Where does one begin when reviewing the most intricate universe ever created. Although a galaxy of Jedi knights, a scruffy-looking nerf herder and a feisty princess is a personal favourite of mine, the universe of Middle Earth is certainly up there. It all began with "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit"; the first line scribbled down by university lecturer J.R.R. Tolkien on the back of a paper he was grading. In September 1937, Tolkien released The Hobbit, a children's fantasy novel following the quest of hobbit Bilbo Baggins. After the success of the novel, Tolkien was encouraged to create a sequel. He eventually released The Lord of the Rings, which the author had been working on for roughly twelve years. The novel was initially intended to be released as a whole, but when the idea was rejected by the publisher, the story was issued into three volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954) and The Return of the King (1955). The Lord of the Rings is one of the best selling novels ever written with over 150 million copies sold. Due to the books incredible level of detail and length it was later nicknamed 'The Unfilmable Book'. In its most purest form it is, however in 1996 when New Line Cinema gained the rights, technology was far more advanced than what it was. Additionally Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens, the films screenwriters, knew exactly how to adapt the story from book to the structure of a film. Although this meant beloved characters such as Tom Bombadil and other battles were not included, the screenwriters do a great job at maintaining a climax for the movie. Jackson's motive for the adaption process was allowing only things relevant to the destruction of the ring to be included. This is because that is what is essential to the story. Consequently one of the most ambitious film projects began and in 2001 Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was released.
The three fantasy films were shot altogether and released consecutively in 2001, 2002 and 2003.The title of the beginning volume and first film refers to the story's main antagonist. In an earlier age of Middle Earth the Dark Lord Sauron created the One Ring to rule the other Rings of power and he hoped this would serve as a weapon which would help him conquer and rule all of Middle Earth. In the peaceful, secluded lands of the Shire, "full of its comings and goings, with change coming slowly, if it comes at all", a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) sets out on a expedition to destroy the One Ring. This had been in possession of his uncle Bilbo Baggins. He leaves with his loyal companion Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) and their other hobbit friends Peregrin "Pippin" Took (Billy Boyd) and Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan). Eventually a fellowship forms consisting of the four Hobbits; two Men - Boromir (Sean Bean), Captain of Gondor and Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Ranger of the North; an Elf called Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and a Wizard called Gandalf (Ian McKellen); then finally Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) the Dwarf.
Everyone is great in this movie without question. Ian McKellen is a stand out as the wise and mighty Gandalf the Grey, so brilliant that he earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Wood and Astin are also fantastic, showing an authentic friendship and chemistry, specifically at the end of the film during the breaking of the fellowship when Samwise runs after Frodo. These emotional scenes not only illuminate the actors ability but also the talent of the director.
In terms of Mise-en-scene, the production design on this movie is simply phenomenal. From the amazing outdoor set of the Shire to the matte paintings in Rivendell, it is no wonder the film received an Oscar in this field. It also won Oscars for Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup which is undoubtedly deserved. Personally the best film techniques in the movie are the cinematography and original score (which both won Oscars). Firstly the cinematography is stunning and there are so many examples! The shot of Ian McKellen as Gandalf in Bag End looking in a sinister way through the ceiling lamp, or during the Black Rider chase when the camera captures a silhouette of the rider on a horse and you see the creature's huff of breath in the dark moonlight. Flight to the Ford is spectacular. This is when Arwen rescues Frodo and rides on her horse to take him to her father, but she is chased by the Ring-wraiths. The shots are ambitious, crisp, impressive and exquisite. Some great movies were released the same year such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, A Beautiful Mind and Moulin Rouge! However nothing to scale of The Fellowship of the Ring. Finally the score - Howard Shores best and most beautiful work. Concerning Hobbits, the track to the shire, depicts the slow paced and countryside living of the hobbits whilst The Ring Goes South blasts the theme of the united Fellowship. The Council of Elrond includes light operatics to emphasise the delicate land of the elves and the seven and a half minute Breaking of the Fellowship track simply sends shivers.
Overall there are many themes to the story - a prophecy, myths and the seduction of power. Nevertheless the most important theme, highlighted by both Tolkien in his book and Jackson in the movie, is the power of friendship. A friendship forged between an Elf and a Dwarf, something unheard of within the lands of Middle Earth, and of course there is Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee. Two hobbits whose bond and love is so strong they stick together even as the fellowship is torn apart at the end of the film. "I made a promise Mr. Frodo, a promise, don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee and I don't mean to, I don't mean to".
Peter Jackson congratulations on making an imagination real life.
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