Posted on 05/01/2004 8:04:55 AM PDT by maquiladora
As any fule no, the fantabulous four-disc extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will debut later this year. But for those of you doing decent Gollum impressions – "we wanttsss it!" – Empire can exclusively reveal that one more superb LOTR extra is on its way, ready to sate those Rings withdrawal symptoms.
Howard Shore's Oscar-winning scores for the three movies, easily ranking amongst the very best soundtracks of recent times, has up until now only been granted a single CD release for each film. Now, Empire is no Carol Vorderman, but we calculate that that means that more than six hours of the score [more than eight if you factor in the Extended Editions] remains unreleased.
Well, that's going to change next year, when Shore plans to release a suitably epic nine-disc set of his most famous work. And, just as the two-disc DVDs pale in comparison to the Extended Editions, so too will the CDs.
“The plan is that we would feature all of the music in the theatrical cuts of the films," said Shore, talking exclusively to Empire. "Currently, two discs for [the first], three each for [the second and third films] and a ninth disc of rarities with host of rare, unreleased music from the films with commentary from me.”
The DVD would also feature material covering Shore’s recent transfer of the trilogy’s music to a live concert setting, The Lord Of The Rings Symphony. “The DVD would also potentially have a 45-minute documentary which we shot on the making of the Symphony and full performance of it done with the Montreal Symphony," he added.
First performed in Wellington in November last year, Shore is currently on an international tour with the show, reaching London for a performance with The London Philharmonic Orchestra at The Royal Festival Hall on 23 May and then returning to The Royal Albert Hall on 22 September.
“It’s very gratifying to see the see the music from [the films] find a new life on the concert stage.” said Shore. “I don’t think there’s ever been a full concert piece of this size devoted to one particular film or series.”
For those fans who miss out on the London shows, don't fret: Shore also confirmed to Empire that a two-disc CD release of the show is also in the works for release next year.
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Just recent times? The writer set that bar a little low.
Since the announcement of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’s May 25 DVD release date, fans have been speculating about details of the content, the packaging and when the Special Extended Edition will hit shelves. Matt Lasorsa, New Line Home Entertainment’s senior vice president of marketing, offers some insight into the much anticipated home video release in an informative Q&A.
Q: Why May?
A: There is no reason to wait this year. The DVD release dates of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers were dependent on completing the 10-minute look at the next film, which made it impossible to release before August. Without another film to preview, we can release it much earlier.
Q: We’ve heard rumors of a slipcase that will hold all 3 DVDs. How can we get it?
A: We have created a “3-pack” with the theatrical version DVDs of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King – packaged in a slipcase – but the slipcase itself is not sold separately. The “3-pack” does not have any new or exclusive content and will be available at retail stores nationwide.
Q: What extras are on the DVD?
A: Like the last two The Lord of the Rings DVDs, The Return of the King film will be presented on one disc with the highest picture and sound quality possible. In addition to the movie disc, a second disc will include many behind-the-scenes specials, featurettes from lordoftherings.net, TV spots and trailers that debuted during the theatrical release of the film. Also, there will be a preview of the next Electronic Arts video game.
Q: Why isn’t there a preview for the Special Extended Edition?
A: There simply wasn’t enough time to complete it for the May release, and we didn’t believe it would be beneficial to postpone the release date.
Q: When is the Special Extended Edition coming out?
A: It is scheduled to release just before Christmas 2004.
Q: Why isn’t the Special Extended Edition hitting stores earlier, since the theatrical DVD is releasing sooner?
A: Logically, it would seem that it could be done sooner, especially without another Lord of the Rings film to finish; however, that hasn’t been the case. Peter Jackson was quite busy with many commitments during the awards season. Since he was away from New Zealand, he could not cut an extended version of the film. Traditionally, after he cuts the film, there are months and months of work to do to complete the cut – including Howard Shore’s additional score and Weta Digital’s new special effects.
For the special features, many of the interviews with the cast and crew were completed during pickups for the next film, as everyone was in the same place (New Zealand). Now that all filming is complete, everyone is scattered across the world – making it more difficult to get the interviews to create bonus materials.
It would have been ideal to release it sooner, but we didn’t want to compromise the quality of the DVD to get the product in stores earlier.
Q: How long is the Extended version of The Return of the King?
A: It looks like the running time will be over four hours long.
Q: What additional scenes were added?
A: Like The Two Towers extended version, the story of Faramir is shown in greater detail. There are returning characters and new characters, such as Saruman after the flooding of Isengard and the Mouth of Sauron at the Black Gate. Much of the new footage contains extra dialogue and action to further elaborate on each character’s personal journey.
Q: Will there be a Gift Set this year, and what will be included?
A: Yes, a gift set is in the works, and the content of it is still taking shape. We do believe that the fans will be pleased with the Sideshow Weta sculpture – the artists at Weta have really outdone themselves. Look for us to reveal it in July.
Q: Will there be a money-back offer – similar to years past – if you buy both DVDs?
A: Yes. We will be extending the same mail-in rebate offer as we have for The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers – fans who choose to buy both the Theatrical DVD in May and the Extended DVD later this year can receive $5 back by mail (or $10 if they buy the Gift Set). We aren’t requiring cash register receipts for the theatrical DVD, but proofs-of-purchase and receipts for the Special Extended Edition will be required.
Q: Finally, there are many rumors about a mega-special edition “Trilogy Box.” Is there any truth to the rumor?
A: It is certainly something that we talk about creating in the future, but right now we are just concentrating on releasing The Return of the King Theatrical DVD and Extended DVD versions this year. If we do release a “Trilogy Box,” it is at least 2 years away – 2006 or beyond. We would want to have Peter Jackson’s participation, and he will be busy with other projects for at least a year or more. We also would want to make it really special, with never-before-seen content, and, until The Return of the King extended DVD is finished, we won’t be in a position to evaluate what materials are still available.
Well, if the writer intended "amongst the very best soundtracks of recent times" to mean "the finest film score achievement since the orginal Star Wars trilogy a quarter-century ago", I would agree.
I want to know where the bloopers-and-outtakes DVD fits in all this stuff.
Check the following dates and locations, some with Howard Shore directing: (this from howardshore.com)
4/16/04 - Flemish Radio Orchestra and Choir
5/23/04 - London Philharmonic
5/26 - Phoenix Symphony - Alexander Mikelthwate, conductor
6/3-5 - Atlanta Symphony
6/17-19 - Sydney Symphony
7/13 - Philadelphia Orchestra
7/15-17 - Seattle Symphony
7/22-23 - National Arts Center Orchestra - John Mauceri, conductor
7/29-31 - Pittsburgh Symphony
9/18-19 - Hartford Symphony
9/21 - Hollywood Bowl Orchestra - John Mauceri, conductor
9/22 - London Philharmonic Orchestra - Royal Albert Hall
It is funny, though--after my first viewing of FOTR, I expressed great disappointment in the music because there was no tune I went out the door humming--I didn't even *hear* the music in the first movie, so blown away was I with actually seeing it. It took my third viewing before I could listen to any of the background.
Now I listen to the soundtrack, and honestly think that Shore has outdone Wagner, Bizet and the rest.
As for LOTR doodads and collectables--I've never been satisfied. There needs to be lots more junk. I have all the bookmarks with their charms--these are delightful. But I expected a New Line "Banner of Gondor" with the White Tree.
Also, with this new long soundtrack, will I at last be able to hear "Elbereth Gilthoniel"? I know there's a version in the FOTREE with Frodo and Sam and the Departing Elves, but I have also read that these important lyrics were used in the Lothlorian music--and I've never been able to pick them out either in the movies or on a soundtrack.
My hope for this composition is that it will be more symphonic and less sountrack. That is--I hope the themes will be allowed to "finish" themselves and not leave the listener with suggestion. This is not possible in soundtracks, where music is to set the scene and emotion and doesn't stand by itself.
I agree! That'd be neat!
You know what I would like? A really nice frameable poster size map of middle earth with lots of detail and perhaps the routes of travel on it.
ecurbh, my brother, and a couple of others from the hobbit hole are going to see Shore conduct the Seattle Symphony to LoTR in July!
Here's a fabric wallhanging above--but I have the paper poster version that I have framed. It is a nice rich ocher/umber version. I found mine on ebay--they stopped making it for awhile but I think I've seen it on the net in another Tolkien shop.
There's also one with some metallic details which I have not seen.
Looking into the LOTR card and role-playing game (I don't understand what that is or how it works) I found a set of Middle Earth Maps by the same New Line artist that did them for the movie--they would be nice for framing if you could get the fold marks out. They are very detailed--the Four Farthings of the Shire is my favorite.
There is also a bookmark out there that folds into a map of Middle Earth, and some pretty Rohan bookmarks. These are probably my favorite of the souvenirs. I've collected enough of the little metal leaf charms off bookmarks to make a nine-leaf Fellowship bracelet. When I get around to it!
Well, Star Wars has a lot of sentimental value for me, because it was one of the first albums I purchased with my lawn mowing money, and it really helped develop my love for music.
Star Wars has an amazing multitude of themes too - Luke, the force, the Rebellion, Vader, Jabba, Boba Fett, Yoda, Bespin, the Death Star, etc. They are woven together well too. For example, in the last section of The Empire Strikes Back, there is a triumphant version of Yoda's theme morphing into the force theme as Luke puts his training into practice against Vader, interspersed with snippets of the Han/Leia theme, the droid theme, and the Lando theme as the film cuts back and forth between subplots. And I often hear new things subtly woven into the fabric.
It is this tradition that Shore followed, and I think he did a marvelous job. True, Star Wars has less choral work in it (can't even think of a real choral piece in the original trilogy other than that horrid "yub nub" ewok song), but LotR, being based on a book involving extensive use of created languages, is a much more linguistic work.
My hope for this composition is that it will be more symphonic and less sountrack. That is--I hope the themes will be allowed to "finish" themselves and not leave the listener with suggestion.
Mine as well! We are going to see Shore conduct the LotR Symphony in Seattle in July... I'll let you know how it is!
This is some of the greatest music I've heard- great for walking - or driving. I have tickets June 5, for Lord of the Rings Symphony - conducted by the master himself - here in Atlanta.
Please keep us posted for the release of these CDs.
Sigh.
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