Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

Lord Of The Rings: Return of the King - 2003

New Line Cinema/Wingnut Films- 200 min. + extras
DVD UPC # 794043692925(standard); 794043693229(extended);
794043710827(standard trilogy); 794043734724(/extended trilogy)

Principal Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Ian Holm, John Noble, Liv Tyler, Billy Boyd, Marton Csokas, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban.

Principal Filmmakers: Peter Jackson, Director, Writer, co-producer; Barrie M. Osborne, Producer; Tim Sanders, Producer; Fran Walsh, Writer, co-producer; Philippa Boyens, Writer; Mark Ordesky, Executive Producer; Bob and Harvey Weinstein, Executive Producers; Andrew Lesnie, Director of Photography; Richard Taylor, Creature/Miniature/Armor/Special Makeup Effects Supervisor; Grant Major, Production Supervisor; Ngila Dickson, Costume Designer; Howard Shore, Composer; Jamie Selkirk, Post-Production Supervisor; John Gilbert, Editor; Michael J. Horton, Editor; Jim Rygiel, Visual Effects Supervisor; Alan Lee, Conceptual Artist/Set Decorator; John Howe, Conceptual Artist; Dan Hennah, Supervising Art Director; Peter Owen and Peter King, Makeup and Hair Design.

Censor Rating: M - Review Rating: A-

The film returns to following Frodo, Sam and Gollum as they journey ever closer to the foreboding land of Mordor. They pass by the terrifying dark city of Minas Morgul, watching as the dreadful army of the Witch King sets out for the human strongholds in Gondor, and move on to the rocky stairs to Cirith Ungol, where an even darker enemy lies in wait. Meanwhile, the rest of the Fellowship reunites in Rohan, having defeated the wizard Saruman on two different fronts, at Helm's Deep and Isengard. They are not together for long, though, since the hobbit Pippin gets into trouble, making it necessary for him and Gandalf to hastily depart for Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor. Once there, they find the steward of Gondor, Denethor, in an unstable mental state and the city preparing for battle against the amassing forces of Sauron. In another realm, elf Arwen begins her journey to immortal life in the Grey Havens, on her way to leave Middle-earth -- and Aragorn -- forever, but has a vision that causes her to once again reconsider her decision. Back in Rohan, the men are preparing to ride to Gondor's aide. Aragorn is met there by the elf Elrond, who brings him the re-forged Sword that was Broken (in the ancient battle with Sauron) and urges him to take a different route to Gondor. Heeding Elrond's advice, Aragorn, along with elf Legolas and dwarf Gimli, takes a cavernous path through the mountains, where they meet ghoulish ghosts who betrayed Aragorn's ancestors and are doomed to eternal unrest unless they fulfill their broken oaths by aiding him. All but Frodo, Sam, and Gollum will meet on the massive battlefield of the Pelennor before the gates of Minas Tirith. The former three instead engage in a battle of wills between each other and the One Ring as they head toward the fires of Mount Doom to destroy it. -- Dana Rowader - All Movie Review

The Standard Release

It is available in standard (pan & scan) and Widescreen versions. The VHS NTSC goes for about $10us. The NTSC R1 DVD sells for about $15us. The R4 set is selling for $20nz or $20au. R2 PAL versions are selling for about 8#.

The DVD is a 2 disc set. One disc is the PG-13 cut of the 200-minute film that was seen in theatres. It is presented in a 2.35 widescreen with Dolby Digital EX 5.1 Surround Sound and Dolby Surround 2.0. Differing subtitles and closed captions are added, depending upon the market and the zone.
The second disc contains over two hours of content including:
Three in-depth programs revealing behind-the-scenes production including:
The Quest Fulfilled: A Director's Vision
A Filmmaker's Journey: Making The Return of the King
National Geographic Special - The Return of the King
Six featurettes originally created for lordofthering.net:
Aragorn's Destiny
Minas Tirith - Capital of Gondor
The Battle of Pelennor Fields
Samwise the Brave
Eowyn - White Lady of Rohan
Digital Horse Doubles
Original theatrical trailers and TV Spots
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Supertrailer
The Battle for Middle-earth Continues - Video Games from Electronic Arts
DVD-ROM Content: Exclusive online content

Six Disc Trilogy Set
A six disc Trilogy set in a slipcase, of the theatrical version of all three films, is available for about $50us, 20# or $90nz.

The Extended Release

The feature is on the first two discs and is approximately 250 min. in length, which incorporates 50 minutes of footage not included in the theatrical version. It is presented in widescreen (2.35:1) with sound options of Dolby Digital EX 5.1 surround, DTS ES 6.1 Surround, 2.1 Stereo Surround, English subtitles, closed captions and Spanish subtitles. Four audio commentary options: Director and Writers, the design team, the production team, and various cast members.

The Appendices are on the other two discs. Its parts contain:
"The War of the Ring" - intro by Peter Jackson, "J.R.R. Tolkien: The Legacy of Middle-earth" documentary;
From Book to Script: "Forging the Final Chapter" documentary, Abandoned Concept: Aragorn Battles Sauron.
Designing and Building Middle-earth documentary; "Big-atures" documentary; Weta Workshop documentary; Costurme Design documentary
Design Galleries - 2,123 images; The Peoples of Middle-earth (galleries with docent audio), The Realms of Middle-earth (galleries with docent audio), Minatures (galleries with docent audio), Home of the Horse Lords documentary.
Middle-earth Atlas: Tracing the Journeys of the Fellowship interactive map; New Zealand as Middle-earth interactive map w/on-location footage.

"The Passing of an Age" - intro by Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan.
Filming The Return of the King - Cameras in Middle-earth documentary; Production Photos (gallery) - 69 images; Visual Effects - Weta Digital documentary; "The Mumakil Battle" demonstration/ multi-angle interactive feature.
Post Procution: Journey's End - "Editorial: Completing the Trilogy" documentary; "Music for Middle-earth" documentary; "The soundscapes of Middle-earth" documentary; "The End of all Things" documentary; "The Passing fo an Age" documentary; Cameron Duncan: The Inspiration for "Into the West" documentary; DFK6498 short film; "Strike Zone" short film; DVD-ROM Content: Includes access to exclusive online features.

It is in two versions. A leather-bound hardcover book style set, and a more elaborate Collector's Gift Set. Expect the 4 disc DVD set to sell for about $30us, the U.K. for 15#, Australia for about $45au and New Zealand at about $70nz. Expect the Collector's Gift Set to go for about $60us, about 30# or about $80au.

Twelve Disc Trilogy Set
A Trilogy packaging of the Extended editions, in slipcase, is available for about $80us, 30#, $100au or $95nz. It contains the same material as the separate four-disc expanded edition versions of the three features.

SOUNDTRACK ON AUDIO CD

Click for Lord of the Rings - Return of the King CD Details

REVIEWS

Ebert and Roeper video review

DVDFile Secial Extended Edition Review

Moria Review

Dominic Corry review at TVNZ

Metacritic consolidated reviews

DVD Compare's Review

DVD Compare's Ext. Ed. Review

Urban Cinefile Review - Theatrical Version

Urban Cinefile Review - Extened Edition

Michaeldvd Region 4 Reviews of Standard Edition

Michaeldvd Region 4 Reviews of Extended Edition

All Movie Guide Review

IMDB viewer reviews - 2869 articles

Movie Review Query - 325 articles

rec.arts.movies.reviews

OFFLINE REVIEW SOURCES

TRAILER AND OTHER TITLE RELATED LINKS

19+ trailers at IMDB

Peter Jackson on Charlie Rose - Feb. 22, 2002

Kaihoro's Peter Jackson Fansite

The One Ring Net

Official Lord of the Rings Website

The boxoffice numbers - worldwide

AWARDS - As of May 2004

ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
2004 Top Box Office Films
Howard Shore

Academy Awards, USA
2004 Oscar Best Art Direction-Set Decoration
Grant Major (art director), Dan Hennah (set decorator), Alan Lee (set decorator)
Best Costume Design
Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Editing
Jamie Selkirk
Best Makeup
Richard Taylor, Peter King
Best Music, Original Score
Howard Shore
Best Music, Original Song
Frances Walsh, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox For the song "Into the West". Best Picture Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Frances Walsh
Best Sound
Christopher Boyes, Michael Semanick, Michael Hedges, Hammond Peek
Best Visual Effects
Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook, Alex Funke
Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA
2004 Saturn Award
Best Actor
Elijah Wood
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Fantasy Film
Best Make Up
Richard Taylor, Peter King
Best Music
Howard Shore
Best Special Effects
Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook, Alex Funke
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Astin
Best Writing
Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

American Cinema Editors, USA
2004 Eddie
Best Edited Feature Film - Dramatic
Jamie Selkirk

Art Directors Guild
2004 Excellence in Production Design Award
Feature Film - Period or Fantasy Film
Grant Major

BAFTA Awards
2004 Audience Award
BAFTA Film Award Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects
Joe Letteri, Jim Rygiel, Randall William Cook, Alex Funke
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Film
Barrie M. Osborne, Frances Walsh, Peter Jackson
Best Screenplay (Adapted)
Frances Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards
2003 2nd place BSFC Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
2004 BFCA Award
Best Acting Ensemble
Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Elijah Wood
Best Composer
Howard Shore
Best Director
Peter Jackson Best Picture

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
2004 CFCA Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Original Score
Howard Shore
Best Picture

Costume Designers Guild Awards
2004 CDG Award
Excellence for Costume Design for Film - Period/Fantasy
Ngila Dickson

Dallas-Forth Worth Film Critics Association Awards
2004 DFWFCA Award
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Picture

Directors Guild of America, USA
2004 DGA Award
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
Peter Jackson, Nikolas Korda (unit production manager) (plaque), Zane Weiner (unit production manager) (plaque), Carolynne Cunningham (first assistant director) (plaque), Guy Campbell (key second assistant director) (plaque), Marc Ashton (key second assistant director) (plaque)

Empire Awards, UK
2004 Empire Award
Best British Actor
Andy Serkis
Best Film
Scene of the Year
For the ride of the Rohirrim.

Florida Film Critics Circle Awards
2004 FFCC Award
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Film

Golden Globes, USA
2004 Golden Globe
Best Director - Motion Picture
Peter Jackson
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Howard Shore
Best Original Song - Motion Picture
Howard Shore, Frances Walsh, Annie Lennox For the song "Into the West".

Golden Satellite Awards
2004 Golden Satellite Award
Best Art Direction
Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Alan Lee

Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards
2004 Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Award
Best Character Makeup - Feature
Peter King, Peter Owen
Best Special Makeup Effects - Feature
Richard Taylor, Gino Acevedo, Jason Docherty

Kansas City Film Critics Circle Awards
2004 KCFCC Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson becomes the first director to win this award three consecutive years.
Best Picture

Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
2004 Sierra Award
Best Art Direction
Dan Hennah
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Costume Design
Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Picture
Best Score
Howard Shore
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Astin
Best Visual Effects
Jim Rygiel

Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
2004 LAFCA Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Production Design
Grant Major

National Board of Review, USA
2003 NBR Award
Best Ensemble Performance
Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Elijah Wood

New York Film Critics Circle Awards
2003 NYFCC Award
Best Film

Online Film Critics Society Awards
2004 OFCS Award
Best Art Direction
Dan Hennah
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Costume Design

Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Original Score
Howard Shore
Best Picture
Best Screenplay, Adapted
Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, Frances Walsh
Best Sound
Mike Hopkins, Ethan Van der Ryn, Nigel Stone
Best Visual Effects
Jim Rygiel

PGA Golden Laurel Awards
2004 Motion Picture Producer of the Year Award
Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Frances Walsh

San Diego Film Critics Society Awards
2003 SDFCS Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Production Design
Grant Major

San Francisco Film Critics Circle
2003 SFFCC Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson

Screen Actors Guild Awards
2004 Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Ian Holm, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Elijah Wood

Seattle Film Critics Awards
2003 Seattle Film Critics Award
Best Cinematography
Andrew Lesnie
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Astin

Southeastern Film Critics Association Awards
2003 SEFCA Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson
Best Picture

Toronto Film Critics Association Awards
2003 TFCA Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson

Vancouver Film Critics Circle
2004 VFCC Award
Best Director
Peter Jackson

Visual Effects Society Awards 2004 VES Award
Outstanding Character Animation in a Live Action Motion Picture
Steven Hornby, Andy Serkis, Matthias Menz, Greg Butler
Outstanding Models and Miniatures in a Motion Picture
Richard Taylor, Paul Van Ommen, Eric Saindon
Outstanding Performance by a Male or Female Actor in an Effects Film
Sean Astin
Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Motion Picture
Jim Rygiel, Dean Wright, Joe Letteri, Randall William Cook

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