I just have to write this for the record because of my earlier critical email in regard to TTT, which was written partly as a knee-jerk reaction to the idea that the Saruman episode was to be dropped from the cinema version of ROTK.
I have now watched the EDVD and it has made me reverse my opinion of the film. The story here is so much more cohesive, and many 'missing' elements and explanations have been put in - even if it is only through the addition of a few words, as in the case of the scene with Saruman and the wild man.
Even the Arwen scenes now seem acceptable, probably because the balance of the film is so much better. I think Faramir has been resuced from disaster (he should be a very popular figure in ROTK) and the material added to the Eowyn and Aragorn scenes is great. (It is nice that they've managed to put in some background information about Aragorn, like, for instance, that he is 87 years old.) It was also pleasing to see the Huorns (however briefly), and to get the explanation from Legolas that the Elves originally awoke the woods.
The quality of the EDVD is absolutely superb.
I really wish PJ/CL would make it up with each other. PJ has always been so complimentary of CL's work - and I think his admiration did come from the heart - and this whole mess must be the result of some awful misunderstanding. It has rather soured the experience of watching these films for some people (most of the comments from people on the petition are reasonable, although as someone said on these boards, there are some Orks there too), and it would really help if there was some resolution to the problem.
Yeah, the way Jackson talks about the books, films and wanting to have acted alongside Christopher Lee (when he dispelled the rumour that he played a cameo in Saruman's "Dundlending speech" scene) makes me certain that, just as Mr. Lee can't talk about the cut now due to contracts, Jackson's having to cast the blame on himself for what must have been a studio decision, and not his...after all, Jackson, Walsh and Boyens talked so much about the Road to Isengard/Voice of Saruman sequence being perfect for a RotK start...
i just got my set yesterday an i haven't had da chance ta ya know view it!! :roll: anywys is there any easter eggs on it? i mean if so where are they? i would lovvvvvvvvve 2 see the trailor for RETURN OF THE KING!! just like FELLOWSHIP had the TWO TOWERS Trailors on it ya know? well as an easter egg of course but STILL it waz on it ya know??
The Two Towers EE set is absolutely fantastic. The film itself is 43 minutes longer, yet it feels shorter overall. The extra footage ties everything together wonderfully, and gives the film a much more comfortable feel.
The commentaries and behind-the-scenes extras are also very well done. They really give you a sense of how TTT was by far the most arduous book of the three to adapt to film, and why a lot of the departures from the source material were a bit more necessary than they seem initially.
It's definitely worth checking out!