A nanosecond of betrayal, 3 hours of glory (some spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2001)

The first time I saw this film I must admit I felt pungent feels of betrayal, for just a nanosecond, before appreciating why the causative scenes had been changed. The fact that the time-frame has gone from a few years to a few days through me. Other aspects however gleefully reminded me of what a great thing the silver screen can be.
Take for example Gandalf in his fury, growing in size and menace (and Galadriel for that matter). In the book, for those who are become overly complacent reading it, there is a tendency to put fuzzy edges on some of the nastier bits: the film orcs were nastier than I imagined; Bilbo's sudden "Gollumisation" at Rivendell REALLY made me jump; Gandalf's fall in Moria (though you know he is Maiar, and can't be killed as such); the perception of the world by one wearing the ring - scary!; and I guess my mind didn't do justice to the scenery. I have climbed in many places from Snowdonia (Wales) to Kathmandu. It is these places I see in my head as they travel, but none compare to the majesty and beauty of New Zealand!
Finally a word on the Actors: Elijah Wood encapsulated the absolute, gut-wrenching weariness of bearing the ring. The Constant evil, the weight, the menace and the whispering! Its effect on Boromir was marvellously played out by Sean Bean, and Sean as Samwise was the true steadfast, strong (and probably highly intelligent, yet humble) companion. Ian Mckellen - what a STAR! He is now Gandalf in my own mind!
Well done PJ, EW, EM, SB, VM, IH et al.