Director: Peter Jackson Cinematographer: Andrew Lesnie
Before he got too carried away with CGI, New Zealander Peter Jackson got the balance just right in the first of his epic fantasy trilogy set in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The film tells of the Dark Lord Sauron, who is seeking the One Ring, but its found its way to the young hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood). To defeat Sauron, Frodo must leave his simple life in the shire and join a quest with a fellowship that includes the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen), his faithful friend Sam (Sean Astin) and the mysterious Strider (Viggo Mortenson). Remarkably well crafted and imagined, Jackson and his team create a visually rich mythical universe that’s on a scale that seemed impossible only a few years earlier. The film’s grandeur is enhanced by the sort of powerful emotional intensity and complex characterisation that is perhaps lost behind the ever growing story strands and huge effects in the follow up films.
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (The Fellowship of the Ring / The Two Towers / The Return of the King Extended Editions) [Blu-ray]
Two-Disc Widescreen Theatrical Edition
Set of 6 Minature Sheets
The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings)
The Complete Recordings (5LP 180 Gram Red Vinyl) (Limited Edition)
Lists:
- No. 49 on The Pendragon Society’s 1000 Greatest Films of All-Time (2018)
- No. 2 on The Pendragon Society’s 100 Greatest Films 2000-2009 (2010)
CAST
- Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins: a young hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo.
- Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey: an Istari wizard and mentor to Frodo.
- Sean Astin as Samwise “Sam” Gamgee: a hobbit gardener and Frodo’s best friend.
- Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn II Elessar: a Dúnedain ranger, the descendant of Isildur, and heir to Gondor‘s throne.
- Billy Boyd as Peregrin “Pippin” Took: a hobbit who travels with the Fellowship on their journey to Mordor.
- Dominic Monaghan as Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck: a distant cousin of Frodo.
- John Rhys-Davies as Gimli: a dwarf warrior who accompanies the Fellowship to Mordor after they set out from Rivendell and a descendant of Durin’s Folk.
- Orlando Bloom as Legolas Greenleaf: a prince of the elves’ Woodland Realm and a skilled archer.
- Sean Bean as Boromir: a prince of the Stewards of Gondor who journeys with the Fellowship towards Mordor.
- Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins: Frodo’s uncle who gives him the Ring after he decides to retire to Rivendell.
- Liv Tyler as Arwen Undomiel: a beautiful half-elf princess of Rivendell and Aragorn’s lover.
- Cate Blanchett as Galadriel: the elven co-ruler of Lothlórien alongside her husband Celeborn.
- Christopher Lee as Saruman the White: the fallen head of the Istari Order who succumbs to Sauron’s will through his use of the palantír.
- Hugo Weaving as Elrond: the elven Lord of Rivendell who leads the Council of Elrond, which ultimately decides to destroy the Ring.
- Sala Baker as Sauron: the Dark Lord of Mordor and the Ring’s true master who manifests as an Eye after the destruction of his physical form.
- Andy Serkis as Gollum voice and motion capture: a wretched hobbit-like creature whose mind was poisoned over centuries by the Ring.
- David Weatherley as Barliman Butterbur, proprietor in Bree
- Lawrence Makoare as Lurtz: the commander of Saruman’s Orc forces;
- Marton Csokas as Celeborn: the elven co-ruler of Lothlórien alongside his wife Galadriel;
- Craig Parker as Haldir: the leader of the Galadhrim warriors guarding the border of Lothlórien;
- Mark Ferguson as Ereinion Gil-galad, the last Elven-King of Noldor;
- Peter McKenzie as Elendil the Tall: the last High King of Arnor and Gondor;
- Harry Sinclair as Isildur: Elendil’s son and Aragorn’s ancestor who originally defeated Sauron.
- Peter Jackson as Albert Dreary: a man of Bree.
Directed by Peter Jackson
Produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Tim Sanders
Screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson
Music by Howard Shore
Cinematography Andrew Lesnie
Edited by John Gilbert
Running time 178 minutes
Country New Zealand, United States
Language English