The Trillogy (the films)

[avenging angel]

We all know PJ took some liberties with the book by adding speaches to another characters, or cutting sceans which were unnesscessary or even leaving characters out altogether. Even Tolkien though the books were unfilmable but PJ did the best he could. Would you have sat in the cinema for 4/5 hours per film? So only including the extended versions of the films, were you overall happy with the result despite the problems?

[Louis Lux]

Undoubtly a great achievement, I was overall happy with it. I think a 4-5 hours movie would actually result in poorer movies, the second and third movies already showed a lot of pacing problems and could even have some scenes removed. I dislike the extended versions and dare someone to defend a scene that adds to the theatrical version.

The first movie was perfect IMO and I wouldn't change a single thing. The second was a bit more action oriented but still managed to drag out more than the first one, mainly because of the Arwen storyline that was bigger than it should and some overly dramatic parts. In summary I didn't like the shot of the little kids getting armed, haldir's death scene, Aragorn's "death" and arwen's storyline. The third one was mostly ruined for me because of frodo's storyline, it stopped the movie dead and I didn't like the changes PJ made, the other thing I didn't like was the dreaded green goo autowin.

[Avatar]

I dislike the extended versions and dare someone to defend a scene that adds to the theatrical version.

While I mostly agree with your point about the scenes not adding much, I dont think that applies to all of them, especially in Fellowship with scenes like the gift-giving in Lorien, and bits of Aragorn and Boromir talking together.

I could happily have done without the Eowyn stew scene though.

[A_Dane]

Undoubtly a great achievement, I was overall happy with it. I think a 4-5 hours movie would actually result in poorer movies, the second and third movies already showed a lot of pacing problems and could even have some scenes removed. I dislike the extended versions and dare someone to defend a scene that adds to the theatrical version.

The first movie was perfect IMO and I wouldn't change a single thing. The second was a bit more action oriented but still managed to drag out more than the first one, mainly because of the Arwen storyline that was bigger than it should and some overly dramatic parts. In summary I didn't like the shot of the little kids getting armed, haldir's death scene, Aragorn's "death" and arwen's storyline. The third one was mostly ruined for me because of frodo's storyline, it stopped the movie dead and I didn't like the changes PJ made, the other thing I didn't like was the dreaded green goo autowin.

Personally, i think the 2 towers was the best of the three, (besides the Arwen storyline, i concur that it was unneccesary).

Whenever i watch the third on DVD, I fastforward whenever it gets to the Frodo storyline. So dull and boring...

[Anibal at portas]

i think that if steven spielberg or del toro had directed the films, would have been better and with more quality in all aspects.

[A_Dane]

That's speculation. Be grateful for what you have.

[Muffer Nl]

Yes.

[squatlover]

Harry Potter is a 7 film series, no reason they couldn't have made lotr into a 7 film series, people will still have gone to watch it.

[Varjon]

Harry Potter is a 7 film series, no reason they couldn't have made lotr into a 7 film series, people will still have gone to watch it.

Yes there were, New Line Cinema wouldn't have allowed that nor would have any filming company in the world. It doesn't either make any sense because there are seven Harry Potter books but Lord of the Rings is one book which was split into three parts because publisher wanted to do so whereas Tolkien wanted to publish it as one book.

[gaunty14]

Harry Potter is a 7 film series, no reason they couldn't have made lotr into a 7 film series, people will still have gone to watch it.

true but I think splitting LOR into 7 movies considerering there were 3 books is a tad excessive

[ninja51]

Eh Steven Spilburg has a habbit of makeing some real stinkers for years so I really dont trust he could have made something better. Del Toro maybe, I like him alot, but im at the time they were made he hadnt really popped into public eye and gotten his status, and his movies, while I love them, seem to be of the more horific persuason excluding Hellboy, and the second Hellboy I really thought had some really dumb parts, though I liked the characters and the dieing race idea. Neither Pan's Labyrinth or Hellboy were out at the time and nothing had shone he was capable of the deed. I think Jackson did the best job that could be done, there isnt anything really wrong with them as movies. Im not exactly sure why he did make some changes to the source material, but hey, at least you got somthing new watching didnt you? I have always though whats the point of seeing and adaptation that is exactly the same? None, so he might as well throw in a few curveballs

[OSDEA7]

true but I think splitting LOR into 7 movies considerering there were 3 books is a tad excessive

We all have our opinions.I along with many of my friends wish it never ended.I loved the films.If they kept making them i would go to see them.

[Tactician]

We all have our opinions.I along with many of my friends wish it never ended.I loved the films.If they kept making them i would go to see them.

Me too ...

[Legio]

Extended DVD editions <3

[Scorpius Centaurus]

4 to 5 hours is a little too long per film, but if PJ had made the trilogy into 4 or 5 films, then that would of been great. And the extended edition is awesome.

[rockman4417]

Extended edition has some great quotes added to it.

"This is the city of the men of Numenor. I would gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory... her wisdom..."
-Faramir

Can't believe they didn't leave that in.

[avenging angel]

Who knows what could've been. I would've seen 6/7 films but as we all know new line only ok'd three films. Better than noting i suppose..

[ninja51]

The original versions of the films were perfect, they were enough to draw in masses upon masses of people and initiate millions who were completely unfamilier with the series and please most if not all of the fans, and the ones who wernt pleased are like the nerdier form of a hipster I think

Recently I did actually catch the entire trilogy in its extended editions within two days and man oh man, THAT is perfection. It never would have flown for a theatrical release and alot of the stuff that was cut werent really vital to the plot, but seeing them alongside the base story, with alot more of the original book's quotes and dialog added, and a few scenes that Peter threw in just to add to the story, it was too great to describe. Depending on how big a fan of Toy Story you are it is the best trilogy of all time, one of the best, if not the best adaptation, and some of the best movies out there in my opinion. I actually got a new appreciation for the third one and first one on my most recent rewatch, the first with the added scenes is seriously great and it makes the journey seem a bit more epic and come closer to feeling like the length the actual journey was in the book. If you watch the third one again with the extended cut, you can really see just how amazing it is. A few subplots in the book are added that are great, you see more of Faramir, progression seems a bit more natural, and some inconsistancies and stuff you may have thought "What were they thinking?!" in the plot are actually adressed. For instance the fight for west Osgiliath, they actually didnt see them coming across the river, their main force was at another location expecting them there. So it seemed pretty logical how they were overrun seemingly so easily.

It really is just an all around great thing, and knowing Peter Jackson is doing the Hobbit and that all the characters that appeared from the trilogy will have their roles played by the same people has got me incredibly excited. I love Del Toro but its impossible to actually be upset that Jackson is doing it. The Battle of the Five armies is going to be really amazing, and seeing some more dwarves is always a good thing

[Louis Lux]

Depending on how big a fan of Toy Story you are it is the best trilogy of all time, one of the best, if not the best adaptation, and some of the best movies out there in my opinion.

I think you are forgetting THE trilogy, Star Wars, as well as the godfather trilogy, I would rate

1- godfather
2- star wars
3- toy story
4- lotr

And a lot of great movies are adaptations which most people don't even realize, including the godfather. The lotr trilogy in it's entirety would probably get a place in the top ten though.

[Hallow]

We all know PJ took some liberties with the book by adding speaches to another characters, or cutting sceans which were unnesscessary or even leaving characters out altogether. Even Tolkien though the books were unfilmable but PJ did the best he could. Would you have sat in the cinema for 4/5 hours per film? So only including the extended versions of the films, were you overall happy with the result despite the problems?

No I wasn't happy and yes I would've gladly sat 5 hours, and more if necessary, if it meant a film trilogy that didn't skull the lore.

At least A Song of Ice and Fire is being done right. Namely a Television show produced by HBO.