Watch the extended versions!

Rating: 9/10 (5 April 2007)

This is an almost perfect cinematic conversion of the book. What I must stress though is that that the extended version is much better. I have no idea why New Line, by all accounts, insisted on a time limit for the theatrical releases. The extra footage adds context and gives a variation in pace that the movie really needs. Given that the core fan base often complain that the book ends too soon this was a misfire of some significance.
But otherwise it is absolutely brilliant. Many people are hoping that New Line and Jackson eventually do a deal to do more of Tolkien's work. It is hard to imagine anyone else coming close to this level of realisation.