Il Signore degli Anelli - La compagnia dell'Anello

Sir Christopher Lee (Saruman) read "The Lord of the Rings" once a year until his death in 2015, and had done so since the year it was published. He was also the only member of the cast and crew ever to have met J.R.R. Tolkien.

Many viewers spotted a car in the background of the theatrical version when Sam says that he is now the furthest he has ever been from home. In a 1 December 2003 Newsweek article, director Peter Jackson confirmed this, and revealed the car had been removed digitally for the DVD release. Jackson says: "We actually didn't know about the car until we were cutting the movie. The smoke and dust wasn't so bad because there was already lots of it around, but the bloody windshield was reflecting the sun back into the camera lens. So we erased it for the DVD. I think some people were upset because they tried to show it to their friends and it was gone." (The infamous car can be seen on the "Academy DVD" which was created for the Oscar jurors and leaked on the Internet. Also, the unaltered shot with the car appearing in it is contained in the bonus material of the SEE DVD - the feature about the film score.)

After the end credits, the DVD and Blu Ray editions of the extended cut feature a list of "Lord of the Rings fan-club members" who contributed financially to the project in exchange for a credit. This additional credit sequence lasts 20 minutes.

The Extended Edition DVD includes the following changes to the film.

• During the prologue, more is shown of the ambush and death of Isildur, emphasizing his betrayal by the Ring.
• After the prologue, we open with a close-up of the Middle Earth map and pan to hear Bilbo writing his book, starting with a description of hobbits. Much of the Gandalf-Frodo dialog in their first scene together is removed, including the subtitle "60 Years Later".
• When Gandalf and Bilbo are in Bag End, Bilbo notes that the people knocking on his door are the Sackville-Bagginses.
• During the party, Bilbo greets a guest, then hides from the S.B's with Frodo. He tells Frodo how much the latter means to him.
• After the Ringwraiths set out, the Hobbits (prominently Merry and Pippin) are shown dancing and singing in the Green Dragon Inn. References are made to troubles in the outside world and Frodo encourages Sam to pursue a relationship with Rosie Cotton.
• After Frodo and Sam set out, they hear singing and find the woodelves leaving for the Gray Havens.
• After the company leaves Bree, they pass through the Midgewater Marshes. Later, Aragorn brings a killed deer to the hobbits. Frodo wakes up late at night to hear Aragorn singing about Beren and Luthien.
• The stone trolls from "The Hobbit" are shown.
• Additional dialog between Aragon and Boromir during the "still sharp" scene with Narsil.
• In the Council of Elrond, Boromir mentions his dream and reaches for the Ring. Gandalf recites the poem "One Ring to rule them all.." in black speech, causing the ground to shake and sun to go dark and provoking Elrond.
• After the Council of Elrond, Aragorn visits his mother's grave and remembers Elrond telling him of his destiny. This is followed by another scene in which the company are sent off by Elrond and the elves.
• Gandalf stops Frodo as they approach Moria to warn him about the Ring's power growing.
• In the mines, Gandalf mentions mithril and lights up an old mithril mine. He notes the value of Bilbo's mithril shirt.
• Additional fight scenes during the battle in the Chamber of the Marzabul.
• Lothlorien is completely revised. The company are first on Haldir's left with the Elves distrusting Gimli and leery of Frodo.
• Scene of the elves and the company approaching Caras Galadhon.
• More dialog when Celeborn and Galadriel meet the company.
• Sam recites a poem verse about Gandalf.
• Galadriel acknowledges her possession of one of the elf-rings.
• As the Fellowship leaves, Galadriel gives them each a personalized gift that will end up being critical to their future. Legolas gets a special bow, Sam gets some elven rope that comes in handy when he & Frodo make their way through the Emyn Muil, Frodo receives the Phial of Galadriel, and a touching moment occurs between Gimli and Galadriel.
• Celeborn gives Aragorn a knife before they leave and warns them they are being tracked by something.
• Boromir spots Gollum following the boats. Sam tries to get Frodo to eat or sleep. An exchange between Aragorn and Boromir about going to Minas Tirith before setting off for Mordor.
• Extra action in the final battle.
• An important extra line of dialog in Boromir's final scene.
• 10-15 minutes of fan club credits during the final credits.

Edited into Lord of the Piercing (2002)