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Rings, hobbits, and other precious things come into welcome focus in this Beyond the Movie entry from National Geographic. Employing Peter Jackson's knock-down fantasy hit The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring as a springboard, the documentary explores the origins of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic saga. Many will find the revelations quite eye-opening. Tolkien's genius is revealed in his synthesis of a fantastic world that combines characters with legitimate historic roots, actual geography, the ancient Finnish language, and classic mythology. National Geographic journeys with anthropologist Wade Davis to meet the one of the last "rune-singers," who sings the Finnish equivalent of Homer's Odyssey, the Kalevala. Composed from a collection of ballads and lyric poems, the mythical epic recounts the creation of the world and the adventurous journeys of brave heroes much like Tolkien's Frodo. Featuring interviews with Jackson and noted historians, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the production, this program is an essential companion to the film and a fascinating hour for fans of Tolkien's extraordinary work.

All Movie Guide

This documentary explores the connections between the author, the real world, and the fictional world of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Oxford Professor J.R.R. Tolkien's boyhood and World War I and II experiences are described and detailed. Comparisons are then drawn between the writing and Tolkien's real experiences to illustrate how fact, in essence, often becomes fiction. Also discussed are the larger implications of Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (for example, is the "evil ring" a symbol for the atomic bomb?). Beautiful cinematography, feature film footage, compelling interviews with the movie crew, and some additional mythological and anthropological history helps deepen the intrigue of Tolkien's remarkable fantasy. Elizabeth Smith

Product Details

• UPC: 727994750208
• Source: NAT'L GEOGRAPHIC VID
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1)
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Time: 1:00:00
• Sales Rank: 10,611

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• National Geographic: Explore Your Mind - Exploration

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