about the making of the movie. By the time you're done with this set, you will know everything there is to know about this film. If you like the movie and you haven't bought this yet, you're really missing out. If you're saying to yourself, "I don't care about extras and I already own the two-disc set," then you still need to think about getting this version. The "special extended" edition of the film is better than the original in every way. 99 times out of 100, deleted scenes are deleted for a reason. Not so with this version - the extra scenes are blended seamlessly and add a depth I didn't think was possible. Now, when I think of these scenes, I don't think of additional scenes, I think the film would be incomplete without them. I try not to be one given to exaggeration or hyperbole, but I just don't think there's any other way to say it: This is the finest DVD release in the history of the format.
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