Personal comments from members on the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

I saw The Lord of the Rings for the first time yesterday (I will be going at least twice more!) and found it to be mind blowing, and it totally surpassed all my expectations and I can't wait for the next two films. I think that, although parts of importance were missed out (e.g. Tom Bombadil) the essence of Tolkien's work did come through very clearly. I know several people, who have never read regularly, have started to read the book straight away, so the film must have worked some kind of magic on them! The thing that really makes me happy, though, is that people aren't coming out of the cinema talking about the special effects, or the battle scenes, but are commenting on how intriguing the characters and plot line are. My boy friend, who has never read The Lord of the Rings, was stunned for about 45 minutes, and then all he could say was: 'I can't believe all of that came out of one person's head!'

Heidi Ortmann, Lincolnshire, UK

 

I'm still depressed from looking at the film on Sunday. What's worse is my son, who's never read the books, thinks it's a bl**dy good film. The good thing is he's asking me questions about LotR now. There may be hope yet.

Alan Reynolds, Buckinghamshire, UK

 

Dear All,

I have just seen the Film!

I feel a little deflated. Having looked forward to it, for so long, it was not what I had expected. I thought in advance when it came time to walk out of the cinema, that I would feel both buoyant and full of enthusiasm, but that was not the case. Parts of the film were really moving, and certain aspects followed the book in detail. Good special affects, a fair amount of action. I will look forward to the second and third releases, before making my final judgement. I think that if I had not read the book, then I would probably think it a better film. Frodo appears to have been given a more prominant role than Gandalf (Frodo even works out the solution to opening the doors of Moria, rather than Gandalf).

I won't labour on, as you should watch it yourselves. On the plus side, I was disappointed that it ended, and the three hours+ did not drag. Overall, I was pleased at the effort made, by the film-makers and Director, who have attempted to capture many aspects of the story-line of the books.

Graeme Yates, Newcastle, UK

 

I loved the jokes put there for readers of the book - I can't wait to see it again as I know that I'll pick up a great deal that I missed the first time. In this way, the film is very like the book - not a 'once is enough' experience.

Pat Reynolds, Surrey, UK

 

I thought that it was very good. I intend to see it again as soon as possible. There are changes as we knew there would be, but I feel that Peter Jackson has captured the spirit of the book, which was what he intended to try and do. He knew he could not faithfully recreate the whole story on film, and it should be judged as a film, NOT as a motion picture book, if that makes sense.

Chris Crawshaw, Shropshire, UK

 

Thought film excellent. Annette thoroughly enjoyed it, though my arm was squeezed in two in places. I enjoyed the "introducing the naughty hobbits bits" that replaces Crickhollow. Am going to see it again. Annette's review to her Mum put it musically and in scope on a level with Braveheart and Last of the Mohicans. Can't wait till NEXT Christmas. Not sure if Annette will now read the books or simply as far as end of Bk2, and await next filmic instalment.

Malcolm Lindley, Wiltshire, UK

 

I thoroughly enjoyed the film, even with the changes and omissions and some effects less special than others - oh, and one or two 'interesting' accents. I can see why some people may be slightly irritated or disappointed by the way certain things have been done, but I do think Peter Jackson has made a valiant attempt at filming the unfilmable and I'm now trying to work out when I can go and see it again (and again, and again, probably). I especially liked a little bit they added which I think in the long run will have helped rather than hindered. And, no, I don't mean the dwarf joke, though I didn't mind that either...

Andrew Butler, Croydon, UK

 

I enjoyed the movie greatly, more the second time that I saw it, but I had to tell myself firmly that it is not a book, it is a film! It seems to me that this film keeps more closely to the spirit, if not the word, of the book than do many. However, making all the allowances for the completely legitimate need to cut or occasionally condense in order to fit this story into 3 films, I was unhappy at several points where it seemed that details had been changed in places where an exact adherence to the book would have been no disadvantage.

Andrew Armstrong, Leighton Buzzard, UK

 

Comment: I was afraid that after 40 years of waiting to see a dramatic presentation of my favourite book, the experience might not live up to my hopes. Not so; Peter Jackson and his dedicated crew have brought it stunningly to life. OK, there are a few things I would have preferred done differently, but I am not going to carp; I am no movie director, and nothing in this world is totally perfect. The landscapes, the atmosphere, are certainly just as I had imagined them. The plot is curtailed, of necessity, but the essence of the story is there, and magnificently presented. I am grateful to have lived long enough to see this film, and more than glad that this brilliant and profound story will now reach so many millions around the world.

Christine Davidson, Rugby, UK

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