Comments on: The Lord of the Rings: Book V – The War of the Ring

By: Brumous

Brumous — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 20:22:21 +0000

This is an action filled episode all about preparing for the battle of Minas Tirath, the battle itself, and the aftermath. Kerr’s consolidation really helps make sense out of the storyline, a major improvement over the original with its frenetic intercutting and relatively confusing choreography of scenes. Kerr’s technical work here is tremendous, producing a smoothly flowing reconstruction with only one seam that I noticed (cut from night to day during the battle for Osgiliath). In fact the editing is so smooth, it spotlights some sequences where the original feels choppy, like Éowyn’s abbreviated recovery and romance with Faramir.

The battle itself is more enjoyable with Kerr’s numerous subtle cuts and rearrangements. The battle is more linear and realistic seeming, the pacing is more lively, and events and characters are truer to the elevated noble tone of the book.

Once again, the new beginning and ending are outstanding and make a perfect frame for the episode.

I saw a Peter Jackson interview where he said he created the individual storylines first, and then intercut them to make the final film version. I think that explains why the individual stories reassemble so well, but great fandediting is a necessary part of the equation also. 10/10.

By: mullholland665

mullholland665 — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 05:30:05 +0000

Tremendous.

Such a new experience to see the lead-up and siege of Gondor assembled without any cuts away to Sam and Frodo’s story. I didn’t see the orginal cut of Book 5 before Kerr made some changes, but as this DVD stands now, most sequences gels together very nicely indeed. 10/10.

By: eksif

eksif — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 03:25:21 +0000

Book_V.part2.rar for the AVI file is showing as offline>File not found in JDownloader

By: Ripplin

Ripplin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 06:24:26 +0000

Once again (for the second last time), great work. Perfect editing, etc, etc… Looking forward to the last book. It has been a fun and interesting ride. I’m going to give this one 9/10.

By: spelledaren

spelledaren — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:39:15 +0000

Kerr is dedicated and innovative, and always ready to listen to whatever critism is brought forth. With this one he listened to what many of us had to say and went in trying to better everything that was possible. In many aspects he has removed any problems I had with the scenes. I wouldn’t agree with everything, but would like to point out that my first review on this page doesn’t apply to the dvd. I would give this one 8 / 10, and I’d like to applaud Kerr once more for being such a hard working editor.

Excellent work. Looking forward to the conclusion.

By: Kirkafur

Kirkafur — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:52:03 +0000

Thank you for changing the awkward transition from the scene with the Witch King vs. Gandalf to the arrival of Rohan for the DVD edition. I have no reservations whatsoever of giving this the highest possible rating.

It must be tiring to hear me keep babbling, but thank you for these DVDs, sir!

By: TaiPanJoe

TaiPanJoe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:49:11 +0000

I have not seen this yet… but I just HAD to say something based on one of the commentaries here: It is Tolkien’s novel, yes… but it also is PJ VISION and INTERPRETATION but more importantly ADAPTATION of Tolkien’s work… This story wasn’t “needed to be” this way, because the timelines are all messed up in the books (and yes, it works as a book, but as a film… comercially, it doesn’t) PJ did an AMAZING job with these films, people should be thanking him not the other way arround.

KERR, I’m not saying anithing about you and what you’ve done here… in fact, I’m very curious about this fanedits of yours and will watch them ASAP. =)

Have a great week!

By: bishop27

bishop27 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:44:33 +0000

Oh Yeah!! KERR you ought to seriously try to get on the editing cast of the hobbit. so you can make sure that does not get ruined also by that greasy heeb PJ

By: bishop27

bishop27 — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:41:46 +0000

Kerr, You sir are a genius! Peter jackson has nothing on you. You have fixed this story, and brought it to where it needed to be. How Tolkein imagined it. I dont think PJ understood that it was a tolkein novel. Not his own!. Now if someone could find a way to cut Elijah Wood and put a new actor in his place then this would a true masterpiece. Please hurry on book VI. I personally cant wait. Thank you i give this and books I - IV a perfect 10 Thank You,

By: Shimoda

Shimoda — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:05:28 +0000

I am enjoying this series and cannot wait for the last book to be completed.

Well done Kerr for all your hard work!

By: walls83

walls83 — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:51:50 +0000

There is too much missing.

By: Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:39:17 +0000

I have seen this cut, and after having seen the four previous releases, i think they all are near perfect, and far better than the comercial films, or extended cuts. Sad sometimes th flow is not soft as one would desire, but they are as best as possible, and flashes of genius.

Only one thing about this Book V, on the negative side: when Rohirrim arive at Pellenor… i think it would be much much much better leaving the cut from de extended edition, when Witch King “hears” the sound of the horns, and we move to the battefield to see them. I know the reason to do this, but in the end, the scene that follows (with Eowyn and Merry) doesn’t add anything remarckable. I think this is the only thing i would change from this edit, and from the five books.

I’m waiting for Book VI !!!!!

Congratulations, Kerr.

By: Kirkafur

Kirkafur — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:57:17 +0000

^^Oops, wrong film, but still.

By: Kirkafur

Kirkafur — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:56:44 +0000

I’ve tried to produce my own set of book cuts but gave up because I wasn’t happy with it.

This is stellar work, and I think it’s about as good as one could hope for with the goal and source material. I am thrilled at how you conquered the Faramir problem and dealt with the parting of Frodo and Sam. Congratulations, and I cannot wait to have all six on NTSC DVD on my shelf with three backup copies behind each.

By: spelledaren

spelledaren — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:34:30 +0000

Four near perfect votes so far astound me, as this is the first time I feel that Kerr did disappoint me.

Without going into great detail I had some issues with the flow of some scenes, there were a few sound parts I didn’t like, and all too many times I didn’t agree with how Kerr chose to present the scenes, something that previously has worked very well for me with his edits.

Some excellent moments of editing, but too few to make me happy.

6 / 10 for me.