Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring | | Cast : | Ian McKellen | | Director : | Peter Jackson | | Studio : | Warner Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen | | Released Date : | December 19, 2001 | | DVD Released Date : | August 06, 2002 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language), English (Subtitled) | | Audience Rating : | PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | August 09, 2005 | | Summary | The Journey Begins... | Content
 | ... and ends a couple years later. THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is the first in the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. It took to the screen in an incredible production filled with majesty, efficiency and respect.
The production itself is nothing short of gorgeous from the obvious Special Effects ("THE BALROG", a being with a heart of fire) to the not-so-obvious effects (Frodo-Elijah Wood seen half as tall Gandalf-Ian McKellen)to the greatest effect of all, the unique and beautiful scenery of New Zealand. All over, this film could probably have not been made until now as technology opens up our minds to new ways of approcahing difficult scenes.
The film is surprisingly efficient, considering the 3 hour running time. There is rarely any wasted film, everything helping to add even more value to the film.
the film adaption is surprisingly accurate to the complex novel and like the HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERERS STONE film from earlier in the year, provides the only stumbling block along the way. The LORD OF THE RINGS novels are not structured like any Hollywood film. Like the POTTER film, secondary character development suffers. Here character is built more from the movie-goers previous movie experiences than through the compressed for time filmmaking. "He plays the Han Solo-type role", "He's like Spock" or "that one's the same as Yoda" are signs of character recognition. Like the novel, the book ends in an anti-climatic point... There is no Death Star destruction to let the viewer know that this specific episode has come to an end... We'll have to wait 2 more movies for any decisive end to this. That is a risk in itself.
All in all, it is a tremendous achievement covered with 'cool'. From the battle with the Balrog (made all the more anxious by a decaying stairwell), to a wall of water taking out several evil 'dark riders' to the Elf Legolas with his rapid fire bow and arrow control, the film is filled with great imagery. I saw the film on an IMAX screen which didn't result in a more pleasant experience. In fact, it made me long for the DVD version so I could take in more of the film. The large image left me with sensory overload... That is a testament to the accomplishment. Great fun!
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| Rating | | | Date | August 08, 2005 | | Summary | An Enchanting and Motivating Opening To The Trilogy Of LOTR | Content
| The best in my opinion of all 3 parts to this. I've read the book (don't read it, very boring, the man sits around and invents his own language and world, wow) and the movie is a lot better in the fact that it summarizes the main part, even though it still misses many vital scenes from the book which would make it better. This is common for most book based movies, however. The movie is a fantastic first of the trilogy to the fact that it introduces people to the magical and incredibly well thought out world of LOTR, weither they are new arrivals or old patrons of this classic.
I just like the way the movie was built and set up, coming in slowly to introduce the story and characters so to let the viewers digest the whole setting and information thats being given, and began to speed up into a race for time itself, ending in an enchanting ending resulting in the capture of Pippin and Merry (Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan) and the dramatic and heroic death of Boromir (Sean Bean) in a mini battle between them and the Orcs.
2 hours and 58 minutes. Main characters are Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Boromir (sean Bean), Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), Pipin (Bill Boyd), and Merry (Dominic Monaghan).
I would definately say this is worth watching, I watched it 3-4 times, twice on FOX. The best in my opinion and one that will stand high through the hands of time itself. |
| Rating | | | Date | August 07, 2005 | | Summary | stupid, dumb, and waaay tooo long | Content
| 3 hours? are the producers on crack er something? who wants to sit through a three hour movie?? i had to go to a birthday party and see this awful movie. we sat there. for 3 hours. the thing i hate about this movie is that the screen will fade just like it ending, and then pop right back up again and have a whole nother hour. i just think it was really stupid. if they want to make it better, then cut it. I think the movie was dispicable. people are so dumb to actually get into this dumb movie. its fiction and unrealistic. none of what happened in the movie could ever happen in real life. so why do people like it? its stupid, dumb, and way too long! It makes me sick just thinking that someone could waste three whole hours of their life on this crap |
| Rating | | | Date | August 06, 2005 | | Summary | The opening movie to a grand trilogy | Content
| The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition) is by far the best book-based movie adaption to date. The movie follows the book fairly well considering the complexity of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpieces. The extended edition is better than the theater version, and has nearly endless amounts of extras.
The script follows the book well. Certain parts were totally left out (due to their unimportance or in an effort to save screen time.) Even with all the cuts the important areas from the book are still present. Changes were made at a few parts to make it more exciting and the fighting is expanded. All-in-all the script is great.
Using New Zealand as middle-earth was the only way this movie would have looked so good. New Zealand's landscapes are so breathtaking it seams as though the movie was actually filmed in middle-earth itself.
All of the cast were carefully selected and there is not a single bad actor. I can't think of any one besides Sean Astin as Sam or Hugo Mortisen as Aragorn. Every last line is said with utmost care and the acting is stunning.
The sets are amazing. Hobbiton is so realistic that one would think such a place existed. All of the sets are so detailed and extensive that they transport you to middle-earth.
The extended cut of the Fellowship also delivers two whole discs of extras that tell everything about the filming and production process.
This great upgrade to the theatre version is most-definately a must-have for fans and will certaintly make a great addition to any DVD collection.
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| Rating | | | Date | August 04, 2005 | | Summary | A monunmental achievement | Content
| "Fellowship of the Rings" is the first installment of a trilogy, so don't expect a definite conclusion despite the nearly three hour running time. What you will get, however, is a thrilling movie that will have you anxiously awaiting the next installment next winter.
A breathtaking opening sequence details the war between an alliance of humans, dwarves and elves against the dark army of Sauron (Sala Baker), who possesses the One Ring of power that is enshrouding the land in evil.
During the conflict, Sauron loses the ring, ending his reign of terror and restoring peace throughout the land...for a time. Sauron's ring, as evil as its master, corrupts whomever wears it and must be kept away from Sauron, else the dark army return and finish the conquest they began many years ago.
After bringing about the end of several would-be owners, the ring ends up in the hands of Bilbo the Hobbit, who is days away from celebrating his 111th birthday. Gandalf the wizard (Ian McKellen) returns to celebrate his friend's birthday, but soon realizes the danger Bilbo has unwittingly brought to the Shire.
Gandalf enlists Bilbo's nephew, Frodo (Elijah Wood) to journey to the Cracks of Doom, the one place the ring can be destroyed and with it, the threat of Sauron.
Three other Hobbits accompany Frodo, while in close pursuit are Sauron's lackeys, led by the evil wizard Saruman (Christopher Lee).
To assist them, two humans, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Boromir (Sean Bean), an elf, Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and a dwarf, Gimil (John Rhys-Davies) form the fellowship of the ring to forever end the threat of Sauron.
With the exception of the Star Wars saga and the Star Trek universe, perhaps no other fantasy series has a more avid following than J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lords of the Ring" novels.
The thought of having to please such a large fan base and giving the trilogy the depth it deserves on the big screen has proven too overwhelming for many Hollywood directors.
Probably wise decisions because the animated television versions of the trilogy and its prequel "The Hobbit" released in the 80s, have been thoroughly panned by Tolkien's fans.
Director Peter Jackson proves he was the right man for the job by maintaining the delicate balance of developing the characters enough to make you care about them when putting them through the trials of their journey.
The scenes are truly breathtaking. Every locale looks incredibly realistic, an amazing feat considering so much of the film had to be enhanced via computer special effects.
While the acting is solid throughout, Mortensen and Bean excel in their roles and really stand out with their performances as the conflicted and all too human...humans.
That weird feeling you experience as the Dark Army begins their pursuit of the Fellowship? That's suspense, something far too many movies lack these days, yet Jackson captures it with every scene depicting the army's progress towards our heroes.
After the incredible opening prologue, Jackson spends a bit too much time in the Shire developing the Hobbits, especially since we only care about a handful anyway.
Jackson gets a bit too theatrical in some scenes with wide shots, as if to remind you that you're watching an epic movie, not "Deuce Bigelow."
As the first part of a trilogy, you can't ask for too much more than this - great characters, villains evil enough to make you wonder if your favorite will survive the battle and an epic quest that won't be easily accomplished. |
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