The film of a legend that is destined to become a legendary film.

Rating: 10/10 (9 February 2004)

This movie is the first in a trilogy following Tolkien's epic translation of the ancient records, as they refer to the War of the Ring. This first part covers the gathering of the fellowship and the early part of their adventures as Frodo attempts to take the One Ring to Mount Doom to be destroyed. I don't wish to spoil it for anyone that hasn't seen it yet, but I can let you in on one secret - He doesn't get there by the end of the movie. I say this now because a lot of people I know forgot they were watching the first part of three and were most surprised at the end to see the quest unfulfilled. Parts two and three would be a bit pointless if it was.
It's difficult to find the right words to fully describe this film. It is truly one of the most stunning, mesmerising movies you will ever see, and I have not the slightest doubt that The Two Towers and The Return of the King will be as well. The director Peter Jackson, a native New - Zealander, has created something that you will have never seen before. Only a film on this scale could possibly do justice to Tolkien's work, and if he were alive today I feel I can safely say that he would approve.
There are however some elements that may well upset the die-hard Tolkien fans among you; most notably the omission of some fairly major characters such as Glorfindel and Tom Bombadil. However with a running time of over three hours, I feel Jackson can be forgiven. He has captured the feel and excitement of the book, and given it a great sense of reality. Tolkien created Middle - Earth to give Britain a mythology to match other great epics like The Iliad, and whilst watching the film you cannot help but believe that this is more history than fantasy.
To say that I am looking forward to the release of The Two Towers in December would be too much of an understatement. I can't recommend Fellowship of the Ring enough, whilst I will readily admit that this is not a film for everyone, young children particularly, (despite its PG certificate), or people like my Mum that get motion sickness from fast camera work (she really did throw up in the middle of the film you know!).