As a feat of sheer endurance and courage, The Fellowship of the Ring is astonishing. As an achievement in filmmaking it’s triumphant.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:200
Fresh:184
Rotten:16
Average Rating:8.1/10
Consensus: Fellowship manages to thrill and enthrall despite its length and repetition.
Runtime: 3 hrs 28 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
US Box Office: $313,837,577
Synopsis:
The Lord of the Rings, the book of the 20th Century is about to become the motion picture event of the 21st Century – A groundbreaking epic of good versus evil, extraordinary heroes, wondrous...
The Lord of the Rings, the book of the 20th Century is about to become the motion picture event of the 21st Century – A groundbreaking epic of good versus evil, extraordinary heroes, wondrous creatures and dark armies of terror. Generations of more than 50 million people around the globe, in 25 different languages have grown up with this epic history. The legend has inspired an entire genre of movies, fiction, and has influenced some of the greatest artists of our time. It has made dreamers out of children and adults, and has recently been named the number one most popular book of the century. But it has never been told in its entirety on the screen.
Using the power of contemporary cinema technology, New Line Cinema is proud to transform J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings into a history-making motion picture event. Beginning in the year 2001, New Line will present a grand trilogy of live-action feature films -- The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King -- that will take audiences inside Tolkien’s living, breathing mythology, the world that is Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings will collectively re-tell the story of Frodo Baggins, who battles against the Dark Lord, Sauron to save Middle-earth from the grip of evil. In the films, Frodo and The Fellowship embarks on a desperate journey to rid the earth of the source of Sauron’s greatest strength, the One Ring, a ring of such power that it cannot be destroyed. His extraordinary adventures across the treacherous landscape of Middle-earth reveal how the power of friendship and courage can hold the forces of darkness at bay.
By shooting all three films consecutively during one massive production and post-production schedule, New Line Cinema is making history. Never before has such a monumental undertaking been contemplated or executed. The commitment of time, resources and manpower are unheard of as all three films and more than 1,000 effects shots are being produced concurrently with the same director and core cast. Helmer Peter Jackson, whose visionary style of filmmaking and emotional acuity won accolades for his Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners, brings his deep love for the source material to the project.
The film features a strong international cast that includes (in alphabetical order) Sean Astin, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davis, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, and Elijah Wood. But the real star of the film is the story itself - a classic hero’s quest in which the smallest of beings changes the course of the future with the vastness of his courage. -- © 2001 New Line Cinema
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Hugo Weaving, Marton Csokas
Director: Peter Jackson
Director: Peter Jackson
Screenwriter: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens
Producer: Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Tim Sanders
Composer: Howard Shore
Studio: New Line Cinema
Reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
It's full of scenic splendors with a fine sense of scale, but its narrative thrust seems relatively pro forma, and I was bored by the battle scenes.
Jackson ... conjures the most potent major-motion-picture magic in years.
Thankfully, if the audience has the patience, the film is good enough to warrant watching again.
Putting formula blockbusters to shame, Fellowship is impeccably cast and constructed with both care and passion.
In unveiling the Holy Grail for action-fantasy aficionados, director and co-writer Peter Jackson has begun a series to rival Star Wars in the pantheon.
The filmmakers have shown great respect for their source material. I was moved by Jackson's passionate, caring, and human portrayals of these characters and dramas.
Director Peter Jackson's awesome three hour film, seeming like half the time, is the handsomest fantasy film ever made. (Published 12-22-01)
It is imaginative, fierce, even thrilling in spots. Nevertheless, as the curtain comes down, the credits should read Game Over, not The End.
Tolkien's world explodes onto the screen in vibrant, brooding, beautiful life.
Everyone on screen is all exercised about Frodo’s mission, but after three hours it’s hard to see why anyone in the audience should be.
Only Jackson would have conceived of having a dwarf, in the middle of battle, declare 'NOBODY TOSSES A DWARF!' and only Jackson could have gotten away with it.
Once you've got your breath back one thought will prove hard to escape: George Lucas might have a few sleepless nights between now and 2003.
What could have been a monumental failure has become one of the greatest examples of how to bring a classic book to the screen.
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