Why we'll never see anything like The Lord of The Rings Trilogy again (Extended Edition)

The scale, ambition, and risk behind Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a wild feat to behold. And looking at what a perfect intersection of it was of craft, talent, ability, technology, and innovation - coming at a time were studios weren't limited by the fear of needing to make a billion dollars with every movie - we can understand why we'll never see anything quite like it again.

This Lord of the Rings trilogy came at a formative time for me, and 20 years later, I still believe they are among some of the best movies ever made. I've always wanted to make a video on the series, and with this monumental anniversary, combined with my own fascinations with box office performances and behind the scenes movie-making, I saw a wonderful opportunity to lavish it with praise and share this love of mine.

00:00 Intro
01:43 Fantasy
05:15 Greenlight
13:46 Pre-production
21:26 Artistry
29:07 One OST to Rule Them All
35:57 Lightning in a bottle
40:01 Ending
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Come join the Fellowship of Yearly Trilogy Enjoyers by following me on Twitter.

[AlexQC]

It's been 20 years..and the movies haven't aged a day, what a treat!

[Gravuun]

Those 3 movies hold a place above all others in my heart. I am so thankful that they where made, when they were made. Masterpieces.

[samjane]

Lord of the Rings was never written as a trilogy. When it was published, there was a paper shortage. For economic reasons the story was publish as 3 books instead of one. Though called a fantasy, Tolkien wrote the story as if it was an actual history of a time long forgotten. This approach gave the story tremendous depth and richness. Peter Jackson chose to film it as one story instead as a trilogy, which was Tolkien's original intent had the publishers allowed him too. Peter Jackson also chose to film it as if it was an actual history, rather than a fantasy, just like Tolkien did in writing it. This, I believe, helped make the movies so successful. It was also the reason all three movies reflected that same depth, and richness. All three movies had the same quality, which is usually not find in trilogies.

[OlegKlishinArt]

I can't consider myself #1 Tolkien fan, but it brings literal tears to my eyes, knowing these movies exist. What an impossible task to make such a timeless masterpiece. It's just insane.

[drd]

I think The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is one of those rare examples in history in which the executives of the studio actually didn't hinder the creative development of a product. Props should be given to them for actually doing the right thing and giving Jackson the time he needed.

It's a great example of what can happen when even the higher-ups believe in the product on an artistic level.

[higgs]

One of the things that distinguishes Tolkien's fantasy is the depth of his characterizations. It's clear that he knew the complete biography of every character - no matter how minor. The result is that Middle Earth as a whole is much more convincing.

[johnbarrett]

I saw the animated version at the cinema in 1978 age 11. I read LOTR in 1983. The same year i caddied for Christopher Lee at Gleneagles Hotel for two days while he was taking part in a Pro/Celebrity golf tournament. We talked books, movies and golf. Of course back then i was meeting Dracula. I still have the photo of us on the course, my smile is a mile wide.

[TKDragon]

I'm now being told to watch this for a school assignment. Your channel has made it to the point where university professors are using it to help people teach leadership in an online class that never meets in person.

[genequist]

When I was a kid, Star Wars was THE fabtasy series that meant the most to me. Im 36 now and over the last decade i have realized that LOTR means more and more to me the older I get.

[deepstatethrombosis]

If only Amazon prime had the same respect for Tolkien as Peter Jackson.

[Twinrehz]

Peter Jackson said so himself that the undertaking of making the Lord of the Rings trilogy was a task of such Herculean effort, he didn't ever want to try doing something like that ever again. Plus, he's aged considerably when making The Hobbit, which understandably makes him more tired. Don't underestimate what difference one decade makes when you're past 40.

[alejandro_uy]

What happened to Peter Jackson after the original trilogy was already predicted by Tolkien in the words of Fëanor to the Valar:

'For the less even as for the greater there is some deed that he may accomplish but once only; and in that deed his heart shall rest. It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but never again shall I make their like; and if I must break them, I shall break my heart, and I shall be slain; first of all the Eldar in Aman.'

[Flaris]

We truly may never see this kind of thing again. It was such a long shot in terms of being made and it ended up in the absolutely perfect hands.

It's just hard to find people that actually love the source material they are adapting to this degree anymore. All the money in the world won't replace creators that truly love what they are doing and are willing to give everything for it. This video hit on that. The time everyone (and I mean everyone involved) spent on these movies is colossal. They lived this experience in a way that productions today would never dream of asking. Not to pick on superhero movies. But today you can barely get any of those actors to put on makeup or wear real helmets. It's all just CGI. And LOTR was in a sweet spot where CGI was good enough to support the film making process without being a crutch that would be leaned on too heavily.

These will be some of the best movies ever made. And no one can take that away from everyone involved in making it.

[superslayerguy]

Jackson going up against impossible odds to make this trilogy is akin to Frodo's impossible odds of destroying the ring.

[paulallas]

Greatest cinematic masterpiece to ever hit the big screen. The extended DVD collection surpasses all expectations. How lucky are we to be alive when the LOTR trilogy was released. Unforgettable time and I cherish my collection and watch it all once every year.

[gabrielespana]

The trilogy stands and likely will forevermore stand as the pinnacle of what films can be in terms of scope and scale. It’s simply the perfect trilogy.

[Galaidon]

I just love that you used the soundtrack of the battle for middle earth game. immediately recognized it when you played "the dwarves explore"

[JP-xxx]

This is the best triology, single movie of all time. The heroes journey, the characters, the fight scenes, the emotional moments, the story, the setpieces, the love for the books which is visible, Everything!!

[christinetracy]

Seeing this trilogy in theatres for the first time was magical. I’ll never forget it.