Rating: 
Summary: Not Compatible With Windows XP
Review: I know I may be in the minority but I watch DVD's on my computer.
And I was highly disappointed when I discovered that this will not work on Windows XP even though the specs for this product say
that it should. I have done some research and have found out that I am not the only person with this problem. I know the movie is fantastic but I can not recommend this for XP users.
Rating: 
Summary: The version we should have seen in theatres--a masterpiece!
Review: Don't bother to buy the DVD version of the theatrical release of "Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring." This extended version--enhanced by director Peter Jackson with 30 minutes of additional footage--is by far the superior realization of the first book of Tolkein's masterwork. And I'm saying this as someone who saw LOTR 14 times in theatres!As one of the legions of LOTR fans who were appalled at first to learn that it was being adapted for the screen, I was prepared for the worst. How could Tolkein's world--a world fully realized, in heartbreakingly beautiful detail--ever be translated to film? But like millions of fans around the world, I ended up being deeply grateful to Jackson and his visionary guidance of this project. The theatrical release of LOTR is indeed shining accomplishment and a delightful surprise for skeptics like me. It was obviously created by artists with a deep affection and respect for the world and characters that Tolkein created. And yet, however much I appreciated the efforts of Jackson and his gifted writing team, I longed for more character development. I longed for more of Tolkein's poetry and the singing that are woven into the narrative. I keenly felt the absence of some of my favorite passages of Tolkein's books. In the Platinum Series Extended Edition, viewers get to see what we should have seen in theatres. (In fact, I'll start the begging now--Peter Jackson, please, PLEASE let us see this masterpiece on the big screen!) This extended version is rich with additional detail that should make the work so much more accessible and enjoyable to those who have not read the books. We learn that, in the insular land of the Shire, life is simple, safe, and revolves mainly around eating, drinking, singing and making the land bloom. Thanks to a new narration by Frodo's uncle Bilbo, viewers get a much better understanding of why Frodo the Hobbit--or in fact, any Hobbit--is the most unlikely of heroes--and why his quest (and its ultimate outcome) is so improbable. This version is full of gems that will delight fans of the theatrical release. In some cases, we get just a sentence or two of additional dialog. In others, we get entirely new scenes. Perhaps the most moving addition is Gimli's description of the Lady Galadriel's gift. We also get a deeper understanding of Aragorn's inner turmoil as the exiled, secret heir to Isildur's weakness. We feel more keenly the ultimate departure of the Elves from Middle-Earth--and Arwen's bittersweet decision to choose the love of the mortal Aragorn over eternal life with her kin in the West. We learn that Gollum had another name before the One Ring drove him mad'and we begin to understand why Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance. Accompanying the newly-expanded masterpiece are some amazing documentaries about the making of The Lord of the Rings. I recommend saving these for dessert, after you've enjoyed Fellowship of the Ring a few times. They will increase your appreciation of the work in terms of filmmaking achievement--and you will be in awe of the sheer effort required to translate Tolkein's literary vision into cinematic vision. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Platinum Series Extended Edition is a MUST for any fan of the books or the film. I also hope that it will move more viewers to read the books for themselves.
Rating:
Summary: This movie rocks
Review: I almost didn't watch this movie cause my mother took my 13 yo to the theater, said it was very very violent. Not in my opinion. Very well done movie. Can't wait to see the Two Towers!!
Rating:
Summary: The Ultimate edition of the Fellowship of the Ring
Review: Rather than review the film, which has been done by many more eloquent than myself, I thought I'd offer my opinion on why the 4-disk extended edition is the only edition of this wonderful movie worth owning. The extra 30 minutes of footage added to the body of the movie proves that if it weren't for 21st-century attention spans being so short, this could have been an even greater movie in the theatres at its full length. The additions have been edited in seemlessly and add to the richness and depth of the world Jackson portrays on screen. I particularly like the greater time spent in Hobbiton, which is a truely magical location. As for the extras... WOW. I sometimes sit through some of the extras on a DVD and get the impression that they have just cobbled together some of the extra footage from filiming, along with some interviews with now-bored stars who have moved on to other projects. Compared to these DVDs and the original releases promotional material, this extended edition has the most engaging and fascinating extras I have ever seen. The passion of the cast for the project is clear to see, and the quality of the extras is remarkable. Everything from the selection of locations to the relationship of the main cast with hilarious actors who were their small-scale doubles. (The best moments for me are the stories of Sean Astin's little Indian double ordering Viggo Mortesnen around like an angry housewife). The insights into the making of the film and the care and attention to detail lavished on it by cast and crew only enrich the experience of the film itself. A must for anyone who liked the film, and worth it even if you have the first DVD release, I mean 6 1/2 hours of extra features is worth every penny!
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: Simply the most impressive DVD I have seen to date
Review: The dedication of Peter Jackson to make this franchise a timeless collection continues with the fantastic 4 disk set. I have only watched the extended version of the movie so far, and I'm already impressed. The inclusion of such vital scenes as the gift giving scene make this impressive movie even more so. I would highly recommend this set for anyone who is a true fan of the original work of J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie. And the included Movie Cash for a free ticket to Two Towers makes this set a great value as well.
Rating: 
Summary: Original theatrical DVD edition proves disappointing
Review: After viewing the extended version of the Fellowship of the Ring, I'm convinced this orginal version must now take a fall from its pedestal. My initial minor frustrations at the omissions of key scenes such as the gift-giving have now been magnified many times over by the fact that these key omissions are brilliantly included in the extended version. One can only ask: if these omissions were due to 'time constraints' and 'pacing issues' then why were the scenes that DID make the cut included? How can the gift-giving scene and the reconciliation of Galadriel's character (through Gimli) have been LESS important than the inclusion of cute little kids in Hobbiton? Or surely Jackson could have managed a five minute prologue(instead of 7 1/2) in order to allow for the scene? Was showing the lengthy cave troll fight more important than showing the true character of Galadriel? Obviously my opinion is NO. Don't get me wrong, I loved the cave troll scene and the cute kids. It's just that if Jackson was THAT tight on time and space, I think an iconic scene such as the gift-giving in Lothlorien deserved to be left in. Of course, many other cut scenes are vital as well - Aragorn's background and the bolstering of his relationship with Arwen is but one example. Yes, I understand that this version could not be 3 1/2 hours... but when you take the approach that Jackson says he took (pace considerations, importance to the story, etc.) for cutting material it's baffling why many of the extended scenes were cut and why some of the ones actually in the movie were not cut! This is still an entertaining movie. But it has many story gaps and character misrepresentations that, as is now so painfully obvious, make this version less than stellar.
Rating:
Summary: DEPTH!
Review: This DVD edition adds depth to the story which makes it feel "more like tolkien" and the extra features are unbelievably good. I'm only a fraction of the way through them, and they've made me very happy! They should be required viewing for all film students. This is the way movies should be made! With love, passion and the master craft of men like Peter Jackson, and Richard Taylor, and women like Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens.
Rating:
Summary: Wish I could give it 95 stars. Oh, yeah, baby!!!
Review: The extended version and the commentaries are so wonderful! We spent the whole weekend watching them. The additions to the movie were just perfect. I hope the results from FOTR have encouraged New Line to put up the bucks for this level of welcome detail for the last two. And you know, I don't mind having shelled out for both versions - they are so beautifully done it is worth any amount, but I did appreciate the low price and the free ticket to Two Towers.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie made even better
Review: I have now seen this movie 14 times, Theater-2, PPV-2, DVD-7, ExtDVD 3. I really commend Peter Jackson and the editing crew for doing a great job of cutting the movie to theatrical length. The extra footage in the ExtDVD is wonderful, but the theatrical version did not suffer excessively without it. I found myself stopping the ExtDVD several times to replay new scenes, most notably: The Council of Elrond; The entrance to Lothlorien (I am dying to know what Gimli said to Haldir); The Lament for Gandalf. Real fans should buy the ExtDVD. However, if you didn't LOVE the movie, I don't think the ExtDVD will change your mind.
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