Actors' Commentaries - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 11-16-2002, 03:35 PM

One of the best things about having DVD is the good ol' commentary sequences. And I think the "LoTR" commentary version is one of the most interesting I've seen yet. (Though it will take a long time for me to watch the whole thing.)To listen to Sir Ian, the "Hobbits", Christopher Lee and Orlando Bloom sit and give a running dialogue of all the scenes as you watch the film is just a joy. They are all so swept up in their craft and what Peter Jackson accomplished on the screen. They really make the film seem fresh to me. You also get a deep appreciation of how disjointed a film production must be for the people participating in it. This struck home when Orlando Bloom mentioned in the first scene between Sam and Gandalf, that he seldom actually got to work in scenes with the principal hobbit actors. Most of the scenes he filmed involving the Hobbits were actually done with the stand-ins. So he talked about how amazed he was at the job Sean Astin did with the character of Sam. He had never actually seen Sean in the role until he saw the completed film! There are very many other "insider" moments and surprises revealed by the commentaries. I hope you all take the time to catch these. It's worth the price of the extended version alone.

Rose Cotton · 11-17-2002, 07:22 AM

I LOVE THE COMMENTARIES! The actors are halarious! Especially Dominic. You get to learn how to play games like "Cup" and "Tig". They just make the film that more enjoyable.

Melephelwen · 11-17-2002, 01:51 PM

That sounds so great!!! I wish I could hear/see it!! But guess what?? I bought the extended dvd yesterday, and what happens next? I only get to see the "normal" scenes - and then? My "beloved" dvd-player breaks down!! It makes scratchy noices all the time and picture quality is less than a VHS!! I off course pulled the dice out right away ... and now I can't watch LotR for ages! I can just watch everybody else be happy for their copy Sorry for fraking out, I just needed to share my grief and sorrow...

elfling · 11-18-2002, 10:50 PM

I love all the extras. I have'nt watched all with the commentaries but what I have seen is great. Dom is so funny. I just laugh at all his impressions of the others. He is my fav. Hobbit now.

Diamond18 · 11-19-2002, 11:46 PM

I know what you mean about Dom's impressions. I can't decide which I liked most: his telling about John Rhys-Davies ordering food at a restaurant or Sean Astin's scale double beating Sean at chess (the scale double is Indian and has a strong accent). "I take his bishwop and he try to take my king and then I take his king." Funny. I've always wished that I could do different accents or voices.I've always wondered, too, how actors can enjoy watching movies they were in on, because I would think it wouldn't be real for them. I mean, how can they "get lost" in a movie they know inside out. Like instead of seeing a character on screen they see a fellow actor. It's just something I've thought about on different occasions. So it's interesting to hear about how Orlando Bloom didn't get to witness Sean Astin's acting until watching the movie.[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Diamond18 ]

11-16-2002, 03:35 PM	#1
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	Actors' Commentaries One of the best things about having DVD is the good ol' commentary sequences. And I think the "LoTR" commentary version is one of the most interesting I've seen yet. (Though it will take a long time for me to watch the whole thing.)<P>To listen to Sir Ian, the "Hobbits", Christopher Lee and Orlando Bloom sit and give a running dialogue of all the scenes as you watch the film is just a joy. They are all so swept up in their craft and what Peter Jackson accomplished on the screen. They really make the film seem fresh to me. <P>You also get a deep appreciation of how disjointed a film production must be for the people participating in it. This struck home when Orlando Bloom mentioned in the first scene between Sam and Gandalf, that he seldom actually got to work in scenes with the principal hobbit actors. Most of the scenes he filmed involving the Hobbits were actually done with the stand-ins. So he talked about how amazed he was at the job Sean Astin did with the character of Sam. He had never actually seen Sean in the role until he saw the completed film! <P>There are very many other "insider" moments and surprises revealed by the commentaries. I hope you all take the time to catch these. It's worth the price of the extended version alone.

11-17-2002, 07:22 AM	#2
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	I LOVE THE COMMENTARIES! The actors are halarious! Especially Dominic. You get to learn how to play games like "Cup" and "Tig". They just make the film that more enjoyable. __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

11-17-2002, 01:51 PM	#3
Melephelwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: the Middle of Nowhere Posts: 291	That sounds so great!!! I wish I could hear/see it!! <B>But</B> guess what?? I bought the extended dvd yesterday, and what happens next? I only get to see the "normal" scenes - and then? My "beloved" dvd-player breaks down!! It makes scratchy noices all the time and picture quality is less than a VHS!! I off course pulled the dice out right away ... and now I can't watch LotR for ages! I can just watch everybody else be happy for their copy <BR>Sorry for fraking out, I just needed to share my grief and sorrow... __________________ We're all following a strange melody We're all summoned by a tune We're following the piper And we dance beneath the moon

11-18-2002, 10:50 PM	#4
elfling Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: asheville,nc Posts: 86	I love all the extras. I have'nt watched all with the commentaries but what I have seen is great. Dom is so funny. I just laugh at all his impressions of the others.<BR>He is my fav. Hobbit now. __________________ And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the morning and the night...All shall love me and despair!

11-19-2002, 11:46 PM	#5
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	I know what you mean about Dom's impressions. I can't decide which I liked most: his telling about John Rhys-Davies ordering food at a restaurant or Sean Astin's scale double beating Sean at chess (the scale double is Indian and has a strong accent). "I take his bishwop and he try to take my king and then I take his king." Funny. I've always wished that I could do different accents or voices.<P>I've always wondered, too, how actors can enjoy watching movies they were in on, because I would think it wouldn't be real for them. I mean, how can they "get lost" in a movie they know inside out. Like instead of seeing a character on screen they see a fellow actor. It's just something I've thought about on different occasions. So it's interesting to hear about how Orlando Bloom didn't get to witness Sean Astin's acting until watching the movie.<p>[ November 20, 2002: Message edited by: Diamond18 ] __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.