The Lord of the Rings: My Proposed Ultimate Cut, With Commentary

 

Many fans consider the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings films to be the definitive version. Peter Jackson, however, considers that to be the case for the theatrical editions. It makes sense - they are, after all, the versions that came out into cinemas and are 'finalized' because of that.

Some state that the theatrical editions have better flow and editing than the extended editions. Overall, I prefer the extended editions myself. They aren't just a 'longer' version of the movie, the stuff re-inserted usually has meaning.

That being said, there are some things that the theatrical editions does better, and some things that the extended editions do better.

In this post, in honour of The Fellowship of the Ring's 20th anniversary, I'm going to use both (and slight hypothetical editing on my part) to create the best version of the films as possible. Well, to me, that is. 

Now remember - what works on page doesn't always work on screen. These need to work as movies, first and foremost.

I will cover all three films, though I won't cover every change between the two versions - only ones that I feel are worth addressing or need altering. If I don't mention a scene, the assumption is that the extended version of that scene is the one I'd favour. 



THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING

- Isildur's ambush. This works well in both the theatrical and extended editions.  In the extended editions, we actually see Isildur using the Ring and going invisible. Some may argue that this lessens the impact of Bilbo suddenly vanishing at his party. In the theatrical edition, that's the first time we ever see anyone vanish by using the Ring.
Verdict: tie. Personal preference, really.

- opening in Hobbiton. Here's the first noticeable change between both versions. In the extended edition, we get Bilbo writing his book, and other manners of 'concerning hobbits.'. In the theatrical edit, we jump straight to Frodo reading in the woods. My ideal version of the scene would be a mix of the two: open with Bilbo starting his book, telling us about hobbits, etc, HOWEVER - one element I liked from the theatrical edition of this scene is that Frodo and Gandalf's cart ride is continuous. In the extended edition, during the cart ride, we cut back to Bilbo fussing about possibly misplacing the Ring. I would leave this scene of Bilbo out, and have both the extended edition's Bilbo's book writing intro, however, once the time comes, having the cart ride uninterrupted.
Verdict: both together, but with some further editing. I'd also keep "The Shire....60 years later"

- Bilbo's party. Cut out the little scene of Bilbo hiding from the Sackville-Baggins', but keep in any other additional footage from the extended edition.
Verdict: extended, minus Bilbo hiding.

- The Passing of the Elves. Some may feel that we get our first look at an elf best (not counting the prologue) by meeting Arwen. That may be so, however I feel the extended edition showing Sam and Frodo seeing the elves sets up the whole 'the elves are leaving Middle-earth' arc of The Lord of the Rings.
Verdict: extended edition.

- Flight to the Ford. Sam doesn't actually need to say 'It's Mr. Bilbo's trolls.' The audience should spot that Easter egg on their own.
Verdict: theatrical edition.

- The Council of Elrond. We don't need to hear Gandalf saying the Ring verse in the Black Speech - it doesn't really add anything. Sure, it's a nice little nod to the book, but in the film it just seems odd - compared the theatrical version of the same scene, that is.
Verdict: theatrical edition.


And that's it for The Fellowship of the Ring! As you can see, I generally prefer the extended edition, though there a few very minor things that the theatrical cut does better.



THE TWO TOWERS

- keep the Treebeard scenes the same in the theatrical edition. While an important part of Tolkien's world, I find that the extra Treebeard scenes in the extended edition really slow the film down. It would move a lot better if we didn't get more Treebeard scenes added onto what's in the theatrical edition.
Verdict: theatrical edition for Merry, Pippin and Treebeard scenes.

- Ent Draft. This is an example of what I was talking about above.
Verdict: removed.

- Flotsam and Jetsam. Because of my preference of the theatrical edition of the Treebeard scenes, that would mean that the quick moment of Merry 'measuring' himself against Pippin's height would be gone, as they didn't drink the ent draft earlier. This is when they find the store room.

Not many changes to the current extended edition of The Two Towers for me, as of all three, that's the film that truly benefits from these extended releases. Many ardent and serious fans of Tolkien had noped out of The Lord of the Rings films because of the theatrical edition that was released into cinemas. This was due mostly to the change in Faramir's character that they left. The biggest change for me would to not have any extra Treebeard scenes. As outlined above, not just because they slow down the pace; but also in that they pretty much bring everything to the table. 



THE RETURN OF THE KING

- The Road to Isengard. Keep the same take/opening that was used for the theatrical edition, in regards to the dialogue between Merry and Pippin, prior to the rest of the Company reaching them. This is the scene leading up to confronting Saruman.
Verdict: theatrical edition.

- Return to Edoras. This scene flows much better in the theatrical edition. Also, keep the rendition of The Green Dragon drinking song from the theatrical edition without Pippin's pause and look to Gandalf. Also, while entertaining, the drinking game between Legolas and Gimli doesn't really add anything.
Verdict: theatrical edition.

- Meeting Denethor. The only aspect of this scene that I liked better in the theatrical edition, is after Denethor says "Rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!" Gandalf and Pippin leave him. In the theatrical edition, their walk out is silent. In the extended edition, music was added. As much as I love Howard Shore's music, I found the silence to be more effective.

- Pippin and Gandalf talking during the night. I much preferred the take that was used in the theatrical edition: Gandalf didn't need to start choking on his pipe, and for Pippin to bring him water. That change doesn't really add anything, and was fine as-is from the theatrical edition.
Verdict: theatrical edition

- The Wizard's Pupil. This scene is great as is in the extended edition, however, I'd remove Denethor's 'vision' of Boromir.
Verdict: extended edition, with some minor editing.

- Scene between Pippin and Farmir about Pippin's Tower Guard outfit. A nice little scene, though it doesn't really add anything to the film.
Verdict: removed

- The King of the Dead. Here's another example of how, sometimes, the theatrical edition is better (in some aspects) than the extended edition. The extended edition for this scene is fine, except I would edit out the avalanche of skulls, and seeing the King of the Dead emerging from the mountain saying "We fight." This somewhat ruins the surprise later on when Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli arrive at The War of the Ring ("There's plenty for the both of us, may the best dwarf win!") End the scene with Aragorn falling to his knees in despair, and Legolas comforting him.
Verdict: extended, with some editing.

- The Corsairs of Umbar. As mentioned above, this ruins the surprise I mentioned. A good starting point for Disc 2 would be Merry talking with Eowyn instead.
Verdict: removed.

- Gandalf the White vs The Witch King. I want to talk about this. It is a great addition. Especially considering that earlier The Witch King states "I will break him." when he gets asked "What of the Wizard?" Not only that, seeing Gandalf's staff shatter explains why he grabs that spear in the tomb, and he only uses Glamdring at the battle of the Black Gates. so it's great for continuity.
Verdict: extended edition.

- The Mouth of Sauron. They get effort for trying. The MoS is just too....weird. That, and Aragorn would never kill an emissary. The scene of him challenging Sauron via the palantir could also explain The Black Gate opening' as Sauron would've been expecting them due to that.
Verdict: removed.

- With the Orcs. The scene of Sam and Frodo falling in line with some Orcs and pretending to fight really does not bring anything worthwhile to the table. "Look, they're moving off! Something's drawing his gaze." works equally well. Them dressed as orcs explains how they were able to make it further into Mordor in conjunction with the Eye's gaze being drawn to the gate.
Verdict: removed.

- Frodo and Gollum fighting at the entrance to Mount Doom itself. "You swore! You swore on the precious!" "Smeagol lied." wasn't needed, and the fight flows better in the theatrical edition with that dialogue.
Verdict: theatrical edition.

And that's it for The Return of the King! I prefer the extended (as with the other two films), however I found quite a few of the added scenes don't really contribute to the film as a film. Some of the same scenes that appear in both theatrical and extended editions have better 'versions' of those scenes from the theatrical editions.

I truly wish I was good at film editing and film editing software so that I could use both the theatrical and extended editions to create my 'perfect' version for my own personal use.

Overall, I prefer the extended editions, and would take those any day, however; the theatrical editions execute certain scenes, in a much better fashion.

It's tricky to find that balance of 'what works as a movie, and how well does it follow the book'. An adaptation needs to find that perfect balance of working as a movie (as that's the format the story is being told) as well as remaining faithful to the source material.