Hey
Folks,
I just got back from Los
Angeles where by invitation from the great folks at New
Line Cinema, whereI was privileged today to screen the Special Extended
DVD release of "The Two Tower: Fellowship of the Ring" at the LaserPacific
Digital Screening Theatre Hollywood.
It was a long drive in
heavy traffic, but very, very worth it. There were few in attendance as another
screening is scheduled for this upcoming Saturday. With the exception of myself
and Keith, the Webmaster of IanMckellan.com,
most of the folks there were journalists and folks that review DVD's for the
Academy, It was great to see Keith again, and we had a good time comparing
notes on which was our favourite added scenes and just how much the fans are
going to appreciate the work that Mr. Jackson and his team have put into this
extended edition. Of course, I feel about this one as I did of the Fellowship
extended, that THIS is the version that should have been played on the big
screen instead of the theatrical release. But moviemakers have their reasons
for doing what they do and I'm just grateful that that I'm alive today to
witness Tolkien's stories being brought to life as they should be. :-)
Before I get into
all the detail and list all the spoilers, it is worth noting that IMHO,
this is the definitive version of The Two Towers, bringing much more of
the book to life by the use of the actual quotes of the characters in
the books and adding scenes that as a fan, I was really looking forward
to seeing on the big screen. As with the Fellowship, there is additional
footage added to the Warg and Helm's Deep battle scenes, but the major
additions actually come in the way of dialogue. A line added here and
there helped the interaction between the characters and gave many of them
much more depth. I even heard someone remark that "What they've done
is give most of the characters more heart", and I would have to agree.
All of the characters get more screen time and the dialogue between them
is much richer and leads to a better understanding of not only what is
going on, but why some of these things are going on.
After watching this
version I came away with a much better understanding as to the behaviour
of some of the characters. For example, after watching this version and
seeing the interaction between Faramir, Boromir, and their father Denethor
(yes, as rumoured, Denethor makes his first appearance here!), I walked
away with a much better understanding of just why Boromir behaved the
way he did in The Fellowship of the Ring, and why Faramir's character
was so much different than in the books. This is just one example of many
where things such as family dynamics were expanded upon and did an excellent
job in giving the characters more depth.
Also like in Fellowship,
some of the additional scenes were added into the journeys that take place,
which gives a much more realistic feel to the distance actually travelled,
for example, rather than have Frodo and Sam start off toward Mordor and poof...
they're lost in the middle of the Emyn Muil, we now follow them more closely
on the journey there. As to the rest, I'll just let you decide! hehe
I'm just going to list
the additional scenes here as I saw them and be warned... there are spoilers
a plenty! Personally I was very impressed as a fan as almost everything I
saw came straight out of the books in one form or another. Now let's get down
to it!
- The trek across the
Emyn Muil has a few additional scenes added. The first is while Frodo and
Sam are using the Elvish rope to scale down a rock face, while doing this
a small box drops out of Sam's pocket. Once at the bottom, Sam explains
to Frodo that it's spices he brought just in case (including salt from the
Shire). With the rope still attached to the stump above, Sam is bothered
about leaving the rope that Galadriel had given him and gives it a yank
and much to their surprise the rope unties itself and comes down!
- Also on Emyn Muil is
the first glimpse of Gollum. Frodo and Sam are huddled under their cloaks
in a storm that we do not see in the theatrical release, when Gollum's hand
appears on a rock above them. Frodo appears to see him and this makes the
part where Frodo tells Sam that they are not alone much more believable.
- After tackling and
persuading Gollum to lead them to The Black Gate, we are exposed to the
Gollum vs. Smeagol struggle as Gollum argues with Smeagol about going back
to Mordor and facing thousands of Orcsies. Gollum apparently wins and he
runs off with the intent of ditching Frodo and Sam, but Smeagol takes over
and he comes back and leads them out.
- The next change occours
with the comany of Uruk-hai carrying Merry and Pippin. This time when the
Captain stops the run, it's not because they smell man flesh, it's because
they run into Grishnak and the Orcs of Mordor. There's an excellent exchange
between Grishnak and Ugluk, the Leader of the pack of Uruk-Hai. During the
exchange Pippin pleads for them to give Merry some water and instead they
force Orc Grog down Merry's throat instead. Once underway Merry lightens
the mood by joking with Pippin that he was only play acting and must have
been doing good as he fooled him too.
-
Saruman
has additional scenes with the first explaining the devastation to Fangorn
Forest. He argues with one of his minions about his army needing to be
better armed, when told that there is not enough wood to fire the furnaces,
he views the woods of Fangorn and then instructs that the trees of Fangorn
are to be used to fuel the them. Next, a leader of the Wildmen swears
allegiance to Saruman by cutting his hand with a knife and now we finally
know who this guy is:
- Eomer finds Theodred
amongst the slain at a battle site along a riverbed and brings him back
still alive at that point. He also notices the White Hand of Isengard on
a dead Uruk-hai's helmet and that turns out to be the helmet that he places
at King Theoden's feet.
- The exchange between
Eomer and Grima is more intense and he challenges Grima's authority to banish
him, but Grima surprises him by producing banishment order that was signed
by the King earlier in the day.
- Ugluk's Stand has
tons of additional footage starting with an exchange where Ugluk explains
to the Grishnak and the Orcs from Mordor that the Hobbits are to be brought
to Isengard "alive and unspoiled", when asked what he means by
"unspoiled", he explains that the Hobbits have an "Elvish
weapon that the Master wants", and Merry tells Pippin that the Uruks
think that they have the Ring which makes me feel better about similar comments
in the RotK trailers. This part is also added to with more carnage! As Ugluk
is explaining all this, an Orc is sneaking up behind Merry and Pippin to
have a bite and that's when Ugluk beheads him. Rather than a simple lop
off, the headless body towers about Merry and Pippin for a bit before falling
over and becoming dinner.
- The attack of the
Rohirrim is drawn out more and is a bit more graphic. But Pippins mysterious
bonds still disappear, and then reappear. (He's under the horse hands free,
then crawling over the ground hands tied again only to cut them off himself)
- The Dead Marshes are
extended to include Frodo, Sam and Gollum stopping for a meal. Gollum laments
about there being "No crunchy birds to eat". Sam taunts him as
usual, but offers him some Lembas. Gollum tries it, chokes on it, and then
curses Sam for being cruel. There's an intense exchange between Frodo and
Gollum to which Gollum explains that "once the Precious takes hold,
that it never lets go" which further explains Frodo's pity of him and
makes the relationship between Gollum, Frodo, and The Ring that much more
intense.
- The tracking of the
Hobbits by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli into Fangorn is added to with Legolas
explaining to Gimli that long ago the Elves taught the trees to speak.
- The re-introduction
of Gandalf is added to and very well done with Legolas begging forgiveness
because he mistook him for Saruman. Gandalf states "I am Saruman....
Saruman as he should have been" .
- Gandalf also states
to them that "Something wonderful is about to happen that hasn't happened
in a ling, long time. The Tress are about to wake up and discover that they
are strong". He then tells Gimli not to be so "grumpy". hehe
- After introducing Merry
and Pippin to the White Wizard, Treebeard is shown walking with them and
singing as he goes along, as it turns out he is actualy singing to them
Song of The Entwives!! Pippin asks if the are any young Ents and Treebeard
says there are no Entings and that the Entwives are lost. He asks Merry
and Pippin if they have seen any Entiwives in the Shire, and when they ask
him what they look like, he laments, as it's been so long that he can't
remember. He continues singing and hysterically Merry and Pippin are shown
falling to sleep as he walks and sings.
- The next scene is Treebeard
laying them to rest at his house stating that he was asked to keep them
safe and safe they shall be. As he lays them down on the ground he tells
them "Sleep now little Hobbits, heed no nightly noise!" I about
jumped out of my seat! As I found out from the Features Disk, this was PJ,
Fran's, and Phillipa's way of honouring the Tom Bombadil chapter.
- The extra exchange
between Aragorn and Gandalf that appeared in some of the earlier trailers
appears here before they depart for Edoras with Gandalf explaining that
while Sauron is powerful, he has heard of the Heir of Isildur and that he
fears him. Explains that hope remains while the Ring remains hidden and
comforts Aragorn. Aragorn also comforts Gandalf by informing him that Sam
is with Frodo.
- Merry awakes the next
morning to find Pippin next to a running spring. Pippin explains a dream
he had about barrels of Pipeweed and all the while drinking from the stream
in a wooden bowl. As rumoured, Entdraught is in!! In fact Merry and Pippin
get into a hysterical argument as Merry points out that somehow Pippin is
now taller than he is. It gets even better as during the argument Pippin
belches and seems to speak Entish! This happens several times until Merry
figures out that it's the Entwash that's having this effect.
- Merry and Pippin start
to wrestle about over the Entwash as Pippin does not want to share, until
Merry wins and they both sit down at the base of a large tree and begin
to drink. Well, this tree is none other than... are you ready?..... Old
Man Willow!! And he promptly proceeds to open up and pull them in! Whoop!
Treebeard shows up and saves them. Again using Tom Bombadil lines by telling
Old Man Willow "You let them out again....Eat earth! Dig Deep! Drink
water!"
- The exorcism of Saruman
scene is a bit more drawn out.
- Grima's expulsion from
Edoras is added to by after Aragorn stops Theoden from slaying him, he offers
a hand to help Grima up. Grima nastily spits into Aragorn's hand (much to
Aragorn's dismay) and then races out of Edoras.
- After Theoden asks
for his son Theodred, a very moving funeral march for Theodred takes place.
Thedred is on a bower dressed in kingly robes with his sword on his chest.
As they place him into the prepared mound, Eowyn sings a powerful funeral
dirge and the whole scene is very emotional.
- There is an added scene
in Theoden's stable where men are trying to calm a wild horse. Aragorn speaks
Rohirric (Old English) to the horse to calm him and Eowyn introduces him
to the horse Brego. Aragorn tells Brego that his name is "Kingly"
and says that he should be freed.
- Saruman is shown more
with Grima and he is obviously bothered by his defeat at the hands of Gandalf.
Grima tells Saruman that Gandalf is not alone, that there was and Elf, a
Dwarf, and a man with him. He describes the man as shabby, but that he bears
a ring. He then described the Ring of Barahir which leads well into Saruman
commenting on Gandalf thinking he's found the Lost King of Gondor.
- There's additional
exchanges between Theoden and Gamling as he assures that they will not be
defeated and vows to return to Edoras.
- The capture of Frodo
by Faramir has been added to. When first captured, Frodo tries to explain
their errand to him. Farmir tells Frodo that "the Enemy's war will
make corpses of us all".
- There's a very touching
exchange between Aragorn and Theoden back in Edoras as Tehoden laments that
he had not been more of a father to Theodred.
- On the trek to Helm's
Deep, they break and make camp. Eowyn approaches Aragorn and humbly offers
him some of the stew she has made. This scene is hysterical as Aragorn scoops
up something on his spoon that does not look appetising at all, and when
he tries it to please her, it obviously tastes as bad as it looks! hehe
Eowyn inquires of his age as she has heard rumours and guesses at about
60, he lets her guess a couple more, then tells her that he is 87. She remarks
in awe that he must be one of the Dunedain. It gets better for as she's
walking away, he starts to pour out the stew, but she turns back around
and he ends up spilling it on himself trying not to let her see that he
was pouring it out.
- The Warg battle is
a bit more intense with just a little more battle footage.
- The questioning of
Frodo by Faramir includes more dialogue and a flashback to Faramir's discovering
of his older brother Boromir dead in his boat and the flashback ends with
Faramir holding Boromir's cloven horn.
- There are further flashbacks
as Boromir makes a moving speech after they reclaim Osgiliath. Faramir and
Boromir celebrate the victory with a toast.
- Denethor is introduced
during this flashback. Denethor praises Boromir his first born and berates
Faramir for allowing Osgiliath to fall into ruin. Boromir sticks up for
his brother while Denethor plainly states that he feels Faramir is useless.
- Denethor pulls aside
Boromir and informs him of the call to the Council of Elrond and that he
believes that the Ring of Power has been found. Boromir does not want to
leave Gondor. Faramir offers to go in his stead, and Denethor further berates
Faramir by stating that "Only my eldest son will not fail me!"
and taunts Faramir by saying that Faramir's only intent is to "prove
his quality".
- Bormir pleads not to
leave Gondor, but Denethor demands that he bring him the Ring. The strain
on Boromir is obvious and this actually helps the viewer to understand Boromir's
motivation for his desire of the Ring in the first movie.
- There is additional
footage of the Faramir's interrogation of Gollum by showing Faramir's men
actually beating Gollum. They go so far as to kick him and he is held as
another one punches him. He's actually beaten pretty badly.
- Extra footage of Eowyn
at Helm's Deep where she challenges Aragorn in regards to her role and states
that her place is to fight and begs to be by his side. Her argument end
when during the exchange she states that Aragorn's men will not leave his
side because "they love him". There's an awkward moment where
you can tell that she just about professed her love for him by stating that
and decides not to pursue it any further.
- There is more Entmoot,
with Treebeard telling Merry and Pipping "Don't be hasty!" as
they had just finished saying hello!
- The opening Helm's
Deep scene is more drawn out by showing more of the effect that the oncoming
Uruk-hai is having on the soldiers and refugees, which makes for a much
better impact of the entire scene.
- The Huorns are in!!
They are first shown when Treebeard is enraged by Saruman's devastation
of Fangorn. He tells Merry and Pippin that those trees have other business
while his is with Isengard and then the March of the Ents begins.
- The actual Battle for
Helm's Deep is enhanced with some additional fighting.
- After victory is achieved
at Helm's Deep the Uruk-hai are shown running into the woods. It's quiet
for a moment and then the trees erupt in motion and much screaming is heard
as the Huorns finish the battle by destroying them!
- A great exchange is
shown between Gimli and Legolas as they finish their competition. Quite
hysterical.
- After the trashing
of Isengard, Merry and Pippin mock Saruman. Floating apples, and other food
lead them to discover the storeroom where they promptly find two barrels
of Long Bottom Leaf. (One barrel for each of them of course!)
- Back in Osgiliath after
releasing Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, Faramir leads them to an area where there
are sewers by which they can escape. He learns that Gollum is leading them
to a staircase and upon hearing the name Minas Morgul, he throttles Gollum
threatens him with his life if any harm should befall Frodo or Sam.
- And lastly, as they
depart Osgiliath, Sam tries to explain Frodo's actions to Gollum and that
he was trying to save Gollum's life. Sam says "No hard feelings...forgive
and forget?" and Gollum agrees.
As with the Extended DVD
for the Fellowship, added to the credits for the Feature Film DVD, on the
last page, they have listed all 10,000 members of the Fan Club that runs for
a good ten minutes. So, if you're a member, you will be able to pause the
DVD and see your name up in lights!
Well, there you have it!
I did my best to take notes in the dark and with 43 minutes of additional
footage, there was a lot to cover. We are very grateful to all the folks at
New Line for again giving us the opportunity to witness this on the big screen
in all it's glory!
I only stuck around for
a little bit for the first special features disk. Enough to see that there
is another excellent piece on Tolkien himself and the making of the books.
There are two Special Features disks that are exquisitely done with menus
in stylish Red Book format. There are multiple options for exploring the special
features. You can view the entire disk by selecting a special "Play All"
button, use the menu screens, or even access and index. Also included in the
special features is an art and photo gallery with thousands of images!
I've made a small gallery
of the beautiful DVD menus and you can see them here: DVD
Menus
To wrap this up, with
all the additional dialogue, footage, and action sequences flawlessly blended
in, and the fully loaded two disks of special features, this is, in my opinion,
the definitive movie adaptation of "The Fellowship of the Ring,"
and is a must-have DVD! Again, a very special thanks to the folks at
New Line for giving us this opportunity, and kudos to PJ and all the cast,
crew, and development teams that have bought this vision to life and made
this possible for all of us fans to enjoy!
The DVD is available as
the Platinum
Series Special Extended Edition and the Platinum
Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set . Full details of
what is included in each version can be seen at the links above. They are
due for release on the 18th of November.
Review by Illuvatar
on behalf of War
of the Ring.net
Links to Order
Extended Edition - Amazon
USA - Amazon
UK
Collector's Edition -
Amazon USA - Amazon
UK
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