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There’s no question that die-hardLord of the Ringsfans love getting their hands on extra content. Thanks to the release of the extended edition ofThe Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers,andThe Return of the Kingon DVD and BluRay,LOTRenthusiasts were given hours of new footage to ogle, including scenes that were removed from the theatrical versions of the films and edited back into them. Many of those scenes were taken directly from the source material, while others were made to bring more heart to the characters fans know and love.
The theatrical version ofThe Fellowship of the Ringhas a total run time of 178 minutes. There are 30 minutes of extra footage in the extended version, but not every scene feels like it belongs there. Here are some of the added scenes that maybe should have stayed on the cutting room floor.
The Exile Of The Elves
Act two ofThe Fellowship of the Ringbegins with Frodo and Sam leaving the Shire and beginning the long journey to Rivendell. In the theatrical version of the film, it isn’t long before they literally run into the mischievous duo, Merry and Pippin, who decide to join them on their quest. The four hobbits set out, leaving the world they know behind.
At around the 45-minute mark in the extended edition, before meeting with Merry and Pippin, there is an added scene with Sam and Frodo taking a break in the woods. They begin to hear a beautiful, ethereal voice in the distance, which Frodo recognizes as the singing of wood elves. Excitedly, the two hobbits go toward the music and hide from view as they witness the procession of the elves. Sam and Frodo look on in wonder as Frodo gives an exposition aboutthe elves leaving Middle-earth foreverfor the Grey Havens.
This is a somber scene that is taken straight out of the book. Yet, however pretty it is, the scene doesn’t really add anything to the story. All it does is slow the pacing, and it’s important that Frodo and Sam be on their way as soon as possible. As for exposition, it’s established by Elrond that the elves are leaving Middle-earth later on in Rivendell, so the explanation Frodo gives is unneeded.
Gandalf Uses The Black Speech At The Council Of Elrond
Once the hobbits finally make it to Rivendell, it seems that their part in the War of the Ring is over. Unfortunately, that changes whenElrond calls together a councilof men, dwarves, and elves, proclaiming that the One Ring must be destroyed. The only way to do that, of course, is to take it to the crack of Mount Doom and throw the One Ring into the fire from whence it came.
As fans remember in the original version, Boromir steps forward to convince the council that the One Ring could be used as a weapon against the enemy. In an extended version of the scene, Boromir draws near to the Ring as if to reach out for it,seemingly seduced by its power. As he does this, a darkness suddenly falls over Rivendell, and a dark voice emanates from the One Ring in Black Speech, the language of Mordor. In response, Gandalf recites more Black Speech to quell the evil force, and it recedes.
Again, this is a detail taken directly from the source material, but it adds no value to the scene itself. In the book, the moment is meant to emphasize that the One Ring is a malevolent and sentient force. However, the audience already knows that the One Ring is evil, and frankly, the Council of Elrond scene is long enough as it is.
The Farewell Of the Fellowship In Rivendell
After the Council of Elrond, once the fellowship has been decided, it’s time for the real journey to begin. In the theatrical version, the group of nine companions quickly set out from Rivendell and go into the wilderness in an iconic montage. This is where we get the epic hero shot as the theme music plays, along with fantastic wide shots of the New Zealand countryside.
With the extended edition ofThe Fellowship of the Ring,the fellowship doesn’t leave Rivendell right away.In one added scene, Frodo and the group stand in a courtyard as the elves bid them a formal farewell, and Elrond gives a brief, inspiring speech before sending them on their way. There’s a joke thrown in about which direction is the way to Mordor, and then Aragorn and Arwen share one last, lingering glance before he nods at her and leaves with the others.
Honestly, there is really no point to this scene whatsoever. Maybe director Peter Jackson wanted another special effects shot to show the hobbits and the taller folks together. Maybe they thought that Arwen and Aragorn needed one last moment between them. Or maybe the writers just really liked that joke about Mordor being to the left. Regardless, the scene probably should not have been put back in the movie.
The Fellowship Are Barred from Lothlórien
After the loss of Gandalf in the Mines of Moria, the remaining eight fellowship members head for the solace of Lothlórien. Within the forest at the borders of the Elven realm, they are met by the elf Haldir and his scouts. After a brief, tense interaction, Haldir leads them to the hidden city to meet Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.
However, the fellowship’s entrance into Lothlórien is not as easy as that in the extended edition. First, Haldir formally greets Aragorn and Legolas, who are both known to him. ThenGimli has a few words of his own for the elf, as he insults him in Dwarvish. Haldir then looks at Frodo, and sensing that he has brought a great evil with him, refuses to give the group entry. The scene shifts to the group waiting apprehensively as Aragorn has a hushed conversation with Haldir in Elvish, and Boromir tries to console Frodo about Gandalf’s death. Finally, Haldir allows the group passage and leads them to Caras Galadhon, the heart of Lothlórien.
This is yet another scene that originates from the text, with a few added details. According to the extended edition DVD commentary track with Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh, the scene was meant to spotlight Frodo and the guilt he felt over Gandalf’s death. However, the scene feels superfluous and delays much more important things, like the introduction of Galadriel and allowing the fellowship to continue on with their journey.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time. There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.
