What do you get?
Both the theatrical and extended versions of The Return of the King are on one double-sided disc. The versions use seamless branching, meaning that the scenes that are common to both versions are stored on the disc only once. If you choose to watch the extended version, the disc "branches" out to the added or extended scenes. What does this mean to the viewer? Not much. The viewing experience is the same because the branching is imperceptible. But because both versions of the film don't have to be stored on the disc in their entirety (which would be seven and half hours total), both versions together fit on two sides of one disc. The downside is that whichever version you watch, you have to flip over the disc halfway through; the film breaks at the same spot it did on the Extended Edition, right after the entrance of the wolf-head battering ram. Also lost are the meager features included on the theatrical edition, plus the four commentary tracks, two discs of bonus features, and DTS 6.1 ES sound from the four-disc Extended Edition.

What's new?
The second disc has an 112-minute documentary directed by Costa Botes, who was personally selected by Peter Jackson. Rather than the formal documentary structure of other editions, it consists of off-the-cuff interviews and random bits of behind-the-scenes action and special-effects work: The charge of the Rohan, the horses, the Mumakils, the lava of Mount Doom, and the burning of the ring. You'll also see Ian McKellen flubbing his lines and conducting the crowning ceremony in a flowery wig. It's entertaining, but because there's no structure (there are chapters, but no menu or chapter listing), it's not as convenient to watch, and go back to, as a documentary broken up into bite-size pieces. Note: New Line Home Entertainment couldn't release this material on its own à la the King Kong Production Diaries due to contractual restrictions.

Bottom line: Do I need this edition?
This Limited Edition combination of theatrical and extended versions plus new documentary seems likely to appeal to two camps. One is the devoted fan, who already owns both editions but has to have everything LOTR. The other is the casual fan who liked the movie in theaters, heard good things about the Extended Edition, and doesn't need a ton of bonus material. This edition is attractively priced for that buyer, and the packaging is quite handsome. In between is the devoted fan who already owns both editions but doesn't feel the need to watch more bonus material. When watching the whole movie, that fan will always choose the Extended Edition, but keeps the theatrical edition for (1) watching with guests, (2) the music video, or (3) the convenience of skimming through favorite scenes without having to change discs. That fan can safely skip this edition, as can home-theater fans who love DTS. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.5

Rating - 5 Date: 2009-01-06
Content: Great to watch; definitely watch the extra dvd's about the making of the movie. If you don't, you will miss out on some very interesting stuff.
Summary: Lord of the Rings: Extended

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-27
Content: This Special Exetended DVD Edition is a must for all those real fans of the Lord of The Rings. The documentaries in it are awesome.
Summary: Two thumbs up

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-12-25
Content: No trouble in the shipping, super fast...Quality as if I bought it from the store...perfect...
Summary: Flaweless

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-13
Content: I did not think they could suscessfully make a flim of this story without it being a shambles. I was very happy to learn I was wrong they did an outstanding job with special effects as well as the tale told in the movie by staying on task with what needed to be included and triming what could be taken out.
Summary: Honestly Susprised :)

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-01
Content: I love The Return of the King a lot better than the theatrical version, because a lot of really awesome things were left out, like Saruman's cameo, more battle sequences, and a more overall satisfaction to the trilogy! It it extremely long, 250 minutes! If you need to know the story, here's my version; The film begins with how Smeagol became Gollum. Later, we see Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and King Theoden heading to Isengard to get information out of Saruman. At Rohan, Pippin sees in the Palantir that Sauron wants to strike at Minas Tirith. Gandalf and Pippin travel there to warn them. Meanwhile, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum continue their journey even closer to Mordor, where Gollum has a trap waiting for them. All the war scenes and beautiful scenery are awesome! If you love epics, wars, and fantasies, you'll love THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING!!!
Summary: Part 3 in the Epic Trilogy!!!