Editor Reviews:

Description:
Not seen in theaters, this unique version of the epic adventure features over 40 minutes of new and extended scenes integrated into the film by the director. DVD set consists of four discs with hours of original content including multiple documentaries, commentaries and design/photo galleries with thousands of images to give viewers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film. Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship continue their quest to destroy the One Ring and stand against the evil of the dark lord Sauron. The Fellowship has divided and now find themselves taking different paths to defeating Sauron and his allies. Their destinies now lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupted wizard Saruman waits and Sauron's fortress at Baraddur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
DVD ROM Features
Documentaries
Interactive Menus
Interviews
Photo gallery
Production Sketches
Scene Access

Amazon.com:
The extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was perhaps the most comprehensive DVD release to date, and its follow-up proves a similarly colossal achievement, with significant extra footage and a multitude of worthwhile bonus features. The extended version of The Two Towers adds 43 minutes to the theatrical version's 179-minute running time, and there are valuable additions to the film. Two new scenes might appease those who feel that the characterization of Faramir was the film's most egregious departure from the book, and fans will appreciate an appearance of the Huorns at Helm's Deep plus a nod to the absence of Tom Bombadil. Seeing a little more interplay between the gorgeous Eowyn and Aragorn is welcome, as is a grim introduction to Eomer and Theoden's son. And among the many other additions, there's an extended epilogue that might not have worked in the theater, but is more effective here in setting up The Return of the King. While the 30 minutes added to The Fellowship of the Ring felt just right in enriching the film, the extra footage in The Two Towers at times seems a bit extraneous--we see moments that in the theatrical version we had been told about, and some fleshed-out conversations and incidents are rather minor. But director Peter Jackson's vision of J.R.R. Tolkien's world is so marvelous that it's hard to complain about any extra time we can spend there.

While it may seem that there would be nothing left to say after the bevy of features on the extended Fellowship, the four commentary tracks and two discs of supplements on The Two Towers remain informative, fascinating, and funny, far surpassing the recycled materials on the two-disc theatrical version. Highlights of the 6.5 hours' worth of documentaries offer insight on the stunts, the design work, the locations, and the creation of Gollum, and--most intriguing for rabid fans--the film's writers (including Jackson) discuss why they created events that weren't in the book. Providing variety are animatics, rough footage, countless sketches, and a sound-mixing demonstration. Again, the most interesting commentary tracks are by Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens and by 16 members of the cast (eight of whom didn't appear in the first film, and even including John Noble, whose Denethor character only appears in this extended cut). The first two installments of Peter Jackson's trilogy have established themselves as the best fantasy films of all time, and among the best film trilogies of all time, and their extended-edition DVD sets have set a new standard for expanding on the already-epic films and providing comprehensive bonus features. --David Horiuchi

Rating : - Onwards to Helm's Deep . . .
I must thank Peter Jackson, the cast, the crew, and Tolkien himself for the LOTR trilogy. Because if it weren't for them, then I wouldn't be the avid reader that I am to this day. As for "The Two Towers" it's an astonishing sequel to "The Fellowship of the Ring". And the Extended Edition makes it all the more compelling. What you miss are great scenes that are mentioned in the book (Numenor), more character development between the main characters (Legolas and Gimli's final count at Helm's Deep), and a bit of comedy (Eowyn's cooking) that fairly lightens up the darker atmosphere that's present here.

As for the cast, they're just above excellent. However, I personally didn't like Gollum as much. Oh, Andy Serkis did a terrific job as the character, and the CGI is so realistic that Jar-Jar Binks must be crying his eyes out, but the overacting somewhat irritated me. The prime example would have to be the scene in which he battles his tries to depart from his evil "conscience". But other than that, it doesn't really ruin the entire movie. The new cast members (Bernard Hill, Miranda Otto, Brad Dourif, David Wenham, etc.) give out fine performances, and the scenery of the land of Rohan gives more beauty and majesty in Middle-Earth.

The battle scene in Helm's Deep is the highlight of this film. For about half an hour, men and elves fight against the ten thousand Uruk-Hai. So there are hundreds of arrows, spears, swords, and probably only one axe (from Gimli). It's grand alright.

The music is more epic than ever before. The "Rohan Theme" with the Norwegian fiddle is the finest out of all of them. The choral motif with "Arwen and Aragorn" sounds beautiful and mystical. Gollum's Song is also a treat.

40 minutes worth of new scenes really IS worth getting this Extended DVD. And soon, I'll be buying "The Return of the King" Extended DVD, and I hope I get more thatn I expect (I couldn't believe that they cut out the "Steward and the King" chapter).