The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Hits Blu-ray April 6!
Source:Video Business
December 14, 2009
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=61612 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=61612)
Video Business reports that Warner Home Video will release "The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy" will hit Blu-ray on April 6.
The trade says that the nine-disc set will contains the original theatrical versions of the three Peter Jackson-directed Rings films along with more than seven hours of special features. The supplemental package will contain mostly special features that were on the various DVD versions of the movies, including featurettes that were originally on LordoftheRings.net. However, the Blu-ray versions will offer high-def trailers.
The set also will include digital copies of each film and have BD Live access.
The extended versions of the films will bow on Blu-ray at a later date.
Also getting its Blu-ray debut on April 6 is the 1978 animated adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings" directed by Ralph Bakshi.
Why release just the original versions on Blu-ray..why not have them both in the set... I think I'll wait for the extended version later in the year.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on December 14, 2009, 07:39:53 AM
Why release just the original versions on Blu-ray..why not have them both in the set... I think I'll wait for the extended version later in the year.
More Money!
Very excited to hear this but I too will wait for the extended versions before buying.
Yeah.. but do they really expect people to buy this blu-ray version knowing that the extended version will be out on Blu-ray later that year...
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on December 14, 2009, 07:46:35 AM
Yeah.. but do they really expect people to buy this blu-ray version knowing that the extended version will be out on Blu-ray later that year...
Clearly they do. I suppose a more casual fan wouldn't care....I suppose.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on December 14, 2009, 07:46:35 AM
Yeah.. but do they really expect people to buy this blu-ray version knowing that the extended version will be out on Blu-ray later that year...
They really aren't changing how they do things. When the first DVDs came out, it wasn't until months later that the extended came out. They also made it clear before the regular DVDs came out that the extended ones would be a few months behind them.
So, this really doesn't come as a surprise to me in any way. It's SOP now.
I also get why the do it. One movie is for people that just want to see the film, which is already very long. The second and more costly is for the fan who wants all they can from the films.
You cater first to the casual fan because there are more of them, then you do something for the larger fans. The larger fan can wait for the good stuff, buy the new Blueray, or continue to watch the old extended one upscaled until the good stuff comes out.
I don't know how they came up with the system, but it's been there for every release and clearly it's working for them on some level. I think it's because the two products target to different groups. Also, knowing that it will be out later extended, they aren't trying to trick you into buying the plain one and then suddenly show up with something better.
When I bought the first DVD's of LOTR I had not heard of "extended versions coming" and I think a lot of people don't hear about this a lot of the time. So it's quite understandable why people feel like they are being ripped off a little bit. It doesn't happen with every movie and sometimes the time between releases is quite long. I'd be fine buying one version to have a new version put out a few years later with some added stuff they found and put in. But releasing something twice in the same year (or a short period of time) seems like seems a bit greedy to me.
Quote from: Rico on December 14, 2009, 08:32:26 AM
When I bought the first DVD's of LOTR I had not heard of "extended versions coming" and I think a lot of people don't hear about this a lot of the time. So it's quite understandable why people feel like they are being ripped off a little bit. It doesn't happen with every movie and sometimes the time between releases is quite long. I'd be fine buying one version to have a new version put out a few years later with some added stuff they found and put in. But releasing something twice in the same year (or a short period of time) seems like seems a bit greedy to me.
x2 in regards to having no idea that an extended version was in the works when I first bought the initial DVD release of LOTR. But I don't ever look at a biz as being "greedy", they are just being a business, it's their nature to make as much momney as they can. As the consumer, i can make my own choices.
X3.. what everyone else said.. no idea about the extended version before.. at least this time I mention them.
Everyone that I knew that was into the movie knew about the extended editions. The problem that we had was waiting for them instead of buying the basic versions.
I don't even remember when we found out, but I sort of recall Peter Jackson saying after the first one came out that some of the actors had to go back to shoot some scenes for the extended editions.
I guess it was more of who you knew and where you were for the extended edition knowledge. I'm sure that had I not known about the extended versions, I would have been told by my friends who wanted to scoop me on knowing.
If I'm not mistaken, the extended ones were timed to release a month or two before the new movie was to release and create a spike in attention for the franchise.
I think that because I knew ahead of time I wasn't bothered. I also think that from a business side, you would want to keep product A separate from product B because you had to spend more money on product B and the people involved in the extended versions would want to get paid correctly for their work. If you lump them together, I think that someone's check will be shorted.
It was news to me and was NOT announced in any official capacity at the time of the original release, that's for sure. So this situation is very different in so far as the announcement prior top their release.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 14, 2009, 08:59:57 AM
It was news to me and was NOT announced in any official capacity at the time of the original release, that's for sure. So this situation is very different in so far as the announcement prior top their release.
I found this article that was written at the time of the release of fellowship.
http://worldfilm.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr113002.htm (http://worldfilm.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr113002.htm)
And this one was when the first dvd came out:
http://worldfilm.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr081002.htm (http://worldfilm.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr081002.htm)
The information was out there. I guess some people missed it, but I knew I had heard it before the DVDs came out.
Well, now hold on. That's just said "anyone paying attention" but I don't see anything like an official release from New Line stating that they were going to release another version PRIOR to the DVD release like they are with this Blue-Ray.
Quote from: Just X on December 14, 2009, 09:09:42 AM
The information was out there. I guess some people missed it, but I knew I had heard it before the DVDs came out.
I would say MOST people missed it. Not one person I knew had any idea that was coming.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 14, 2009, 09:17:46 AM
Well, now hold on. That's just said "anyone paying attention" but I don't see anything like an official release from New Line stating that they were going to release another version PRIOR to the DVD release like they are with this Blue-Ray.
I'm pretty sure that if you can track down some official press releases during that time, you might have seen something. Both of these articles were from when the dvds were released. I can agree with you that some people missed it, but I wouldn't say most. From my perspective EVERYONE that was into the film knew that the extended film was coming out. For me, that makes it seem like most people knew that it was coming out.
I don't think that there's a right or wrong in either perspective. The internet was still a youngster then and there weren't as many places as there are now to get the news. I think that around this time, I was a CL on AOL and playing in several RPGS there. News could spread like wildfire then. Everyone in that circle of friends that I had there and in my real life circle all knew what was coming. I couldn't tell you who broke the news first, but it wasn't a secret because I pre ordered my copy.
Perhaps the retailers didn't want Joe public to know because they could double dip on the profits, but I don't think that it was New Line that told them to keep quiet. In fact, I am at least 80% sure that the people at Suncoast tried to upsell me that preorder because I told them I was waiting for the extended version.
Either way, I think that while some people knew, others clearly didn't and without the interwebs or knowledge of a previous extended version, I don't think many normal folk would be hearing or seeing that press release.
Yeah, I don't mind them doing these kind of releases, either, and I didn't feel cheated when the extended versions came out. I sold the original releases on e-bay and got some $ back anyway.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 14, 2009, 09:46:55 AM
Yeah, I don't mind them doing these kind of releases, either, and I didn't feel cheated when the extended versions came out. I sold the original releases on e-bay and got some $ back anyway.
I think that's the whole point. People are going to buy what they want to see and nothing will be exactly how you want it. I know that just as some people would like to see both versions on the same disk ala Blade Runner HD DVD, you'll have some purist that don't want any of their money going to the extended, non-director's cut, versions. I love the extended ones, but I can see how some people would only want to pay for the theatrical releases considering they are Jack's preferred cut of the film.
I'm just a sucker for extended cuts and find myself hunting them down despite the director's opinions. ( Like Dune). Or ones that were endorsed by the director and made the film better. (Like The Abyss).
I think in the end, I would want to keep both releases in separate sets. Watching the trilogy in theatrical version is a day long endeavor as it is. When you add in all the additional time from the extended versions, it's like adding another normal length film to the viewing time.
In the end, I know which versions I prefer and I don't need or want the other version taking up space that could be used for the six billion hours of BTS and additional footage.
I also know even before it's released that I will need to shell out more for the extended versions compared to the normal versions, but they have yet to let us down with adding extra bang for our buck.
Current rumor suggest that there is going to be a nice wait for the extended versions and they won't be out until 2011 and the release of the Hobbit if it helps.
I'll wait for the extended versions. Artistically I think the extended versions offer a more cohesive story. They won't get my money twice this time like they did with the DVD editions. You know the 'ol saying... "fool me once shame on you..."
Kevin
^^ And yet another person who didn't know. So Kevin, Kenny, Rico, and me all had no idea about the extended version, so I am going back to my contention that that was not very widely known. Anyone else? Besides Chris, who did know?
Wow, I will also wait for the extended editions. They will be worth it.
I've also become more patient and more thrifty in recent years. So, I'm fine with waiting. On a related point, the recent release of "Star Trek" 2009 version on Blu-Ray is how to do it right. That set is PACKED with extra stuff. JJ and Paramount didn't hold much back. Certainly it will probably be released at some point in the future again, maybe with a few more goodies, but they really gave this the deluxe treatment the first time out. That's the way to do things.
Quote from: Rico on December 14, 2009, 03:15:33 PM
I've also become more patient and more thrifty in recent years. So, I'm fine with waiting. On a related point, the recent release of "Star Trek" 2009 version on Blu-Ray is how to do it right. That set is PACKED with extra stuff. JJ and Paramount didn't hold much back. Certainly it will probably be released at some point in the future again, maybe with a few more goodies, but they really gave this the deluxe treatment the first time out. That's the way to do things.
I agree Rico! And that price was reasonable also. I bought it on Amazon pre-order and with their pre-order guarantee I think I paid $18.99 for it. In fact all the blu-rays lately have been below $20. Harry Potter on pre-order went down to $14.99. But yea...The Star Trek movie was packed with good stuff. My only complaint is the artwork. I think it has some of the most unimaginative artwork I have ever seen on a DVD or Blu-Ray. There is absolutely nothing about the cover that would have enticed me to buy if I didn't know the movie.
Kevin
Lord of the Rings on Blu-ray
Posted: 28 Jan 2010 09:45 AM PST
Originally down for a release in November 2009 Warner Bros. have announced the date for the Lord of the Rings on Blu-ray is 6th April 2010.
Several Blu-ray specialist blogs have said the delay was because Warner Bros. didn't want Lord of the Rings 'lost in the crowd' having already announced the release of several classics in the Blu-ray format in the run up to Christmas.
The delay may also have been caused by the 'tentative' court settlement between New Line Cinema and The Tolkien Estate back in September.
Included in the box set will be The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King together with more than seven hours of special features.
While this release will be the theatrical versions and we all know the extended versions will be on the shelves at some point, I will be watching mine on release day.
These are the 3 movies I went to the cinema to see, its these that won the Oscars and its these I fell in love with a decade ago.
Besides, Lord of the Rings Blu-ray extended edition will be held back until The Hobbit is ready for release. What better way to build up the public into a Hobbit frenzy than to release them a week or two before The Hobbit premiere?
With The Hobbit now looking at a Christmas 2012 release, 2 years is far too long to wait to see these movies in HD.
Amazon currently offer the best price with a guaranteed pre-order price of $65.49
You can pre-order from Amazon to ensure you get the low price and guarantee you get your copy delivered on the 6th April by clicking here.
Disclosure: Amazon will reward this site with around a $2 bounty for each customer who purchases Lord of the Rings on Blu-ray through the above link. Any bounty earned will go towards the running costs of your favorite Hobbit movie blog.
I'm holding out for the extended versions.
Yeah I'm with you Bryan... at least I say that now :)
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 29, 2010, 10:47:25 AM
Yeah I'm with you Bryan... at least I say that now :)
Well, I figure I already have the standard release and they still look great, so to pony up the dough for Blue-Ray, I only want to buy them once. :)
Quote from: Bryancd on January 29, 2010, 10:52:41 AM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 29, 2010, 10:47:25 AM
Yeah I'm with you Bryan... at least I say that now :)
Well, I figure I already have the standard release and they still look great, so to pony up the dough for Blue-Ray, I only want to buy them once. :)
I totally agree with you.. my thing are the seven hours of extras.. I'm an extras fanatic.. so if there is new extras I'll have to get them... so it's a wait and see kind of thing for me.
Are these going to be all new extra's or stuff we have already seen?
Kenny, Bryan I too lovely extras but considering the extended editions were brought out before blue ray was twinkling I'm sure all the extras available we'll already have.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 29, 2010, 11:14:47 AM
Are these going to be all new extra's or stuff we have already seen?
Don't know yet.. that's why it's a wait and see thing for me. Knowing Mr. Jackson he has held back some extras.
I'm also a hold out for the extended version. I much prefer it over the theatrical and I'm not buying twice. A Warner exec did say they were shooting for a 2012 release and so I'll wait.
Kevin
I honestly can't see what else they can put on the disc thar isn't already available. Maybe they will just re edit the documentaries and say it's new, that's the old trick. Or am I just sceptic lol.
Meds you are right to doubt. I will hold off for the extended versions.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 30, 2010, 02:51:30 AM
I honestly can't see what else they can put on the disc thar isn't already available. Maybe they will just re edit the documentaries and say it's new, that's the old trick. Or am I just sceptic lol.
That was my first thought when I heard about 7 hours of extras, Meds.
They can add something about the effect of LOTR after it was released and it would be a pretty good extra, but unless they recorded the actors sleeping, I think they included everything worth including in the last releases.
that will be amazing Lord of the Rings on Blu Ray I can't wait for it
Is that 7 hours for all three films or 7 hours for Fellowship, I'm sure there must be near 7 hours of extras on the Dvds already. Remember they class commentary as extras lol.
Extended Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Officially Announced
Posted March 21, 2011 10:03 AM by Juan Calonge
New Line CinemaConfirming earlier reports (see Blu-ray.com, January 14, March 7 and March 16), Warner Home Video has officially announced the Blu-ray release of the extended version of The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy for June 28. This three-movie collection will be presented in a 15-disc set (6 BDs, 9 DVDs), packaged in multi-disc elite packaging inside a premium rigid slipcase, with an SRP of $119.98. Each movie will be split across two discs. Audio will be 6.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. The Fellowship of the Ring has been remastered from the original 2k digital files.
This latest tidbit will be welcome news, as the first installment of the trilogy had been controversial among reviewers and enthusiasts alike when it was released last year as part of the theatrical editions because of its inferior picture quality, allegedly related to the use of an older master.
Contents by disc is as follows:
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring feature, Extended Edition – Part 1 (BD)
* The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – The Untold Story Trailer
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring feature, Extended Edition – Part 2 (BD)
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
3. The Appendices Part 1 From Book to Vision (DVD)
* Peter Jackson Introduction
* J.R.R. Tolkien: Creator of Middle-earth
* From Book to Script
* Visualizing the Story
* Designing and Building Middle-earth
* Middle-earth Atlas Interactive
* New Zealand and Middle-earth Interactive
4. The Appendices Part Two From Vision to Reality (DVD)
* Elijah Wood Introduction
* Filming The Fellowship of the Ring
* Visual Effects
* Post Production: Putting It All Together
* Digital Grading
* Sound and Music
* The Road Goes Ever On...
5. Behind-the-scenes documentary created by filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (DVD)
6. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers feature, Extended Edition – Part 1 (BD)
* The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – The Untold Story Trailer
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
7. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers feature, Extended Edition – Part 2 (BD)
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
8. The Appendices Part 3: The Journey Continues (DVD)
* Peter Jackson Introduction
* JRR Tolkien: Origin of Middle-earth
* From Book to Script: Finding the Story
* Designing and Building Middle-earth
* Gollum
* Middle-earth Atlas Interactive
* New Zealand as Middle-earth
9. The Appendices Part 4: The Battle for Middle-earth (DVD)
* Elijah Wood Introduction
* Filming The Two Towers
* Visual Effects
* Editorial: Refining the Story
* Music and Sound
* The Battle for Helm's Deep is Over...
10. Behind-the-scenes documentary created by filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (DVD)
11. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King feature, Extended Edition – Part 1 (BD)
* The Lord of the Rings: War in the North – The Untold Story Trailer
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
12. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King feature, Extended Edition – Part 2 (BD)
* Commentaries:
o Director and writers
o Design team
o Production and post production teams
o Cast
* BD-Live
13. The Appendices Part 5: The War of the Ring (DVD)
* Peter Jackson Introduction
* JRR Tolkien: The Legacy of Middle-earth
* From Book to Script
* Designing and Building Middle-earth
* Home of the Horse Lords
* Middle-earth Atlas
* New Zealand as Middle-earth
14. The Appendices Part 6: The Passing of an Age (DVD)
* Introduction
* Filming The Return of the King
* Visual Effects
* Post-Production: Journey´s End
* The Passing of an Age
* Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration for Into the West
15. Behind-the-scenes documentary created by filmmaker Costa Botes during filming of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (DVD)
I AM IN!
Oh for sure.. been waiting for this.. but it seems there are no new extras :( .. and only 6 of the disc are blu-ray and the other 9 are regular DVD..
Folks seem to be complaining about the 2 blu-ray disc per movie, I don't mind the split if it means better quality and sound.
Wow! I am going to be sorely tempted. I have the EE versions individually, and I think they are better movies. Time to squeeze a few $'s out of the budget...
But as Kenny said (and I sais earlier this year) There is no extra material that is not on the DVD. I mean play it on a Blue Ray and it will look enhanced anyway.
Amazing even a Blu-Ray disc can't hold it all.
Quote from: Rico on March 21, 2011, 03:30:25 PM
Amazing even a Blu-Ray disc can't hold it all.
Well that's currently being debated online.. some say there is plenty of space some do there's not enough.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on March 21, 2011, 03:37:56 PM
Quote from: Rico on March 21, 2011, 03:30:25 PM
Amazing even a Blu-Ray disc can't hold it all.
Well that's currently being debated online.. some say there is plenty of space some do there's not enough.
Debated? Oh, I'm confused, doesn't your post indicate part one, part two, etc. for the films?
Quote from: Rico on March 21, 2011, 03:41:21 PM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on March 21, 2011, 03:37:56 PM
Quote from: Rico on March 21, 2011, 03:30:25 PM
Amazing even a Blu-Ray disc can't hold it all.
Well that's currently being debated online.. some say there is plenty of space some do there's not enough.
Debated? Oh, I'm confused, doesn't your post indicate part one, part two, etc. for the films?
Wait.. what... Now I'm confused..
folks are debating as to why Warner's decided to put the movies across two blu-rays instead of one. Some say blu-rays are too small from that long of a movie at the quality that they are giving us.. and others say that the 1 blu-ray can hold the entire movie at the quality that they are giving us.
Oh - they are debating the decision. I see now. Well here's the deal. Blu-Ray's do come in two flavors (sizes). Roughly 25GB and 50GB. Depending on the film and extras, some movies come out on the 25GB size and some on the 50GB size. Now, that said I'm guessing they probably could fit even the extended film on a 50GB disc. But, who knows how they are encoding it and so forth. I don't think one disc change is a huge deal. Besides, after two hours of watching, you need to stretch a little. Part of me wishes it was one disc, but I can live with two per movie.
Just got this email from WB
(http://media.4at5.net/email_domains/was/88812/images/sliced_02.jpg)
We wants it preciousssssssss
Amazon just lowered their price on the Lord of the Rings extended edition Blu-ray set to only $69.99!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026L7H20/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tuintosctv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0026L7H20 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026L7H20/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tuintosctv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0026L7H20)
I am tempted....
=\ Oh boy....have to resist. :(
King
In!!
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on June 23, 2011, 10:51:16 AM
Amazon just lowered their price on the Lord of the Rings extended edition Blu-ray set to only $69.99!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026L7H20/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tuintosctv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0026L7H20 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026L7H20/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tuintosctv-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B0026L7H20)
It's that price at Best Buy this week too. Plus Best Buy has a deluxe version with little figures of the characters for $99. Anyone pick this up yet and check it out?
I bought the Extended Edition but I don't care to spend another $30.00 for some goofy figurines. We watched FOTR and I thought the transfer is just beautiful. It has more of a sepia palate than I remember though but it might just be my memory. It's been quite a while since I had viewed them. In anticipation of the Blu-Ray release I was holding off. The $69.99 price is an excellent buy for these wonderful films. A must have in my opinion.
Kevin
This would be cool but I already have the extended versions of the DVD so will have to hold off for now. If I replace any of my DVD's with blu-ray I would have to do my Star Trek's first.
I received mine the other day and I am going to wait until next week to watch when I get my surround sound system up and running again.
I have the Extended "limited" editions. But now I have a Hd tv I am so tempted to go blu ray. Not seen this set over here though. Maybe Amazon have it.
UGHHH.
I have been resisting the Bluray movement. I like streaming...
This, however, is difficult to pass on. Also, the Star Wars movies will be hard to pass on.
Saw this on posted on fb by a friend of mine and thought it was hilarious!
http://youtu.be/KaqC5FnvAEc (http://youtu.be/KaqC5FnvAEc)