Hi all Tolkien fans, reopening this thread to start work on Version 2 of Into the Fire/ Fire of the Dragon. These have been great edits to make as I loved the collaboration on here and I figured I'd get the old Tolkien club's input on what needs and need not be done to change these edits. They were very successful thanks to you so I'm wary of changing/ "Lucas"ing them at all-- personally I think they work fine as they are, but it may be fun to see what happens. Here is a link to a youtube search, if you follow it and scroll down, you'll find a 27 min video of all the deleted scenes (I didn't include the direct link for obvious reasons)
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=desolation+of+smaug+extended+scenes&spfreload=1
So, I have the EE now and here are my thoughts on the scenes and what to do with them: (I put in bold yellow scenes I may reinsert)
1. Thorin's flashback of Thrain-- not going to include this, as it is yet more fluff and is part of the 'Azog/Thorin arc' which is cut in most edits
2. Gandalf introducing dwarves to Beorn-- this scene was very average, the humor is centered around the dwarves. It looks very fake though and the editing is crazy with inexplicably quick cuts which look unnatural. The dialogue is quite terrible (as
kellenpure pointed out). I think the original at the breakfast table was fine and will be leaving this scene out.
3.
Beorn discussing the high fells and the witch king-- this scene was ok I thought and I could see including this into either ITF or FOD (I'd cut the Galadriel voiceover and shots of the witch king, cut just before the flashback). Either way it does not add anything significant either than explain why Gandalf decides to go to the fells of all places
4.
The party crossing the stream in mirkwood-- this scene I'm thinking of adding back into ITF. I'm not sure if the 'bad luck to shoot the stag' should be kept in or not. I'm mixed about the scene where everyone is wailing drunkenly and swooning while Bilbo flicks the web strands.
5. Guards searching for Bard/dwarves-- does not add anything, no tension nothing. Not including it.
6. Stephen Fry eating testicles-- again, the movie's about Bilbo, don't think this adds anything. Not including it
7. Bilbo vouching for Thorin-- Is brief and inconsequential, and awkward. Not including it as scene works better without it.
8. Sick dwarves begging the Master for help-- not including.
9.
Rabid Thrain in Dol Guldur-- I honestly didn't like these scenes. The scenes tried to jam to much material into a tight timeframe. The scenes were interesting but not essential. Including them in either cut may be confusing for anyone not paying close attention to Unexpected Journey. Its the moment where your friend/girlfriend/wife goes "Who's that?" and you have to explain its Thorin's dad. There was more tension with Gandalf alone in Dol Guldur. Regardless, it may be fun to replace the solo Gandalf in FOD with Thrain scenes and leave solo Gandalf in ITF, just to have more variation-- this is something I might do.
Well those are my thoughts, hope to get soem feedback from the community and will temper the edit accordingly (if anything is needed at all?). Thanks very much!
Cheers,
Kris