IGN.com|AskMen.com|Rotten Tomatoes|GameSpy|FilePlanet|TeamXbox|CheatsCodesGuides|GameStats|Direct2Drive
RottenTomatoes.com
Register | Log In | What is RT?
Home Movies DVD Celebrities News Critics Trailers & Pictures The Vine Forums
Box Office | Best Of | Certified Fresh | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches by subscribing to our Google Subscribed Links profile.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Email to a Friend
  • Add to List
  • Bookmark and Share
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
92 %
Tomatometer

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted: 198

Fresh: 182

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

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 creatures and dark armies of terror. Generations... 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 [More]

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

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 21

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Ratings Image

A stunning adventure story realized with genuine artistic flair.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
04/28/08
Matthew De Abaitua
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

The sets and special effects are near flawless.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
03/05/08
Philip French
Observer [UK]
Ratings Image

Putting formula blockbusters to shame, Fellowship is impeccably cast and constructed with both care and passion.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Colin Kennedy
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Impeccably cast, superbly acted, brilliantly directed and looking fabulous, it is safe to say that it has been worth the wait, with director Jackson (himself a fan) unquestionably the right man for the job.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/30/02
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
Ratings Image

The first part of the long-awaited trilogy is here, and Kiwi director Jackson somehow manages to exceed expectations with one of the most astonishing action epics in memory.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
06/20/02
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
Ratings Image

On its own terms, a stunning adventure story realised with genuine artistic flair.

Full Review Source: FilmFour.com | comment Comment
02/26/02
Matthew De Abaitua
FilmFour.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

There is no doubt that it's worth seeing, and yes, I'm looking forward to the sequels.

Full Review Source: UK Critic | comment Comment
01/06/02
Ian Waldron-Mantgani
UK Critic
Ratings Image

The Fellowship of the Ring resembles from certain angles nothing so much as a 178-minute electric mandolin solo.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
12/16/01
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

Funny, scary and, totally involving, Peter Jackson's assured adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Lord of The Rings turns the book's least screen-worthy volume into a gripping and powerful adventure movie.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
12/11/01
Nev Pierce
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 4 Comments
03/05/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Ratings Image

Jackson ... conjures the most potent major-motion-picture magic in years.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
08/13/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Ratings Image

Thankfully, if the audience has the patience, the film is good enough to warrant watching again.

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: Looking Closer | comment Comment
01/15/05
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image

Director Peter Jackson's awesome three hour film, seeming like half the time, is the handsomest fantasy film ever made. (Published 12-22-01)

Full Review Source: Kansas City Kansan | comment Comment
10/30/04
Steve Crum
Kansas City Kansan
Ratings Image

It is imaginative, fierce, even thrilling in spots. Nevertheless, as the curtain comes down, the credits should read Game Over, not The End.

Full Review Source: Boulder Weekly | comment 1 Comment
09/23/04
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly
Ratings Image

Tolkien's world explodes onto the screen in vibrant, brooding, beautiful life.

Full Review Source: Goatdog's Movies | comment Comment
05/04/04
Michael W. Phillips, Jr.
Goatdog's Movies
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
01/01/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: Critic Doctor | comment Comment
12/17/03
Peter Sobczynski
Critic Doctor
Ratings Image

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.

Full Review Source: RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland) | comment Comment
08/14/03
Harry Guerin
RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship...

August 11, 2008: 20 CGI Classics - From T2 to Batman Begins to WALL-E
We showcase 20 films which have employed Pixar's pioneering software RenderMan to create some of the last two decades' most visually-impressive movies. More...

July 13, 2008: Guillermo del Toro - RT's Dinner and the Movies Interview
We have an extended chat with the director of Cronos, Pan's Labyrinth and this week's Hellboy II to talk about his career past, present and future and tap him for juicy... More...

July 11, 2008: Exclusive: Guillermo del Toro's Hobbit Secrets Spilled
We couldn't spend an hour in Guillermo del Toro's company - as part of our Dinner and the Movies interview series - without talking The Hobbit, and the visionary director... More...

May 07, 2008: New Line Cinema: A Retrospective
Rotten Tomatoes celebrates four decades of New Line Cinema by proffering our 25 favorite NLC classics, sifting through a legacy spanning from Pink Flamingos to The Golden... More...

See More Topics...

Related Forums for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the...

The Failure that was LotR
by: GhostSong 8/21


The most over rated movie/s ever...
by: xXProzacXx 7/24


Darko, Donnie
LOTR - THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is but the beginning of an epic journey, so dig in!
by: Darko, Donnie 6/15


Sail on Over to The Grey Havens!!!!
by: stinkymini 4/7


maxamillion6191
This one is the best of the three
by: maxamillion6191 4/7
See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
ROTTEN: 1 18% The Happening
ROTTEN: 2 35% You Don't Mess with th…
FRESH: 3 93% Iron Man
FRESH: 4 85% Forgetting Sarah Marshall
ROTTEN: 5 50% Sex and the City - The…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
FRESH: 77 77% Indiana Jones and the …
FRESH: 97 97% 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days
FRESH: 88 88% Mongol
FRESH: 78 78% Standard Operating Procedure
ROTTEN: 30 30% War, Inc.

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Mirrors

Mirrors

Alexandre Aja talks exclusively to RT!

Best Animated Movies

Best Animated Movies

Which films top RT's list of the greats?

RT's Costume Guide

RT's Costume Guide

Dress to impress this Halloween!

The Brothers Bloom

The Brothers Bloom

New pics of Rachel Weisz' latest!

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Cheadle Replaces Howard for Iron Man 2 Source: Hollywood Reporter
106
  • Weekly Ketchup: Steve Carell to Get Smart again.
66
  • Goyer Debunks Every Single TDK Sequel Rumor Source: MTV
42
  • Weekly Ketchup: Branagh directs Thor, Seagal vs. aliens?
92
  • The Net Reacts to 25 Minutes of Watchmen Footage
50
  • Brett Ratner Is Your God of War Source: UGO
24
  • Kenneth Branagh Directing Thor? Source: Variety
36
  • First Shots of Mia Wasikowska as Burton's Alice Surface Source: Slashfilm
2
  • Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters 3 Source: Ain't It Cool News
19