Rating: 
Summary: Worth every penny...almost
Review: The extended version of the film is fantastic for fans of the theatrical release. It fleshes out the characters and scenes and is every bit as enjoyable as the first. However, people should be warned against buying the gift set as opposed to the plain DVD. After being duped into buying the theatrical release with practically no bonus material a few months ago, I was determined not to make that mistake again. However, what I didn't realize that the only difference between the gift set and the regular DVD is the Argonath statuettes and the National Geographic DVD "Beyond the Movie", which may be a fabulous disc, but hardly worth more than twice the price. Buy the special edition, it is a must-own, but don't waste your money on the "gift set", it is only a gift to the studio, just like the first DVD release.
Rating:
Summary: Best long-movie in history just got longer, but better
Review: The extended version of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring definitely would have won the Best Picture Oscar for 2001 if it was played in theaters. Peter Jackson did say that he was satisfied with the theatrical version, but I believe he was saying that from a movie goers standpoint. What would a majority of people say to watching a 3 1/2 hour movie? Hence the decision for the extended version was made to be brought out.
The story is more comprehensible and more enjoyable thanks to the 30 minutes of extra (much needed) footage. Many things added are things you needed to know about so you can understand some key parts in the Two Towers. This version is so good, it is the only movie of this kind of length that you wouldn't mind watching again. This is also one of the very few movies were you get the sense of how much dedication,love and care was put into this film, which is a first for me. They even had Howard Shore, after winning the Oscar for Best Original Score for the original film, come and orchestrate new music for the new footage. At times you get the sense of seeing a new film.
For those who haven't seen the film in any of it's forms, this movie is great for action buffs and drama critiques. it is one of the very few films that combine flash with substance. For you special effects people, these are by far the cleanest, most believable you will ever see, surpassing Star Wars: Attack of the Clones surely. The attention to detail is astounding. For you drama folks, the combination of great acting, (especially from Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and Sean Bean) and great music blend to give great emotion and character (just see the parts near the end with Sean Bean and you will feel the emotion). This by far is one of the best movies ever. Watch it, you won't be disappointed, I promise.
Rating: 
Summary: Get both versions
Review: The extended version of the movie brings new scenes that add to atmosphere and character development, while others were left out of the original release for the better of it. Two disks of extras contain overwhelming information about the production process without spoiling the watching of its result. The extended movie brings new Shire scenes, one playing in the Green Dragon at Bywater known from the book and a must for all fans. Also it is nice that Bilbo does not merely promise Gandalf to tell Frodo of his departure plans as in the original, but we get to watch him making an attempt at keeping his promise. In the book, Frodo and Sam meet wood elves right in the beginning of their quest, and here they at least witness their journey to the Grey Havens, which has become so mystical and intense a scene that one wonders why it wasn't included in the original. On the other hand, Steven P Brumby in his review from Nov. 13, 2002 rightly points at some some scenes that would have better remained dropped, like Merry and Pippin throwing stones at the Uruk-hai, or Sam getting the rope from Galadriel, and I also could have done without a rather artificial looking view of Caras Galadhon in Lothlorien. In his script, PJ deviated from two motivational strings in Tolkien's book: There it was Aragorn, not Gandalf, that did not want to go to Moria, which was obviously changed to create some sense of evil foreboding. In the book, Aragorn then was unresolved as where to turn to from Lothlorien, straight to Mordor or to Gondor first, and the main reason for the company to go by boat was to put off this decision until they reach Rauros. The movie has no such doubts on the side of Aragorn, and the extended version now explains that the reason for going by boat is to avoid attacks by orcs, Aragorn actually telling Boromir in a lengthy new scene during the trip he won't ever let the ring get near Minas Tirith. While accepting any right of PJ to change Tolkien's plot where appropriate, I did not find this invention too conclusive or necessary and the new scenes just make it less comprehensible. The production material on CDs 3&4 alone is worth the buy, and to watch Christopher Lee's, and the whole team's, reverence of Tolkien's work is just very touching. Also, the details about the colour "grading" process explained my fiddling with the TV during the film, always having too much green in the shire and too much yellow at Elrond's council ;-)
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant for fans
Review: The extra 1/2 hour really adds heaps for dedicated fans of the book. There's whole scenes that are added in, and many scenes (it seemed like most scenes) are extended and made significantly richer in detail and characterisation. Far more about the Shire and Hobbiton is seen (it's lovely!), the hobbits have more character development at the start, Midgewater is included (originally not shown at all), there's more time spent in the mines of Moria, and Galadriel's "presents" have more meaning. Amazingly, the added scenes don't seem pointless at all (at least to me). It will take a long time to get through all the special features too - so far I've only listened to the actors' commentary (very interesting to hear the "hobbits" messing about with each other) and one of the documentaries, but they've been very entertaining. People who haven't read the books would probably prefer the original version without all the extra details, but it is truly wonderful to see so many little moments from the story brought back in. (The character of the film is quite different from the original, however, so I may end up buying a cheap copy of that one day too.)
Rating:
Summary: Better than the original release.
Review: The extra 30 minutes of new and extended footage adds depth to the charactes and clears up a few things. Not being familiar with the story this was a thrill to watch. I also liked the 2 dvd's filled with Behind the Scenes and the Making of. A wonderful release. Worth your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Extras make all the difference
Review: The extra footage and many special features included in this set make it a must have for any fan of the film or Tolkein. There are hours of background and "making of" material in the bonus discs that are truly fascinating. Even my wife enjoyed sitting down and watching all of it. And of course the movie is great -- definitely one worth owning in your permanent collection.
Rating:
Summary: A great edition, but...
Review: The extra scenes really shed light on the whole movie, but, I still haven't watched all 4 discs. See, I liked the movie, and I wanted the latest & greatest version, so I bought the 'Platinum' version. Not really necessary. If you're like me, get the basic version instead.
Rating:
Summary: The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum
Review: The extraordinary interpretation of Tolkien's first book in the LOTR series goes without saying. Jackson and his crew put together an incredible collection of additional information, footage and interviews that compliment and enhance the original theater release.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: The extras alone are worth buying this DVD set! The extra scenes are wonderful! I love the gift-giving scene! The movie is excellent, the commentaries are funny, the artwork is beautiful...etc.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth it for die-hard fans
Review: The extras on the second disc were far superior to those on the first, but they all were worth watching at least one. The commentary is hilarious at times, and even points out pieces of the movie that you've missed after seeing it 8+ plus times, as I have.
The movie itself, with the thirty minutes extra footage, is definitely worth it. If not for the Hobbit Drinking Song, sung by Merry and Pippin, then the passing of the Wood Elves, as seen by Frodo and Sam. The added scenes aided in the understanding of the movie, for those who have read the books a very long time ago, or have never read them at all, or just wish to see more, and understand where some of the mysterious objects came from that are later seen in the movie and in TTT, and gave a much needed depth, and even the ability to like him, to Boromir's character.
If you're content with the standard DVD or VHS, this is a good rent, but if you're left wanting more, then this is a good buy, especially on DVD.
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