OK, if you get this far past the other reviews then you've a pretty good idea this is a highly rated piece of cinematography. Additionally, that all the reviews so far have been more than comprehensive. Consequently, I will look to keep this one shorter:
A box set that provides hours of entertainment. The film itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Peter Jackson and his assistant producers have given us the most absorbing and beautiful fantasy film, true to Tolkien, enacted magnificently, and recognised through Bafta, Globe and Oscar nominations aplenty. The 4 DVD box set, however, is the most value for money 'set' I have come across. Not only is the 30+ mins of additional material in the film blended seamlessly whilst adding to the storyline, but the real benefit is the interviews, narratives, anecdotes and video footage that provides more material than a Derbyshire woolen mill. From initial concept, through planning, filming, sets, characters, cast, and much more besides, there is two whole DVDs - 4 hours - of compelling detail.
Other reviews here will give you the storyline, re. Magical rings, One all-powerful
ring created by the dark side (sorta), into hands of innocent, goodly folk agree must destroy ring before back in hands of o'evil one, first half of journey to where it was made to unmake it, ongoing battle betwenn good and evil. Perhaps I should avoid writing film scripts, but you get the picture!
Fellowship received a PG 'but some bits scary' rating. I guess this would now be a 12A. But why? Well, there's a few bits that are a tad intimidating. There's no 'shock' scares, like the head in the sunken boat in Jaws, or the hatching egg in Alien. Instead, there's some pretty dark characters that are convincingly scary through brilliant makeup and prosthetics, camera and editing, and a musical/audio score that envelops you. Specifically, the sections that under 12s may find unsettling include the opening battle scenes that descibe the original battle between good and evil 3000 years previous in Middle Earth, the dark riders (Men who previously had rings and had become all consumed by power and evil and are now of zombie breathren), the Orcs and the crossed Orc/Goblin 'Mark of the Hand' armies. These are somewhat harder to avoid as they feature throughout the film! And lastly the Balroc, a cross between a Dragon, a Yettie, and a block of flats. Oh, and a Circus Master. So, in hindsight, if you let the 'younger' kids watch this, then be close to cuddle them and ensure the airing cupboard is full coz you'll need to change their bed the following night!
As for what you'll need to shell out on this, and athough I received this as a presi, I 'believe' it retails for around the 30GBP mark, though you might trim 5 pounds off this by shopping around.
As for the additional material - I'm not going to spoil it by describing it in detail. However, some general points that come acrosss are:
Firstly, the whole film (in fact all three at the same time) were shot almost exclusively on location (albeit across many sites) in New Zealand. The beauty and magnificence that not only the film but also the background material shows should be enough to plant the 'I just gotta go there' dream in everyone's mind. Quite breathtaking. I really had no idea beforehand.
Second, by planning beforehand that the whole troup would try to capture as much background, reference and anecdotal information as possible, means that this additional material looks polished, planned and hangs together to offer a comprehensive and flowing collection.
Thirdly, consider the credits that role at the end of a film. How in Spielberg's name do all those people get involved? Well you won't get all the answers here but you will get a bit of an insight into some of the roles, you may get a taste for it yourself, and you'll definitely appreciate the skills that some of these people have. Though not quite sure why the whole of the LOTR Fan Club need to be recognised?! And there's alot of them!
Lastly, In front of the camera are a set of intelligently cast actors and actresses. I find it hard to criticise any of them in terms of a mismatch, not only do they look the part but they fulfil almost every mental perception I had of them from reading the books so many years ago. And by listening to the cast talk about themselves and the film, you soon realise the skill they have to become someone (or thing!) different in front of the camera, and the great mastery of the directors to bring out of them a consistent, authentic and truly believable character.
So, Buy it. Watch it. Love it...Watch it again...And again...
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
Production Year: 2008 - Action/Adventure - Director: Christopher Nolan - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine
Production Year: 1977 - Action/Adventure - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring:Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Pat Hingle, William Prince, Bill McKinney
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Advantages: Excellent film with loads of extras which make the film complete. Disadvantages: It is over 2 disc's so you have to change half way through.
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