Review by Magda Walma, journalist at Gazeta.pl.
Nighttime movie marathons are nothing new to me, but I must admit that watching all three extended editions of "The Lord of the Rings" involves a certain degree of masochism. These are not "ordinary" films that wrap up in two hours of screen time. These are cinematic behemoths that few can endure in a single viewing, let alone three in a row.
Nevertheless, every time a wave of nighttime "The Lord of the Rings" marathons sweeps through Polish cinemas every few years, it's often difficult to get tickets due to the high demand. I attended both the regular and extended versions "in my youth". So, how was it?
A Movie Marathon with the Extended Edition of "The Lord of the Rings" is Both Wonderful and Terrible
Horror marathons, Batman, romantic comedies, "Beetlejuice," "Avengers," "Dune," specific directors... We live in an era of endless sequels to cinematic hits, so it should come as no surprise that there are people who will gladly watch two or three films from the same genre in one go. This allows for a relative continuity of the storyline, an assessment of directorial and acting experience, and the discovery of connections that might not be noticeable during a regular screening.
A marathon of "The Lord of the Rings" certainly ticks all these boxes. It’s also a rare opportunity to see Great Cinema on an equally great screen in its complete version, from start to finish. The problem is that 20 years ago, Peter Jackson didn’t know the meaning of the word "restraint." The theatrical trilogy in his adaptation is dramatically long (over nine hours), and this time, with the release of the second season of "The Rings of Power" on Amazon Prime, cinemas are enticing audiences with marathons of the extended editions of his films. That’s a whopping 11 hours and 36 minutes of material that was released only in special DVD editions after the theatrical premiere. It sounds like a true treat for a fan - and it absolutely is. If you love Jackson’s trilogy and have ever wondered if such a marathon is a good idea, let me tell you how it was.
The Most Important Thing - It Was the Best Experience. This is a unique experience that fans of Jackson, Tolkien, and cinema should definitely have. In the theater, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who are just like you. Don’t feel shy if you have an inner urge to dress up as a character - yes, people do that, and no one looks at you strangely. Be prepared that the audience in the theater will treat the films with both reverence and enthusiastic cheers at the right moments ("One does not simply walk into Mordor"). Elven ears, fan t-shirts, gadgets - all are welcome. The audience will clap, sigh, and cry, and you will be in wonderful camaraderie with all these people.
It’s truly a unique experience, comparable to attending a concert of a beloved band or a sports event featuring your favorite team. The only difference is that this is not three or four hours, but almost 12. And that’s where the challenge begins.
First of all, you need to be in excellent health to endure it. The films are interrupted by only two short breaks for quick bathroom visits, and even the most comfortable cinema seat starts to get uncomfortable after five hours. The timing of the marathon doesn’t help either. As the name suggests, it’s a night marathon - usually starting around 10 PM. For those over 30, this is often a breaking point – I won’t hide that for me, movie marathons ended once I crossed the magical thirty. By 2 AM, a crisis will hit, and it will strike even harder after 5 AM. At that point, some of the audience will already be sound asleep, leaving only the most determined. But by 8 AM, the only thing flowing through their veins will be coffee, and their eyes will be held open by toothpicks. And yet, it’s still not over because Peter Jackson planned not one, not two, not even three endings, but at least five. Maybe more - it’s hard to count.
A marathon that starts at 10 PM will end around 10 AM. Those leaving the cinema will pass by people just starting their workday or those who decided to treat themselves to a morning movie. The fatigue of the marathoners is evident – you can see it in their sleepy faces, red eyes, slightly slurred speech (it’s hard to string thoughts together after so many hours), and unsteady gait. And yet, somehow, you still need to get home from the cinema and, if luck allows, get some sleep.
This was more than ten years ago, so my health was different, but I clearly remember all of us practically crawling out of the theater. Some still wrapped in blankets (an essential item - it gets cold in the cinema!), but all of us satisfied as if we had experienced something absolutely unique and unrepeatable. The word "unrepeatable" is no accident here. I attended the extended edition "The Lord of the Rings" marathon in the cinema once, and only once, and... I know I will never do it again, no matter how much I love this production. The more years that pass, the more I’m convinced that this is only bearable before you reach the milestone of your thirties when you’re still "young and beautiful." Later, the risk of falling asleep by the end of the first film is very high - and it’s better to sleep on your own couch than in a cinema seat.
But if you still feel young not just in spirit but also in body and are considering whether such a marathon is a good idea, and if you have the opportunity to attend one - don’t hesitate. Once in your life, you can test if you can handle it, even if you ultimately fall asleep in the theater (I won’t deny taking a quick nap around the end of Saruman’s storyline). It’s probably not a good idea if you normally think only about bed after 11 PM and haven’t stayed up until dawn at a party in... well, how long ago was that?
To those who have the screening ahead of them, I’ll just say: good luck, friends! I’m very envious and will be with you in spirit. Don’t forget a blanket, a thermos of coffee, sandwiches, and comfortable clothing. And have the best time. It’s going to be a beautiful night!
