Slashdot Mirror

This is a major thing - I believe it's going to be as big as (or bigger than) Star Wars.

The book (Tolkiens trilogy, The Lord of the Rings) has been awarded as the book of the century. The previous trailers has been the most downloaded trailer ever, beating The Phantom Menace. It will, IIRC, have premiere in more than 10.000 cinemas all over the world - again, many more than The Phantom Menace.

For more info - hit the fansite TheOneRing.net.

If you are in search for more information - I highly recommend TheOneRing.net. It's a really cool site, updated very often.

Go forth!...


Details are here for the uninitiated.

I must concur that this is an excellent book. I had read Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion before, but a lot of stuff never really "clicked" until I saw the atlas. The atlas stresses stuff that you can easily miss when reading the books. You can actually see how far Aragon, Gimli, and Legolas ran when following orcs in what, 3 days? I think it's almost far as France is wide! The architecture maps give you a much strong feel for what it must really have been like to be in Cirith Ungol, or standing in front of the Black Gate. There are just so many tiny things this atlas illuminates. It was recently out of print I think, but I'm glad they brought it back. It's definitly one of my favorite non-fiction books.

By the way, if you're looking for more information on the upcoming Lord of the Rings movies, the best site is The One Ring dot Net (TORn).

-Ted

is that it uses only three colors: black, white, and brown. Many of the maps could have been more clear if army movements, geography, roads, etc. were represented in other colors. Fonstad's book *is* the best available though.

More maps of Middle-earth can be found at
http://fan.theonering.net/rolozo/images.php?collec tion=maps

Ryan

It's not a rumor - it's a well known fact, at least to anyone who has been following the progress of the filming. All three movies were shot in one long marathon filming in New Zealand. Director Peter Jackson decided to do it all at once because it would be cheaper, and easier to get all the actors involved for one long shoot than for three shorter ones, spread out across 3-5 years.

Principal photography for all three movies is now complete, but there will be touchup work to be done as editing takes place before the release of each of the following films.

I'm sure there are loads of good links that make note of the fact that all three were shot at once, but I'm too lazy to do more than point to the FAQ at TORN

...is of course Lord of the Rings. It has such coooooool names : The Fellowship of the Rings, The Two Towers, The Return of the King (guess where Georgie ripped Jedi from...).

Attack of the Clones?! Bwahahahahahahah! Wait, that sounds like such a cool sig....

Here's another link to the trailer analysis.

Second, his most well-known work in the general public is probably The Frighteners (which is a solid movie in and of itself).

And third, not only is Bakshi not dead but The Onion's AV Club had an interview with him recently about his Lord of the Rings film, amongst other topics.

I recommend taking a look at http://www.theonering.net/. It's a pretty cool fan site imho.

As a Tolkien fan, I've been watching the progress of the movie with some care, and I'd like to say that I'm quite happy with the way it is supposed to be going. While I do not intend to spoil your experience (this you can do at theonering.net), it seems to me that the movie is in good hands. As far as I see it, it is neither an over-simplification, nor an exact duplicate of the books.

Superficially, Tolkien's style may appear obscure and overcomplicated. However, when one considers it, it is only natural that the characters have be submerged so deep into the universe Tolkien described, since it is their universe. It is impossible to make LoTR a movie directly from the books: too much of the "action" occurs in the characters' thought or surfaces in their memory. A movie needs to focus us on a set certain plots.

As I said earlier, the forthcoming movie seems to do quite a good job in staying true to LoTR and in the same time transforming it into a movie. This is one film I'm going to see this winter.

I noticed somebody complaining about the lighting of that final shot on the message board at TheOneRing's SFX page. It's obviously artificial lighting, and not filmed outdoors (the background's been added in), but I think that just contributes to the "fantasy" feel. I wouldn't want it to look like a nature documentary.

He's also a nice guy, I had dinner with him in Wellington a few years ago...

Really? Wow, do you work in the movie industry?

Hmm, works for me. (I got the link from TheOneRing.net originally.)

I'm watching it now, and it is the same trailer that was out in May. It's still an incredible trailer (even at 25 MB, but that's why we've got multiple T1s at work, right?), and I can't wait to actually see it in a theater.

Still, I'd like to see a new one, and I'd love to find a movie poster (they *still* don't have one online).

The best site I've found so far for movie information is www.theonering.net -- lots of good information, and easy to browse through.

People this preview has been available for a while (atleast the mirrors)--since about April 2000! I haven't been able to get to the site, but the official site still has the same one. You can find an explanation of the frames here. Some of the stuff doesn't hold any more. I remember hereing the ditched the stilts idea.

And here is a very good fan movie site.

I'm fairly disapointed, tho', that Arwen (Liv Tyler) is being given such a big part--she's even on the promo logo. I don't think they have to go with traditional 'pop' themes to make this film successful. (ie, overemphasizing Aragorn and Arwen's love story).

Frodo on the other hand was a totally clueless hobbit: the only magic he knew was Gandalf's fireworks and smoke rings. Not very scary stuff, is it? If he had any idea what powers the ring held he would have been just as terrified.

Frodo was terrified. Gandalf gives him a very clear picture of the power of the ring when he told of how Smeagol was conquered by the ring. So rightly, the very idea of having anything to do with the thing terrified him. He would not have chosen this burden, but since it was thrust upon him, with no better alternatives, he found the strength to carry it.

The elves had the responsibility to destroy the ring as: a. it was their skills that Sauron had copied to make the ring

Not so. Sauron instructed the elves in the forging of The Three, at a time when he was trusted. He then forged The Seven, The Nine, and The One in secret. The One was made to control all the others - it could not control the Three if he had had no part in their making.

b. they were they supreme race on middle-earth

Nowhere is this even remotely suggested in anything Tokien ever wrote. The gifts given to the Firstborn and to Men were DIFFERENT. Although the elves were essentially immortal, and mastered lore and powers with relative ease, their personalities (at least after the coming of the Men) almost entirely precluded their use. The power of Man was in his will, and his indomitable spirit. Also in the "gift" of death, which gave the lives of man a pace, instead of the kind of complacence and unhurried attitude of many elves. The gifts of hobbits are much the same.

c. they did not know almost anything about hobbits and their resistance to magic or the other physical wounds that you mention as no hobbit before Frodo and his friends had been in such an adventure. Placing their faith on Frodo was therefore totally unjustified.

They knew Frodo had survived, almost untreated, the poisoned, corrupting blade of one of the Nine for several days before arriving at Rivendell. That alone was a fantastic glimpse at the hardiness of a hobbit. They knew Bilbo had borne, and frequently USED, the One for 50+ years without submitting to its evil. How many men OR elves could have done the same? Gandalf had spent much time among hobbits, and knew more of their hardiness than the hobbits themselves did. They had a strength Gandalf knew would be an advantage, and so he argued to allow Pippin, Merry, and Sam to accompany Frodo.

However, I think your main objection is that the One was not at least sent with a few powerful Elven warriors, such as Glorfindel. This is also directly addressed in the Council at Rivendell. If Glorfindel were to go and (I paraphrase) open the way to Mordor by the power that is in him, he would reveal himself to the servants of Sauron, and have the entire army upon him.

The point is that might and power were not the way to Mordor. The only possibility was to go quietly, with a small number of strong companions, and hope to pass unnoticed - something at which hobbits excel.

In general the whole plot of the LotR just seems very "cheap". Gandalf always appears at the right moment to help the others: when he finds the two lesser hobbits (I forget their names), when goes to Gondor, when he rescues Faramir from the fire

It is certainly true that Gandalf played a major role in the events leading to the destruction of the ring - Such was his task in the 3rd age. There was many a time when they would all have been royally screwed without Gandalf.

Then again, they would have been in trouble without any number of others as well. Sam took on the burden of the ring when Frodo had fallen. Merry and Eowyn together slew the cheif ringwraith - this was not a battle Galdalf could have won. They could never have reached the battle at Gondor without the aid of Aragorn.

Don't forget - Gandalf was not perfect. In fact, he died. Due to the fact that (unknown to the fellowship) he was a sort of minor deity, he was able to return to finish the job. Don't attribute too much of the success of the fellowship to Gandalf - Sam and Frodo made most of the journey alone and unaided.

like all those stories with the same theme (Star Wars, The Matrix, E.T) it is good for children, but it does not come close to becoming a proper mythology (like the ancient Greek legents with real heroes battling real monsters and god)

But that's exactly what makes LotR a more interesting story than most Greek Legends - the real hero ISN'T the most powerful out there, he doesn't triumph by defeating the medusa, or wrestling the hydra into submission. It's a triumph of the spirit. Frodo and Sam travel through a sea of enemies, barely survive ageless horrors (Shelob), and finally succeed, starving, dehydrated, and with no hope of escaping alive. They gave their lives to the completion of their goal, and only exceedingly good fortune allowed them to escape alive. It's their dedication, and strength of will, not arms, that makes the story so compelling.

If you're looking for some darker storytelling, with less success and more man/elf vs. god type battle, try the Silmarillion. The history of the 1st and 2nd ages is full of tragedy and loss.

Lastly, check out TheOneRing.net for much better worded and considered arguments regarding the choice of the hobbits as ringbearers. In particular, look at the Green Books for some good answers to many of your quesions and objections.

Frodo on the other hand was a totally clueless hobbit: the only magic he knew was Gandalf's fireworks and smoke rings. Not very scary stuff, is it? If he had any idea what powers the ring held he would have been just as terrified.

Frodo was terrified. Gandalf gives him a very clear picture of the power of the ring when he told of how Smeagol was conquered by the ring. So rightly, the very idea of having anything to do with the thing terrified him. He would not have chosen this burden, but since it was thrust upon him, with no better alternatives, he found the strength to carry it.

The elves had the responsibility to destroy the ring as: a. it was their skills that Sauron had copied to make the ring

Not so. Sauron instructed the elves in the forging of The Three, at a time when he was trusted. He then forged The Seven, The Nine, and The One in secret. The One was made to control all the others - it could not control the Three if he had had no part in their making.

b. they were they supreme race on middle-earth

Nowhere is this even remotely suggested in anything Tokien ever wrote. The gifts given to the Firstborn and to Men were DIFFERENT. Although the elves were essentially immortal, and mastered lore and powers with relative ease, their personalities (at least after the coming of the Men) almost entirely precluded their use. The power of Man was in his will, and his indomitable spirit. Also in the "gift" of death, which gave the lives of man a pace, instead of the kind of complacence and unhurried attitude of many elves. The gifts of hobbits are much the same.

c. they did not know almost anything about hobbits and their resistance to magic or the other physical wounds that you mention as no hobbit before Frodo and his friends had been in such an adventure. Placing their faith on Frodo was therefore totally unjustified.

They knew Frodo had survived, almost untreated, the poisoned, corrupting blade of one of the Nine for several days before arriving at Rivendell. That alone was a fantastic glimpse at the hardiness of a hobbit. They knew Bilbo had borne, and frequently USED, the One for 50+ years without submitting to its evil. How many men OR elves could have done the same? Gandalf had spent much time among hobbits, and knew more of their hardiness than the hobbits themselves did. They had a strength Gandalf knew would be an advantage, and so he argued to allow Pippin, Merry, and Sam to accompany Frodo.

However, I think your main objection is that the One was not at least sent with a few powerful Elven warriors, such as Glorfindel. This is also directly addressed in the Council at Rivendell. If Glorfindel were to go and (I paraphrase) open the way to Mordor by the power that is in him, he would reveal himself to the servants of Sauron, and have the entire army upon him.

The point is that might and power were not the way to Mordor. The only possibility was to go quietly, with a small number of strong companions, and hope to pass unnoticed - something at which hobbits excel.

In general the whole plot of the LotR just seems very "cheap". Gandalf always appears at the right moment to help the others: when he finds the two lesser hobbits (I forget their names), when goes to Gondor, when he rescues Faramir from the fire

It is certainly true that Gandalf played a major role in the events leading to the destruction of the ring - Such was his task in the 3rd age. There was many a time when they would all have been royally screwed without Gandalf.

Then again, they would have been in trouble without any number of others as well. Sam took on the burden of the ring when Frodo had fallen. Merry and Eowyn together slew the cheif ringwraith - this was not a battle Galdalf could have won. They could never have reached the battle at Gondor without the aid of Aragorn.

Don't forget - Gandalf was not perfect. In fact, he died. Due to the fact that (unknown to the fellowship) he was a sort of minor deity, he was able to return to finish the job. Don't attribute too much of the success of the fellowship to Gandalf - Sam and Frodo made most of the journey alone and unaided.

like all those stories with the same theme (Star Wars, The Matrix, E.T) it is good for children, but it does not come close to becoming a proper mythology (like the ancient Greek legents with real heroes battling real monsters and god)

But that's exactly what makes LotR a more interesting story than most Greek Legends - the real hero ISN'T the most powerful out there, he doesn't triumph by defeating the medusa, or wrestling the hydra into submission. It's a triumph of the spirit. Frodo and Sam travel through a sea of enemies, barely survive ageless horrors (Shelob), and finally succeed, starving, dehydrated, and with no hope of escaping alive. They gave their lives to the completion of their goal, and only exceedingly good fortune allowed them to escape alive. It's their dedication, and strength of will, not arms, that makes the story so compelling.

If you're looking for some darker storytelling, with less success and more man/elf vs. god type battle, try the Silmarillion. The history of the 1st and 2nd ages is full of tragedy and loss.

Lastly, check out TheOneRing.net for much better worded and considered arguments regarding the choice of the hobbits as ringbearers. In particular, look at the Green Books for some good answers to many of your quesions and objections.

For those w/o QT 4.1.1 (yes, 4.1.1), http://www.theonering.net has teaser broken out into frames with some commentary on each -- the whole presentation takes up 8 screen pages.

There is a frame-by frame posting and analysis of the preview in common HTML at a great fan site for info about the movie. Go to theonering.net to check it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
Artificial intelligence or natural stupidity?

Until the guys at Apple decide kindly to make a Linux player available *hint, hint*, here's a second best alternative:
A shot-by-shot summary from the kind-hearted folks over at theonering.net
Lest the author be accused of karma-whoring, he is posting anonymously. However, suggest you moderate this up as informative. ;-)

Until the guys at Apple decide kindly to make a Linux player available *hint, hint*, here's a second best alternative:
A shot-by-shot summary from the kind-hearted folks over at theonering.net
Lest the author be accused of karma-whoring, he is posting anonymously. However, suggest you moderate this up as informative. ;-)

The answer is pretty simple really: gathering together a kickass army of elves, ents, humans etc and trotting off to mount-doom to take on The Enemy directly would have been too risky. Sauron had become too powerfull and The Ring would have been captured and Suaron would win etc etc (and anyway, the Elves would never again ally with man - the last defeat of Sauron was the Last Alliance of Mena and Elves: but that's a whole other story). Now, the only option left was to get the Ring into Mordor by stealth. Hence the ligh-footed Hobbits. Gandalf knew much of Hobbit lore and knew that they were a hardy bunch and would putt up with much to acheive their goal.

For more info on this, read the Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales and/or TheOneRing.net


Quix0te - Wales, UK

Even though the first movie is a year and a half away, I think this is a better trailer than some that are showing in theaters now.

The most technically impressive shots are the two that show the orc army marching through Mordor...Massive is probably the best cg software in existence. And, watching the letters get burning into the ring is just awe inspiring.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when George Luca$ watches this. He wanted to make LOTR in the mid-eighties but couldn't get the rights to it. What did we get instead? Willow. Sad but true.

www.theonering.net has a shot by shot analysys here.

I was in their chat room earlier...watch for the preview to be mirrored around the web.

Even though the first movie is a year and a half away, I think this is a better trailer than some that are showing in theaters now.

The most technically impressive shots are the two that show the orc army marching through Mordor...Massive is probably the best cg software in existence. And, watching the letters get burning into the ring is just awe inspiring.

I'd love to be a fly on the wall when George Luca$ watches this. He wanted to make LOTR in the mid-eighties but couldn't get the rights to it. What did we get instead? Willow. Sad but true.

www.theonering.net has a shot by shot analysys here.

I was in their chat room earlier...watch for the preview to be mirrored around the web.

Is it possible that this release, coming almost out of the blue as it seems, is an attempt to capitalize on a possible Lord of The Rings feeding frenzy? LOTR is shaping up to be a very strongly anticipated release. Maybe the studios are sniffing a fantasy feeding frenzy? D&D could be the "Buck Rogers" movie of the 2000's. :)
BTW, LOTR movie info can be found at www.theonering.net.

_____________
I'll bet / with my Net / I can get / those things yet.

More must-reads in no particular order: [...]

agreed... perhaps missing:

• Everything (and then something) related to The Lord of the Rings (what is it? Illiad just read the book or something?)
• Terry Prachett (Discworld)

Just so you know it, the current Peter Jackson version of The Lord of the Ring is very real...

See www.theonering.net.