RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • 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.
 
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
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
  • Bookmark and Share

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: 199

Fresh: 183

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... 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 11 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

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

The sets and special effects are near flawless.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

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 10 Comments
03/05/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader

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

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
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
10/25/06
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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

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

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 2 Comments
09/23/04
Thomas Delapa
Boulder Weekly

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

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 1 Comment
01/01/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 >> >|
all

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

December 02, 2008: RT Interview: Richard Taylor on the Weta Workshop and Prince Caspian
RT chats to Richard Taylor about what goes into creating a world, the importance of good weaponry and how his six year-old son became a king. More...

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...

See More Topics...

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

Click here to be the first to post a message on this forum.

See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
—
The Code
23%
23%
Confessions of a Shopa…
39%
39%
Inkheart
80%
80%
Gran Torino
28%
28%
Tyler Perry's Madea Go…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
84%
84%
Two Lovers
28%
28%
12 Rounds
04%
04%
Street Fighter: The Le…
23%
23%
Jonas Brothers - The C…

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Renny Harlin

Renny Harlin

5 Fave Films from the 12 Rounds helmer.

Star Wars

Star Wars

We celebrate 10 years of Episode I.

Drag Me to Hell

Drag Me to Hell

We chat to Sam Raimi and his cast.

Cannes Must-Sees

Cannes Must-Sees

We pick the 10 movies not to miss.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: Universal Takes on Asteroids
86
  • Brandon Routh Talks Superman's Future Source: Moviehole
87
  • Sony's Amy Pascal Explains Moneyball Balk Source: Los Angeles Times
6
  • Three Theaters Getting Harry Potter in IMAX Opening Day Source: Collider.com
18
  • Weekly Ketchup: Adam Sandler joins The Zookeeper, David Fincher joins Facebook
72
  • Zak Penn Talks The Avengers Source: Sci Fi Wire
20
  • Watchmen Director's Cut Headed to Theaters Source: Collider.com
32
  • Lorenzo di Bonaventura Talks G.I. Joe, Beverly Hills Cop 4, More Source: Collider.com
14
  • (Teaser) Trailer Bulletin: The Last Airbender Source: MTV
61
  • Johnny Depp Talks Alice, Pirates 4, Dark Shadows Source: Collider.com
12
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: Solid Public Enemies Doesn't Quite Bring The Noise
104
  • Five Favorite Films with Fred Durst
87
  • Total Recall: Johnny Depp's Best Movies
84
  • RoboGeisha: 2009's Most Insane Trailer?
79
  • Weekly Ketchup: Universal Takes on Asteroids
43
  • RT on DVD: Street Fighter, Transmorphers 2, and Uwe Boll's Tunnel Rats!
36
  • Academy Invites Tyler Perry, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen to Join Oscar Ranks
28
  • Box Office Guru Preview: Dinosaurs and Gangsters Spark Fireworks
23
  • Karl Malden: 1912-2009
17
  • Blood: The Last Vampire -- Exclusive Concept Art and Artist Profile
11
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • RT Interview: Director Carlos Cuaron on Rudo and Cursi
0
  • RT Interview: Tony Scott on The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
10
  • Cannes 2009: RT Interview - Sally Hawkins on We Want Sex
2
  • RT Interview: Tilda Swinton on Julia
5
  • Hollywood Legend Debbie Reynolds Reflects On her Life in Showbiz
10
  • Exclusive: McG Talks Terminator Salvation
24
  • Georgia Groome - Fresh Talent on RT
5
  • RT Interview: Reading The Reader with Stephen Daldry
11
  • RT Interview: Oscar Nominee Melissa Leo
7
  • Carey Mulligan - Fresh Talent on RT
7
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring at Rotten Tomatoes
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring at IGN
  • The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring at AskMen

Fresh Links

Competitions
Blood: The Last Vampire
Blood: The Last Vampire External Link

Combine live-action and manga to create your own movie short and win big!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.