August 28, 2003

TTT Ex. DVD (Also, Its Theatrical Realease)
Bob Praz

Alright, for those wondering, New Line has officially announced that it WILL release the extended versions of FOTR and TTT in theatres two weeks before the debut of ROTK in theatres. This will serve to refresh viewers' minds before they see the final third movie. However, New Line has not announced yet WHICH theatres will be participating in this. We have heard, however, that this event will likely only take place in the U.S. (grrrr, why not in Canada, eh? Or in Australia for our fellow Brett C.? Aww, well, we'll see...)

As for Melkor, I think I know what shot you believed was Shelob's Lair, but it was, in fact, the sewers of Osgiliath. Not the first time the sewers have been mistaken for Torech Ungol (hey, maybe that's way they were cut out! hehe, just kidding...at least I hope so). However, for those (few) of you who are not lucky enough to have seen the TTT EE and RotK previews, you have no idea what you're missing! First of all, the two scenes that I was eagerly anticipating in TTT and that were cut out to my grave disappointment look far better than I could have hoped! I am refering, of course, to the important flashback of Faramir, Boromir, and Denethor during the retaking of Osgiliath (as well as Faramir finding Boromir's funeral boat and cloven horn), and the spectacular arrival of the Huorns at Helm's Deep!
As for the flashback, even in the preview we can see that Faramir deserves much more pity than we give him in the movie. He looks up to Boromir, who treats him with respect and kindness, and he his scorned and dismissed by his harsh father who says such things as: "Do not trouble me with Faramir, I know his uses and they are few!" (May I add that John Noble appears to play an excellent Denethor).

Another note worthy of mention, this time in the ROTK preview, is the fact that Sauron will come to think Pippin has the Ring. Of course, this makes perfect sense. Sauron learns of Faramir bringing the Ring-bearer to Osgiliath, then later he sees a hobbit in the Palantir of Orthanc, and discovers right after that Saruman has been overthrown. Before long the hair of Isildur reveals himself in the same Palantir. So, what will Sauron deduce according to his own wisdom? That the hobbit bearing the Ring was taken to Gondor and is now in the hands of Isildur's heir. This shows us that Frodo's encounter with the Nazgul in Osgiliath does not undermine the plot, as many have feared and as I have always denied (no arrogance meant here).

It appears we have much to look forward to.