I was thinking that I wanted to pick up the soundtrack, but I don't want to pay for all three. Is there one out there that contains the best from all three films? If not, which one of the tree do you think is the best?

DVD-A or SACD would be ever better.

If you love the scores that much, you should hold off and wait for the multi-CD set of the unabridged music that Howard Shore is supposedly in the process of putting together. It will contain many more of the films' cues than were on the already released CDs.

There are no DVD-A or SACD editions AFAIK but you can't go wrong with any of the three.

Also, in the ROTK box set, there is an extra disc documentary about the making of the LOTR Symphony(which I got to see, and was amazing, at the Hollywood Bowl).

Any idea on a release date?

how about a smart-aleck remark and state that the OST for the Ralph Bakshi animated film version of The Lord of the Rings is the best LOTR soundtrack...

I know a SACD/DVD-A version of the soundtracks was in the works at one time. I'm hoping that's still in the works, with the above-mentioned multi-CD set. That would be a huge shot in the arm for high-resolution audio.

Unfortunately, no word yet. Based on the amount of editing and packaging work involved I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come out until '06. It should have deluxe liner notes and the whole schmear because the soundtracks deserve it.

Sorry. Just watched that the other day and I can't agree, although the soundtrack is the best thing about that particular film.

6 replies and no one answered the OP's question. My vote is for Fellowship.

I prefer ROTK. In fact, next to The Thin Red Line, it's my favorite film score to date.