Watching the director's cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy takes 12 hours of life. But even that is not all that the creators wanted to show the audience! There are many filmed scenes that didn't make it into any version, which could have made this story even better!
Arwen in Lothlórien
The scene where Arwen visits Galadriel could have been a beautiful addition to the plot. The meeting of the two elven women emphasizes their familial ties and shows Galadriel's concern for her granddaughter's fate.
Why it was cut: The creators likely decided that the scene slowed down the development of the main storyline.
Éowyn vs. Uruk-hai
Éowyn, one of the strongest heroines of the trilogy, fights an entire squad of Uruk-hai in this scene set in a cave. This could have been further proof of her bravery and ability to take a hit.
Why it's a shame: The scene would have enhanced the perception of Éowyn as a warrior, but the excerpt was removed to maintain the focus on her key actions in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Legolas's Arrival in Rivendell
This moment shows how Legolas meets Arwen for the first time. Such a plot development would have given the elven archer a bit more screen time.
Why it was cut: Apparently, it was decided that this episode had little impact on the main storyline's development.
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Frodo Transforms into Gollum
This scene shows how the One Ring begins to change Frodo, gradually transforming him into Gollum.
Why it was right to cut it: The ring was with Gollum for almost 500 years. Such a sudden effect on Frodo would have seemed unconvincing.
Arwen in the Battle of Helm's Deep
One of the most controversial episodes that did not make it into the final version. Here, Arwen participates in the Battle of Helm's Deep, fighting side by side with men.
Why it was cut: The scene diverges from Tolkien's canon, where elves did not participate in this battle.
Destruction of the Shire
This scene could have been a powerful finale, but it was removed. In the book, Saruman and Gríma establish a dictatorship in the Shire, after which the hobbits rise up in rebellion.
Why it was cut: The ending with the destruction of the Shire and an alternative death for Saruman was possibly deemed too heavy for the film.
Aragorn vs. Sauron
In the original version, Aragorn fought Sauron at the gates of Mordor. Sauron appeared in the form of a glowing angel, which was meant to emphasize his former greatness. However, during the editing stage, he was replaced by a giant troll.
Why it was cut: The final battle between Aragorn and Sauron could have distracted viewers from the main storyline—the destruction of the Ring.
