Lord of the Rings on Film

Lesson 8: The Extended Versions and Wrap Up

Extended version -- The Two Towers

The biggest episode in the book but not the film of The Two Towers, and one that disappointed fans, was that with Shelob the giant spider. Jackson knew this would be disappointing, but explained that it simply worked better in the third film (he is right). As this is included in the trilogy overall, it is not treated here as being ‘left out’.

Scenes which were in the extended version but not the theatrical include a flashback scene with Faramir, Boromir and Denethor, where both sons argue over who should go to Rivendell for the Council of Elrond. It is a huge pity that this was left out of the main film as it provides more insight into why Faramir was so desperate to take the Ring from Frodo. His brother Boromir had been chosen to go on the quest, yet here was the Ring in his grasp! Without this scene in the theatrical version, Faramir’s character is sadly weakened and this leads to one of the biggest flaws in the second film.

The extended version shows more of Merry and Pippin with the Ents, drinking the Ent-draught and finding the spoils at Isengard (including the, er, tobacco). More is shown of Saruman and Wormtongue, and of Aragorn and Eowyn (and we find out that Aragorn is eighty-seven). Gimli and Legolas’ body-count competition is increased.

The appendices again give a huge amount of detail into the making of the film. Again a documentary on From Book to Script looks at the issues involved in adapting, with Jackson explaining why Shelob was carried over to the third film and why Faramir’s character was changed. "Origins of Middle-earth" and "Designing Middle-earth" discuss Tolkien and the film’s locations respectively, while costume and make-up is discussed in another Weta Workshop section.

"The Taming of Sméagol" shows how the character of Gollum was created for the screen, showing the CGI effects and how they were moulded onto Andy Serkis' actions. Again there are sections on music and effects, and a section on Middle-earth warriors. The full list of contents is:

· Commentary by director Peter Jackson, Phillipa Boyens and Frances Walsh

· Commentary with design team

· Commentary with production/post-production team

· Cast commentary

· Featurette: J.R.R. Tolkien: Origins of Middle-Earth

· Featurette: From Book to Script: Finding the Story

· Featurette: Designing Middle-Earth

· Featurette: Weta Workshop

· Featurette: The Taming of Sméagol

· Featurette: Andy Serkis Animation Reference

· Featurette: Gollum Stand-in

· Featurette: New Zealand as Middle-Earth

· Featurette: Warriors of the Third Age

· Featurette: Cameras in Middle-Earth

· Featurette: Big-atures

· Featurette: WETA Digital

· Featurette: Editorial: Refining the Story

· Featurette: Music for Middle-Earth

· Featurette: The Soundscapes of Middle-Earth

· Featurette: Sound Demonstration for Helm's Deep

· Featurette: The Battle for Helm's Deep is Over...

· Production stills and art galleries (some with optional commentary)

· Interactive Middle-earth Atlas

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