Middle Earth 4K Ultimate Collection Coming In October

Warner Bros has announced the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray box set for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies. The Middle Earth 6-Film Ultimate Collector's Edition contains a total of 31 discs in a pretty neat "Puzzle Box" that will include new cover art, 64-page booklet, 7 travel poster art cards and 1 disc of new special features. The retail price is $249.99 for release on October 26. You can pre-order now on Amazon. Keep reading for more details. 

The reason for the 31 discs is due to containing both the 4K and regular Blu-ray edition of each film. This breaks down to six 4K Blu-ray and six regular Blu-ray for theatrical release of each. Add to that twelve 4K Blu-ray and six regular Blu-ray for the extended editions of each Lord of the Rings trilogy film (4 discs for each film in each format) for a total of 30 discs. The last disc is a special feature disc containing the Cannes Film Festival Presentation Reel from I think 2000 and 3 part Alamo Drafthouse Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion. 

 It should be noted that DVD extra features are NOT included. This means no Appendices which remains the best making of documentaries ever made. Also no commentary tracks or any of the other special features that were released on the DVD sets years ago. The only special features are the ones above. Suffice it to say this makes this an incomplete release despite the "Ultimate" title. My guess is the decision was made to reduce cost since likely the sound and picture quality of the old features where not good enough for Blu-ray and WB was unwilling to spend the money to perform an upgrade on all that footage. If interested in buying, use this link to purchase so site gets credit.

4K Ultra High Def The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Coming December 1

With an assist from Sean Astin, Warner Bros. (owners of New Line Cinema) has announced that they are releasing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies in 4k Ultra High Def (UHD) on December 1, 2020. 

The remastered versions were supervised by the movies' director Peter Jackson and will include Dolby Vision, Dobly Atmos audio and HDR10 High Dynamic Range standards. No clue what any of that means but if have a 4K TV and recently purchased surround sound then probably a good thing. 

Details on extra features was not announced but I would assume it would probably be about the same stuff that's been with the Blu-ray editions for the last few years.

Currently the release is two separate sets, one for Lord of the Rings trilogy and another for The Hobbit trilogy. Best Buy will also have steelbook editions of each set. Finally there is a gift set of the Lord of the Rings trilogy that will include a copy of the one ring (no details on size or material made out of). Links below. Important note below when making your purchase decision:

Warner Bros. is also announcing that in the summer of 2021 it will be releasing a 4K ULTIMATE COLLECTORS’ EDITION with theatrical and extended versions of ALL SIX of the remastered films and new bonus content. Additionally, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first The Lord of the Rings film, a newly remastered Blu-ray trilogy of The Lord of the Rings films will be available in the Fall of 2021, also including the theatrical and extended versions.

Links: 

- The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [Blu-ray]; Amazon, $89.99

- The Hobbit: Motion Picture Trilogy (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [Blu-ray];  Amazon, $94.99

- The Lord of the Rings: Motion Picture Trilogy Giftset (Extended & Theatrical) (4K Ultra HD + Digital) [Blu-ray]; Amazon, $149.99 

- The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy [SteelBook] [Includes Digital Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]; BestBuy, $119.99 

- The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy [SteelBook] [Includes Digital Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray]; BestBuy, $119.99

 

Middle-Earth Extended Edition Trilogies Collection Revealed (Updated x2)

If you are a die-hard fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies and do not mind buying yet another copy of the movies, then you might be interested in this news. A post on Amazon.com has revealed the existence of the Middle-Earth Collector's Edition that will re-release the extended editions of all six movies in new packaging. The collection will contain 30 Blu-ray discs (5 for each movie) that will contain the exact same movies (theatrical and extended) along with the same extensive behind-the-scenes documentary (called The Appendixes) and other featurettes that remain the gold standard of extra features. There is no indication of new special features (but then this release has not been officially announced either).

There are two differences between this release and previous releases. The minor one is the digital copy codes will be for Ultraviolet only and not iTunes. The real attraction though is the packaging. From the description, the movies will be "housed in six stunning faux leather books and a collectible Hobbit-style wood shelf. The one-of-a-kind wood shelf is crafted from solid wood with design selected by Peter Jackson." In addition there will be a "spectacular 100-page sketch-style book with replica The Red Book of Westmarch, filled with original film sketches and new artwork" along with "original reproductions of exquisite watercolor paintings by acclaimed conceptual artists Alan Lee and John Howe, framable and wall-ready."

The listed release date is November 1, 2016 at a whopping $800. If order from Amazon get it a month early on October 4 instead. When first heard about this my guess at the price was $150 ($20 per movie plus cost of the wooden case and fake leather) so I am hoping this is just an error on someone's part or set high until the official announcement comes. To me the real shame isn't just the price but that this "Complete" collection failed to include the music for each movie. If you do decide to risk the price tag, please buy from this link so the site gets credit.

Update: Warner Bros. has officially announced the box set and the $800 is true. It looks really nice but I can't recommend anyone spend that kind of money for what is ultimately around $100 in Blu-rays (going by the typical sale prices of the extended edition sets) and $50 of fake leather and wood material that probably cost a tiny fraction to acquire and make. They are also selling a 6-disc blu-ray box set of the theatrical versions of the film. Basically what seemed like cool news turned into something shrug worthy at most due to excessive cost. Full details in the press release below. If you are willing to spend the money, click these links so site gets some Amazon credit for the purchases:
30-Disc Middle-Earth Limited Edition Collector's Edition ($719.99) | Middle-Earth 6 Film Theatrical Collection ($56.69)

Update 2:> Added video of Dominic Monaghan looking over the box set. It really is nice looking, just not $800 of nice. Again, if plan on buying use links above as I would really appreciate it.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition Available Now

Just a friendly reminder that the final Middle-Earth extended edition is now available where ever Blu-ray and DVD is sold. The movie includes about 25 minutes of extra footage edited back into the film with completed special effects, score and sound effects. More importantly (to me anyway), it includes the final edition to The Appendices which is quite simply the most comprehensive behind the scenes footage you can find for any film. If you are a movie buff who likes to know a little bit about how the sausage is made, all the extended editions are worth buying just for that. Its all content without all the cheer leading "this movies is the greatest, these actors are the greatest, please buy/watch this movie!" garbage that takes up most behind the scenes stuff. Nope this is as pure as Hollywood is able to get without a marketing flack doing the editing but there is a PR flack watching as of course all the on set friction is removed and you know there had to be arguments. What job doesn't after all. Still the level of detail is greater than anything else released as extras that I can think of. As far as pricing, the average price I have been seeing is $22.99 including Amazon so hopefully that tidbit will help you on where to get it.

The Hobbit Trilogy Extended Edition In Theaters Trailer

Below is the trailer to promote The Hobbit Trilogy Extended Edition that will show in select theaters in October. Its not all three movies in one day but each movie on three days spread over two an eight day period. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey EE will be on Monday October 5, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug on Wednesday October 7 and finally The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies on Tuesday October 13. For full details hit up Fathom Events.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition Set for November 17 Release

MGM and Warner Bros has finally revealed the cover art and release date for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition home video release as November 17th with an early digital HD release on October 20. It also verified that the additional 20 minutes of footage was enough to cause the film to get an R-rating. Really though if parents were okay with their kids seeing the PG-13 theatrical cut, it is doubtful there is anything anymore violent that should cause concern as the MPAA's rating system is really more of a numbers game than anything. As in literally if see X acts of violence then its PG-13 but X+1 makes it an R. It doesn't mean the additional stuff is "more" violent, it just means that there are more scenes of the same level of violence which for an hour plus long battle sequence shouldn't be a surprise for anyone.

Back to the Blu-ray and DVD release, the real reason (to me) to be interested isn't so much the additional footage but the sadly final parts to The Appendices which are quite simply the greatest movie behind the scenes documentary ever created and really all 12 parts over all six extended edition movies should be a must see for any film student or just really big film fan. In addition a box set of The Hobbit Extended Edition will also be released on the same day. Currently only the regular Blu-ray edition with Digital HD copy is available for pre-order on Amazon.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Extended Edition Gets R Rating

In a bit of a surprise, the MPAA has given The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition an R rating due to violence. The R rating is related to the extra 30 minutes of footage added to the film, most of which is assumed to be battle sequence related. Also keep in mind that the MPAA has a bizarre way of rating things as (for example using the F-word once is PG-13 but twice is an R or showing breasts with only the nipples covered is PG-13 but showing the nipples is R, things like that) so it could turn out the rating is fair or make absolutely no sense. The Extended Edition is expected to come out sometimes in late October or November.

The Hobbit: Extended Edition Trilogy Heading to Theaters

This October all three extended editions of The Hobbit trilogy will be showing in theaters this October over three consecutive nights.The full details have yet to be revealed including which theater chains and their locations that are participating, that dates could change. From Faraway Entertainment:

Fathom Events and Warner Bros. are partnering to present the extended editions of all three Hobbit movies. Shown over three nights, the epic Peter Jackson trilogy will be the first time the extended editions have ever been released in theatres. The films follow hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is convinced by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) to accompany thirteen dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Also included will be an exclusive introduction by director Peter Jackson. First night showing starts Monday, October 5th, 2015 at 7:30pm local.

The event is part of the promotion for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition which is set for release sometime in November with 30 minutes of extra footage.

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Home Video Out Now

Just a friendly reminder that The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is now available (at least in the US) on Blu-ray and DVD. Hit the links here to order from Amazon or at least get the details on the extra features. To order rom Amazon, click here: 3D Combo Pack | Combo Pack | DVD

So far it seems that thanks to cover gimmicks and the like the average cost depending on store for the Combo Pack is around $25, the 3D combo pack is around $28. and DVD for $15. The extended edition is still expected sometime around Christmas time but no details yet.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Home Video Release Details

Warner Bros. has now released the details on the home video release of The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies theatrical version. The movie will be out on March 24, 2015 and come in Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack (3D BR + BR + DVD + digital copy), Blu-ray Combo Pack (BR + DVD + digital copy) and DVD. The special features titles are listed but no specifics on what each will show but expect it to be the usual behind the scenes/sales pitch stuff of previous releases. The detailed behind the scenes stuff is going to be part of the Extended Edition that will be released at the end of the year. To pre-order from Amazon, click here: 3D Combo Pack | Combo Pack (not yet available) | DVD

Special features:
- Recruiting the Five Armies
- Completing Middle-earth
- The Last Goodbye: Behind the Scenes
- The Last Goodbye Music Video
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 3

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Out Now

I forgot about this but The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition is out now at retail stores everywhere in the US. The price range seems to be from $20 to $30 depending on store and combo type.

Behind the Scenes Clip from The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition

The main reasons you really should consider getting The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition isn't the extra 25 minutes of scenes but really the best behind the scenes documentary ever made for movies that is collectively called "The Appendices". No other movie does it as well. Below is a clip from the section called "Barrels Out of Bond: The Elven Sluice" that hints at both the very low tech approach (foot powered locomotion) and the high tech (whole lot of CGI) that was part of making the barrel escape sequence. The extended edition will be released on November 4th. To pre-order from Amazon: Blu-Ray + Digital HD | DVD | Blu-ray 3D Amazon Exclusive Set

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Digital Copy Only Available Now

For the price of $20, you can now buy the Digital Copy of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition two weeks on iTunes or Google Play before its official release on November 4th on Blu-ray and DVD. I recommend waiting another two weeks since for the same exact price you can get a physical copy of the movie AND the digital copy for the exact same price. It might be worth it if live in iTunes for your digital movie fix as likely the Digital Copy will be Ultraviolet but really the reason you want the Extended Edition is only partially for the extra 25 minutes of footage. The main reason is the awesome Making Of documentary that remains the gold standard on how these extra features should be done. Still never understand why most behind the scenes stuff remains a sales pitch and actor butt-kissing session by the crew to talk you into watching a movie you are clearly already committed to or you literally would not be able to watch said sales pitch. The Extended Edition is just a huge info dumping session that any fan of movie making can enjoy.

To pre-order from Amazon: Blu-Ray + Digital HD | DVD | Blu-ray 3D Amazon Exclusive Set

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Trailer

Below is the first new commercial to promote The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition that is coming to digital HD on October 21 and Blu-ray on November 4. Just like the previous extended editions, it will included additional scenes (25 minutes worth) blended into the movie with all the post productions parts added along with 9 hours of behind the scenes footage that continues to remain the best and no other movie in the last 14 years has come close since all other films treat their featurettes as advertising than true behind the scenes while the extended editions is all about the movie making. I recommend not buying the early digital HD as for the same $20 price you can get the non-compressed Blu-ray edition with free Digital HD so more bang for the same buck.
To pre-order from Amazon: Blu-Ray + Digital HD | DVD | Blu-ray 3D Amazon Exclusive Set

The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition Cover and Release Date

While not yet ready to pre-order, we now have the release date and cover art for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition. The edition will be released on November 3, 2014 with an additional 25 minutes of footage added back to the film. The 3D edition will be a five disc set but beyond that no specific details but assume it continues the detailed behind the scenes at making of the film that began with the Lord of the Rings trilogy and continued with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Available Now

Just a little reminder that as of now, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is available nationwide (and few other countries) in multiple different formats without that Star Trek crap that Paramount pulls on their releases where special features vary from store to store and format to format. Nope, here it is thankfully the same. In this case the special features are a behind the scenes look at the film based mostly on Jackson's video blogs and music video. The real goodies are being saved the Extended Edition due sometime around Christmas. Hit the links to order from Amazon, with note on average price for each format.

Versions: BR + DVD + Ultraviolet ($23) | 3D BR + BR + DVD + Ultraviolet ($25) | 2 disc DVD ($17) | Limited Edition Book Ends + 3D Combo Pack ($80)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Gets Early Digital Release

If you are a digital only buyer, then good news. iTunes and Amazon have posted the digital copy of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug early along with extras at a cost of $19.99. As a result of that price, I highly recommend just save your hard earned money and instead wait for the official April 8th Blu-ray release of the movie as can get the combo edition with Blu-ray disc, DVD and UltraViolet digital copy for a few dollars more. Now I will be the first to admit that UltraViolet is absolute crap compared to iTunes but regardless the physical copy is still more bang for your buck even if don't own a Blu-ray player. Even better the extra features are the same regardless if get iTunes or physical copy as both come with "Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set" and "New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth: Part 2." Still if you are needing that early The Hobbit hit, click the links to pick your virtual source: iTunes | Amazon.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Blu-Ray Details, Release Date

The official home video release date of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has been revealed. In the US, it will be out on April 8th while in other countries the range will be from April 7th to 17th (list at end). Per usual now, there will be multiple formats for the release, not including whatever store exclusives that are in the pipeline: a Limited Collector’s Edition Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack ($105.42), a Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack ($44.95), a Blu-ray Combo Pack ($35.99), and a 2-Disc DVD Special Edition ($28.98). All the combo packs will include UltraViolet Digital copy. The collector's edition includes two "Gates of Erebor" replica bookends created by the Noble Collection.

As for as announced special features on all formats:
- Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: In the Company of the Hobbit and Peter Jackson Invites You to the Set: All in a Day’s Work: Experience the film’s challenges and demands, and journey alongside the director into Mirkwood, Lake-town and Dale as the movie’s most intense, pivotal scenes are created
- Production Videos: Watch production come to life as Peter Jackson gives you an inside look at the making of the film
- New Zealand: Home of Middle-earth, Part 2: Travel with Peter Jackson and his team across the stunning locations of New Zealand transformed by the filmmakers into Middle-earth
- “I See Fire” Music Video: Ed Sheeran’s beautiful theme song from the film is illuminated with this intimate music video

Chances are there will be a few more special features, released as store exclusives with most of the goodies saved for the Extended Edition that will be released sometime in December.

Regional release dates:
April 7: UK
April 8: USA, Spain, Mexico, Canada, Hungary
April 9: Italy
April 11: Germany
April 16: France, Netherlands, Belgium, Australia
April 17: Brazil

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition Out Now

It turns out that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition is now out on Blu-ray and DVD. I am a bit late to the party as the sets came out a few days ago while I was thinking it was next week. If a fan of the movie, I highly recommend getting, mostly because the Peter Jackson does extra features better than anyone else in Hollywood. The movie itself as 14 minutes of additional scenes (details on new scenes here) but its the special features that make it worth the double-dip. Below is one of the new scenes. You can order from Amazon now: 3D Blu-ray Set | Blu-ray Set | DVD Set | 3D Blu-ray Amazon Exclusive Statue Edition | Blu-ray Amazon Exclusive Statue Edition

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Digital Version Available Now

Now available exclusively on iTunes for $14.99 is The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition digital download. This only gives you an HD copy of the movie, not a physical copy. With the copy will come the digital special features of the The Appendices Part 7 and Part 8 that provide a detailed look at making the movie. The LOTR Appendices were simply the best behind the scenes extras ever seen as their goal was more documentary of the making the trilogy. Most extras with other movies are really glorified sales pitches. Something that has never made sense as the act of watching the extra makes the sales pitch redundant.

I do not recommend getting the digital version as physical copy will be released on November 5th for probably a better deal as it will be a Blu-ray disc and digital copy (details) for probably around the $20 price. As always you can pre-order from Amazon now: 3D Blu-ray Set | Blu-ray Set | DVD Set | 3D Blu-ray Amazon Exclusive Statue Edition | Blu-ray Amazon Exclusive Statue Edition