... a Tale becomes Legend, Legend becomes Myth ...'

Rating: 9/10 (11 January 2002)

... and myth becomes movie.
In this ambitious working of the J. R. R. Tolkien classic there is much to be admired.
Yes, there are a few errors and omissions but how can a screenwriter (or a director for that matter) possibly condense the complete `Lord of the Rings' masterwork into three films and perfectly translate it into comprehensible film and still achieve the kind of quality that is seen here.
I would have preferred to see four shorter films (released in both the summer and winter peak film seasons) rather than the three, three-hour films that we get. It would not have been so overwhelming.
Sir Ian McKellen is precisely what one would imagine Gandalf the Grey to be -- he does his usual outstanding job. He is a genius at transforming written words into a real creature.
Christopher Lee (Saruman the White) proves that the bad guys don't always wear black -- he is as capable as Sir Ian is. Their `duel of the wizards' is a gripping scene that will leave you breathless.
The special effects are over-the-top though at times they can be subtle -- hinting at what is to come rather than attacking the audience. However, there are times when it does get to be too much -- the roller coaster effect is unsettling, at best.
Creature makeup -- while probably mostly computer generated -- was horrifying, intense and shocking while the makeup on the actual actors was at times inconsistent.
This is a huge film and will probably not translate well to the small screen; it should be seen in all its glory on the big screen. Oscar nominations will probably go for sound effects editing; it was inspired and brilliant. So, if at all possible, see it in a good theater with a full range of Dolby Digital and DTS sound equipment.
`Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' is certain to become as classic as are the books upon which it is based.