LORD OF THE RINGS review

[Todd Baesen]

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Here's a review of LOTR, but beware, some key plot points are revealed. It is prefaced by some Christopher Lee comments.

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I met J.R.R. Tolkien once at Oxford, and I still think THE LORD OF THE RINGS is the greatest literary achievement in my lifetime. What he did is something that is quite unique in the history of literature. I also knew T. H. White who wrote THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING. But Tolkien's work was just the sort of thing that appealed to me, because I like fantasy, too. I read the books every year. Of course, we all love to dream, because we don't live in a particularly attractive world. I don't really remember, except as a small boy, anything but a pretty grim world. I'm old enough to have seen Hitler in the flesh. I'm old enough to have been in Munich in 1934, on the night of the long knives, when Hitler butchered so many of his own people. I'm old enough to remember the Second World War and all the other things. So I'm not being a Cassandra, who prophesied nothing but evil and misery, I'm simply facing reality. So, yes, let us not lose faith, let us be optimistic, let us believe in the good things, but we still have to face the world as it is. When you live in a world like that, what do you want? You want to escape, to get out of this world from time to time, into another world, a magical world, an enchanted world, where things happen we dream about, a world of fairy stories and wizards. It's like the conjurer, the enchanter, or magician who says, "Look, nothing up my sleeve. When I do this, you will come into my enchanted world!" Dreaming, escaping, that is what we're talking about. I firmly believe that's why this kind of film is so universally popular, and always will be, because people like to get into another world.

[Jill]

Good review, Alucard, but in the future, when you post a review that contains spoilers, you should list SPOILERS in the name of the thread. While it is opening today, many people on this board have specified that they want no advance spoilers, so please alert them in the thread name so they won't stumble over it. See my thread on the Newsweek review.

[HJohnBlount]

I've taken today 19 December 2001 off work to see Lord of the Rings at the Cinecenter, St.Helens. I've never read the books (or had them read to me) and was gobsmacked, I was expecting something like Ridley Scotts 'Legend' and it was.. but 100 % more exciting......to be honest......I'm actually inspired to read 'The Hobbit' ...........at least!

All the acting was first class, I felt right on edge of my seat all the way.......! and of course Christopher Lees character Saruman is truly amazing......I could'nt get over the effort he put into this character! I really felt scared......and pleased I wasn't in the film (from a reality point of view) of course everyone would like to be part of it!

Every character Christopher Lee has the chance to act, he gives them a new but highly experienced edge that adds to his craft!

'A Kind of Magic'

I'm tempted to see it again! and will buy it on dvd when its available.........a bit dissappointed that we'll have to wait till next Christmas to see the second part! (and not give into temptation so read the second story)

H.John
Ps I see they're selling 'The Ring' replica etc on ebay!

[Sandy Newman]

Hi folks,

I read LOTR a couple of times and was excited to hear about the movie(s). I couldn't believe that it was seriously considered to do this in ONE movie. But, justice prevailed and we have 3.

So far, I've seen it 5 times. I was thrilled when I heard Mr. Lee was in it. When I heard he was doing Saruman, I said, "Of course!" The choice was perfect! Who else could play that part with such cool, evil perfection. I have been a fan of his since I was about 13 or so (the early 70's) and will watch anything I know he's in. What a professional!!

I have asked those that have seen FOTR what they think of Saruman (always having to add, "The evil wizard."), and the reply has always been, "Oh, I didn't like him. He was TOO evil." What a compliment!!!!

[dvxagent1]

i agree with the review it was all that stuff and more, the acting, costumes, music location work was all great!