Think 3.5 hours is bad? Check this out! (I think it's what sauvee mentioned) NEW LINE CINEMA CELEBRATES DECEMBER 17 RELEASE OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING WITH EXCLUSIVE SCREENING SERIES SPECIAL EXTENDED EDITION PRESENTATIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING AND THE TWO TOWERS CULMINATE IN THREE-FILM MARATHON Los Angeles, CA, August 22, 2003 - Leading up to the December 17 release of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the final film in Peter Jackson's epic dramatic trilogy, New Line Cinema will release a limited number of 35mm prints of the Special Extended Editions of The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers in theaters across North America. The special screening series will culminate in an unprecedented marathon of back-to-back presentations of the Extended Editions followed by a special screening of The Return of the King. The announcement was made today by Rolf Mittweg, the studio's president and chief operating officer, worldwide distribution and marketing. From December 5 - 11, the studio will release 100-150 35mm prints of the Special Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring in cities across the country. On December 12 - 15, these prints will be replaced with Special Extended Edition prints of The Two Towers. On Monday, December 8, and Monday, December 15, both films will be presented back-to-back. Then, on Tuesday, December 16, participating theaters will show a one-time-only marathon of both Extended Edition prints followed by an 11pm screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The official opening of the film will commence at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, December 17, 2003.