A biopic of Tolkien’s early life is released in cinemas across the UK today.
Directed by Dome Karukoski and written by David Gleeson and Stephen Beresford, Tolkien stars Nicholas Hoult as J.R.R. Tolkien and Lily Collins as Edith Tolkien née Bratt.
Tolkien Society Chair Shaun Gunner said on Twitter that the film is likely to appeal to casual viewers but “hardcore Tolkien fans will struggle with [its] historic accuracy and balance of influences“.
Last week, the Tolkien Estate distanced themselves from the production, stating that “the family and the Estate wish to make clear that they did not approve of, authorise or participate in the making of this film. They do not endorse it or its content in any way.”
Tolkien will be released in the US on 10 May 2019.
Fox Searchlight Synopsis
TOLKIEN explores the formative years of the renowned author’s life as he finds friendship, courage and inspiration among a fellow group of writers and artists at school. Their brotherhood strengthens as they grow up and weather love and loss together, including Tolkien’s tumultuous courtship of his beloved Edith Bratt, until the outbreak of the First World War which threatens to tear their fellowship apart. All of these experiences would later inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-earth novels.
