It's the words fans have longed to hear: Middle-earth Ultimate Collector's Edition.
But does this release rise to the heights of its greatest ancestors?
Or fall into mediocrity? Today on Nerd of the Rings, I'm reviewing the Middle-earth Ultimate
Collector's Edition on 4k UHD blu-ray. If you're new here and enjoy Middle-earth hit that subscribe
button because we dive into Tolkien's world each and every week. Now right off the bat it's easy
to see that this is the nicest packaging we've had in a Middleearth release since the extended
editions first debuted on blu-ray. The packaging is much nicer and sturdier than last year's 4k
sets, of which mine have already started to show some wear in the cardboard slip cases. Like the
previously mentioned extended edition blu-ray casing, this set uses magnets to make multiple
different display options available. It's a nice touch for those who like a good display of their
4k and blu-ray collections. The individual cases are what you'd expect from a typical movie case
plastic housing for the discs with a cardboard slipcover the artwork on the front calls to mind
the multitude of steel books in the world of home media that some really enjoy. Even though
I personally don't get too wrapped up in fancy cases, I can appreciate the fact that some effort
went into this one. Now let's move on to what you actually get inside this rather nice package.
First of all you have the theatrical and extended editions of both the lord of the rings and the
hobbit films on both 4k and regular blu-ray. Each hobbit film is four discs: theatrical 4k,
extended 4k, theatrical blu-ray, and extended blu-ray. Each lord of the rings film has
six discs: one each for the theatrical in 4k and blu-ray, and two each for the extended
on 4k and blu-ray. Now I already reviewed both the lord of the rings and the hobbit trilogies
on 4k when they debuted last year. In short they look incredible. Middle-earth has never looked or
sounded better. I'm a big fan of physical media and owning these movies in 4k is a complete
no-brainer to me. If you have a 4k tv or projector you'll definitely want these films at their best.
Of particular note here in this edition are the Lord of the Rings blu-rays,
which are newly created from the 4k remaster that Peter Jackson himself oversaw in New Zealand.
Scanning the original camera negative in 4k and up converting the special effects shots
from their original 2k to 4k so even on the blu-rays you should notice an uptick in quality
and the ousting of that infamous green tint on Fellowship of the Ring. As with the previous 4k
set there are no 3d copies of the hobbit films. Before we cover the one disc bonus features,
we'll mention the physical extras. Included here in the special features box,
you'll get codes to redeem the films digitally, a book, travel posters, and the extra disc.
Incidentally, since I already own these digitally from the last go round I'll be
giving away my codes on instagram so follow me there for that giveaway that is now live.
As for the book it's a 64-page soft cover entitled "The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings:
A Collection of Costume Sketches Photography, and Production notes. I've always loved the art
and behind the scenes books released by WETA over the years so I can appreciate the inclusion of the
booklet however as I've paged through it iId be willing to bet that if you have a bunch of
the books already by WETA there's not going to be anything new here and also as I was flipping
through filming here I just noticed that there's actually a typo on the last page it has Saruman
written over The Return of the King. Next up we have some mini travel posters which are probably
my favorite physical addition to this set I'd say these are roughly the size of a postcard
and I just think they look cool I don't know exactly what I'll do with them but they're
definitely a fun addition to the set we come to it at last the 31st disk of this 31-disc set.
First up on the disc we have the Alamo Drafthouse cast reunions one for each film
for fellowship we get Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dom Monaghan. For The Two Towers,
we have Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, and Liv Tyler. And for Return of the
King, we get Peter Jackson, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis. These reunions were released at a time
when theaters were incredibly short on new films and they were presented with select screenings of
the lord of the rings films. For folks like myself who didn't have screenings of those films nearby,
it's great to finally see these. Hosted by Stephen Colbert, they're light
and delightful from a time where we could all use a bit of levity and basking in nostalgia.
They're recorded virtually so the quality isn't incredible, but hearing from the cast again is
always fun. No doubt the highlight of this set as a whole is the Cannes presentation reel. For years
and confirmed by folks like executive producer Mark Ordesky and author Ian Nathan in interviews
here on the channel, it has been widely known that this was the moment where the world took notice of
this fantasy production taking place in some tiny island country at the bottom of the world. It's
really great to see this footage 20 years after it was shown to a select group of individuals
at Cannes film festival in May 2001. And what started off for me as merely a fun exercise
to put myself in the shoes of someone with no knowledge of what was in store for them, quickly
turned into me being in full-on nerd mode as there is never before seen footage in this reel.
While some parts are simply unused takes with a slight variation of the actor's delivery there
are extended lines of dialogue and shots we've not seen before in previous releases one that comes to
mind is Gimli, in awe of Dwarrowdelf, when Gandalf risks a little more light, the dwarf says "It is a
marvel!" Another small example is Elrond saying, "nine companions to match the nine ringwraiths."
which likes so many extended moments we've seen comes directly from the book. While these moments
are small they set my nerd heart ablaze wishing more than ever to see deleted scenes that we know
exist but have never been treated to in any digestible format. And therein lies the rub with
this ultimate edition it simply does not deserve that title. As wonderful as the cans footage is
it's simply a reminder of all the footage that we've been denied for so long as fans.
So what would an ultimate edition of these films actually look like? Allow me to lay it out for
you, and if you work at Warner Brothers maybe pay attention. I'm about to give you the Thror's key
to the pile of gold that we would pay for this edition - what I'm calling the Mithril Edition.
First up all six films regular and extended in 4k ultra high definition. This is self-explanatory
and the foundation of any future set. These next items would be the true headliners of the next
great lord of the rings home media experience and quite simply at this point are probably the only
reason to ever release another edition. um but no there is a few scenes and but i i don't know
we might try to put them back in seriously i think that's where i think that's where warner brothers
have some vaults somewhere a nuclear-proof vault somewhere where all that all the negatives like
our the seven million feet of our film is sitting at which we'd have to go and retrieve it so um
it's a big logistical thing which i don't think anyone's quite got their heads around
but if there's enough um interest from people maybe they will.
As peter implied, he could very well create even more extended versions of these films or what I'm
calling the Mithril Cut. We've seen glimpses of things like Gimli and Legolas after the
Return of the King, the flashback of Aragorn first meeting Arwen, and if theories around
Miranda Otto's instagram image are to be believed Eowyn and Faramir's wedding. This is absolutely
a no-lose situation. Nothing will ever take away the amazing films we have now and there would be
excitement around this release the likes of which home media hasn't seen since the extended editions
on dvd were the kings of home media. Deleted scenes. Now there are some scenes that simply
wouldn't work even in the Mithril Cut. I'd love to see these change storylines like Arwen fighting at
helm's deep and Aragorn fighting Sauron. Whatever there is we fans want to see it. And I personally
want to see it in 4k with finished effects and color. I know it's not common for deleted scenes
to get post-production treatment, but Middle-earth home media should never aim for common. For crying
out loud, Warner Brothers, give Peter Jackson the resources to make this happen. Now the following
features have been released in previous editions so these aren't absolute must-haves going forward,
but if you want something to be a truly Ultimate - sorry - Mithril Edition, then you'll include
these as well. The appendices. If there's any possibility of getting these upscaled
to blu-ray quality it would be a huge win. Even in standard definition they're well worth the time.
The Middle-earth appendices are quite simply the greatest behind the scenes features of all time.
It's essentially like watching film school on disc and puts any master class course to shame.
Over the years we've learned that there's even more behind the scenes material specifically
saved for a future home media release. The time has come to give fans what they want
don't hold anything back not one piece of it. The Costa Botes documentaries. These were first
released with the limited edition dvd set and were confirmed by the director to have been filmed in
standard definition. Whether they have their own discs or share a disc with something else,
go ahead and throw them in. I'd also advocate for throwing in the 3d versions of The Hobbit films.
Sure not everyone has access to 3d, but these were filmed with 3d in mind
and whether you were a fan or not, they were 3d done right.
Not some cheap crappy 3d conversion in post. They were truly filmed in 3d.
As far as the packaging which has been given far too much attention in some of these releases,
I would love Warner Brothers to develop something that calls back to the original extended editions.
Give each film its own separate case even if it's only sold as a complete set.
Put aside the gimmicks and become who you were born to be - the Mithril Edition! That's truly it.
Middle-earth fans don't want or need gimmicky throw-in items, bookshelves, or half-hearted bonus
features. The fact of the matter is the formula for a truly great release from Warner Brothers is
now incredibly simple. Give fans deleted scenes, more extended versions of the films, plus the
multitude of unseen footage and features we've never seen and the fans will invade the stores
to buy this set like orcs descending upon Helm's Deep. Now I don't want you to get the impression
that this set is a waste of time. It's far from it. The films have never looked better than they
do here. Having a new blu-ray of the lord of the rings derived from the 4k remaster is a big plus
so we can finally say goodbye to the green tint of the previous Fellowship of the Ring blu-rays.
If you're enticed by the superior packaging, inclusion of regular blu-rays,
and the four bonus features on the extra disc, this is a great set. But if you're just looking
for the films in 4k and nothing else, last year's release will do the trick. As for me I'm thrilled
to have these movies on 4k and I'll cuddle up with them like a dragon and a mound of gold.
But don't disturb my slumber until we get what we truly deserve: The Mithril Edition. Thanks
so much for watching and we'll see you next time on Nerd of the Rings.
Release the Mithril Cut!