Not as great as the book, but greater than most movies.

Rating: 10/10 (18 June 2004)

The book by Tolkien is one of the greats, illustrating a beautiful world and epic story of hope and courage. The movie is itself a wonderful, inspiring portrayal of the Lord of the Rings, with a few minor errors (Tom Bombadil, where are you?!) but it brings this masterpiece of literature home to those who may not get a chance to read regularly, and children, and, yes, even the illiterate... such a story as this is on par with such ancient epics as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Illiad and Beowulf. Those who speak against the film but like/revere the work of Tolkien, might try to understand that sacrifices to shorten the length of the movie and still make it accessible and to make it an exciting experience ( through some added battle scenes) must be made, and, as remakes of books in cinema go, this was quite true-to-the-book. Hopefully, those of you who still speak against the book and movie will come to realize the near-lifetime of effort and love put into this mythos, one which actually brings together ancient myths and the essences of evil and good and creates one of the greatest, most heart-felt stories ever told...