The Return of the King time - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Maeglanthirion · 07-26-2003, 02:55 PM

hey, i'm new to the site. But i have been hearing many things concerning the new movie. My question concerns the movie time. I've heard a couple things about a 4+ hour movie, but i'm not sure. I wouldn't mind, though it seems logical since they chopped the end off TTT. Frodo still has to meet Shelob and the Cirith Ungol thing, then the whole palantir part, then you have to do the RotK. That's a lot to do for a 3 hour movie. I don't want them cutting out stuff. The whole Osgiliath thing could have been cut out and replaced it with the previous. Well, if anyone can clear this up, i'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Arwen Eruantale · 07-26-2003, 03:35 PM

Welcome, Maeglanthirion! I haven't been dead long either, but you'll find it's pretty cool when you get used to it. Regretfully, I cannot clear up your question completely as there has been a great deal of speculation on that subject. I have heard much about it being longer than three hours, (and I certainly hope it will be) but four-plus was news to me. You might try doing a search -google perhaps?- on that particular subject...Sorry this probably hasn't helped much, but I did try. -Arwen

07-26-2003, 03:45 PM

I haven't heard those things, but I really don't want to sit for 4+ hours. Can you say sleep?Alaruid

Meela · 07-26-2003, 04:11 PM

It's not 4 hours. That is most likely the finished cut, and they will scale it down to 3 hours and something for cinema.

The Only Real Estel · 07-26-2003, 06:38 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I haven't heard those things, but I really don't want to sit for 4+ hours. Can you say sleep?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> When we're talking about the newest adittion to the LOTR 'family', & when we're talking the 1st time seeing it, no, I cannot say sleep. I'd be hard pressed to EVER sleep through any LOTR movie (depending largly on how late it is when I'm watching it, of course! )! But I'm afraid it most likely won't be 4 hours. There's still a glimmer of hope for a 3 & a half hour-3 hours 45 minute movie, but I doubt we'll get four. All I know is PJ 'vowed' to show no restraints when it came to getting stuff in, in regards to time. I'm not sure if that just made sense or not, but right now I have a splitting headache & I'm quite tired, I'll probably wake up tommorow moring (at around 11!) & find this all a messed up, mis-spelled mess. Oh well.

elven maiden Earwen · 07-27-2003, 10:15 AM

I read somewhere that it was going to be a three and a half hour movie in the cinma. The EE was going to be like four hours though. But thats only what I have read

Silmiel of Imladris · 07-27-2003, 10:26 AM

The more they can shove in there the better I say.

Sauron 666 · 07-27-2003, 02:40 PM

I Agree, i'd rather have a 4 hour ROTK than a 3 hour ROTK. Besides hasn't anyone seen real 3+ hour movies like Das Boot and Lawrence of Arabia?? You people have no strength

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 07-27-2003, 03:20 PM

I would love for it to be 3 and a half-4 hours long, but the only problem for me is that my dad and I have made it a tradition to go for the first time on the evening of the Wednesday it opens (dec 17, this year), and that is a school night (though the in the last week of school, granted, but this generally means exam time). If I went to say, a 7:30 showing, it would laxt until after 11:00, which could cause some tiredness the next day (or perhaps not ). But anyway, my question is, how are we supposed to go the bathroom? This dilemma is illustrated by the following incident: During TTT, my mom asked me about when there was a good time to go to the bathroom. My reply- "There isn't!" . Which will create obvious problems, considering that ROTK will be the most exciting of all. What are we to do?

Daisy Brambleburr · 07-27-2003, 03:25 PM

*spoiler*Don't worry about the running time. RotK is actually the shortest book (not counting the appendices) and they're not doing Scouring of the Shire so that will cut out quite a lot. I think it should just about fit. And as for the running time, I think it'll be about 3 and a half hours.

Maeglanthirion · 07-27-2003, 06:37 PM

Well, i saw Gods and Generals, which was 4 hours. It had an intermission, so if RotK was long enough, an intermission wouldn't be a problem. If they're cutting out the Scouring of the Shire as you say, i will be very upset, because that was a good part. I would like to see hobbits in action!

**The Saucepan Man** · 07-27-2003, 07:19 PM

Remember that these films are not made just for us die-hard Tolkien fans, but also for mass audience appeal (a great shame, many would say). And I doubt that a film which was much over 3 hours would appeal to the the modern average film-goer. So I should imagine that the version of RotK for cinema release will be more or less the same length as the two previous films.Of course, we always have the extended version to look forward to.

Gorwingel · 07-27-2003, 08:18 PM

I have heard though that the executives at New Line have seen rough cuts of the film, and they think what they have seen is so wonderful that they are going to allow PJ to go as long as is needed. Which for me sounds like a good idea.I think that it will probably be 3 3/4 hours long. Even though ROTK is the shortest book they have much material from TTT to cover, and many loose ends to tie up.

HCIsland · 07-27-2003, 08:43 PM

Last I heard was 3 hours and 10 minutes.<A HREF="http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/1054307952" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/1054307952</A>If someone has a more recent update, let us know, but don't expect much longer.H.C.

Nehani · 07-28-2003, 12:56 AM

Wahahaha! I have inside info! My brother works in a movie theater, and he just told me it is exactly 3 hours 26 min. That's not bad! PS Welcome Alaruid! Hope you enjoy being dead!Nehani of the Forest

Arwen Eruantale · 07-28-2003, 07:35 AM

I wonder how long that means the EE will be...

HCIsland · 07-28-2003, 11:00 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> he just told me it is exactly 3 hours 26 min. That's not bad! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Not meaning to doubt your brother, but I suspect even PJ doesn't know "exactly" how long the movie is going to be. From everything I've heard on movie making, film makers are continually reworking films right up to the day they are due - which is less than a month before they appear in theaters. A popular expression is that films are never finished, they just escape.PJ himself makes similar comments on the director's commentaries with the EE Fellowship.H.C.[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ]

The Only Real Estel · 07-28-2003, 05:42 PM

If it does end up being 3 hours & 26 minutes, I'd guess the extended version would be close to, or exceeding 4 hours, Arwen Eruantale. [ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: The Only Real Estel ]

Genevieve · 07-28-2003, 09:34 PM

I think however long it is, it'll all be worth it. -Genevieve

Roccotari Eldandil · 07-28-2003, 11:43 PM

I really hope that RotK will be fairly long (around 3hr 15 min); they've got a lot of stuff to tie up, even though the Scouring is being left out--GRR!!! And the extended version...oh boy, I can't wait to get my hands on that! I wonder (without a shred of hope) if they'll put the scouring in that?And a solution to everyone's bathroom break prob: don't get one of those massive--and overpriced--Cokes. That way you won't have to leave during the movie.

Nehani · 07-28-2003, 11:54 PM

No, I'm pretty sure it's 3 hours & 26 min. It's in the magazine that is sent out to the movie theaters about running times, new euipment, etc. Tee hee hee! I can't wait to watch Extended Version! There is something to wait for after the movie!Nehani

Genevieve · 07-29-2003, 06:06 PM

The Extended version is going to be awesome!!! I canNOT wait until rotk and the extended version!! Ahhh!! Im all excited now! How am I supposed to survive until it comes out!?

Arwen Eruantale · 07-30-2003, 07:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>If it does end up being 3 hours & 26 minutes, I'd guess the extended version would be darn close to, or exceeding 4 hours, Arwen Eruantale. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>*laughs hopefully, and a bit truimphantly*That would be so awesome.... they could fit just about everything, or at least enough, in there couldn't they? I say the longer, the better! [ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: Arwen Eruantale ]

The Only Real Estel · 07-30-2003, 02:31 PM

Yep, more of LOTR is perfectly fine by me!

Alatáriël Lossëhelin · 07-31-2003, 03:28 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>And the extended version...oh boy, I can't wait to get my hands on that! I wonder (without a shred of hope) if they'll put the scouring in that?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>There is NO hope for the Scouring. In the director's commentary of FotR EE, PJ said that the Scouring had not even been filmed.

The Only Real Estel · 07-31-2003, 08:45 PM

There'd really not be much of a point to the scouring even being in the extended version, since Saruman will already be dead. Besides, I don't mind the hobbits coming back to a peaceful (or at least fairly peaceful) Shire. I wouldn't have minded Tokien leaving out the Scouring in the books, actually. I no I'll be killed now, but oh well.

07-26-2003, 02:55 PM	#1
Maeglanthirion Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 47	The Return of the King time hey, i'm new to the site. But i have been hearing many things concerning the new movie. My question concerns the movie time. I've heard a couple things about a 4+ hour movie, but i'm not sure. I wouldn't mind, though it seems logical since they chopped the end off TTT. Frodo still has to meet Shelob and the Cirith Ungol thing, then the whole palantir part, then you have to do the RotK. That's a lot to do for a 3 hour movie. I don't want them cutting out stuff. The whole Osgiliath thing could have been cut out and replaced it with the previous. Well, if anyone can clear this up, i'd appreciate it. Thanks. __________________ "I see in your eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come, when the courage of men fails, and we break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. This day, we fight!..."

07-26-2003, 03:35 PM	#2
Arwen Eruantale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: My Field of Paper Flowers Posts: 282	Welcome, Maeglanthirion! I haven't been dead long either, but you'll find it's pretty cool when you get used to it. <P>Regretfully, I cannot clear up your question completely as there has been a great deal of speculation on that subject. I have heard much about it being longer than three hours, (and I certainly hope it will be) but four-plus was news to me. You might try doing a search -google perhaps?- on that particular subject...Sorry this probably hasn't helped much, but I did try. <P>-Arwen __________________ And he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile... Will you pay attention?

07-26-2003, 03:45 PM	#3
Alaruid Guest Posts: n/a	I haven't heard those things, but I really don't want to sit for 4+ hours. Can you say sleep?<P>Alaruid

07-26-2003, 04:11 PM	#4
Meela Denethor's True Love Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... swoon Posts: 2,049	It's not 4 hours. That is most likely the finished cut, and they will scale it down to 3 hours and something for cinema. __________________ 'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.

07-27-2003, 10:15 AM	#6
elven maiden Earwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A world that never was and never will be Posts: 1,300	I read somewhere that it was going to be a three and a half hour movie in the cinma. The EE was going to be like four hours though. But thats only what I have read __________________ We pillage and plunder, we rifle and loot, Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho. the looniest site in the world!!!

07-26-2003, 06:38 PM	#5
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I haven't heard those things, but I really don't want to sit for 4+ hours. Can you say sleep?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> When we're talking about the newest adittion to the LOTR 'family', & when we're talking the 1st time seeing it, no, I cannot say sleep. I'd be hard pressed to EVER sleep through any LOTR movie (depending largly on how late it is when I'm watching it, of course! )! But I'm afraid it most likely won't be 4 hours. There's still a glimmer of hope for a 3 & a half hour-3 hours 45 minute movie, but I doubt we'll get four. All I know is PJ 'vowed' to show no restraints when it came to getting stuff in, in regards to time. I'm not sure if that just made sense or not, but right now I have a splitting headache & I'm quite tired, I'll probably wake up tommorow moring (at around 11!) & find this all a messed up, mis-spelled mess. Oh well.

07-27-2003, 10:26 AM	#7
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	The more they can shove in there the better I say. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

07-27-2003, 02:40 PM	#8
Sauron 666 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 59	I Agree, i'd rather have a 4 hour ROTK than a 3 hour ROTK. Besides hasn't anyone seen real 3+ hour movies like Das Boot and Lawrence of Arabia?? You people have no strength __________________ Ash Nazg Durbatuluk Ash Nazg Gimbatul Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk Arg Burzum-Ishi Krimpatul

07-27-2003, 03:20 PM	#9
Luthien_ Tinuviel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: A very lovely tree-hut in the Chunnel. Posts: 804	I would love for it to be 3 and a half-4 hours long, but the only problem for me is that my dad and I have made it a tradition to go for the first time on the evening of the Wednesday it opens (dec 17, this year), and that is a school night (though the in the last week of school, granted, but this generally means exam time). If I went to say, a 7:30 showing, it would laxt until after 11:00, which could cause some tiredness the next day (or perhaps not ). But anyway, my question is, how are we supposed to go the bathroom? This dilemma is illustrated by the following incident: During TTT, my mom asked me about when there was a good time to go to the bathroom. My reply- "There isn't!" . Which will create obvious problems, considering that ROTK will be the most exciting of all. What are we to do? __________________ I am a nineteen-year-old nomad photographer who owns a lemonade stand. You know what? I love Mip.

07-27-2003, 03:25 PM	#10
Daisy Brambleburr Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 334	spoiler<P>Don't worry about the running time. RotK is actually the shortest book (not counting the appendices) and they're not doing Scouring of the Shire so that will cut out quite a lot. I think it should just about fit. And as for the running time, I think it'll be about 3 and a half hours. __________________ 'What news from the South, O sighing wind, do you bring to me at eve? Where now is Boromir the Fair? He tarries and I grieve.'

07-27-2003, 06:37 PM	#11
Maeglanthirion Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 47	Well, i saw Gods and Generals, which was 4 hours. It had an intermission, so if RotK was long enough, an intermission wouldn't be a problem. If they're cutting out the Scouring of the Shire as you say, i will be very upset, because that was a good part. I would like to see hobbits in action! __________________ "I see in your eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come, when the courage of men fails, and we break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. This day, we fight!..."

07-27-2003, 07:19 PM	#12
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Remember that these films are not made just for us die-hard Tolkien fans, but also for mass audience appeal (a great shame, many would say). And I doubt that a film which was much over 3 hours would appeal to the the modern average film-goer. So I should imagine that the version of RotK for cinema release will be more or less the same length as the two previous films.<P>Of course, we always have the extended version to look forward to. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

07-27-2003, 08:18 PM	#13
Gorwingel Beholder of the Mists Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Somewhere in the Northwest... for now Posts: 1,419	I have heard though that the executives at New Line have seen rough cuts of the film, and they think what they have seen is so wonderful that they are going to allow PJ to go as long as is needed. Which for me sounds like a good idea.<P>I think that it will probably be 3 3/4 hours long. Even though ROTK is the shortest book they have much material from TTT to cover, and many loose ends to tie up. __________________ Wanted - Wonderfully witty quote that consists of pure brilliance

07-27-2003, 08:43 PM	#14
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	Last I heard was 3 hours and 10 minutes.<P><A HREF="http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/1054307952" TARGET=_blank>http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/1/1054307952</A><P>If someone has a more recent update, let us know, but don't expect much longer.<P>H.C. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

07-28-2003, 12:56 AM	#15
Nehani Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mirkwood (or something like it) Posts: 80	Wahahaha! I have inside info! My brother works in a movie theater, and he just told me it is exactly 3 hours 26 min. That's not bad! <P>PS<BR>Welcome Alaruid! Hope you enjoy being dead!<P>Nehani of the Forest __________________ "Been A Long Road To Follow, Been There And Gone Tomorrow Without Saying Goodbye To Yesterday..." "The Way Is Closed. It Was Made By Those Who are Dead. The Way is Closed."

07-28-2003, 07:35 AM	#16
Arwen Eruantale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: My Field of Paper Flowers Posts: 282	I wonder how long that means the EE will be... __________________ And he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile... Will you pay attention?

07-28-2003, 11:00 AM	#17
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> he just told me it is exactly 3 hours 26 min. That's not bad! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Not meaning to doubt your brother, but I suspect even PJ doesn't know "exactly" how long the movie is going to be. From everything I've heard on movie making, film makers are continually reworking films right up to the day they are due - which is less than a month before they appear in theaters. A popular expression is that films are never finished, they just escape.<P>PJ himself makes similar comments on the director's commentaries with the EE Fellowship.<P>H.C.<p>[ July 28, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ] __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

07-28-2003, 05:42 PM	#18
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	If it does end up being 3 hours & 26 minutes, I'd guess the extended version would be close to, or exceeding 4 hours, Arwen Eruantale. <BR> <p>[ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: The Only Real Estel ]

07-28-2003, 09:34 PM	#19
Genevieve Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Where am I? Huh? I'm lost! Posts: 50	I think however long it is, it'll all be worth it.<P><BR>-Genevieve __________________ No thought was put into this I always knew it would come to this. Things have never been so swell I have never failed to feel Pain.

07-28-2003, 11:43 PM	#20
Roccotari Eldandil Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the stables of Lorien Posts: 79	I really hope that RotK will be fairly long (around 3hr 15 min); they've got a lot of stuff to tie up, even though the Scouring is being left out--GRR!!! And the extended version...oh boy, I can't wait to get my hands on that! I wonder (without a shred of hope) if they'll put the scouring in that?<P>And a solution to everyone's bathroom break prob: don't get one of those massive--and overpriced--Cokes. That way you won't have to leave during the movie. __________________ "Come, come!" he shouted, swinging his axe. "Since Gandalf's head is now sacred, let us find one that is right to cleave!" -Gimli, after hearing Galadriel's message to him in TTT

07-28-2003, 11:54 PM	#21
Nehani Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Mirkwood (or something like it) Posts: 80	No, I'm pretty sure it's 3 hours & 26 min. It's in the magazine that is sent out to the movie theaters about running times, new euipment, etc. Tee hee hee! I can't wait to watch Extended Version! There is something to wait for after the movie!<P>Nehani __________________ "Been A Long Road To Follow, Been There And Gone Tomorrow Without Saying Goodbye To Yesterday..." "The Way Is Closed. It Was Made By Those Who are Dead. The Way is Closed."

07-29-2003, 06:06 PM	#22
Genevieve Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Where am I? Huh? I'm lost! Posts: 50	The Extended version is going to be awesome!!! I canNOT wait until rotk and the extended version!! Ahhh!! Im all excited now! How am I supposed to survive until it comes out!? __________________ No thought was put into this I always knew it would come to this. Things have never been so swell I have never failed to feel Pain.

07-30-2003, 07:36 AM	#23
Arwen Eruantale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: My Field of Paper Flowers Posts: 282	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR><I>If it does end up being 3 hours & 26 minutes, I'd guess the extended version would be darn close to, or exceeding 4 hours, Arwen Eruantale. </I> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>laughs hopefully, and a bit truimphantly<P>That would be so awesome.... they could fit just about everything, or at least enough, in there couldn't they? I say the longer, the better! <p>[ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: Arwen Eruantale ] __________________ And he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile... Will you pay attention?

07-30-2003, 02:31 PM	#24
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	Yep, more of LOTR is perfectly fine by me!

07-31-2003, 03:28 PM	#25
Alatáriël Lossëhelin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Road to Rivendell: 2491 miles from Hobbiton, with Frodo and Sam, homeward bound Posts: 365	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>And the extended version...oh boy, I can't wait to get my hands on that! I wonder (without a shred of hope) if they'll put the scouring in that?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>There is <B>NO</B> hope for the Scouring. In the director's commentary of FotR EE, PJ said that the Scouring had not even been filmed. __________________ "It's impossible to have Frodo without Sam, or Sam without Frodo. They're like two halves of one heart..." "If your hurts grieve you still and the memory of your burden is heavy, then you may pass into the West..."

07-31-2003, 08:45 PM	#26
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	There'd really not be much of a point to the scouring even being in the extended version, since Saruman will already be dead. Besides, I don't mind the hobbits coming back to a peaceful (or at least fairly peaceful) Shire. I wouldn't have minded Tokien leaving out the Scouring in the books, actually. I no I'll be killed now, but oh well.