Start looking for dungeons full of gold now, because you’ll need them to afford the Middle-earth UCE collection.
Fans have anxiously awaited the release of this elaborate, limited edition Blu-ray collection, featuring all six films of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings saga. Finally, it will release Oct. 4, and you can pre-order the collection for a mere $719.99. The collection is a generous 10 percent off right now, normally costing fans $799.99. Yeah, you heard that right.
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Let’s unpack what an $800 Blu-ray set looks like. The Middle-earth UCE collection comes with 30 discs, including the six extended-edition films and “all previously released bonus content from both the theatrical and extended editions.” The extended content has been selected by Peter Jackson himself. Overall, you get a couple extra hours of bonus content.
Each film is packaged in Hobbit-esque faux-leather books, which are nestled inside a Hobbit-inspired wooden shelf. Fans also receive a book of 100 framable sketches, featuring original watercolor reproductions from the film and new artwork.
No, it does not get you a Gandalf staff, a replica of the ring, or even Samwise Gamgee’s potato recipes.
The set will most likely go on sale closer to the release date, and near the holiday shopping season. But fans who aren’t willing to give up a King of Gondor’s ransom for the glorified repackaging and six extra discs of content aren’t too happy with the price. The product was just released on Amazon Monday morning and already has a 1.3-star rating on Amazon and more than 100 angry reviews.
Never fear, preciouses, because you can get the D-list version of this set for $217.69 if you must have all the accessories. (Less if you just want the films.)
1) The Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended edition) on Blu-ray: $59.99
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This set contains 15 discs, complete with the full Lord of the Rings trilogy and all the bonus content you’ll find in the new set.
2) The Hobbit trilogy (extended edition) on Blu-ray: $64.99
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The Hobbit extended trilogy comes with nine discs total, meaning you’re getting six less discs in this bootleg version of a collector’s set. But do you remember how long these movies are? Go watch some YouTube videos of sprawling New Zealand countryside, and call it a day.
3) Red leather-bound book that holds up to 48 discs: $24.99
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Who needs faux-leather when you can get the real deal? This old-school book that’s really a DVD binder can hold more discs than the Middle-earth UCE collection even contains, and still doesn’t take up as much room.
4) Intricate wooden book rack: $25.99
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It’s not a Hobbit door, but it’s made with exotic Rosewood, and more intricately detailed than the one that comes with the Middle-earth UCE collection.
5) The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook: $28.74
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While they’re not frameable, you get more than 150 illustrations from iconic Lord of the Rings designer Alan Lee. If you must have Hobbit illustrations too, there’s a book of 100+ more for $25. That still puts you nowhere near $800.
6) Replica of the One Ring: $12.99
If you’re going to spend more than $200 on a set, you deserve some gold. Just don’t blame us if you begin to feel possessive of your belongings or start randomly disappearing.
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