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2 Synopsis 3 Special Effects 4 Filming Locations 5 Differences from the Novel 6 Awards 7 External Links |
The Fellowship of the Ring makes extensive use of digital, practical and makeup special effects throughout. One noticeable effect that appears in almost every scene involves setting a proper scale so that the characters are all the proper height. Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo, is 5' 6" tall in real life; but the character of Frodo Baggins is barely four feet tall. Many simple tricks were used to cast the hobbits (and Gimli the Dwarf) as diminutive. Stunt doubles were used in certain scenes, while entire duplicates of certain sets (especially Bag End in Hobbiton) were built at two different scales, so that the characters would appear to be the appropriate size. At one point in the film Frodo runs along a corridor in Bag End, followed by Gandalf. In fact Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen were filmed in separate versions of the same corridor, built at two different scales, and a fast camera pan conceals the edit between the two. Perspective tricks used by stage magicians were also employed, so that it would look as though the short hobbits were interacting with taller Men and Elves.
For the battle between the Last Alliance and the forces of Sauron that begins the film, an elaborate CGI animation system, called MASSIVE, was developed that would allow thousands of individual animated "characters" in the program to act differently. This helped give the illusion of realism to the battle sequences.
The Cast
Synopsis
Sauron has awakened and threatens to conquer Middle-earth. To stop this ancient evil once and for all, Frodo Baggins must destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Men, Hobbits, a Wizard, an Elf and a Dwarf form a fellowship to help him on his quest.Special Effects
Filming Locations
A list of filming locations, sorted by appearance order in the movie:
| Fictional Location | Specific Location in New Zealand |
General Area in New Zealand |
|---|---|---|
| Hobbiton | Matamata | Waikato |
| Gardens of Isengard | Harcourt Park | Upper Hutt |
| The Shire woods | Otaki Gorge Road | |
| Bucklebury Ferry | Keeling Farm | Manukau |
| Forest near Bree | Takaka Hill | Nelson |
| Trollshaws | Wantarere Forest | |
| Ford of Bruinen | Arrowtown Recreational Reserve | Queenstown |
| Rivendell | Kaitoke Regional Park | Upper Hutt |
| Eregion | Mount Olympus | Nelson |
| Dimrill Dale | Lake Alta | The Remarkables |
| Dimrill Dale | Mount Owen | Nelson |
| Lothlorien | Lake Wakatipu | Queenstown |
| River Anduin | Rangitikei River | |
| River Anduin | Poet's Corner | Upper Hutt |
| Parth Galen | Paradise | Glenorchy |
| Amon Hen | Mavoran Lake | Milford Sound |
A small but vocal minority of admirers of the original book raised some concerns when the film was released, complaining that the movie's screenplay made a number of changes to Tolkien's story. Many of these protests seemed to be rather minor concerns, and were largely ignored by general movie going audiences. However, more than a few people expressed surprise when the movie's plot diverged from that of the book in what might be considered more fundemental ways.
The Hobbits' adventures on the way from the Shire to Bree, which occupy three chapters of the novel, were drastically cut. The character of Tom Bombadil is completely absent from the film. Old Man Willow was transplanted to Fangorn Forest (in the extended version of The Two Towers). The greater role given to the character of Arwen Evenstar, and her replacement of the character of Glorfindel from the novel, raised the ire of many dedicated Tolkien fans.
Some fans also felt that movie producers missed the linguistic basis of the work (as Tolkien invented the world to bring his languages alive and not the other way around). In particular, Galadriel's lament in Lorien, the poem beginning "Ai! laurie lantar lassi surinen", did not appear in the movie, although Tolkien considered it one of the highest points of The Fellowship of the Ring.
In 2002 it won four Academy Awards out of 13 nominations. The winning categories were for Best Cinematography, Best Effects, Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Best Music, Original Score. The nominated categories were Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Ian McKellen), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Music, Song (Enya, Nicky Ryan and Roma Ryan for May It Be), Best Picture, Best Sound and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published.
As of January 22 2003, it was listed as the fifth highest grossing film during its theatrical run, with takings of $860,200,000 USA dollars from world-wide theatrical box office receipts (movie ticket sales). (As the movie may still be in general release, or re-released to coincide with other Lord of the Rings movie releases, this figure is an estimate and is likely to change.)
(Source: IMDB Top Movies Chart).
The movie has also been released on videotape and DVD, with some editions having additional footage and commentary not included in the theatrical release edition. Notable among the restored scenes is additional footage of a smiling Galadriel bestowing gifts on the members of the fellowship. In the theatrical version, she appeared dark and brooding.
The extended editions of The Fellowship of the Ring and the second movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers had limited theatrical runs in selected cities worldwide in late 2003, during the run-up to the release of the final film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
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Other things yet to be covered in this article include:
Differences from the Novel
Awards
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See also:
External Links