Gollum: A Behind the Scenes Guide of the Making of Gollum (The Lord of the Rings)

Book Description

Film-making history was made when, in The Two Towers, an actor's performance and digital animation were seamlessly integrated to create the world's first totally lifelike computer-generated character. Now Andy Serkis tells his own story about how a three-week commission to provide a voiceover for Gollum grew into a five-year commitment to breathe life and soul into The Lord of the Rings' most challenging creation.

- Did the voice of Gollum really start with a cat being sick?
- What was it like acting in a bodysuit covered in dots?
- How much was Gollum modeled to look like Andy?
- What surprises does The Return of the King hold in store?

Fully illustrated with more than one hundred exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and drawings, and with contributions from the many designers and animators who brought Gollum to life, this book examines the transition to the big screen of one of literature's most unforgettable creatures. As the filming takes him from London to Wellington, and from the MIsty Mountains to Mount Doom, Andy Serkis explains the methods - and the madness - behind the most amazing five years in this actor's life.

Customer Reviews:

Other reviewers have said it all..........2006-11-25

Just wanted to give five stars.
Oh, yes, and I thought I was the only person to camp with no supplies save a copy of LOTR! You know what they say: great minds think alike.

I LOVE ANDY.......2004-12-29

I love Andy Serkis. I love his book. Go buy it. Love him too. Enough said.

Brief, informative and loaded with incredible images. . . .......2004-11-05

Andy Serkis, the actor behind the character of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, takes us deep into the terrain behind this great epic of our time. Through his experience in creating a close reflection to Tolkien's Gollum, he comes forward in what seems to be a blunt honest story of his time on the set and creates a brief, enjoyable actor's account.
Beginning with a phone call and winding his way through the streets of New Zealand, the highways of character development and the psychological paths of his acting and character experience, we get a great bit of knowledge of what it really feels like to transform yourself into another person for the sake of showing the world a tale - or even a message. You could call it a diary, completely packed with bits and pieces that are extremely informative, but brief. Learn what it takes to be an actor or a psychiatrist, to completely envelope yourself into character and to be immersed in a wonderfully diverse land. With contributions from Gary Russell and others on set, this book has incredible illustrations, sculptures, design plans, photographs and passages from the crew. Hilarious Gollum faces are located on the top outer corner of each page as you read along, making a fun time in itself.
I would definitely recommend this book to fans of the movie trilogy, those who want a better glimpse behind the making of a soon-to-be classic, movie enthusiasts/aspirers, or anyone else if they just want a fun read. This is definitely a kid-friendly book (though some kids may get disgusted or confused at some of the sculptures of Gollum without his little rag around his waist. Ahem. . . :D), though I think it may tend to be slightly boring for younger kids. Definitely PG.
So I will leave you to your browsing and shopping with a song from Gollum,

"Rock and pool
is sweet and cool
so nice for feet,
we only wish
to catch a fish
so juicy sweeeeet!"

Happy Reading!

Gollum and Smeagol and Andy.............2004-09-27

This is a fascinating account of Andy Serkis's experience in creating the CG character, Gollum, as well as his actual "on screen" time as the ring-beguiled Smeagol in the opening scene of The Return of The King.

Andy's tale is engaging and honest, relating the hardships he endured in bringing the character to life and only increases my respect for him as a performer and a human being. It must have been a long, sometimes difficult job for every actor in the films, but Andy put in more hours than any other actor involved, many of them in isolation from the "moral support" of comrades.

Perhaps the most touching part of this book is Andy's dedication, which is to his own children, the Jackson children, the Astin children, and all the other "children of the ring" who were forced to sacrifice so much time with their parents during the making of these epic pictures.

A GREAT bet for some wonderful inside info and some pretty neato pictures!

A precioussss behind the scenes look at the making of Gollum.......2004-05-10

Even casual film fans are now familiar with the character of Gollum and the groundbreaking special effects that turned him into one of the screen's most memorable characters. Now, we get to see Gollum from a different perspective: through the eyes of the man who brought him to life, Andy Serkis. This memoir, written by Serkis (w/help from Gary Russell) is an entertaining and eye-opening look at the production of both the character in general and the films as a whole. Andy had done mostly small roles in films and plays when he received an intriguing casting tip from his agent: Apparently, New Line was making a trilogy of films based on the "Lord of the Rings" series, and needed someone to voice the character of Gollum. Serkis, unfamiliar with the trilogy (though he had read "The Hobbit" in school) initially balked, until his partner (later, wife) Lorraine--who HAD read the books--urged him to try out. Andy agreed, and began to try different voices that might fit the character. He was stuck, having tried many different voices, until inspiration hit in the form of his cat. (His gagging, hairball-infested cat.) Serkis, who had decided to approach Gollum as a character so full of guilt and obsession (he also compares Gollum to a hardcore junkie) that he was literally choking on it, imitated his poor gagging cat in front of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh...and the rest, as they say, is history.

Andy journeyed to New Zealand for what he though might be a bit of voice work. Instead, the role of Gollum turned into one of the most challenging undertaken to date: Serkis not only supplied the voice of Gollum, but also his movements as well (thanks to innovative motion-capture technology). Serkis would end up filming scenes multiple times: once in a blue suit, accompanied by Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, then again without them, and often again in a suit studded with dots (reference points for computer animators). Though tedious, this process allowed the animators to bring Gollum to living, breathing life, a genuine example of movie magic. (How detailed is the character of Gollum? A deaf man who saw "The Two Towers" was able to read his lips.) Andy studied the character, often referencing the books for little insights into the character and his psychological makeup in order to bring greater depth to Gollum. And perhaps a little bit of Gollum worked its way into Andy...because vegetarian Serkis suddenly found himself enjoying fish again.

Despite the frequent hardships of filming, Andy was able to keep a sense of humor and professionalism about him, and is able to look back at many of the more difficult moments and laugh. Indeed, his sense of humor sustains the book when it bogs down or becomes repetitive; Serkis felt the need to relate the details of motion-capture technology a few too many times, as if he were telling a multi-part story and needed to bring new readers up to date. He grouses a bit about his initial lack of recognition and appreciation, especially when he had to repeat long scenes in the blue suit while the other actors could relax. (The worst one: Repeating a scene that involved splashing in frigid water...and that blue suit was NOT insulated). But he chides himself for those feelings, and finds a great deal of humor in those difficulties now.

Serkis, who claims little knowledge of classical literature, belies it with frequent references to and quotes from Nordic literature, the Bible (Smeagol's murder of Deagol draws comparisons to Cain and Abel), Shakespeare's "The Tempest" (comparing Gollum to Caliban), Jekyll and Hyde, Frankenstein's monster, and more. His writing style is smooth, full of humor and frequent good-natured self-deprecation, especially when relating how he foolishly ventured onto a rapids-filled river with minimal supplies, only to be rescued by four Wellington city councilors. His feelings of unappreciation were greatly assuaged when he learned that he would actually be on-screen, playing the role of young Smeagol in a flashback, as we see how Gollum came into possession of the Ring. Though he would still find himself largely unrecognized: A flight attendant saw him reading the books and innocently asked him if he knew about the films, sighing all the while because Orlando Bloom had been on the plane just a few days before. Serkis resisted a strong urge to crawl on all fours and hiss in his Gollum voice. (I don't know if I could have).

Book Description

The official inside story on the making of the award-winning movie trilogy

The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy is a lavishly illustrated, behind-the-scenes, definitive account of the creation of an epic film experience. Hailed by critics worldwide, part one of the movie trilogy was a box-office smash, one of the most successful films of the decade. Peter Jackson's "fierce, imaginative movie takes high-flying risks and inspires with its power and scale," wrote Newsweek. "In every way this is moviemaking on a grand scale," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle, while Time proclaimed the "grandeur, moral heft and emotional depth" of the film, which received thirteen Academy Award(R) nominations.
Including more than 300 photographs from all three films, most unique to this book, and exclusive interviews with all the cast and crew, Brian Sibley's fascinating book takes every fan inside the process of adapting J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork for the screen. For the first time in history, three major movies were made at the same time, a triumphant and monumental undertaking that took the world by storm. Here can be found details about the hundreds of dedicated artists, craftspeople and cast and crew members who labored for years -- adding authenticity at every stage -- to bring one of the greatest stories ever told to an eager film audience. Sibley takes us inside the process of filmmaking to show us how the magic is made -- from the director, writers and actors to wardrobe, makeup, miniatures, music and digital special effects, it's all here.

"It was tiring, physically and mentally, but never dull. Three movies, one big story, and so much variety: one day shooting scenes of intimate heart-wrenching drama, the next, vast battle scenes involving hundreds of extras. Every day brought an opportunity to create something new on this enormous canvas that is The Lord of the Rings." -- Peter Jackson

Customer Reviews:

Few nice pictures and that's all.......2007-01-10

I bought this book and I was interested but it really disappointed me! It doesn't give you any information neither details about the making of the movie rather than the author's babbling (honestly)! The only good thing is some nice pictures and they are not many.

lots of behind the scenes info and photos.......2006-12-10

This contains much of the behind-the-scenes information that the "special feature" of the DVD versions contain. There is significant new material, however. I enjoyed the book very much as it describes the amazing job of the team that produced the movies that we love.

trepel 0 7 spy kid 3spys.......2006-07-05

there was 3 yung spys andthey spy,ed on Alie andthe way they spy,ed on her was they sneak acros the house & in side and they went in the vent and put the camra on and spy,ed ontel tomor,o &then they left be for she got up THE END

Great Book!.......2006-03-10

If your a fan of behind the scenes stuff and movie making, this is the book for you. These movies are unlike any other, so seeing what when on during their 18 month filming, premires, etc. is great! Highly recommended!

Ten Thousand More?.......2006-03-06

I loved the movie, but what I am curious about the most is why Lord Aragon allowed the "Ghost Army" to leave when they were facing another Ten Thousand plus army as they did the first? That didn't make any sense!!!!!

The Fellowship of the Ring Photo Guide (The Lord of the Rings)

Average customer rating:

sheep
A wonderful Fellowship photo guide for all!
Not really worth it
Not quite what I was looking for
Pictures to take you back

The Fellowship of the Ring Photo Guide (The Lord of the Rings)
Alison Sage , and J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion (The Lord of the Rings)

ASIN: 0618195580

Book Description

The official children's photo guide to The Fellowship of the Ring. Meet Frodo Baggins and enter a world of hobbits, wizards, dwarves and elves. Discover the secrets of the One Ring and the terrifying creatures of the Dark Lord, Sauron. Follow the Companions as they embark on their perilous quest.

Customer Reviews:

sheep.......2005-10-13

Ever wonder how the top-ranked reviewers force their way to the top?

They click on their own reviews over and over.

So brilliant. So clever. But not "well-done"! Certainly not the mark of a professional.

The new rule of thumb: lower rankings equal better reviews!

A wonderful Fellowship photo guide for all!.......2004-08-15

If you want a great Fellowship of the Ring photo guide to add to your collection ~ this would be perfect! It's 48-pages are filled with fantastic photos including 58 direct quotes from the movie script. The 72-photos feature Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Sam, Pippin, Merry, Bilbo, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, Elrond, Galadriel, bad guys (such as Saruman, orcs, and ringwraiths). There are also pictures of the various locations in the Fellowship of the rings such as the Shire, Weathertop, the Counsil of Elrond, Mines of Moria, Lothlorien, and Amon-Hen. The entire story is simply told throughout the book, but the excellent pictures tell more of the story than the words do as they follow Frodo from his cozy life in the shire all the way to the sad breaking of the Fellowship. Alison Sage created a wonderful guide actually containing the Fellowship of the Ring film told in beautiful photos allowing you to experience the movie over and over again - add this to your collection!

Not really worth it.......2003-12-18

This book may have been worth it three years ago, before the first movie released, to get previews of who looked like what. But it is not very helpful now, and plot-wise, it wasn't helpful back then. It is just a collection of pictures from The Fellowship of the Ring, with a smattering of text about the plot. The pictures, actually, are out of order. The front cover is also not very enticing, which was fixed for the photo guides of the next two movies.

Face it, you can find these pictures and tons more all over the internet. If you are the ultimate, die-hard fan who has to have every bit of LotR-related stuff, then go ahead and buy it, but otherwise, I would not recommend it.

Not quite what I was looking for.......2003-02-09

I reccomend buying the book, "The Art of The Lord of The Rings, Fellowship of the Ring" instead. Why? It is amazing, and has way more information inside it. This book here, is slim, small and has some good pictures, it is a solid collectors item. If you are into costume re-recreation, you would be happier buying the LOTR "art of" book because it has great drawings inside of it, that plus get yourself the LOTR FOTR extended edition DVD 4 disc set for more costume research needs. Overall, This book here has mostly fluff, good pictures, not the information I needed for my costume research needs.

Pictures to take you back.......2002-12-30

This Photo Guide to The Fellowship of the Ring is a lovely collection of pictures from the first Lord of the Rings movie. The captions and text are minimal, but appropriate. Although designed for children, anyone who would like an inexpensive book that can tease your memories of the movie, this is an excellent one.

Beginning with Suaron's tower in Mordor and Frodo sitting in a tree, to the battle in Moria, ending with The Fellowship leaving Lothlorien, the photos are good representations of the story line. Colors are clear and crisp. Only two pictures were omitted which should have appeared here: Arwen with Frodo on horseback at the river, with the horse rearing, and the guardians carved into the cliffs on either side of the river.

Anyone who enjoys this book would also be interested in the Photo Guide for The Two Towers, also published by Houghton-Mifflin.

The Art of The Lord of the Rings
Average customer rating:

Nice, not great

hidden treasure

^ ^

BREATHTAKING ART

Artful

The Art of The Lord of the Rings
Gary Russell
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings)

ASIN: 0618510982

Book Description

A dual-edition full-color book for the millions of fans who have taken The Lord of the Rings to heart through the celebrated ﬁlm trilogy. Many of the images included in this volume, depicting pivotal scenes and characters, were previously embargoed and have never appeared in book form. The work of Alan Lee and John Howe â the two artists most closely associated with Tolkien's world â is featured, along with that of many other talented artists and designers. The artists' own descriptions of the design process used in creating the look of the ﬁlms both enlighten and enliven this essential book.

Customer Reviews:

Nice, not great.......2006-11-04

Nice computer rendered images in full color. Wasn't quite what I was expecting. Enjoyed Lord of the Rings Sketchbook much more.

hidden treasure.......2006-03-22

Its a comprehensive book of the best concept art for LOTR, some of which wasnt included in the previous volumes. The background paintings are a must have. I suggest people purchase this book rather than the other volumes, as it covers all 3 films.

^ ^.......2005-08-08

what an amazing world in the books "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R.Tolken, and I would thank Mr.Jackson very much to create them become true with his trilogy moves "The Lord of the Rings". I love those moves,love them so much.they take me into such an superb world.I will remember them in my all life, do you? if you are a fun of them, you will be love them too.

BREATHTAKING ART.......2005-07-01

Owning all of the Boxed sets of the LOTR's trilogy I found myself utterly fascinated with the various documentaries on the discs about the making of the film. Especially with the art designs..the paintings, storyboards, miniatures...Here are men who are supremely talented artists whose paintings and drawings would never been seen by most people were it not for the DVDs and books like this. This is high art...Gorgeous and breathtaking and on a par if not surpassing the works of people like the Hildebrandt Brothers who have been long known for their paintings of Middle Earth. Next to people like Alan Lee, the Hildebrandts work seems child-like in its intent.

The painting of the Nazgul looking down like a vulture over the town of Bree, just waiting is marvelous. The Nazgul, their wriath images revealed to a startled Frodo when he puts the ring on atop Weathertop, Treebeard, Shelob...the fantastic pencil drawings. These films created literally thousands of masterpieces of fantasy art. Just a fantastic book and at over 200 pages it's not some fluff marketing item, but a book for serious fans and collectors.

Artful.......2005-04-07

In the foreword of "The Art of The Lord of the Rings," Gary Russell reveals that he always intended to create a "best of" book, after doing the previous books for the hit movie trilogy. Now that all the extended versions are out, and everybody knows the ending, this Best Of collection proves itself to be just as useful as Russell's previous books.

As the previous books have had, Russell takes a look at all sorts of concept art for the films: There are storyboards, intricate pencil drawings, paintings, and action shots. Some of it was previously unreleased, like a picture of Gandalf the Grey looking over an army. Quite a few of the pictures are almost identical to the film, especially the digital shots, which are 100% realistic. And there is even a gallery of maquette models, including trolls, Shelob, mumakil, Treebeard, the king of the dead and the intricate Easterling armor.

The difference between this and Russell's prior books? Here, Russell divides the artwork by artist, rather than by subject. As a result, readers can get a better idea on what the assorted artists specialized at, and their different concepts about what "Lord of the Rings" should look like.

First and foremost are the legendary Alan Lee and John Howe. Lee's artwork is very vivid and action-based, and his color pictures are almost like photos. Howe's are mostly black and white, extremely detailed, and are more delicate than Lee's more muscular style. Without a doubt, these guys were the bedrock for all the concept art.

But there are quite a few other artists included, and each has their own style and focus. Christian Rivers and Ben Wootten seemed to specialize in armor, beasties and menaces, while Warren Mahy tended to focus on the grotesque and gruesome, such as the orcs, the dead men, and uruk-hai. And Daniel Falconer did a little of everything, including ship designs, radically different designs for the ent Treebeard, and lots and lots of armor (both past and present).

Russell ends it with small shots of the ending credits of ROTK, which was made of delicate pictures of each actor in costume, as "we would wish to remember them." It's a bit saddening, but as he reminds us in the foreword, there's always "The Hobbit" someday.

The Lord of the Rings Weapons and Warfare

Average customer rating:

Fun to Read, and a Fantastic Reference to Tolkien's World.
Research and Viewing Enhancer Book
Not exactly the one I was hoping for...
Good book.
Most important book for LOTR fans

The Lord of the Rings Weapons and Warfare
Chris Smith , and Christopher Lee
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618391002
Release Date: 2003-11-05

Book Description

Lavishly illustrated with 1,000 photos, paintings, maps, sculptures and sketches, most appearing here for the first time, Weapons and Warfare is an indispensable chronicle of The Lord of the Rings' many creatures, warriors, armies and battlegrounds. From the graceful and proficient Elves to the horrendous war machines of the Dark Lord, each culture's approach to warfare is explained - how they fought, why they were fighting, what armor they wore and what weapons they used against their enemies. Now you can get as close to a marauding Orc as you could ever wish, without suffering the consequences!

Treating the filmmakers' notes, designs and props as a true archive, Weapons and Warfare describes in detail every major conflict depicted in the film trilogy - from The Last Alliance of Elves and Men to the climactic Battle of the Pelennor Fields - each accompanied by a battle diagram from the films' chief designers.

Armed with a wealth of fascinating facts and unique imagery, and with an exclusive foreword by Christopher Lee and an introduction by the Academy Award winner Richard Taylor, Weapons and Warfare promises to be the most striking companion to The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy published to date.

Customer Reviews:

Fun to Read, and a Fantastic Reference to Tolkien's World........2006-10-10

If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings and the great battles between the forces of good and evil, then the "Lord of the Rings Weapons & Warfare" is an essential addition to your personal book hoard.

1000+ color photos and drawing illustrate all the weapons of Middle Earth, the battles and the strongholds of the land.

Learn about the weapons of the elves, the elven shield, bow, sword and fighting knives.

Read about famous swords such as Hadhafang, Narsil, and Sting.

Read about the Orcs and Cave Trolls, daggers fashioned out of horn, and the Mumakil a creature of legend as fabulous and fearsome as a dragon.

Elves of Lothlorien
Bows of Middle Earth
The Black Gate of Mordor
The Balrog
Uruk-hai
Dwarves
The Men of Gondor...
And much more

"Lord of the Rings Weapons & Warfare" is a great book. It's fun to read, and is a fantastic reference to Tolkien's World.

Research and Viewing Enhancer Book.......2006-02-10

This is a good research book. It tells you about the history of Middle Earth and the untold parts of The War of the Ring. It's an enhancer of observation while viewing the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the negative part is you might not be able to see it all unless you have the extended version. It talks about the Elves and Orcs of the Second Age. The book gives bios on all the characters that Tolkien created and some that you most likely have never heard of. For example there are two characters called The Mouth of Sauron, and Gil-galad. There is most likely is no other book just like this one.

This book as you most likely suspect has bios on some to the more famous weapons examples like Frodo's weapon Sting, Narsil the sword of Elendil, and the new legendary sword Andúril. Some of the weapons have elven writing on them. The book has translations to the sword Andúril; the translation is `Sun I am Andúril who was Narsil the sword of Elendil. Let the thralls of Mordor flee me. Moon'.

Did you know that the first group of Saruman's Uruk-hai (100 Uruk-hai) that were sent to fight the Fellowship were much stronger than the ten thousand Uruk-hai that attacked Helm's Deep? The reason the second group were weaker was that the 10,000 Uruk-hai were bred too quickly.

The book describes the step by step battle plans of the major battles like The Last Alliance battle at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Siege of Gondor and the Battle of Pelennor Fields (Pelennor Fields is the big plain before Minas Tirith) in Return of the King.

This is a great book buy it with this kind of deal

Not exactly the one I was hoping for..........2005-07-27

Generally it's quite a good one - lots of interesting details, nice photos, logical and easy narrative, etc. It is a reasonable contribution to the collection of the LotR books.
But why have I put only 3 stars? Because this book is based on the LotR film and not on the LotR books, except for the issues that were not covered by and revealed in the film. As a fan more of the LotR books and the STORY itself than of the film I was slightly disappointed with the author's approach to some developments that were covered wrongly by the film in the first place and therefore commented respectively in this book. For instance - death of Saruman is narrated as in the film and only a reference appears that "according to some scholars" Saruman was stabed later on in the Shire. Come on, everyone who was READING LotR knows whow Saruman ended according to the J.R.R.Tolkien himself so how can someone tell us such nonsense! While I can understand P.Jackson who was trying to cut the story into the film I can't accept people writing something as a documentary and distorting the truth.

Good book........2004-10-10

This is an amazing book for any LOTR fans and anyone who is crazy about battles, weapons, armour etc. It has a load of really detailed descriptions of the key battles of the history of Middle Earth. Last Alliance, Helms Deep, Pelennor fields etc. It also has a detailed analysis of all of the warriors you see in the films, the Elves, Uruk-hai, men of Gondor, Numenorean men, riders of Rohan, the list is almost endless.
I found this book thoroughly absorbing and interesting. Drawing inspiration from both the film and the book it gives you series of detailed descriptions. For anyone who likes LOTR this book is a MUST.
The only criticism is that it draws to heavily on the warped events of the film which dissapointed me but then again I hate films getting things wrong. However this could be expected as it is a book of the film and has to draw largely on important events rarely touched on by Tolkien. the last alliance is a good example. It also tends to write as a history instead of a myth which i personally find uncomfortable and a bit pompous. Other than that this book is excellent. Go buy!

Most important book for LOTR fans.......2004-10-10

Buy this book first, then you might not need the visual companion. This book has better information that all the visual companions combined (except for the small maps). The information inside are more than just about weapons and warfare, but also ALL the battle plans (which the visual companion only include some of the plans), all rings design, and ancient archieves of Moria, Saruman etc. IMHP, if you are new to LOTR movies and never read the novel itself, this book will be the first to buy event before the novel itself.

The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings)

Average customer rating:

All Inclusive
A Beautiful Book
A sensational start to a wonderfull epic
An Artist's Inspiration
Impressive and quality

The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings)
Gary Russell
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Art of The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings)
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The Lord of the Rings Weapons and Warfare

ASIN: 0618212906

Book Description

Alan Lee, the beloved illustrator of many of Houghton Mifflin's Tolkien editions, and a
talented team of other artists, including the renowned Tolkien illustrator John Howe, have spent more than three years creating the sets, props, creatures, and locations that truly bring Tolkien's Middle-earth to life. Hobbiton, Rivendell, and Minas Tirith are no longer
designations on the map. Literally hundreds of designers and craftspeople have been painstakingly adding authentic cultural details to each of more than 48,000 separate objects shown in The Fellowship of the Ring, from armor to props to architecture.
All this and more is shown in Gary Russell's lavishly illustrated book. Russell spent
time on the set in New Zealand, conducting interviews with director Peter Jackson, special effects guru Richard Taylor, art directors Paul Lasainne, Dan Hennah, and Chris Hennah,
costumer Ngila Dickson, and Alan Lee and John Howe. Featuring everything from pencil sketches to the finished objects, his book gives detailed descriptions of why and how
this groundbreaking film looks as exciting as it does. The millions of fans dazzled by the results will find here everything they want to know about the genesis and evolution of the movie's incredible look.

Customer Reviews:

All Inclusive .......2005-05-05

If this book was a DVD, it would be brimming over with extras. As an artist and a LOTR groupie(yeah I was one of those middle earth crazed fans) the book is very complete and satisfactory. The paintings, drawings, sketches and maquettes are really fun because they along with the writings chronicle the development process. Rather than skimming the surface of the movie art for profit it cuts the art department in two and looks at its insides. It doesn't have every detail(sans storyboards) but it is most definitely a quality tome and worth the price for any fan or for those interested in art.

A Beautiful Book.......2004-05-04

I got the The Art of The Lord of the Rings, because I loved the look of the Movie and wanted to see how the designers created the costumes and set. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to know more about it.

A sensational start to a wonderfull epic.......2004-03-04

The Lord of the Rings;
The fellowship of the Ring

By, J.R.R Tolkien

"It's a strange business walking out your front door; you step out onto the path, and if you don't keep your feet on the road there's no knowing where you'll be swept offto." To Frodo Baggins of the Shire, these words had relatively no significance, but when he found himself in a crucial position in the salvation of Middle Earth; he came to comprehend the meaning of this proverb more thoroughly. In J.R.R Tolkien's epic novel The Fellowship of the Ring, readers are propelled into the breathtaking fantasy world of Middle Earth and introduced to young Frodo Baggins of The Shire. Throughout this spellbinding epic, readers accompany Frodo on his rugged road of hardships and dilemmas leading up to the destruction of the ring of power and the liberation of Middle Earth.
Frodo Baggins was just a typical Hobbit who coexisted peacefully and quietly in his secluded environment in the Shire. He was a normal citizen who was very naive with regard to the many happenings of Middle Earth. However, Frodo's serene life was short-lived, for he soon discovered that the all mighty ring of power was in his household. This book is about how Frodo most leave behind his beloved home and set out to destroy the ring of power once and for all. Along his quest, he faces many arduous circumstances and he sometimes longs for his familiar home. Often, IR.R Tolkien makes the readers really ponder whether Frodo has enough willpower to continue his quest and if he will ever truly overcome affliction. The author does an outstanding job creating this believable yet surreal world and making you really get interested in the characters and events. In my opinion, he is one of the most innovative authors of all time.
Perhaps even more alluring than the predominant storyline are the strong underling themes and messages that permeate the book. Even though this book is a fantasy, it has some extremely important messages that are universally significant. For instance, one of the most dominant themes of this book (and the whole trilogy) is the concept of small people being strong enough to overcome great adversity. At some instances, you can really see that Frodo is a brave person and that he has enough determination to overcome the malice and hatred of the enemy. Another central theme is the notion that fate intervenes with an individual's life. For instance, when the ring of power fell into the hands of Frodo, was it really misfortune or was he meant to be the destroyer of the ring and savior of Middle Earth? I found myself pondering such questions over and over again in my mind and definitely think that this added great intrigue to an already outstanding book.
All in all, you can see that I enjoyed exploring Middle Earth and experiencing the many thrilling events described in this amazing piece of literature. I think that this is an essential read for anybody who is interested in fantasy stories and I strongly recommend it to everyone who has the stamina to persevere through some of the more complicated and confusing parts. This is my favorite book that I have read thus far and I believe that J.R.R Tolkien is one of the most creative and gifted authors of American literature.

An Artist's Inspiration.......2004-01-30

I found that the Art of the Fellowship of the Ring was extremely interesting. The sketches and composites were all very detailed and unique. Many of the drawings included, of course, never made it to the film, so it is brilliant to see some of the artists' original conceptions of Professor Tolkien's work.

As a fan of both architectural and fashion design I found the sections on 'Locations' and 'Costumes' particularly fascinating. For instance, I never realized that the basic outline for the Elven clothing was taken from the shape of leaves, nor the intricacy of the detail put into places as seemingly simple as Bag End.

Many of the sketches contained in this volume are of things that never made it to the film, not even to the extended version. In summary, The Art of the Fellowship of the Ring is an exhilerating insight to the LotR for both those interested in art...and I am sure for those who simply revere it, as well. ^^

Impressive and quality.......2003-09-29

This book is an excellent coffee-table sized hardcover edition containing hundreds of paintings, digital mat scales, pencil renditions, computer-generated and conceptual images that served as concept art.

The book includes works by Alan Lee and John Howe, noted Tolkien artists who assisted Peter Jackson in creating the wonder and awe that comes across in the massive cinematic scale that we see in the movie trilogy from New Line Cinema.

Compiled by Gary Russell, it also includes explanations and descriptions by special effects supervisor Richard Taylor, and designers Grant Major, Ngila Dickson and Paul Lasaine among others.

The sketches include everything from sets such as Isengard, the Shire, the mines of Moria and the Dwarven dwellings of Khazad-Dûm, and the Elven land of Lothlórien to sketches and layouts of costumes for hobbits, Rangers, warriors, orcs, Elves, and Dwarves. Also included are armor drawings and conceptual art for everything from heroes to evil creatures, as well as the vast array of swords and weapons incorporated in the films.

You can see it through the pages, these guys sincerely cared about getting this series right, and staying true to the spirit of Tolkien's beloved trilogy for the millions of fans who expect it.

Make sure you want this book, though - it's $35 and definitely does ruin some areas of the film. (Not only spoilers, but descriptions of composite shots, as in "with added background" and "without added background" comparisons)

Amazon.com

It's one of the most anticipated movies ever, and now you can see for yourself how the magic of Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece was created on screen in The Lord of the Rings: Official Movie Guide. Brian Sibley's straightforward approach takes the reader from the initial conception of the movie as it was developed and passed around studios (it initially started life as a two-hour condensed version of the three novels) to the months of complicated special-effects work necessary to do justice to Tolkien's extraordinary imagination. The book features interviews with all the key cast and production members and is liberally decorated with full-color photographs and behind-the-scenes images from the film itself. Sibley manages to document perfectly the filmmakers' painstaking attention to detail, much of which will be missed by many moviegoers, but he also captures a sense of camaraderie from all involved who wanted to make the best movie possible.

If it's facts and background trivia you are after, then this is the best place to be--the perfect starting point for those new to Tolkien or eager to find out more about how epic movies are put together. Dedicated Lord of the Rings fans who have been following the epic moviemaking process via the Internet won't find anything here they didn't already know, but this is still a very good companion no matter what level of knowledge or understanding you have of the greatest work of fantastic fiction ever written. --Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

An introduction to the talented actors and filmmakers who have labored for years to bring Tolkien's work to the screen.

For several years, a huge team of dedicated moviemakers has been transforming the exotic landscapes of New Zealand into the Middle-earth of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic masterwork, The Lord of the Rings. It is a massive production by fans of Tolkien's work for fans of Tolkien's work.
This fully authorized Official Movie Guide is the perfect introduction to the total immersion in Tolkien's world that filmgoers will experience. In full color throughout, including lavish, full-bleed production stills, and with exclusive biographies of the stars and filmmakers, this book gives readers a privileged access to behind-the-scenes material found nowhere else.
Featuring color photos of the cast, locations, sets, costumes, and creatures of the films, the book also includes an entertaining overview of the conception, design, and logistical challenges of a film project of this epic scale and grandeur.

Customer Reviews:

Hobbits rule.......2004-02-29

For even though this is an informative book, and I am Tolkien/LOTR fanatic, I don't think I'd pay eighteen bucks for it. Yet, now I'll focus on the book's qualities. First of all, it has interesting overveiws of the actors' careers and lives
and has quotes made by the cast and crew scattered throughout.
Overall, the book has good content, and Brian Sibley is quite a good author, overveiwing the pruduction of the movie, and some parts are somewhat humorous. One thing that was very strange was in the 'workshop of the fantastic' chapter, they labeled a picture of a uruk-hai, as the uruk-hai chieftan Lurtz, though if you look at the picture you can see it is not Lurtz, for he does not have Lurtz's trademark top knot or his specific downwards pointing hand print on his forehead. Overall, this book is somewhat of a disapointment.

A Great Buy.......2003-12-11

The first thing I would like to say is a slight warning. This book is focused on The Fellowship of the Ring and contains basically no information concerning the last two films. Do not be deceived by the title. If you are interested in the other films, there are visual guides for each seperate one, including The Fellowship...

Other than that, this is an incredible book, with STUNNING pictures and lots of information concerning the actors and the process involved in making the film. The paperback copy is extremely sturdy, and unless you are going to read it to death, I would purchase it instead of the hardcover.

Although my two young siblings (ages 7 and 9) love to look through the book at all the incredible pictures, it isn't a children's book and would probably interest only those who are really interested in the process of making such a film. For me, reading books like this increases my appreciation of the film itself--how much work goes into these things for only three hours of entertainment.

In summary--a great buy!

Excellent!.......2003-08-02

This gives you beautiful pictures of the movie and tells you a bit about the actors who played the characters in the movie. It is a great edition to any fans collection!

Gives lots of details on the making of the FOTR film........2002-12-17

This book was informative and all but i don't really think it is worth the money. Well it really depends, if your a lord of the rings fanatic, then it's for you. Mostly gives the introduction of actors and how the movie was set up. Costume design and so on.

They give detailed explanation on how they made the movie, how they got Hobbits look 1/2 size of humans. How they made the movie sites, used the elvish language, and so on... Also, the actors get to speak. They talk about how they came upon making of this movie, what they've learned, the fun they had, and basically they just share something.

This book is in a way interesting, and when your watching the film, you can try to pick out all the fake stuff knowing what the book said. it's interesting to read, but after you've read everything... there's nothing left to do but put it in your self and never look at it again. It is worth reading the first time around but i don't think it would be something you would want to come back too again in the future. maybe when you've forgotten everything, but then... who knows?

Fan.......2002-12-05

I am a die hard fan of the trilogy, long before the movie came out. The information in the book is brief but enough to make it worthwhile. The pictures, however, are hardly in focus.

The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion (The Lord of the Rings)

Average customer rating:

A great book to cuddle up with
An exceptional book
A great visual foundation
No Balrog. Only four stars. Give us the BALROG
Exactly what I wanted

The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion (The Lord of the Rings)
Jude Fisher , and J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Making of the Movie Trilogy (The Lord of the Rings)

ASIN: 0618154019
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Amazon.com

Jude Fisher's Lord of the Rings Visual Companion is a real treat for Tolkien fans and brings readers up close to some of the amazing detail they will find in the big-screen version of this fantasy classic. Not just a straightforward movie guide, this is more of a Middle-earth encyclopedia with information on the people and places to which moviegoers will be introduced. The text is informative and never presumes any level of knowledge, making this book more than accessible for Tolkien fans or those who have yet to discover his work. The pictures are full color and quite simply superb, showcasing the movie's epic scope and exciting special effects. There is even a foldout map of Middle-earth in the center pages using shots from the movie to illustrate key locations, giving it a more realistic feel. Not an average movie tie-in book, Fisher's wonderful guide has been as lovingly put together as the movie itself and has "quality" stamped all over it. This is definitely one to add to your collection. --Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

Houghton Mifflin is proud to present a full-color, large-format, guide to the characters, cultures, and locations of J.R.R. Tolkien's extraordinary creation Middle-earth, as depicted in the movie The Fellowship of the Ring - the first of three blockbuster films from New Line Cinema.
Filled with stunning imagery and with a thorough, informative narrative text, The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion will provide the reader with a rich feast of detail and information. Featuring exclusive photos of Frodo, Gandalf, the Ringwraiths, elves, and all the other main characters and creatures of the first film, the book also includes breathtaking pictures of Hobbiton, Rivendell, and Moria.
The first of a projected three-book series that no Tolkien fan, from novice to expert, should be without, The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion contains a special eight-page gatefold of large-format images unique to this book.

Customer Reviews:

A great book to cuddle up with.......2005-02-18

This book was literally my companion while I waited for the DVD to be available for purchase, allowing me to get my "LOTR fix" whenever I needed it. The pictures are wonderful, as are the descriptions of the characters.

There were several references and pictures to scenes that weren't in the theatrical version (but were in the extended version). This may have been confusing or irritating to some, but I found it exciting as it gave a hint of what I had to look forward to in the extended version.

I prefer it to the "making of...." books, because it portrays the characters instead of the actors. You can really become immersed in the story, and in Middle Earth, by cuddling up with this book.

An exceptional book.......2004-01-08

I have loved Lord of the Rings forever so when I saw this book, I HAD to have it. My impulses were right, this book was fantastic! It had incredible pictures, wonderful character analysis, and cool, interesting movie tidbits. For a movie as unforgettable as the Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring visual companion is the only book that could possibly do it justice is The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion. This book is a must for any Lord of the Rings Fan!

A great visual foundation.......2003-04-01

I actually purchased this book after having received the visual companion to the Two Towers for Christmas last year. As with the second book, the LoTR book provides an excellent overview with pictures of all of the major characters from the first film, giving you a little more insight into the nature of each of the different creatures.

A fun book for the whole family, and a great edition for any collector.

No Balrog. Only four stars. Give us the BALROG.......2002-12-27

Despite the excellent visual imagery and quality of this book and the companion to the first movie both books lacked one extremely important and somewhat pivotal villain from the first movie, The Balrog. The Balrog also makes an appearance in the second movie and should have been given more detailed treatment. Jude Fisher are you listening. Hey why not add the Balrog in the third book.

Exactly what I wanted.......2002-12-15

This companion was what I expected of it. It had many thrilling pictures of the cast and beside that their descriptions. The pictures were in full color and they were very enjoyable. They described the forging of the one ring and the Last Alliance of Men and Elves all the way to the Uruk-Hai's and Nazguls. If you were just beginning to read the books, this would be great for you to have to show you who the characters were and to tell you a little background information about them, like a dictionary. I would definitely say to buy this. It was a brilliant tie in and I just can't wait until I get the next book.

Average customer rating:

There and Back Again and Again and Again
Abit Bombastic but altogether entertaining and informative.
Sean Astin Audiobook Critic:
More inside LOTR movie information then you will get anywhere else
I should have known....

There and Back Again : An Actor's Tale
Sean Astin , and Joe Layden
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: B000FUTQ32

Book Description

The fascinating memoir of a Hollywood life and an inside look at a life-changing role and the groundbreaking film trilogy that captured the imagination of movie fans everywhere
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful film franchises in cinematic history. Breaking box office records worldwide, capturing numerous Academy Awards, the trilogy is a breathtaking cinematic achievement and beloved by fans everywhere.
For Sean Astin, the call from his agent about the role of Samwise Gamgee couldn’t have come at a better time. His career was at a low point and choice roles were hard to come by. But his 18-month experience in New Zealand with director Peter Jackson and the cast and crew of The Lord of the Rings films would be more than simply a dream-come-true—it would prove to be the challenge of a lifetime.
Though much has been written about the making of the films, the real story of what took place on the set, the harrowing ordeals of the actors and the unspoken controversy and backstage dealings have never been told. More than a companion guide to the Rings films, There and Back Again is filled with stories from the set and of the actors involved that have never before been revealed—an eye-opening look at the blood, sweat, and tears that went into the making of one of the most ambitious films of all time.

Customer Reviews:

There and Back Again and Again and Again.......2007-05-25

As a serious Lord of the Rings fan (both of the books and the films), I eagerly picked up this book by Sean Astin to gain some insight into the filming of the magnificent trilogy. Unfortunately, the actual stories of the movies are few and far between, while we get an overabundance of Sean's observations in a repetitive manner. And while there are some redeeming things about this book, I have to admit that at times I nearly put it down because frankly, I felt like I'd been there, and back, before.

Sean Astin is indeed a gifted actor, and at times his fun personality shines through the writing. It is great fun reading about the little conversations between the actors, and how the filming progressed and changed over time. Sean gives a good view of Peter Jackson's vision, and he is nothing but fair in describing his relationships with his fellow actors. Unfortunately, at times he is over-reaching in his need to show how he really, really, really does have respect for his friends; he says something negative and then spends the next five paragraphs explaining why it's not necessarily true. Sean also spends a good deal of time overanalyzing himself, though this is probably a by-product of his upbringing. A good editor might have helped Sean stay on subject over the course of a few pages and would have added cohesiveness to the story.

True fans of the Lord of the Rings will enjoy this book, and I did. The photos and tales of the filming are indeed a joy, and you do feel as though you are there amid the cast and crew. But the casual reader hoping to increase his/her knowledge of this fantastic cinematic journey will come away disappointed, and even fans may have a hard time pushing through Sean's neuroses. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.

Abit Bombastic but altogether entertaining and informative........2007-05-13

After thoroughtly enjoying The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and while taking a second look...(a read of all the good Tolkein books) a secind play of the extended versions, including all the commentaires what a nice find this is, something coming from one if the cast members...a very human telling; something like sitting down at the local Shire Hobbit Pub there and having abit of a good go over chat with the son of the Old Gaffer himself ...SO, all you critics take the weight off, put up a good mug and perhaps even a pipe if one be so inclined and enjoy. And if one o'there them Hobbits ever wats ta have a good chat well then go on and give a a knock on the internet door.

Sean Astin Audiobook Critic:.......2007-04-29

I don't have to much time so i'll make this short.
Not just is Sean Astin a great actor ( yes, he is i think. ) but he is a great entertainer and most of all narrator!

If you have listened to the Cast Audio Comment on the LotR Parts you'll probably already have realized this. I think i can say it's a real pleasure to listen to him remembering so many details so many anecdotes from the film making process. ( Of course the other actors are great story tellers too ;) )

This Audiobook isn't just entertaining but also aducating in terms of the process of filmmaking, film history etc.
You realise that Mr. Astin is a guy who really knows film, quoting on many films, giving examples of the industry behind the magic and just simply giving people who are not in the film industy a look insight.

He does that in a way that offers unequaled. The honesty, the love for detail, the commitment makes you enthusiastic. It is this very enthusiasm, this power from the actors which was one of the most important reasons why lotr became such e great epic masterpiece i think. And not at least why pete ( jackson ) picked him for the role of sam.

It is this very "new zealandish" "can do" approach to films as some may call it. It is true, honest and commited film making and just the love for film itself.

By having written this book Mr. Sean Astin didn't just report about an actor's life but much more created a really entertaining wonderfull documentary about the process of making lotr and gives you a great look insight filmmaking in general.

Furthermore i am very pleased to see THAT the lotr continues in form of various media; book, audiobook, internet sites etc.
I don't think - as some people do - it is sheer money making - but much more keeping such a masterpiece as lotr alive - be it books by the actors, be it documentarys, be it extra dvd's etc.

Lord of the Rings shell live on and on - in the hearts and minds of the people.

I want to comment on the critics on Mr. Astin:
Apparently there are some people who think of him as an 'arrogant, selfish, other poeple interupting' person. As they source they name the LotR Audio commentary. ( Which is insufficient to rate a person )

I don't hink he is arrogant at all - he's much more enthusiastic and really infects other people with his passion.
If he interrupts other people on the Audio Commentary than it is ridicolous to imply he's a arrogant person. He's much more the enthusiastic little boy who loves films if you want so.
And that's a good thing.

More inside LOTR movie information then you will get anywhere else.......2006-12-08

I picked this out of a bargain bin while stuck in a weather layover a couple of months back and found it to be a pleasantly pleasing little book. I am a Lord of the Rings nerd, not at the speaking Elvish level, but a nerd none the less who was smiling throughout this book.

Sean tells of his own journey from a young Hollywood actor, with famous parents, through the LOTR movies and all that came after their success. He does tend to drone on, in an honest self-serving kind of way at times, but is completely honest and open about his foot-in-mouth transgressions and occasionally self-engrossed shortcomings.

The only thing you can fault him for after reading this book is being a bit too Hollywood. I guess when you see him on the screen in movies such as Rudy, Goonies, and as Sam, you unrealistically expect a good natured underdog always willing to sacrifice himself for others while never hesitating to do good. The other reviewers who gave this book negative reviews based on his personality seemed to not realize that Sean is human, does work in a tremendously (at times) contemptuous business, where your value is based solely on your popularity. So those reviews are both unfair and naïve.

I would suggest this book for any LOTR fans who would live to hear the stories of what it was like backstage, during tapings, rewrites, filming (pre and post)... of the movies. It is also an honest little autobiography into Sean Astin.

I should have known...........2006-09-10

I should have suspected, hearing the commentary on the exteneded versions of the LotR trilogy dvds and how Sean Astin is forever interrupting everyone else, talking louder in order to drown out the others, and pontificating on and on and on, often losing his original point (if he even had one in the first place), like a pompous, self-important, meandering windbag. That's just how he comes off in this book, only far more whining, negative, and just downright petty and insecure to the point that he has to put everyone else down to feel better about himself. Everyone else involved with the LotR project was so excited and grateful to be there, while at the same time not denying that it was probably the most daunting, difficult and exhausting task they'd ever undertaken. All Sean Astin focuses on in this book is the constant downsides. It's so wearing, and forced me to look at Sean Astin in a far different, and much less fond light.

I wish I hadn't read this book. I wish that someone else involved in the movies had written the same type of book, and talked about the same things, someone with a healthier and more generous outlook on movie making, and himself, and life in general. Because Sean Astin is a very very unhappy person, and I think Lord of the Rings was very inconsequential to that. Sean, get some therapy, get some Prozac, stop living in denial, learn to appreciate what you have, because the lifelong victimized, underappreciated diva personality you display in this book is just not working for anyone.

No actor could be farther in genuine character from the heroic, self-sacrificing and sweet Samwise Gamgee.

I won't even mention that this re-print of the book still has typos.

The Fellowship of the Ring Insiders' Guide (The Lord of the Rings Movie Tie-In)

Average customer rating:

A fantastic book for all!!
This was so great!
A very nice children's guide to the making of the movie
An enjoyable, informative book for young people
Why is it that quality is skimped?

The Fellowship of the Ring Insiders' Guide (The Lord of the Rings Movie Tie-In)
Brian Sibley , and J.R.R. Tolkien
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0618195599

Book Description

The official tie-in companion for younger readers, packed with fascinating facts, on-set interviews and unique photos from the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Brian Silbey goes behind the cameras and reveals just how much work, time, creativity and endless imagination are involved in bringing the movie phenomenon The Fellowship of the Ring to a theater near you...

Customer Reviews:

A fantastic book for all!!.......2004-08-13

I've been trying to collect as many Lord of the Rings books as I can, and this one did not let me down. It was certainly an excellent addition to my collection! The 96-pages are packed with behind-the-scenes information on the Fellowship of the Rings, and with 95 photos which includes the hobbits, Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf . . . etc., the bad guys, set locations, behind-the-scenes, and many more. In the middle of the book there are 16-pages containing 32 of the photos that are in color. The remaining 63 of the photos in the rest of the book are in black and white. Once I began reading, I was so fascinated by the amazing behind-the-scenes information that I found myself not even noticing the color of the pictures . The information truly IS fascinating as Brian Sibley did well taking the reader deep into the making of the Fellowship of the Ring. The 12 chapters are filled with interesting facts about the costumes, makeup, weapons, sets, special effects, cast/crew, and . . . just about everything! I enjoyed reading the "Cast and Crew" section where the author explains how each actor got their individual parts in the movie, and I also enjoy quotes - there are plenty of these. There is also a short history about how it all started - not only the movie, but also the original books as well. This is an exciting and wonderful book inviting YOU to be part of the making of the Fellowship of the Ring. If you are considering purchasing this book, you should . . . I guarantee that you will be satisfied as I was!

This was so great!.......2002-03-24

I loved it! I didn't really knew J R R Tolkiens work with his books, so I hadn't really read LOTR. That's why this book was so amazing and helped me to get to know the story behind it so I realized that wow, this was something increadible and big.

A very nice children's guide to the making of the movie.......2002-02-05

This is a simplified version of the Official Movie Guide, made especially for children. The cover is very handsome. It's a fairly small book, but it doesn't talk down to the kids. It's clearly written for a British audience but most American kids should be able to handle it. It gives a brief but good background on the movie, the characters, and the original book. Nice.

An enjoyable, informative book for young people.......2002-01-23

This book is apparently intended to be the equivalent for young readers of the "Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide," which is also written by Brian Sibley (who was also the co-writer of the script for the BBC's excellent radio adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings," starring Ian Holm as Frodo). In many ways this children's version, although shorter and less detailed, is more interesting than the adult version. The "Insiders' Guide" contains some information not included in the "Movie Guide," such as the "Loom!" story mentioned by another reviewer below. Indeed, in general the emphasis of the "Insiders' Guide" seems to be a bit less on the production design of the movie, and more on the process of filming it and the experience of being on the set, than that of the "Movie Guide."

One interesting feature of Sibley's text as compared to that of the "Movie Guide" is that the chapters of the "Insiders' Guide" tend to begin with especially intriguing sentences intended to grab the reader's attention. Perhaps Sibley thinks this is more necessary when writing for children than for adults; I consider it a good technique when writing for any audience. ("Apollo 13," formerly called "Lost Moon," by James Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger, is an excellent example of the use of this technique in a non-fiction book for adults.)

Tolkien fans, and those moviegoers who have fallen in love with Peter Jackson's film, may well want to collect all four movie tie-in books: this "Insiders' Guide" and the "Photo Guide" (both intended for children) along with the "Movie Guide" and the "Visual Companion" (both intended for adults). Young readers seeking paperback books about the movie will find both the "Insiders' Guide" and the "Photo Guide" fairly good choices; the "Insiders' Guide" provides information about the movie's production and the background behind it, while the "Photo Guide" is the better bet for images from the film.

Why is it that quality is skimped?.......2002-01-03

At first glance, this guide to the new "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" seems like an excellent source of info and photographs from the movie.

The problem is that virtually all of the text is lifted, diluted, and transplanted from the Brian Sibley adult movie guide. This one, on the flip side, has less information than the adult one, as well as far fewer pictures; most of what it does have is in black-and-white, newspaper-quality pictures. There are admittedly some pix that are not included in the adult guide, such as a picture of the Nazgul as they really are, and a picture of Sam wading out to Frodo's boat. But these are simply not worth it.

If you do buy a copy, check the cover, which seems to bend and tear easily; also the binding and paper seem very cheap and flimsy. There is a section of color photos in the middle, but not all of them are new.

I'm not sure why quality was skimped on for the children's edition -- the adult one has high-quality paper and binding, and every photo is color. Was it thought that kids wouldn't notice? On the contrary -- I found it very frustrating to see less information, and worse quality books.

If you wish to buy a movie guide, either buy the more expensive (but worth it) adult edition of this book, or the Fellowship Visual Companion.

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