So, Lord of the Rings. The first episode, that is. It’s funny to think back, because two years ago I was really hot to see this at the cinema. I even re-read the books in anticipation of it. But it never happened, and my interest sort of waned.
Since getting a DVD player—we were probably at least two years behind most people there—my interest revived. (My interest in buying films on the whole has revived; I’d become entirely disillusioned with the horrors of VHS.) Last Thursday, I spotted a copy at Asda for a little under eight pounds. That clinched it.
After watching it Friday, I guess my main feeling was, why did I wait so long? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better book-to-film adaptation. It is the book. I was amazed at how certain locations (esp. the Mines of Moria) looked exactly the way I’d imagined them when I read the book. The authenticity is amazing. The acting is uniformly first-rate. Peter Jackson’s direction is outstanding. Etc. Like, you want me to pick faults? I couldn’t find any!
The extras are okay. I can take them or leave them. The film itself is the important bit, and I was beyond pleased.
Until we got a widescreen TV, I hadn’t given much thought to screen ratios. Your average widescreen film is made roughly at proportions similar to a 16:9 widescreen TV, but some films, like this one, are made in uber-widescreen (or cinemascope, or whatever you prefer to call it). So, even on a widescreen TV, you still get the letterbox effect. I guess that surprised me a bit. Whatever, the picture quality is utterly stunning; the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen sitting in the privacy of my home, bar none.
What this means is that I am more-or-less obliged to buy episode two in the very near future. Which will be just in time for me to get off my ass and see the finale at the cinema!
It *is* about time. It *was* the book for me, too. We’re excitedly awaiting the extended version of part two (three weeks, seven until part three) because we *borrowed* a friend’s Full-screen version. My sixteen-year-old son (the age at which I first read it) just finished his third time through the book; now to get my wife to read it.
Have they announced any UK sites where you can sit in the theatre for the extended edition of the first two parts?
Mike
It’s not something I’ve looked for. I’m still not sure I’d even buy the extended versions, personally… I’m assuming the footage isn’t that important and just a slightly cynical way of getting people to buy the same thing twice over. Maybe I’m being too dismissive.
The extended version is better I think, although the staggered release dates are clearly a cynical ploy to make people buy them twice.
I am waiting for the extended version of film two to come out before buying, I saw it at the cinema, but want to watch again before seeing film three at the cinema also.
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