The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.5
Overall		2.0

The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie Review

You shall not pass!

Reviewed by Randy Miller III July 15, 2025

Just in time for summer movie nights, Warner Bros. has quietly re-released a number of popular OOP catalog titles on Blu-ray. There's nothing Earth-shattering here about these discs: no new transfers, audio upgrades, or bonus features are included, they're simply a cheaper and more accessible MOD (pressed) alternative to paying high prices from third-party sellers. Today's re-release is Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings, which has obviously fallen into obscurity since Peter Jackson's trilogy but should still entertain anyone who enjoyed this 1978 animated film growing up.

For a synopsis of the main feature, please see Kenneth Brown's review of WB's 2010 Blu-ray. I've got a slightly bigger soft spot for this film but I prefer Rankin/Bass' animated adaptation of The Hobbit released in 1977, which surprisingly has yet to reach Blu-ray. Frustratingly enough, that earlier film was recently re-released on DVD by Warner Bros. as an MOD Remastered Deluxe Edition, which this Blu-ray is also branded as... even though it technically isn't.

The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For details about this disc's 1.78:1, VC-1 encoded 1080p transfer, please see Ken Brown's review of the 2010 Blu-ray. Again, please note that this 2025 Blu-ray release is clearly branded as a "Remastered Deluxe Edition" but is exactly the same disc as the old one, which may confuse buyers. I actually don't think it's a terrible transfer overall and at least isn't loaded with DNR, but no way would I rate it any higher than 3/5 given WB's dubious marketing tactics.

The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Details about the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio (option for the original mono) can also be found at the link above.

The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a keepcase with recycled cover art and a false "Deluxe Remastered Edition" proclomation; no slipcover or inserts are included, and the extra below (detailed in Ken's 2010 Blu-ray review is identical.

• Forging Through The Darkness (30:58) - A mid-length piece on Ralph Bakshi's career.

The Lord of the Rings Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings is a quaint relic when compared to Peter Jackson's films, but there's still a bit of vintage charm left in this 1978 animated production. Sadly, WB's Blu-ray re-release is just that, even though it retains a "Remastered Deluxe Edition" banner despite being identical to the same-named 2010 Blu-ray. That said, anyone who never got around to picking up that now-OOP disc may want to grab it on sale, but a truly remastered version or 4K edition (ideally, one paired with The Hobbit and The Return of the King) would've been worthwhile.