It's about time!  I was hitting up all the stores on the original release date wondering where it was.

Both versions have their merits.  I'll be buying both theatrical and extended versions, sap that I am.

I recall reading awhile ago that they were waiting to release on Blu-ray because they wanted to make sure they could provide the absolute best quality they could.

No Extended Versions.? No sale, I'll gladly wait for them.

I'm with Katatonia.  Not the extended editions = not worth the buy.  I can wait.

I ADORE LotR.  I have three copies of the book series (not including the ones I read to pieces), all the extra books, the atlas, all the action figures...  I've read the series at least once a year since 1982, and we've watched the movies at least once a year since they came out. 

But after watching the extended editions, I've never seen a point to watching the theatrical ones again.  I mean, I could be watching the extended edition. 

Quoting mediadogg:

Quote:

Care to share a quick summary of your views on this? I thoroughly enjoyed the one I saw in a theater, then sort of lost focus and was looking forward to the Blu-Ray release to catch up on what I missed. Seems like a perfect holiday gift for the family to give me - but should I wait? OMG now I just noticed the date - its not until next year anyway. Drat ....

There have been a number of editions of the LOTR -
A few The Lord Of The Rings variations I have seen for sale -
Special Extended Editions, Collector's Gift Set;
Platinum Series Special Extended Editions,
Theatrical Editions;
Ful screen Editions;
Limited Editions;
Wide Screen Editions;
Full Screen Editions;

Some editions timings:
The Fellowship of the Ring
  Ext. - 228 min.
  Theater - 178 min.
The Two Towers
  Extended - 222 min.
  Theater - 179  min/
The Return of the King
  Extended - 263 min.
  Theater - 201  min.

No telling what they have released in other countries.

So, you can see why some of us are some what leery of just what they're peddling with any given edition at any time.

The timing (577 min) for April 6, 2010 release would be with the theater editions

Please allow me to take a circuitous route to my conclusion... Despite the fact that I received my BA in English by taking (mostly) film studies classes, all the while going to see a half dozen or more films in theaters every week, I have avoided seeing my beloved cinema in theaters for nearly a decade. Less for the expense, more out of frustration with audience behavior: talking during dialog, kicking the back of my chair, standing during scenes I really wish to see... etc.

But there were a few series of films for which I braved the public cinematic experiences... Harry Potter, Pirates, and (the point of this) Lord of the Rings. I was amazed by how much of what I loved of Tolkien's books were in these short films, and how much I disliked about the books was (so kindly) omitted. (Or am I the only one who found Tom Bombadil and all the poetry/singing distracting?) The enlargement of the participation of Tolkien's few female characters was nice, too.

So I purchased the first DVDs in their best packaging the moment they were available. Then I got the expanded editions with the Bookends, Golum, the Minas Tirith... again, when I first could. My wife, our daughter and I loved watching both editions... as film, and enjoying rewatching them with all the various commentaries. (Side note: I am not swayed by bonus features on DVDs -- I rarely check out the commentaries, etc.)

Thus, I will buy these theatrical editions of the Blu-ray... and I will get the expanded editions, too. And I will not complain. Because these are films I rewatch as often as any I own... both editions. To view them in Blu-ray quality on my 55" TV will be glorious. No one to kick the back of my chair. Better popcorn and better sodas. Pausing the showing if I need a restroom break. All the great joys of the home theater experience.

These are the releases which make it all worth while.

Quoting VibroCount:

Quote:
Please allow me to take a circuitous route to my conclusion... Despite the fact that I received my BA in English by taking (mostly) film studies classes, all the while going to see a half dozen or more films in theaters every week, I have avoided seeing my beloved cinema in theaters for nearly a decade. Less for the expense, more out of frustration with audience behavior: talking during dialog, kicking the back of my chair, standing during scenes I really wish to see... etc.

Slightly off topic, but I solve this problem by going to the first show on a Sunday, or the last show Sunday through Thursday, at least a week after the movie comes out.  More often than not, I am one of 5 or 6 people in the theatre.  Quite often, I am the only one there.