The Corner Penthouse

Warner Brothers recently released the Middle-Earth 31-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition, which collects the entire The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies on 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Read on to find out more about it...

This big box set includes the theatrical and extended versions of these six films: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013), and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). With so many movies, and so many discs, I am forgoing my usual review format and will just present a complete set breakdown instead.

[ COMPLETE SET BREAKDOWN ]

Below is the complete set breakdown with runtimes for everything. Audio and subtitle languages are inconsistent from disc to disc. Every disc has English and French. Some add Spanish and Polish, while others add a lot more (especially subtitles). To find the Easter Eggs on the discs that contain them (where listed below), you need to go to Special Features, highlight "Commentaries" and press either Left or Right to reveal the one ring, then press Enter. Yeah, they're not really that well hidden, but at least something was ported over from the legacy content.

All of the 4K discs are identical to those released in late 2020 in the two individual Trilogy sets, which I reviewed here. For The Hobbit films, the Blu-rays are identical to the previous releases, except for the fact that they are all missing the second Blu-ray of bonus content that originally came with each. For The Lord of the Rings films, the Blu-rays are all newly-authored discs that feature the films remastered from Peter Jackson's new 4K presentations, which represent his preferred versions.

The vast majority of the existing bonus content for these films has not carried over to this new box set. Sadly, all of this content - which was originally contained on 4 DVDs per film - could likely have been collected into a single Blu-ray for each film. Obviously, that would take time and money to author and replicate such discs, but it's a pretty straightforward process. For a pretty comprehensive rundown of previous DVD and Blu-ray releases of this franchise, and to get an idea as to just how much is missing from this set, read The Digital Bits review.

Disc 1 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (2:49:36)

Disc 2 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (4K UHD)

• Extended Version (3:02:09)

Disc 3 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (2:49:36)
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth (6:35)

Disc 4 - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version (3:02:29)
• Audio Commentary: The Filmmakers' Commentary - with director Peter Jackson and writer Philippa Boyens.
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth (6:35) - Cast and crew gush over New Zealand so Warner Brothers can continue to earn those tax credits.

Disc 5 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (2:41:16)

Disc 6 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (4K UHD)

• Extended Version (3:06:34)

Disc 7 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (2:41:16)
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2 (7:11) - Cast and crew gush over New Zealand so Warner Brothers can continue to earn those tax credits.

Disc 8 - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version (3:06:34)
• Audio Commentary: The Filmmakers' Commentary - with director Peter Jackson and writer Philippa Boyens.
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 2 (7:11) - Cast and crew gush over New Zealand so Warner Brothers can continue to earn those tax credits.

Disc 9 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (2:24:25)

Disc 10 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (4K UHD)

• Extended Version (2:44:00)

Disc 11 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (2:24:27)
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 3 (6:07) - Cast and crew gush over New Zealand so Warner Brothers can continue to earn those tax credits.

Disc 12 - The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version (2:44:00)
• Audio Commentary: The Filmmakers' Commentary - with director Peter Jackson and writer Philippa Boyens.
• New Zealand: Home of Middle-Earth, Part 3 (6:07) - Cast and crew gush over New Zealand so Warner Brothers can continue to earn those tax credits.
• Trailer #1 (1:57)
• Trailer #2 (2:33)
• Legacy Trailer (2:46)

Disc 13 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (2:58:25)

Disc 14 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (1:45:43)

Disc 15 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - Extended Version, Part 2 (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:02:34)

Disc 16 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (2:58:25)
• Trailer #1 (1:48)
• Trailer #2 (2:29)
• Final Trailer (2:54)
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Supertrailer (6:39)

Disc 17 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (1:45:43)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah, and Tania Rodger.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Andrew Lesnie, John Gilbert, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Randy Cook, Christian Rivers, Brian Van't Hul, and Alex Funke.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, and Sean Bean.
• Easter Egg: MTV Council of Elrond (3:31)

Disc 18 - The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:02:35)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah, and Tania Rodger.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Andrew Lesnie, John Gilbert, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Randy Cook, Christian Rivers, Brian Van't Hul, and Alex Funke.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, and Sean Bean.
• Easter Egg: Theatrical Preview of The Two Towers (3:35) - with introduction by director Peter Jackson (0:17).

Disc 19 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (2:59:25)

Disc 20 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (1:46:39)

Disc 21 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:08:52)

Disc 22 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (2:59:25)
• Teaser Trailer (2:03)
• Theatrical Trailer (3:07)
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Supertrailer (6:39)

Disc 23 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (1:46:39)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Grant Major, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, and Chris Hennah.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Andrew Lesnie, Mike Horton, Jabez Olssen, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Randy Cook, Christian Rivers, Brian Van't Hul, and Alex Funke.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Bernard Hill, Mirando Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, John Noble, Craig Parker, and Andy Serkis.
• Easter Egg: MTV Best Virtual Performance (2:54) - Note that this should be in 16x9 widescreen, but instead it's been incorrectly authored in squeezed 4x3.

Disc 24 - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:08:52)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Grant Major, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, and Chris Hennah.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Andrew Lesnie, Mike Horton, Jabez Olssen, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Randy Cook, Christian Rivers, Brian Van't Hul, and Alex Funke.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Sean Bean, Bernard Hill, Mirando Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, John Noble, Craig Parker, and Andy Serkis.

Disc 25 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (4K UHD)

• Theatrical Version (3:21:01)

Disc 26 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (2:07:40)

Disc 27 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (4K UHD)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:15:37)

Disc 28 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Blu-ray)

• Theatrical Version (3:21:00)
• Trailer #1 (3:00)
• Trailer #2 (1:03)
• The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Supertrailer (6:39)

Disc 29 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 1 (2:07:40)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah, and Tania Rodger.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Jamie Selkirk, Annie Collins, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Christian Rivers, Alan Funke, Joe Letteri, Randy Cook, and Brian Van't Hul.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Mirando Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Lawrence Makoare, Smeagol, and Gollum.
• Easter Egg: Interview with Dominic Monaghan & Elijah Wood (9:00)

Disc 30 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Blu-ray)

• Extended Version, Part 2 (2:15:37)
• Audio Commentary: The Director and Writers - with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
• Audio Commentary: The Design Team - with Grant Major, Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, John Howe, Dan Hennah, Chris Hennah, and Tania Rodger.
• Audio Commentary: The Production/Post-Production Team - with Barrie M. Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Jamie Selkirk, Annie Collins, Rick Porras, Howard Shore, Jim Rygiel, Ethan Van de Ryn, Mike Hopkins, Christian Rivers, Alan Funke, Joe Letteri, Randy Cook, and Brian Van't Hul.
• Audio Commentary: The Cast - with Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Mirando Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Lawrence Makoare, Smeagol, and Gollum.
• Easter Egg: MTV Ben Stiller & Vince Vaughn "Sequel" Interview with Peter Jackson (5:53)

Disc 31 - Special Features (Blu-ray)

• Alamo Drafthouse Presents The Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion: The Fellowship of the Ring (39:39) - With Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Astin, and Elijah Wood; hosted by Stephen Colbert.
• Alamo Drafthouse Presents The Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion: The Two Towers (32:25) - With Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, and Viggo Mortenson; hosted by Stephen Colbert.
• Alamo Drafthouse Presents The Lord of the Rings Cast Reunion: The Return of the King (29:50) - With Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, and director Peter Jackson; hosted by Stephen Colbert.
• Festival de Cannes Presentation Reel (26:55) - Shown at the Cannes Film Festival in France in May of 2001, this was the general public's first look at the films. It includes unused takes, extended lines of dialogue not in the final films, early cuts of key scenes, and even a few early effects shots. It's set to early pieces of music from composer Howard Shore, as well as temp tracks from Hans Zimmer's Gladiator score.

The reunions were originally produced to be shown at Alamo Drafthouse theaters after screenings of each film in 2021 (March 25th, April 1st, and April 8th, respectively), in honor of the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring. Unfortunately, given the COVID pandemic, they're video-conferenced conversations over Zoom, with each of the participants in their own window. So, the image and sound quality aren't the greatest, but that can be overlooked because the discussions are lively and interesting.

[ PACKAGING ]

The Ultimate Collector's Edition comes in unique "Puzzle Box" collectible packaging. It's essentially four hard slipboxes, each with foil printing and film imagery, that are hinged on one end, held together on the other end with magnets. As such, you can open and arrange the box in many different display configurations.


Inside the set, each slipbox holds a pair of multi-disc Amaray cases, each with a matching shiny slipsleeve. The exception is the Bonus Disc, which is in a square disc-sized Digipack inside a cardboard box with some pack-in goodies: a 64-page softcover book called "The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: A Collection of Costume Sketches, Photography, and Production Notes", and a set of seven art cards featuring travel posters and images from iconic locations throughout Middle-earth including The Shire, Lake-Town, Erebor, Anduin, Rohan, Minas Trith, and Rivendell.


Digital copy codes for all six films are included, which redeem for 4K versions of both the theatrical and Extended versions.

[ FINAL WORDS ]

All in all, it's a really beautiful package, but an "Ultimate" set should be the "be all, end all". This should have been "the one set to rule them all". Instead, it's all style and no substance. Sadly, I was hoping that this Ultimate" set would replace all of my old Lord of the Rings DVDs, as seen in the photo below. Almost none of the special features from those discs can be found in this set.


If you don't care about all of the pre-existing special features, you want all of the films and all of the versions on 4K UHD and Blu-ray, and you can afford the MSRP of $249.99, definitely buy the Middle-Earth 31-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition. If you want all of the movies in 4K and don;t care about any special features, the individual 4K-only trilogy sets have a MSRP of $89.99 each: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy (reviewed here).

I don't know what DVD special features were ported over to the old Blu-ray releases. If they all were all ported over, please post a list of which ones to buy in the comments. Otherwise, I think all of these DVDs will give you all of the legacy special features.

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 4-Disc Extended.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 4-Disc Extended.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 4-Disc Extended.
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 5-Disc Extended.
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 5-Disc Extended.
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) - 2-Disc Theatrical WS & 5-Disc Extended.

If there's a better way to get all of the bonus features with the Blu-ray releases, please post a comment with Amazon links. There are way too many films, way too many versions, and way too many bonus features to try to figure this all out myself.




This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.