Lord of the Rings for Short Attention Spans

Love the Lord of the Rings Trilogy? Convinced that everyone should see it? Plagued by naysayers complaining about how long it is? Then this page is for you. I have broken the whole gargantuan epic into shorter bits, trying to keep a decent balance of action, drama and some sort of arc across the episodes, just like a TV show. Ok so they are not all under 1 hour, you couldn't show them without adverts, so not exactly like a TV show. Pedants. Running times are approximate but rounded up, and I have tried not to give any spoilers in the synopsis sections. You'll need the Extended DVD Editions of the films for this one:

Get The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Extended Edition Box Set)

I find they give it extra depth (and battling), and include a lot of the details from the books. Remember this is TV now not the movies, so there is more time to breathe! The time codes etc are taken from the PAL editions, note that Chapter headings are taken from the disc (each disc starts at 1) rather than the Chapter numbering system used on the menus and in the booklets.

Episode 1
Small Beginnings
Synopsis: After his Uncle Bilbo vanishes at his own birthday party, young Hobbit Frodo Baggins learns the history of his uncle's ring, and begins his journey from peaceful Hobbiton in the Shire to the village of Bree and an encounter with the mysterious ranger named Strider...
Running Time: 1 hour 3 minutes
Discs: The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 16 01:03:51
Episode 2
Journeys in the Wilderness
Synopis: The hobbits struggle in the wilderness under Strider's lead, before a disastrous encounter on Weathertop leads them to Rivendell, where the Council of Elrond will decide the fate of the Ring...
Running Time: 56 minutes
Discs: The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 16 01:03:52 - Chapter 27 01:41:15
The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 7 00:18:14
Episode 3
The Breaking of the Fellowship
Synopsis: Trapped in the dark, the Fellowship makes its way through the Mines of Moria from where it will not emerge unscathed. From there they seek refuge in the Golden Wood of Lothlorien, before travelling the Great River Anduin to the Falls of Rauros, and the shattering conclusion at Amon Hen...
Running Time: 1hr 13 minutes
Discs: The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 7 00:18:15 - Chapter 20 01:31:05
Episode 4
Treebeard and The White Rider
Synopsis: The journey continues with the introduction of some new faces, and the reappearance of an old one. Frodo and Sam continue their journey to Mordor; while in the land of Rohan, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hunt the orcs that have taken Merry and Pippin captive.
Running Time: 55 minutes
Discs: The Two Towers: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 15 00:55:54
Episode 5
Edoras and Ithilien
Synopsis: The White Rider leads Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli to the Golden Hall of Edoras to meet the crippled King Theoden, while on the road to Mordor, Gollum struggles with his divided loyalty for Frodo and The Ring.
Running Time: 47 minutes
Discs: The Two Towers: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 16 00:55:55 - Chapter 30 01:42:10
Episode 6
Of Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir and Frodo
Synopsis: As Sauron's forces gather for war and Rohan falls under attack from Saruman, Aragorn ponders his past and his future with Arwen. Frodo and Sam encounter Faramir and the Rangers of Ithilien.
Running Time: 51 minutes
Discs: The Two Towers: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 15 00:51:39
Episode 7
Helms Deep
Synopsis: As the Ents debate their involvement in the war and Faramir resolves to bring Frodo and the Ring to Gondor, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli help the besieged people of Rohan to make a final stand at Helms Deep against Saruman's army of mighty Uruk-Hai.
Running Time: 52 minutes
Discs: The Two Towers: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 16 00:51:40 - Chapter 37 01:43:50
Episode 8
The Board is Set
Synopsis: As Frodo, Sam and Gollum grow close to Mordor, passing the dreaded Morgul Vale, Gondor readies itself for Sauron's final assault - the War for Middle Earth begins.
Running Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Discs: The Return of the King: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 18 01:01:51
Episode 9
The Siege of Gondor
Synopsis: Aragorn and Theoden muster an army to save Gondor, but will they arrive in time? Will Frodo make it into Mordor, and will he have to do it alone?
Running Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
Discs: The Return of the King: Extended Edition Disc 1
Chapter 19 01:01:51 - Chapter 36 02:02:21
Episode 10
The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Synopsis: Minas Tirith stands alone, the last hope of Men, as Sauron throws his colossal military might against it. And Gollum's plan is finally revealed as Frodo crosses into Mordor.
Running Time: 55 minutes
Discs: The Return of the King: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 1 00:00:00 - Chapter 22 00:54:27
Episode 11
The End of All Things
Synopsis: After the Last Debate, the Free Peoples of Middle Earth make their stand before the Black Gate of Mordor while Frodo and Sam try desparately to complete their quest to Mount Doom. But even at the end, danger follows their every step...
Running Time: 1 hour 6 minutes
Discs: The Return of the King: Extended Edition Disc 2
Chapter 23 00:54:28 - Chapter 41 01:59:54

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