Length: 60 minutes Distributor: Kultur Films Inc. DVD Release Date: 11/11/2003
Plot: Inside Tolkien's The Hobbit features a comprehensive analysis of the first chapter of the Lord of the Rings series, as well as underlying themes, J.R.R. Tolkien's sources, influences, and the languages of Middle Earth. Trace the journey of the characters day by day, unravel the intricacies of the plot, visit the towns and cities of Middle Earth, and learn why Tolkien's stories are still so popular fifty years after they were written. Now you can complete the picture and begin to understand the full extent of the world behind J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing creation.
Inside Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings - Four DVD Set
Length: 360 minutes Distributor: Kultur Films Inc. DVD Release Date: 11/11/2003
Plot: Now that you've seen the movies, set your eyes on these four indispensable programs that features a comprehensive analysis of the complete The Lord Of The Rings, as well as underlying themes, J.R.R. Tolkien's sources, influences, and the languages of Middle Earth. It sheds light on the characters of Gandalf and the other members of the Fellowship and takes an insightful look at Orcs, Ents, Elves, Dwarves, and others. In this powerful film, amazing 3-D mapping techniques illuminate the world of Middle Earth, based on Tolkien's original drawings and texts. Visit Fangorn Forrest - home of Treebeard, the stronghold of Helm's Deep, Saruman's fortress of Isengard, and the lands of Rohan and Mordor. Trace the journey of the characters day by day, unravel the intricacies of the plot, visit the towns and cities of Middle Earth, and hear Michael Stanton - the world's leading Tolkien authority - explain why The Lord of the Rings is still so popular fifty years after it was written. Also see spectacular paintings by great fantasy artists Tim and Greg Hildebrandt. Visit locations such as the Fortress of Sauron, Isengard and the Mines of Moria. Middle Earth authority Patrick Curry also weighs in with some insightful comments. Now you can complete the picture and begin to understand the full extent of the world behind J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing creation.
Length: 60 minutes Distributor: Kultur Films Inc. DVD Release Date: 11/11/2003
Plot: Inside Tolkien'S The Return Of The King features a comprehensive analysis of the last chapter of the Lord of the Rings series, as well as underlying themes, J.R.R. Tolkien's sources, influences, and the languages of Middle Earth. Trace the journey of the characters day by day, unravel the intricacies of the plot, visit the towns and cities of Middle Earth, and learn why Tolkien's stories are still so popular fifty years after they were written. Now you can complete the picture and begin to understand the full extent of the world behind J.R.R. Tolkien's amazing creation.
Length: 314 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 11/26/2001 Director: Arthur Rankin Cast: John Hurt, Orson Bean, John Huston, Anthony Daniels, Christopher Guard
Plot: A collection of all the Bass/Rankin animated films in the J.R.R. Tolkien Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Titles included are The Lord Of The Rings, The Return Of The King, and The Hobbit.
J.R.R. Tolkien And The Birth Of The Lord Of The Rings
Length: 60 minutes Distributor: Delta Entertainment Corporation DVD Release Date: 11/02/2004
Plot: While epic tale The Lord Of The Rings became a tour de force in Hollywood cinema, the story of the college professor who originally penned it is largely unsung. This documentary explores the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, the man behind the legend. The filmmakers visit key locations in the author's life such as the English countryside, the hallowed halls of Oxford, and the French battlefields of World War I to explore Tolkien's life and its relationship to his fiction. In particular, this program shares intriguing trivia about how the author created The Lord Of The Rings. For example, Tolkien's original inspiration for the tale is reportedly based on Andrew Lang's The Red Fairy Book. A postcard of a bearded mountain spirit dressed in a hat and cloak was the model for the magnanimous character of Gandolph. A fascinating and probing portrait, J.R.R. Tolkien And The Birth Of The Lord Of The Rings elucidates the life and imagination of a literary master.
Length: 80 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 07/16/2002
Plot: This insightful documentary takes a look at the story behind J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, The Lord Of The Rings and why it's an icon of 20th Century Culture. Includes interviews with J.R.R. Tolkien, his children, and world scholars on his work. Also features artwork by The Brothers Hildebrandt, known for their trilogy illustrations, and Roger Dean, whose artwork is heavily influenced by Tolkien's books. This guide will navigate both the avid fan and the uninitiated through the majestic land of The Lord Of The Rings.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Origin of the Rings - An Unauthorized Tribute
Length: 65 minutes Distributor: Trinity Home Entertainment DVD Release Date: 10/30/2001
Plot: Reclusive English college professor J.R.R. Tolkien utilized his free time to craft the Middle Earth saga (including Lord Of The Rings), a series which became one of the most beloved creations in literary history. But what was Tolkien's life like and what were his influences? This documentary, through re-creations and never-before-seen interviews with members of his family and other experts, will provide valuable insight into the life of this brilliant writer who became known as "The Father of Fantasy."
National Geographic - Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the
Length: N/A minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 12/16/2003
Plot: This extraordinary documentary explores the facts behind the fantastical world of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King. Released in tandem with Peter Jackson's epic motion picture, this National Geographic special studies the origins of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth and how the real world mirrors that magical realm. Using exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with both the filmmakers and historians, and scenes from the stunning live-action movie, this informative study is fascinating for fans of literature, history, and cinema.
Plot: Ever wondered how Middle Earth came to be? Or ever questioned what is the true allegorical meaning behind the Lord Of The Rings phenomenon that has endured decades? Now you can see for yourself in this unathorized look at the world of Tolkien's Ring trilogy. Get an inside view on the life behind one of the world's greatest literary works.
Length: 133 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 09/11/2001 Director: Ralph Bakshi Cast: Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt, Anthony Daniels
Plot: Ralph Bakshi's animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's revered Middle-earth saga captures the dark mood of the books extraordinarily well. The film covers the first half of the trilogy--The Fellowship Of The Ring and the earlier part of The Two Towers--as Frodo (voiced by Christopher Guard), the cousin of Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit, is given the all-powerful ring sought by the evil Sauron of Mordor. So begins his adventure, as he must elude Mordor's black riders in an effort to prevent the ring from returning to its owner and thereby signaling the end of Middle-earth. Even with the mighty wizard Gandalf as his ally and faithful friends Merry, Sam, and Pippin by his side, Frodo is still up to his hobbit neck in peril. Bakshi took a big risk when deciding to direct the beloved Tolkien tale, but the resulting work effectively brings Middle-earth to the screen. Bakshi combines painted live-action footage with various styles of animation to create a very unusual collage-style texture for this film. Viewers should be warned that the story ends rather abruptly, leaving room for a sequel that was, unfortunately, never filmed. Still, for fans of fantasy, this moody, atmospheric version of the novels captures the shadowy hues of Tolkien's work in a way that is unique and worth discovering.
Length: N/A minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 12/14/2004 Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving
Plot: Peter Jackson's epic trilogy is fully told here, with special extended version of all three Lord Of The Rings films included. The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: With The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, director Peter Jackson has achieved a meticulous and captivating adaptation of the first book of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy trilogy. The setting is Middle-earth, a mythological land populated by elves, dwarves, humans, and the gentle, diminutive hobbits upon whom the story centers. One hobbit, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), unexpectedly comes into possession of an ancient magical ring so powerful it invariably corrupts anyone who wears it. In order to prevent the ring's erstwhile owner, the dark lord Sauron, from reclaiming the ring and taking over Middle-earth, a motley band of comrades set out to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Included in the group are Frodo and hobbits Sam (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monoghan), and Pippin (Billy Boyd); the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen); human warriors Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Boromir (Sean Bean); the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom). Along the way, they wage battle with monsters, demons, and Sauron's evil minions, all brought to life by spectacular digital technology. Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers: Picking up where the first film left off, Peter Jackson's The Two Towers throws the remaining members of the Fellowship into the scattered chaos of Middle-earth, now fully under siege by the forces of Sauron. While Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) journey to the dreaded Mordor, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) are held captive by orcs, and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) search for their abducted companions. Soon Frodo and Sam are joined by the sulking and duplicitous Gollum (portrayed by the voice and motion-captured acting of Andy Serkis), who becomes their guide through the barren lands leading to Mount Doom. Meanwhile Merry and Pippin encounter the looming Treebeard (voiced by Rhys-Davies) and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli find themselves in the land of Rohan, accompanied by an old friend. As the tale continues, each scenario becomes more perilous, and fierce battles erupt at both Isengard, home of the treacherous Saruman (Christopher Lee), and the massive Helm's Deep. Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King: The Return Of The King, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) venture further into the dark realm of Mordor, guided by the increasingly desperate Gollum (Andy Serkis), the two-faced former owner of the Ring that Frodo must destroy in the fires of Mount Doom. Meanwhile Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) contend with the deranged ruler Denethor (John Noble) at the once-mighty city of Minas Tirith, as Merry (Dominic Monaghan) joins Eowyn (Miranda Otto) and the Riders of Rohan to hold back the forces of Sauron. Amidst the chaos, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) must rise to his destiny, aided by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) in assembling allies for a massive battle that will decide the fate of Middle-earth.
Theater Release Date: 2001 Format: Collector's Box; Widescreen; 5-Disc Set with Bookends Length: 208 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 11/12/2002 Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Hugo Weaving, Marton Csokas
Plot: With The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, director Peter Jackson has achieved a meticulous and captivating adaptation of the first book of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy trilogy. The setting is Middle-earth, a mythological land populated by elves, dwarves, humans, and the gentle, diminutive hobbits upon whom the story centers. One hobbit, Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), unexpectedly comes into possession of an ancient magical ring so powerful it invariably corrupts anyone who wears it. In order to prevent the ring's erstwhile owner, the dark lord Sauron, from reclaiming the ring and taking over Middle-earth, a motley band of comrades set out to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Included in the group are Frodo and hobbits Sam (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monoghan), and Pippin (Billy Boyd); the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen); human warriors Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Boromir (Sean Bean); the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); the elf Legolas (Orlando Bloom). Along the way, they wage battle with monsters, demons, and Sauron's evil minions, all brought to life by spectacular digital technology. Jackson's grandiose production represents the first of three films that he wrote and directed, derived from Tolkien's beloved novels. Fourteen months in the making, at a cost of $270 million, all three installments were filmed at once in New Zealand where diverse landscapes lend themselves particularly well to the mystical realm of Middle-earth. The next two films, The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, will be released in December 2002 and December 2003 respectively.
Theater Release Date: 2003 Length: N/A minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 05/25/2004 Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler
Plot: This 3-pack contains the theatrical release versions of Peter Jackson's brilliant The Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
Theater Release Date: 2003 Format: Widescreen; 2-Disc Set Length: 201 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 05/25/2004 Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Miranda Otto, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Bernard Hill, John Noble, David Wenham, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Karl Urban, Cate Blanchett, Marton Csokas, Ian Holm
Plot: The Return Of The King, the third and final film in Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, finds Middle-earth on the cusp of great change. Weary hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) venture further into the dark realm of Mordor, guided by the increasingly desperate Gollum (Andy Serkis), the two-faced former owner of the Ring that Frodo must destroy in the fires of Mount Doom. Meanwhile Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) contend with the deranged ruler Denethor (John Noble) at the once-mighty city of Minas Tirith, as Merry (Dominic Monaghan) joins Eowyn (Miranda Otto) and the Riders of Rohan to hold back the forces of Sauron. Amidst the chaos, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) must rise to his destiny, aided by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) in assembling allies for a massive battle that will decide the fate of Middle-earth. With Return, Jackson brings J.R.R. Tolkien's world-renowned tale to a stunning conclusion. As with The Two Towers, the director deftly weaves various storylines together in one remarkable scene after another. Spectacular visuals complement Jackson's sharp focus on the characters and their emotional battles. While the special effects help to create huge battles and frightening creatures on a previously unseen scale, they never outshine the excellent ensemble of actors who bring the heart of the story home. A truly astounding work of filmmaking, The Return Of The King skillfully concludes one of the greatest trilogies in cinema history.
Theater Release Date: 2002 Format: Widescreen; Two Disc Set Length: 179 minutes Distributor: Warner Home Video DVD Release Date: 08/26/2003 Director: Peter Jackson Cast: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, Bernard Hill, Liv Tyler, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, Cate Blanchett
Plot: Picking up where the first film left off, Peter Jackson's The Two Towers throws the remaining members of the Fellowship into the scattered chaos of Middle-earth, now fully under siege by the forces of Sauron. While Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) journey to the dreaded Mordor, Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) are held captive by orcs, and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) search for their abducted companions. Soon Frodo and Sam are joined by the sulking and duplicitous Gollum (portrayed by the voice and motion-captured acting of Andy Serkis), who becomes their guide through the barren lands leading to Mount Doom. Meanwhile Merry and Pippin encounter the looming Treebeard (voiced by Rhys-Davies) and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli find themselves in the land of Rohan, accompanied by an old friend. As the tale continues, each scenario becomes more perilous, and fierce battles erupt at both Isengard, home of the treacherous Saruman (Christopher Lee), and the massive Helm's Deep. After masterfully setting up the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Fellowship Of The Ring, Jackson continues the trilogy with the increasingly dark and battle-filled Two Towers without skipping a beat. Although the director takes a few more liberties in adapting the second installment, he skillfully cuts from one scenario to the next, creating a tightly woven tapestry with the various storylines. Joining the impressive cast this time around are Miranda Otto as Eowyn; Bernard Hill as her father, King Theoden; Brad Dourif as the aptly named Grima Wormtongue; Karl Urban as Eomer; David Wenham as Faramir; and Serkis under the remarkable Cgi facade of Gollum. An intense epic that features one jaw-dropping sequence after another, The Two Towers more than carries its weight as the crucial centerpiece of The Lord Of The Rings.
