Lovingly, well made adaptation of a classic.

Rating: 9/10 (7 July 2002)

I should start by saying I had read the book a number of times and couldn't wait to see how Peter Jackson had managed to make a live action film of it. In the event I was blown away. Sure there are a few 'nit picks' mentioned by other posters, but bearing in mind the constraints placed on the director - (Had to make a film that was a financial sucess, had to be enjoyed by both 'non-ring' and 'ring' audiences and had to get a certificate that allowed any age to see it) - I think he's done an amazing job.

Overall the characters and the settings were very close to how I'd imagined them, and the film flowed smoothly overall. I agree with the comments that the 'gifts scene' is important to be seen in full, but this was cut for running time purposes and will be in the extended edition.

As far as the running time goes, I saw it with a friend who
a) Had never heard of LOTR before, b) Is dyslexic and usually has a 2 hr concentration span at the cinema.
He loved the film, and said he could have watched more of it as 3 hrs was too short. He's seen it again since a few times as I have.
It was clear to me that Jackson loves the story and has really done his best to translate a difficult book to the screen. Overall the characterisations are excellent and the locations amazing. (OK I did notice a few things that I wasn't totally happy with but they were insignificant within the whole film.
Until all three films have been released on DVD/Video so I can watch them all in one go it's going to be impossible to comment on how well the whole trilogy has been translated to the screen but if the remaining films reach the standard of this one I fail to see how anyone will be genuinely disappointed, if they are being really honest and not just trying to be contraversial.