As I am jetting across the Atlantic for over a week I am going to leave a big poll in my wake. The battle of the "installments of the big trilogies"

EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
The follow-up to a slightly flawed but much loved movie. Drama, romance, big battles, weird creatures. One of its stars saved the Amish in Witness. Made shed loads of money


RETURN OF THE KING
The follow-up to/adaptation of a much loved novel. Drama, romance, big battles, weird creatures. One of its stars played an Amish in Witness. Made shed loads of money

Extended versions or special editions...choose whichever is best overall.

EDIT: cos' I fucked up

hooray for them both, but one must win, unless it is a draw, in which case we are all equal...

no-brainer for me. Has to be Empire, Never been able to get into any of LOTR films. I blame the made up words in the books.

As opposed to the made up words in the Star Wars scripts

But I don't notice whilst watching. Whenever I watch LOTR I just think back to how I really couldn't get into the books, I mean "Eleventy"......

This one was surprisingly easy for me. I'm just as big a Tolkien geek than I am a Star Wars fan. (Original trilogy, anyway) Both films are the best of their respective trilogies.

Return of the King made me cry harder and longer than just about any movie I've ever seen, and the adaptation is flawless in spite of the liberties with timelines. Its relationship to the other two feels stronger, not simply because of the fact that they were all filmed at the same time. But I have to go with Empire; typically the middle act is the weakest, but this is wildly the opposite AND and a film where the heroes basically have the shit kicked out of them from beginning to end. Still such a brave move. Ultimately, it's easier for me to single out Empire as my favorite Star Wars film, whereas the LotR films are a more complete experience.

ETA I think you got the roles in Witness reversed there, Sos.

But surely the second in the LOTR trilogy is Two Towers.

Holy cow, I just noticed that part. Yeah, um...Sostie, you might want to fix that.

(Empire vs. ROTK is a more evenly matched battle, IMO.....Empire vs. TTT is no contest. The TTT extended cut would fare better, seeing as how it's the one out of the three that suffered the most in the theatrical edit.)

Agreed. TTT is MY favourite movie of the LOTR lot, however Empire holds more sentimental value for me. But TTT is more weighty. Helm's deep etc etc.

Svein should be here soon, surely...

Empire for me, without a shadow of a doubt.

Empire, by a hair, mostly on the strength of its final act plus its distinct lack of Orlando Bloom.

Holy Orc Bollocks!! What a balls up. Can a kindly MOD please save me and change it to The Two Towers before it gets all kerrazy.
EDIT: Aaah, sod it...let's leave it

I would be very hard pressed to take sides when it comes to LOTR or the Starwars trilogy being a fan of both

The only thing I will say is that TROTK is indeed good but lets give it ten years and then see if it stands the test of time as well as Empire has and then we shall be able to pass judgement

Im not slagging it off by saying this because it is indeed the dogs but a test of true film greatness is how well it will be received by several more generations of young people and if that will be enough(books not withstanding) to keep its following alive.

I am really having a bad day aren't I. Blame the painkillers

I noticed that as well but I was too polite to say anything

I still maintain that RotK is a MUCH worthier adversary, placement in the trilogy be damned. But you are the ringmaster, Sos...

Thirtyhelens & Shinyelvenqueen - thanks for pointing out my monumental upping of balls!

It started as, and I guess shall remain, Return Of The King (a few edits and I may just get away with it..I mean who really reads these things)

I have a bad feeling about this

Needless to say, I ain't happy about that. Next you should do TTT with Return of the Jedi.

Ewoks vs Orcs!!! The irritating fluffy bastards wouldn't stand a chance

Hobbits! Just think of those irritating little thingies and they could bring down an AT-RT any day!

Right. Much as I enjoyed ROTK - and I did enjoy it (mainly because I looked down the row to see WS bawling her sorry little eyes out) - Empire Stirkes Back is one of the finest films in cinematic history.
Not only does it contain some absolutely genius fights, but also the BEST plot twist in history. We get to see the formation of the 2nd greatest film hero ever (after Han obviously), a green dwarfish troll who happens to be the greatest Jedi in the history opf everything, and also we can now reminisce about the genius of this over the shitty prequels, whereas there isn't anything for us to look down on from the high perch of LOTR.
Although the swordmanship in ROTK was superb, but lightsabres are just cooler really aren't they?

A compelling argument if ever there was one, but I'm going for the Jackson.

Empire. Even if it was the Two Towers, it would still be Empire. If it was FOTR Vs Star Wars, you might have a fight on your hands. Same if it was ROTK vs Jedi. But Empire wins this one hands down;

"He told me enough!! He told me you killed him!!"
"No! I am your father!"

Empire

"I love you"
"I know"

Empire, just so long as we're clear we're talking about the original version with the disappearing and reappearing jacket

I can't understand LoTR...I lost track ever since I watched half of the first movie...

Empire Strikes Back, without a doubt. I watched it 4 times the other day, you can't do that with Return of the King dudes!

Empire. just found the LOTR trilogy boring, i think it would have been better if shorter, atleast for me it would have.

- though i admit helms deep was cool

"Vy divhar, di nalanq, ad u ranq"

As if any film was going to beat Empire Strikes Back.

Love them both (though personally I think 'The Two Towers' is the best of the LotR trilogy), but Empire is my favourite film of all time so I know who I'm voting for.

Plus Han beats Legolas (just).

He beats him halfway across the galaxy with nothing but a plastic drinking straw, and one hand tied behind his back, blindfolded!

I only meant in the quest for my heart, however since the film version of Legolas is essentially a superhero I think he'd have Han in a fight.

Unless Han had a blaster handy of course.

Legolas has no chance. Han could probably take on Gimli, and Boromir, and Aragorn but not Elrond. He's strong with the force (i feel naughty for typing that, a film cross-over!! )

Pointy ears and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.

Empire by a country mile. Though I do love ROTK with a great deal of affection, and I did get a little dewy-eyed when the Rider's of Rohan are preparing to join in the battle and Eomer gives his big speech, Empire is just a better watch. All the characters change in some way from those in the first film, the twist is amazing and the whole film is so dark in tone.

both good films but empire was there first and just plain better! Spaceships and laser battles over elvs and talking tree's anyday!

No-brainer for me too, but completely the other way round. I find all the star wars films a big pile o' poo.

It takes a brave man indeed to say that on here

I shall leave you with a revolver and one round of ammo sir

It would be preferable to letting the StarWars fans take you alive

LOTR fans should be welcomed equally.

*hides pointy ears*

Burn the heathe...

Erm, I mean, all are welcome and their views are equally valid no matter how wrong they may be.

i hate star wars, and return of the king is my lest favorite of LotR