VIDEO MUST-SEE EPISODES BOTH 'STAR WARS' AND 'LORD OF THE RINGS' BENEFIT FROM DVD FEATURES, CHRISTOPHER LEE.

Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor

It's almost a bit odd that veteran actor Christopher Lee plays similar roles in ``Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones'' and in ``The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring.'' In ``Clones'' he is a former Jedi knight, Count Dooku, who has gone over to the dark side; in ``Rings'' he is a good wizard, Saruman the White, who has joined the evil forces.

``Clones'' and an extended version of ``Rings'' are out today on DVD, so comparisons were inevitable. At least the now 80-year-old Lee chose well: ``Rings'' is the DVD experience of the year, and ``Clones'' is a close second.

The four-disc extended version of ``Rings'' includes more than 30 minutes of footage that has been put back into the film, tons of commentary and two discs devoted to adapting the J.R.R. Tolkien book into a film. Director Peter Jackson had trimmed the movie to just under three hours for theatrical release. Now it's nearly 3 1/2.

In all, there are six completely new scenes as well as 19 extended scenes in the new version. While in most films, the extra time would seem like padding, in the new version it makes the film a richer experience by helping to explain relationships and events more fully. Among the things we see are a more extensive view of the Shire - home of the Hobbits; Bilbo (Ian Holm) telling his nephew Frodo (Elijah Wood) why he adopted him; Elves leaving Middle-earth; Aragon (Viggo Mortensen) discussing his feelings for the Elf princess Arwan (Liv Tyler); and longer battle scenes, which include numerous special effects.

Some of the changes, like the Fellowship individually receiving gifts from the Elf Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), are obvious. In the theatrical version of the movie only her gift to Frodo is shown, but as readers of the book know, these gifts will figure later in the story. (Part 2, ``The Two Towers,'' comes out in theaters Dec. 18.) Others changes in the new version are subtle, perhaps no more than a line or two that help clarify a situation.

Given the length, watching this longer ``Rings'' is perfect for home viewing - especially with a decent television and sound system since the digital quality of the picture only enhances the appreciation of the special effects. Plus for ``Ring-ers'' and movie buffs all the added information on the supplemental discs - with sections on how the effects were accomplished, the trials of adapting the book and maps tracing the Fellowship's journey - provides hours of enjoyment.

Spectacular special effects are a hallmark of ``Clones.'' In theaters, George Lucas' fifth installment of the ``Star Wars'' story was uneven at best. Clunky dialogue and a creaky plot nearly sank the film, but a computer-generated Yoda is what everyone remembers. Note that the adds for the new DVD focus on the little green guy, which is basically admitting that the most animated character in ``Clones'' was animated.

In a documentary about the upcoming ``Gangs of New York,'' director Martin Scorsese tells a story about Lucas visiting the set while he was filming. ``You know, Marty,'' Lucas said, surveying Scorsese's painstakingly authentic-looking set, ``this can all be done with blue screen.''

Indeed, while Lucas will never match Scorsese in depth of characters, he is a wizard in visuals and effects. The DVD transfer of ``Clones'' is simply eye-popping since the film was shot digitally to begin with. The commentary by Lucas, however, is far more interesting than the film's dialogue. He not only explains the effects but also points out items that most people will miss and refers to other episodes, hinting at where ``Episode III'' will go.

There are also eight deleted scenes with an optional introduction by Lucas included on a second disc as well as plenty of the usual material on the making of the film. Like ``Rings,'' there are also DVD-ROM features and links to Web sites.

As for Lee, he's scheduled to return for ``Episode III,'' due out in 2005, health permitting. We already know he'll be in the next two ``Rings'' since the three films were shot one after another. The difference in the characters he plays is really about the context. The 6-foot-5-inch Lee - a veteran of countless horror films - was undoubtedly cast for his imposing presence as well as his acting ability. But Tolkien's ``Rings,'' to which ``Star Wars'' and even ``Harry Potter'' owe a great deal, is a greater tapestry to work from.

While Jackson has intelligently brought Tolkien's vision and ideas to the screen, Lucas' rather thin tale pales by comparison. My bet is that most people will be returning to the ``Rings'' films long after ``Clones'' is taking up space on the shelves.

WILDE THING: You would expect British actors like Rupert Everett, Dame Judi Dench, Colin Firth, Tom Wilkinson and Anna Massey to sail through Oliver Parker's adaptation of Oscar Wilde's ``The Importance of Being Ernest,'' out today on DVD with commentary by Parker. Even Frances O'Connor (``A.I''), who was born in England but raised in Australia, has been over similar comedic ground in the adaptation of Jane Austen's ``Mansfield Park'' (1999).

But American Reese Witherspoon of ``Legally Blonde'' and ``Sweet Home Alabama'' fame is perfectly cast as the young rosy-cheeked and hopelessly romantic ward, Cecily, of Jack Worthing (Firth).

The surprise is not that Witherspoon can act - she's already proven that - but that she fits so well into this very English comedy. Too often American interlopers, while their acting may be adequate, stand out simply because they seem particularly American. (Keanu Reeves, say, in Kenneth Branagh's ``Much Ado About Nothing.'')

But Witherspoon brings her charm to the film, as the ingenue Cecily, whose diary is not a chronicle of her life but her fantasies. Unfortunately, the film suffers a bit from being too cloyingly cute at times. Parker - who turned another Wilde play, ``An Ideal Husband,'' into a film - kitsches up ``Ernest'' with imaginary moments from Cecily's diary.

It hardly seems needed, considering the cast and the brilliance of Wilde's satirical, mischievous story about two men, Jack and Algy (Everett), who create imaginary identities - one to avoid boring social engagements, the other to be free of responsibilities. Love - Jack with Gwendolen (an impish O'Connor) and Algy with Cecily - ensues, and so does miscommunication. One bit of fluff that works is a musical duet by Jack and Algy as they attempt to woo their ladies.

Still, at the end, Wilde's voice comes through the film, and this ``Ernest'' proves entertaining, just maybe not important.

``The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring'' (Platinum Series Extended Edition, New Line) lists for $39.99 on DVD.

``Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones'' (Fox) lists for $29.98 on DVD.

``The Importance of Being Ernest'' (Buena Vista) lists for $29.99 on DVD.

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(1 -- 2) Battle droids close ranks in the climactic battle of ``Attack of the Clones,'' above, out on DVD today. Christopher Lee, who plays a villain in ``Clones,'' also causes trouble in ``The Fellowship of the Ring,'' right, which is available now in an extended version.