What Was Added to The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions? (2024)

Released between 2002 and 2004, the Extended Editions of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings — The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King — add a whopping two hours and 5 minutes of content to an already lengthy trilogy. Some of the additional material consists of lengthened versions of existing scenes, but a good chunk of it is entirely new footage, unavailable outside these cuts. There are also new musical cues and special effects to accompany the added content.

The Extended Editions were released in handsomely designed DVD sets a few months after their theatrical counterparts and have enjoyed wide viewership and admiration from the fandom in the years since. The vast majority of fans seem to prefer these longer versions, though Jackson himself, somewhat surprisingly, feels differently. Whichever side of this debate fans fall on, though, it's clear that the two watching experiences are quite different. The additional material in the Extended Editions expands on the original Lord of the Rings films to create an immersive, lore-rich spectacle that fleshes its characters out and hews more closely to J.R.R. Tolkien's text.

Updated by Christopher Raley on June 26, 2024: Though some may disagree, the Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions are the definitive versions of the films and have been enjoyed by fans ever since they came out. They include important lore and additional character-deepening moments that make Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's Middle Earth even more immersive.

The Fellowship of the Ring Lays a Solid Foundation

The Extended Edition Sheds More Light on Middle Earth

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

PG-13

Action

Fantasy

Drama

9

10

A meek Hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.

Release Date

December 10, 2001

Director

Peter Jackson

Cast

Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Orlando Bloom , Sean Bean , Alan Howard , Sean Astin , Andy Serkis , Viggo Mortensen

Runtime

2 hours 58 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

Writers

J.R.R. Tolkien , Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens

Production Company

New Line Cinema, WingNut Films, Marzano Films, The Saul Zaentz Company

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After Galadriel's iconic prologue narration, The Fellowship of the Rings' introductory chapter gets a loving homage in the newly added "Concerning Hobbits" sequence. This scene serves the double purpose of familiarizing audiences with Bilbo's personality, as well as with the peculiarities of Hobbit culture. Bilbo's loving, sardonic, and somewhat pointed remarks about his people and their simple ways are utterly charming and pure Tolkien. A scene a bit later at the Green Dragon adds similar worldbuilding and character-establishing moments for Frodo and the younger Hobbits, who are seen singing, dancing, and drinking.

• Viewers get more of a window into Hobbit culture through the conversation between the Gaffer and other locals about what is going on in the large world outside the Shire.
• New and extended material also shows Bilbo's dislike for the Sackville-Bagginses, acting as a kind of foreshadowing (in the chronological sense of the films themselves) of the Hobbit movies.

There's also a lovely moment that takes place during Frodo and Sam's first night in the woods. Through the trees, they witness a mournful procession of Elves on their way to the sea. Frodo tells Sam that the Elves are leaving Middle-earth for Valinor, as their time in the mortal realm is coming to an end. It's not directly integral to the plot, but it's a gorgeous scene that carries the serene beauty of Tolkien's imagination and creates a somber foreshadowing of where Frodo himself would go.

Fast-forwarding to the Hobbits' early days of adventuring with Aragorn, there's a short but important scene of the mysterious Ranger singing the Lay of Lúthien as his companions try to get some sleep in the Midgewater Marshes. It's a neat bit of worldbuilding, bringing in some important Elven history while laying the groundwork for Aragorn's star-crossed romance with Arwen, who gave him the jewel he carries. Aragorn gets another illuminating moment in Rivendell, just before the Fellowship departs. He kneels at the grave of Gilraen, his mother, who left him in Elrond's care when he was a baby. Elrond comes across him and muses that Gilraen knew her son would always be hunted because of his royal lineage. It's clear how heavily this burden of secrecy and legacy weighs on Aragorn and how unsure he is at the prospect of someday reclaiming the throne.

• Jackson added additional material to the battle in Balin's tomb which gives what was already a great battle more grit and intensity.
• Similarly, fans also see the conflict between Boromir and Aragorn in greater detail, making Boromir's reconciliation with Aragorn in the moments just before his tragic death all the more poignant.

The Extended Edition also includes the commissioning of the Fellowship by Elrond, who tells them, "On you who travel with [Frodo] no oath or bond is laid to go further than you will." This is why Aragorn can part with Frodo at Amon Hen. As the Fellowship prepares to depart, Aragorn shares a significant look with Arwen (which is explained in The Two Towers). After the Fellowship's time in Lothlórien, there's an extended sequence in which Lady Galadriel bestows gifts on each member. These are each useful and magical in different ways, like the length of Elven rope Sam receives that later proves extremely handy in The Two Towers. Gimli notably receives three golden hairs from the Lady's own head, a gift with great significance to those fans familiar with The Silmarillion.

The Two Towers Continues the Story and the Depth of Lore

Viewers See How Tensions Develop Between Frodo and Sam

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

PG-13

Action

Adventure

9

10

While Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor with the help of the shifty Gollum, the divided fellowship makes a stand against Sauron's new ally, Saruman, and his hordes of Isengard.

Release Date

December 18, 2002

Director

Peter Jackson

Cast

Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Viggo Mortensen , Orlando Bloom , Bruce Allpress , Sean Astin

Runtime

2 hours 59 minutes

Main Genre

Fantasy

Writers

J.R.R. Tolkien , Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens , Peter Jackson , Stephen Sinclair

Production Company

New Line Cinema, WingNut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company

The extended cut of The Two Towers begins with Frodo and Sam continuing their journey, and viewers see just how valuable Elvish rope is. When they use it to climb to the bottom of a cliff, they are concerned about others following them. But one sharp tug from Sam loosens the knot and lets them keep the rope. It also adds much more screen time to Saruman's various preparations for his siege on Rohan, including his decision to burn Fangorn Forest and recruit the Dunland people as mercenaries. He also orders a great dam to be built, which the Ents later destroy in their attack on Isengard. Speaking of the Ents, there's plenty of added material about their culture and history, including a scene where Treebeard talks wistfully of the lost Entwives and recites some of his own poetry to Merry and Pippin.

• Treebeard's poem reads, in part, "Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dream of trees unfold; When woodland halls are green and cool, and wind is in the west, come back to me!" (Quoted from The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien.)
• Also included in the Extended Edition is Merry and Pippin's discovery that Ent draft may actually make them taller.

Also given more attention is Théodred, the ill-fated son of King Théoden. New scenes show his body being found by Éomer on a rain-soaked battlefield, as well as a proper funeral for the dead prince. These add extra weight to Théoden's loss and the general air of tragedy surrounding the character and his weary people.

Aragorn receives more character and backstory-establishing moments, including a scene where he meets and soothes Brego the horse, who later saves his life. He tells Éowyn that he grew up in Rivendell, and in a later scene, reveals that he is 87 years old and one of the fabled Dúnedain. Meanwhile, Wormtongue returns to Saruman and tells him of his meeting with Aragorn and the unique ring he bore. Saruman realizes it is the Ring of Barahir and that Aragorn may be Isildur's descendant. Also, viewers are treated to Fangorn Forest's assault on Helms Deep, illuminating the important role the forest plays in that battle.

• At the end of the Battle of Helms Deep, an Extended Edition scene shows Gimli and Legolas humorously comparing their final tallies of how many Uruk-hai they killed.
• Meanwhile, after the Ents take control of Isengard, Merry, and Pippin find Sauraman's larder stuffed with great food, beer, and pipeweed from the Shire.

Faramir is one of the most underserved characters in the theatrical edition, but the extended cut rectifies this with the inclusion of an important flashback to the day Osgiliath was reclaimed. This Two Towers scene establishes the fraught dynamic between Faramir, Boromir, and their father, Denethor, whose preference for his elder son is made extremely clear. Along with some expanded material in later scenes, this sequence significantly fleshes out Faramir's character and motivations, showing that he is a valiant warrior and loving brother whose quiet nature and love of scholarship have caused his father to despise him unfairly.

The Return of the King Is the Saga's Epic Conclusion

The Extended Edition Gives More Detail to the Companion's Travails

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

10

10

Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.

Release Date

December 17, 2003

Director

Peter Jackson

Cast

Elijah Wood , Ian McKellen , Sean Astin , Viggo Mortensen , Liv Tyler

Runtime

3 hours 21 minutes

Main Genre

Fantasy

Writers

J.R.R. Tolkien , Fran Walsh , Philippa Boyens , Peter Jackson

Production Company

New Line Cinema, WingNut Films, The Saul Zaentz Company

Saruman's death was cut from the theatrical version, much to Sir Christopher Lee's ire. Thankfully, the Extended Edition opens with a lengthy new sequence showing Gandalf and his companions arriving at Isengard to confront the traitorous wizard. Though Saruman is given a chance to repent and return to the right side, he rudely refuses and is eventually stabbed and pushed to his death by his erstwhile servant, Wormtongue. His body is impaled on his waterwheel — a disturbing but fitting end for a warped villain who burned an ancient forest for his own selfish needs.

• Pippin is shown joining the Tower Guard in the Extended Edition in response to a hasty oath to Lord Denethor, and he has a brief but charming conversation with Faramir.
• Merry is also shown talking to Éowyn before the final leg of the Rohirrim's ride to Minas Tirith, and later Pippin comforts him on the battlefield after the siege of Gondor has ended.

Aragorn, the heir of Isildur, once again gets much more screen time. Extended scenes show him taking over the Black Ships with Legolas, Gimli, and the Army of the Dead. After the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he faces Sauron directly through the palantír, challenging him to a confrontation at the Black Gate to draw the Dark Lord's attention away from Frodo's mission. This final stand at Mordor's entrance includes an appearance from the Mouth of Sauron, a hideous emissary who illustrates Sauron's cruelty by taunting the Fellowship members with Frodo's mithril shirt. This messenger and his bravado don't last long, though, as Aragorn swiftly beheads him before leading the army in a rousing charge.

The Rohirrim characters are rounded out more in several new scenes, including a heartbreaking moment depicting Éomer's despair at finding his sister seemingly dead on the battlefield outside Minas Tirith. Later, Éowyn and Faramir receive some much-needed closure in a touching sequence depicting their post-battle recovery in the Houses of Healing at Minas Tirith. To the soundtrack of a wistful ballad sung by Liv Tyler, the two lonely souls meet and fall in love, finding hope and healing together.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a series of epic fantasy adventure films and television series based on J. R. R. Tolkien's novels. The films follow the adventures of humans, elves, dwarves, hobbits and more in Middle-earth.

Created by

J.R.R. Tolkien

First Film

The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Latest Film

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Upcoming Films

The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim

First TV Show

The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

Latest TV Show

The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

First Episode Air Date

September 1, 2022

Cast

Elijah Wood , Viggo Mortensen , Orlando Bloom , Sean Astin , Billy Boyd , Dominic Monaghan , Sean Bean , Ian McKellen , Andy Serkis , Hugo Weaving , Liv Tyler , Miranda Otto , Cate Blanchett , John Rhys-Davies , Martin Freeman , Morfydd Clark , Ismael Cruz Cordova , Charlie Vickers , Richard Armitage

Character(s)

Gollum , Sauron