I'm so pleased he didn't ruin it!

Rating: Null/10 (27 February 2006)

When at school, I read "Lord of the Rings" and then spent the next few years trying to find another book which matched it - being disappointed time and time again by those supposedly comparable with this massive, very exciting epic, but which made nowhere near as enjoyable reading. I realised it was a one-off.
I suppose I should have been worried when this film version was released; but my excitement overcame any doubts. I'm pleased to say that this film was no disappointment. In fact, the only problem as a cinema-goer with the whole "Lord of the Rings" experience was the time it took before one could finally watch all three films. Now, of course, anyone who approaches this series for the first time can devour this great "starter" content in the knowledge that the next two films are instantly available - and there is much to enjoy here - the menace and unworldliness of the Black Riders, the strange effect of the Ring on those around it, the comradeship which grows up between our heroes. There is even romance thrown in (it's been added - not in the original books) to add to the pleasure of the viewer. OK so large portions of the book are not covered - but I for one don't miss the visit to Sam Bombadil