Summary
The Lord of the Ringsextended editions are known for their hefty additions to the trilogy’s runtime, with several entire scenes being added inThe Fellowship of the Ring.Fellowshipis the first film in the trilogy and the first movie in theorder of viewingThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise. It’s essential to understand the world of Middle-earth, the lore of the One Ring, and the characters that will be developed throughout the saga.The extended edition was released in 2002, adding 30 minutes of runtime to the endeavorjust half a year after the movie was initially released in theaters.
The extended edition adds scenes featuring conversations between key characters, such as Aragorn, Boromir, Elrond, and many more, expanding on their development throughout the series. It also expands the length of some of the film’s most iconic moments, including the introduction to the Shire, the Council of Elrond, and the battle in Moria. Altogether, any fan of the franchise should undoubtedly check out the extended cuts of each film at some point. As forFellowship, the extended scenes contribute to it being one of thebest movies inThe Lord of the Ringsfranchise.
17The Introduction Scene
Isildur Has Some Extra Action Footage
Starting right off at the beginning, one of the easiest things to note is that the title card forThe Fellowship of the Ringdiffers between the theatrical and the extended cut, with the words showing up in Bilbo’s house in the latter. In the extended cut,the scene of Isildur’s death and loss of the ring is also expanded, showing him falling from his horse, crawling into the river, and being shot dead in the back. In the theatrical, he’s only shown dead, drifting in the water, after the ambush begins.
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16Concerning Hobbits
Bilbo Has Extra Narration
The extended edition changes much of the introductory Shire scene, beginning with the addition ofBilbo’s narration, in which he describes the lifestyle of the hobbits as pertaining to his book.Following this initial sequence, there are multiple additions to Frodo and Gandalf traveling through the Shire. Most of the change to Frodo and Gandalf’s dialogue is very brief, but there are some additional lines in the extended cut. In the extended edition, this scene intercuts with Bilbo anxiously examining his map of Middle-earth and the One Ring.
15Bilbo & Frodo Hide From The Sackville-Bagginses
Bilbo & Frodo Have A Touching Moment
At the birthday party, there is an additional scene with Bilbo and Frodo in the extended edition. First, Bilbo has a conversation with Mrs. Bracegirdle. Then, he sees the Sackville-Bagginses, his relatives that he despises, and he grabs Frodo to hide from them behind a curtain. Bilbo and Frodo then have a brief, tender scene whereBilbo shares with his nephew that he adopted him because he sees him as a worthy heir, not just because he felt like he had to.
14Frodo & Sam At The Green Dragon
The Shire Receives Some Additional Context
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin’s scene at the pub has additional time in the extended version. In it, there are two older hobbits who discuss strange creatures wandering around the Shire, and they suggest that war might be upon them. They discuss Bilbo being a strange hobbit and how they believe they’ll be spared since the Shire would be neutral in a hypothetical war. The scene also details a bit more of Sam’s relationship with Rosie, his love interest.
13Frodo & Sam See Elves Leaving Middle-earth
Frodo & Sam See Elves For The First Time
It also introduces the idea of the elves leaving Middle-earth via the Grey Havens.
Early in Frodo & Sam’s travels, there’s a deleted scene where they rest on a tree, with Sam cooking by the fire. In the brief scene, they see glowing wood elves traveling down the path near them. A notable quality of Sam, especially in the books, is that he’s fascinated by the elves, so he’s excited to see them here. It also introduces the idea of the elves leaving Middle-earth via the Grey Havens.
12Bree To Rivendell
Aragorn Sings The Song Of Beren And Lúthien
There are several brief changes to the hobbits' time in Bree and the subsequent scenes on their path to Rivendell. In the extended version, they have longer encounters with the gatekeeper and Barliman Butterbur, the owner of the Prancing Pony Inn. After leaving Bree, the hobbits discuss for a prolonged scene about whether they can trust Aragorn. Later, there’s an added scene whereAragorn sings an elvish song about Lúthien to the hobbits. The last additional moment adds to Sam talking to Frodo about Bilbo’s stone trolls.
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11Aragorn & Boromir Meet
Aragorn & Boromir Have A Tense Dialogue
In the theatrical cut, Aragorn and Boromir see each other as Boromir studies the painting and sword of Elendil. Aragorn eyes him while reading a book. In the extended edition, they have a brief scene whereAragorn introduces himself as a friend of Gandalf. Boromir calls him “friend,” as they’re at Rivendell for the same reason, but there’s notable tension between them.
10Gandalf Talks In The Black Speech At The Council
Gandalf Demonstrates The Threat Of Mordor To The Council Of Elrond
Gandalf responds by standing and booming words in the Black Speech of Mordor, causing the sky to grow dark around them.
An additional minute of footage is added to the assembly of the Council of Elrond in the extended edition. In that minute, Boromir makes a statement, saying that he’d had a vision of saving the world. He walks toward the Ring, implying it is part of his vision. Gandalf responds by standing and booming words in the Black Speech of Mordor, causing the sky to grow dark around them. Elrond reprimands Gandalf for this, but the wizard warns the council that the language will dominate the world if they do not act.
9Aragorn & Elrond Speek
Elrond Tells Aragorn The Elves Can Reforge Narsil
One of the most important of theLord of the Ringsextended edition added scenessees Aragorn and Elrond speaking at Rivendell. Elrond finds Aragorn by a statue of a woman, which is revealed to be Aragorn’s mother. Crucially, this scene explains that Elrond and the elves are capable of reforging Narsil, the blade that was broken. This foreshadows the moment of its reforging inThe Return of the King. In the scene,Aragorn explains that he doesn’t want the power of kings and that he never did. Elrond tells him that there is no other who could claim it, reminding Aragorn of his destiny.
Elrond Makes A Speech To The Fellowship
In another additional scene, Elrond makes a speech to the Ringbearer and the Fellowship before they depart from Rivendell. In this scene,Gandalf beckons Frodo to make the first step as the company’s champion, and Frodo turns to Gandalf quietly, asking him for directions. Aragorn and Arwen exchange prolonged glances, silently bidding each other farewell.
