Timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the theatrical release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Middle-Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K is out now and is THE complete collection of all things related to the world created by author J.R.R. Tolkien back in 1937 with the release of The Hobbit.
Peter Jackson famously ventured into Middle-Earth two decades ago with The Fellowship of the Ring and by the time the third and final installment (Return of the King) of that series landed in theaters December of 2003, a fantasy film had achieved the previously thought to be impossible. It won Best Picture at the 2004 Oscars, along with every single other category it was nominated in for a total of 11 Academy Awards.
Then, in 2012 he returned to Middle Earth to bring Tolkien’s first novel—The Hobbit—to life. He followed the Lord of the Rings model and broke the novel into three parts. Unlike Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit actually was released as one book instead of the three for Lord—Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King. That complicated things a bit. The Hobbit trilogy is not as well received as the first trilogy was, which is not necessarily fair. With the benefit of the passage of time, one can look back on The Hobbit experience as one to treasure.
After all, anytime in Middle-Earth is a good time for a viewer/reader.
Middle-Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition in 4K is a stunning release and a must-own for any fan of filmmaker Jackson, the series, and of course the man behind it all, Tolkien. This is a 31-disc set that includes the theatrical and extended incarnations of all six Jackson/Tolkien films in the beautiful and bombastic 4K resolution with High Dynamic Range (HDR).
Now, many releases such as this feature are unveiled with so-called legacy featurettes that were all included in previous releases. With Lord of the Rings alone, that is several versions from its initial DVD through to its various Blu-ray releases. But with one eye on the fan base, WB Home Entertainment keenly knows that their audience expect more and thus, we can happily report that Ultimate Collectors’ Edition also includes Bonus Content that has not previously been released. To add fuel to the fire that Tolkien fans have, WBHE has also included various collectible packaging, art cards… and more!
The Ultimate Collector’s Edition arrives at retailers in the most unique of packets. The film collection arrives in a so-called “Puzzle Box” with collectible packaging. Also included is an utterly gorgeous 64-page booklet that spotlights the costumes, production notes, stunning photography from all six moviemaking experiences. The clever inclusion of “travel posters” from the numerous locations that have become iconic thanks to this movie series, including The Shire, Lake-Town, Erebor, Anduin, Rohan, Minas Trith, and Rivendell.
One of the treats that is part of this collection is a featurette that is essentially the original Cannes Film Festival presentation reel. This is before everyone had seen even a frame beyond the trailers, so the excitement in this reel is palpable. WBHE also features that Alamo Drafthouse reunion with Jackson, along with the impeccably cast ensemble—including Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortenson, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, and Elijah Wood.
When digging into the packaging of this brilliant set, it will arrive in a brick-sized outer box which features a removable title “band” and a J-card that finds still images and design features from all six films in the series. The box then fold-outs and you will find separate cases with new artwork on slipcovers. Fans will adore taking the whole thing apart the moment it arrives at the homestead!
Jackson personally oversaw the 4K upgrade of his six films—The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and the Oscar sweeping The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. As such, there is an overwhelming sense of adoration to the entire 31-disc package. This is a man who gave over his life for years making these movies with the hope that longtime appreciators of Tolkien would take them and hold them close to their collective hearts. To say that have, is an understatement.
Here are all the Middle-Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition coveted special features:
Cannes Film Festival Presentation Reel
Alamo Drafthouse Cast Reunion:
“The Fellowship of the Ring” (with Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Astin and Elijah Wood)
“The Two Towers” (with Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler and Viggo Mortenson)
“The Return of the King” (with Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Peter Jackson)
The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary #1 – Features director Peter Jackson with co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
Audio Commentary #2 – Production designer Grant Major, costume designer Ngila Dickson, Weta Workshop creative supervisor Richard Taylor, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, supervising art director Dan Hennah, art department manager Chris Hennah, and Weta Workshop manager Tania Rodger.
Audio Commentary #3 – This one is worth the price of admission alone! It features producer Barrie Osborne, executive producer Mark Ordesky, director of photography Andrew Lesnie, editor John Gilbert, co-producer Rick Porras, composer Howard Shore, visual effects supervisor Jim Rygiel, supervising sound editors Ethan van der Ryn and Mike Hopkins, Weta animation designer and supervisor Randy Cook, Weta VFX art director Christian Rivers, Weta VFX cinematographer Brian Van’t Hul, and Miniatures Unit director of photography Alex Funke.
Audio Commentary #4 – Actors Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, and Sean Bean.
The Two Towers Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary #1 – Featuring director Jackson with co-writers Walsh and Boyens.
Audio Commentary #2 – Production designer Grant Major, Weta Workshop creative supervisor Richard Taylor, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, supervising art director Dan Hennah, art department manager Chris Hennah, and Weta Workshop manager Tania Rodger.
Audio Commentary #3 – Producer Barrie Osborne, producer Mark Ordesky, director of photography Andrew Lesnie, editor Mike Horton, additional editor Jabez Olssen, co-producer Rick Porras, composer Howard Shore, visual effects supervisors Jim Rygiel and Joe Letteri, supervising sound editors Ethan van der Ryn and Mike Hopkins, Weta animation designer & supervisor Randy Cook, Weta VFX art director Christian Rivers, Weta VFX cinematographer Brian Van’t Hul, and visual effects director of photography Alex Funke.
Audio Commentary #4 – New and returning actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, John Noble, Craig Parker and Andy Serkis.
The Return of the King Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary #1 – Featuring director Jackson with co-writers Walsh and Boyens.
Audio Commentary #2 – Production designer Grant Major, Weta Workshop creative supervisor Richard Taylor, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, supervising art director Dan Hennah, art department manager Chris Hennah, Weta Workshop manager Tania Rodger, and costume designer Ngila Dickson.
Audio Commentary #3 – Producer Barrie Osborne, producer Mark Ordesky, director of photography Andrew Lesnie, editor Jamie Selkirk, assistant editor Annie Collins, co-producer Rick Porras, composer Howard Shore, visual effects supervisors Jim Rygiel and Joe Letteri, supervising sound editors Ethan van der Ryn and Mike Hopkins, Weta animation designer & supervisor Randy Cook, Weta VFX art director Christian Rivers, Weta VFX cinematographer Brian Van’t Hul, and visual effects director of photography Alex Funke.
Audio Commentary #4 – New and returning actors Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Ian McKellen, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Bernard Hill, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Liv Tyler, Andy Serkis, and Lawrence Makoare.
It should be noted that The Hobbit trilogy does not include that appendice that was featured on previous Blu-ray releases.
An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary – Featuring director Jackson and co-writer Boyens.
New Zealand: Home to Middle-Earth Part 1 (6:35)
The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary – Featuring director Jackson and co-writer Boyens.
New Zealand: Home to Middle-Earth Part 2 (7:11)
The Battle of the Five Armies Extended Edition:
Audio Commentary – Featuring director Jackson and co-writer Boyens.
New Zealand: Home to Middle-Earth Part 3
Trailers
Film Collection Grade: A
Bonus Features: A