Originally released as a motion picture in 2003.

Widescreen (2.35:1)

Film based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Special features: Animated menus ; In-depth programs: The quest fulfilled: a director's vision, A filmmaker's journey: making The return of the king, National Geographic Special: "The lord of the rings: the return of the king" ; Featurettes: Created for lordoftherings.net, (Take a closer look at the people and places of Middle-earth: Aragorn's destiny, Minas Tirith: Capital of Gondor), The battle of Pelennor Fields, Samwise the Brave, Éowyn: White Lady of Rohan, Digital horse doubles ; The Lord of the rings trilogy supertrailer ; theatrical trailers & TV spots ; scene selection ; a special look at electronic arts' The lord of the rings series of video games ; DVD-ROM content.

Director of photography, Andrew Lesnie ; editor, Jamie Selkirk ; music, Howard Shore ; musical performance, Annie Lennox ; special make up, creature, miniature and digital effects, Weta Ltd. ; visual effects supervisor, Jim Rygiel.

Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Sean Bean.

This third installment finds Middle-Earth on the verge of great change. Frodo and Sam are approaching Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring and a massive battle is about to ensue that will determine the fate of Middle Earth.

MPAA rating: PG-13 : for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images.

DVD.

Audio tracks in English and Spanish ; subtitled in Spanish ; subtitled in English for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Academy Award; Best Picture, 2003.

Academy Award; Best Directing, 2003: Peter Jackson.

Academy Award; Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, 2003.

Academy Award; Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, 2003: Grant Major, Dan Hennah, Alan Lee.

Academy Award; Best Costume Design, 2003: Ngila Dickson, Richard Taylor.

Academy Award; Best Film Editing, 2003: Jamie Selkirk.

Academy Award; Best Makeup, 2003: Richard Taylor, Peter King.

Academy Award; Best Music, Original Score, 2003: Howard Shore.

Academy Award; Best Music, Original Song, 2003: "Into the west," music and lyrics by Fran Walsh, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox.

Academy Award; Best Visual Effects, 2003.

Academy Award; Best Picture, 2003: Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh.

AFI Award; Movie of the Year, 2004.

BAFTA Award; Best Achievement in Special Visual Effects, 2004.

BAFTA Award; Best Cinematography, 2004: Andrew Lesnie.

BAFTA Award; Best Film, 2004: Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson.

BAFTA Award; Best Screenplay, Adapted, 2004: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson.

Golden Globe; Best Director, Motion Picture, 2004: Peter Jackson.

Golden Globe, Best Motion Picture, Drama, 2004.

Golden Globe, Best Original Score, Motion Picture, 2004: Howard Shore.

Golden Globe, Best Original Song, Motion Picture, 2004: Howard Shore, Fran Walsh, Anne Lennox (for "Into the west")

Grammy Award; Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media, 2005: Howard Shore, John Kurlander.

Grammy Award; Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television, or Other Visual Media, 2005: Annie Lennox, Howard Shore, Fran Walsh (for "Into the west")