New Line's jubilation at the success of Lord of The Rings was as much the focus of the Lord of the Ring Event as the DVDs themselves. Sure Lord of The Rings didn't win all the Academy Awards they had hoped, but isn't 4 enough to excited about? Must be, as some of the distinguished guests of the party (namely those who DID win the Oscar) brought the little gold guy with them to the party, carrying them around like a newborn that everyone wants to hold.

No Peter Jackson wasn't at the event (which was a shame), but via a recorded message he told the crowd that he'd raced back to New Zeland to continue to work on The Two Towers and all things Lord of The Rings. His message was followed by the 'premiere' of the trailer for The Two Towers (the trailer will be in theaters starting Friday) but we're sure it'll also make its rounds on the Internet.

All New Line's excitement over Lord of The Rings is good news for DVD fans, because New Line is matching their unprecedented movie gamble with a big gamble on the DVD release of The Lord of The Rings.

Here's a break down of what we know about the three releases. Since the 'Extended Version' is still 'in production' New Line did not release all the features which will appear on that DVD or in their 'Limited Edition Gift Set'.

August 6 - Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD. (Theatrical Version)
Don't be fooled by the title, the August 6th release of Lord of The Rings IS a Special Edition, but is being called the 'Theatrical Version' to distinguish it from November DVD Release. The 'Theatrical Version' will be released in separate Anamorphic Widescreen and Full Frame editions, both featuring Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and Dolby 2.0 audio and will have 2 DVDs with the following features:
• Three Lord of The Rings Documentaries: 'Welcome to Middle-earth', 'The Quest for the Ring' and 'A Passage to Middle-earth' (which is the Sci-Fi Channel's special).
• Fifteen Featurettes (from LordofTheRings.net) including interviews with cast and crew.
• 'Exclusive Early Look' at The Two Towers with Peter Jackson, with behind-the-scenes footage not available anywhere else.
• Enya 'May It Be' music video
• Preview of the 'Extended Version DVD
• Preview of the Electronic Arts Lord of The Rings Video Game
• Lord of The Rings - The Two Towers TV Spot and Trailers
• Original Lord of The Rings theatrical trailers and TV spots
• Exclusive online content for Lord of The Rings DVD owners with DVD-ROM access.
MSRP for the 'Theatrical Version' of Lord of The Rings is $29.95 but expect to see it pre-order online for around $19.99.

November 12- Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD. (Extended Version)
The 'Extended Version' of Lord of The Rings is an entirely new cut of the movie (presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen). Peter Jackson and company have gone back and recut The Lord of The Rings which on the 'Extended Version DVD' will feature 30 minutes of additional footage, effects and more recut into the movie. What's really exciting about this is that they've actually produced these 30 new minutes with new effects and more newly composed and recorded score (which is expected to get an upgraded 'R' rating). New Line is treating the 'Extended Version' like 'an entirely different film' . Now here's the tricky part.... New Line did not release the complete details and features of the 4 DVD 'Extended Version', so no one can be 100% sure if any of the features of the 'Theatrical Version' will be on the 'Extended Version' and from what we understand, the 'Extended Version' DVD set probably won't also include the theatrical cut of the movie (but as the details haven't been announced we can't be 100% sure. The first date they told retailers they could start accepting orders for the 'Extended Version' is June 4
MSRP for the 'Extended Version' was not announced but we were told that it should be $39.95

November 12- Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring DVD. (Limited Edition Gift Set)
If 2 versions of The Lord of The Rings isn't enough. New Line is also planning a 'Limited Edition Gift Set' which includes the 4 DVD 'Extended Version', two bookend statuettes designed by Sideshow Weta, the DVD for National Geographics 'Beyond The Movie - The Lord of The Rings' with some never before released extras, and some Lord of The Rings 'collectible Decipher game cards'. No price was announced for the Limited Edition Gift Set, but expect it to be spendy.

So what's our take on The Lord of The Rings DVD? The 4 DVD 'Extended Version' really looks like the DVD to get and Peter Jackson (who is a huge fan of DVD) seems to be really focused on making the 'Extended Version' the 'ultimate' Lord of The Rings experience. We cringe at the idea that DVD fans would need to buy BOTH versions of the movie to get all the special features so hopefully New Line will include all the 'extras' from the 'Theatrical Version' on the 'Extended Version' DVD.

We DO NOT expect that the 'Extended Version' of the DVD will also include the Theatrical cut of the film, but that's OK. With everything that's going into producing the 'Extended Version' it most likely will become the preferred cut of the film for most fans to watch and enjoy.

We'll of course keep you posted as we learn more details for the 'Extended Version' of Lord of The Rings, and will also post links to online stores when they start taking orders for the 3 versions of Lord of The Rings DVD.

THEATRICAL VERSION PREORDER LINKS
Buy.com $17.99 with Free Shipping
DVD Empire - $20.97
BestBuy.com $22.99 + $10 off Coupon (for next purchase)
Amazon.com $22.46