Wednesday, December 19, 2001
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Wednesday, December 19, 2001 |
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Lord of the Rings finally arrives on the big screen By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
For some, the wait has been excruciating, while others have no idea what they could have been waiting for. Today, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" opens at movie theaters nationwide. The film, based on the first installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved trilogy, is directed by Peter Jackson and features an all-star cast. The story revolves around a ring that, if it falls into the wrong hands, namely those of Lord Sauron, the world will be enslaved and conquered by evil. Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit, gives his heir, Frodo, the ring, so that he may return the ring to Mount Doom and destroy it. Frodo is helped by Gandalf the Grey, a wizard, as well as other hobbits, dwarves, elves and fairies. Tolkien was born in England in 1892. Living on the outskirts of Birmingham, his imagination was enhanced by the rustic scenery. When his imagination teamed up with his masterful control of language, Tolkien became a literary legend. After serving in World War I, Tolkien became a professor at Oxford University. He also began to write stories to entertain his children. The stories, rich with detail, laid the foundation for the series which continues to attract and enchant readers around the world. The fans of the books have been eagerly awaiting the release of the film. The Web site, theonering.net, encouraged fans to start virtual lines to purchase tickets. The virtual line for tickets to the premiere at Fayetteville's Tinseltown started Nov. 13. The group's administrator is Stacy Ulman from Eagle's Landing and many of the members of the line are family members and colleagues. They have gathered together to watch all of the specials about the film and plan to see the film several times this week. Ulman has been a Tolkien fan since the age of 11. He is 36 years old now but is as excited as a child while discussing the films. The sequels to "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" are scheduled to be released before Christmas over the next two years, but they could be released earlier if the market is ready for them. By all accounts the film should be a smash hit. The reviews that have come in are stellar and the fans should make it as big a box office smash as "Harry Potter." There will be many shows a day of this film, which is rated PG-13, at all surrounding theaters. |
