For decades, the words above have ignited the imaginations of more than 100 million readers around the globe. They were first read in 1954, when J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume in his towering three-part epic, The Lord of the Rings, was published.

Tolkien’s work was to have a profound effect on generations of readers, defining for many the archetypal struggle between good and evil, and was voted in worldwide polls the “Book of the Century.” It set the benchmark for the modern epic in its creation of an entirely new and thrillingly vital universe. It introduced an unforgettable hero – the Hobbit Frodo Baggins – caught up in a war of mythic proportions in Middle-earth, a world full of magic and lore. Most of all, it celebrated the power of loyal friendship and individual courage, a power that may hold at bay even the most devastating forces of darkness.

 

Now, the legend that Tolkien imagined is finally being brought to life on the motion picture screen, an undertaking that has required nothing less than one of the most colossal movie productions ever embarked upon. The mythos, landscapes, and creatures Tolkien created are so vast and detailed in scope that it has taken more than four decades for cinema technology to reach the necessary level of sophistication to bring his universe to powerful and palpable life. Such a project would require nothing less than a visionary to take it on, and a first-ever experiment in filmmaking to make the simultaneous production of all three films possible. Tolkien’s epic found a passionate and dedicated shepherd in director/writer/producer Peter Jackson.

 

For the past two years, Jackson and his devoted production team of over 2400 have been filming all over the spectacular landscapes of New Zealand. The result has been the deployment of a logistical operation on par with an intricate and wide-reaching military campaign. An army of artists – including digital experts, medieval weapons designers, stone sculptors, linguists, costumers, make-up artists, blacksmiths and model builders – as well as an internationally-renowned cast of actors and over 26,000 extras have gathered to make this ambitious dream come true.

The result will be three separate installments released one year apart, beginning December 19, 2001, when The Fellowship of the Ring introduces to movie audiences the extraordinary world of Middle-earth.

 

In this part of the trilogy, the young Hobbit Frodo Baggins inherits a ring; but this ring is no mere trinket. It is the One Ring, an instrument of absolute power that could allow Sauron, the dark Lord of Mordor, to rule Middle-earth and enslave its peoples. Frodo, together with a Fellowship that includes his loyal Hobbit friends, Humans, a Wizard, a Dwarf and an Elf, must take the One Ring across Middle-earth to Mount Doom, where it first was forged, and destroy it forever. Such a journey means venturing deep into territory manned by Sauron, where he is amassing his army of Orcs. And it is not only external evils that the Fellowship must combat, but also internal dissension and the corrupting influence of the One Ring itself. The course of future history is entwined with the fate of the Fellowship.

New Line Cinema presents a Wingnut Films Production, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The film is directed by Peter Jackson from a screenplay by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien. The producers are Barrie M. Osborne and Peter Jackson. The producers are

 

The film stars Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, featuring Sean Bean, and Ian Holm, with Andy Serkis as Gollum. The film also stars Marton Csokas, Craig Parker and Lawrence Makaoare.

Casting is by John Hubbard & Amy MacLean (UK), Victoria Burrows (US), Liz Mullane (New Zealand) and Ann Robinson (Australia). Costume designers are Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor. Music is composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore. Ellen M. Somers is the associate producer. Special makeup, creatures, armour and miniatures are by Richard Taylor. Jim Rygiel is the visual effects supervisor. The film features the songs “May It Be” and “Aniron” composed & performed by Enya. The film is released worldwide by New Line Cinema. www.lordoftherings.