“There’s good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fightin’ for!”

Overview: [There really isn't any short way to tell the story of this movie accurately...so I apologize in advance]. There’s a uber-powerful ring. Two little-people have to dump it in a volcano hundreds of miles away in the evil lair of the big bad guy. They are aided by their friends, an elf, a dwarf, and a human [sort of], as well as various other people along the way, who unfortunately all get sidetracked by two humungous epic-scale battles waged by the big bad guy. Ultimately good prevails and we all say Hurrah.

Noteworthy Actors / Actresses: Elijah Welch (Frodo), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Sean Astin (Sam), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), John Rhys-Davise (Gimli), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Hugo Weaving (Elrond), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Sean Bean (Boromir), Billy Boyd (Pippin), Ian Holm (Bilbo), Dominic Monaghan (Merry), Liv Tyler (Arwen), Christopher Lee (Sauruman), Brad Dourif (Wormtongue)

Homages / Trivia: Too much to list. Fellowship of the Ring, Two Towers, Return of the King.Verdict: One word: Epic. This trilogy is probably one of the best known book sets of all time. Beautifully shot, directed, and wonderfully acted. I think the only thing that would really bother some people about it is its length (ranging from 2 hrs and change to 3 hrs and change, the THEATRICAL versions… each extended cut adds another 20 to 40 minutes!). But personally, I think if they tried to make it shorter, it would have done it a disservice. Being a geek gives you a special appreciation for it, but I think this movie can appeal to anyone. If you aren’t used to sitting through long movies, watch the theatrical versions, they’re still really good. I wish they would do movies like this with other classics. Definitely worth watching.


From IMDB: (2001, 2002, 2003)
Fellowship of the Ring:
An ancient Ring thought lost for centuries has been found, and through a strange twist in fate has been given to a small Hobbit named Frodo. When Gandalf discovers the Ring is in fact the One Ring of the Dark Lord Sauron, Frodo must make an epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it! However he does not go alone. He is joined by Gandalf, Legolas the elf, Gimli the Dwarf, Aragorn, Boromir and his three Hobbit friends Merry, Pippin and Samwise. Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers and plains, facing evil and danger at every corner the Fellowship of the Ring must go. Their quest to destroy the One Ring is the only hope for the end of the Dark Lords reign!
Two Towers:
Sauron’s forces increase. His allies grow. The Ringwraiths return in an even more frightening form. Saruman’s army of Uruk Hai is ready to launch an assault against Aragorn and the people of Rohan. Yet, the Fellowship is broken and Boromir is dead. For the little hope that is left, Frodo and Sam march on into Mordor, unprotected. A number of new allies join with Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Pippin and Merry. And they must defend Rohan and attack Isengard. Yet, while all this is going on, Sauron’s troops mass toward the City of Gondor, for the War of the Ring is about to begin.
Return of the King:
The Fellowship divides to conquer as Frodo and Sam, with the help and hindrance of Gollum, continue their way to Mount Doom. Gandalf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith to help defend Gondor while Merry remains with Eowyn and the other Rohan fighters. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli seek aid from those that live in the Cursed Mountains. All these battles have one goal in mind: distract the Eye of Sauron and buy Frodo a little more time to destroy the ring.

Categories: Movies & the IMDB 250