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Movies / On DVD / The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

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

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Reviews Counted:200

Fresh:184

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

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

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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A stunning adventure story realized with genuine artistic flair.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
04/28/08
Matthew De Abaitua
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 17 Comments
03/05/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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 2 Comments
01/01/04
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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