Before talking about the film, it’s essential to mention the original book, The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1954. This work is the foundation of modern fantasy and has influenced countless stories since.
Ideas like elves with long ears, races such as dwarves and orcs, and adventures with wizards and magical rings all started with this book.
Furthermore, the tabletop RPG ‘Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)’, born in 1974, was also heavily influenced by Tolkien’s work. Elements like the races of elves, dwarves, and orcs, wizards, and dungeon exploration all have their foundation in ‘The Lord of the Rings’.
In the first season of Stranger Things, the kids play D&D, and monster names like “Demogorgon” come from the game. So, fans of Stranger Things have experienced a world inspired by Tolkien, even if they didn’t realize it.
Major Races of Middle-earth
Middle-earth, the setting of the Lord of the Rings films, is home to various races. The characterization of these races became the foundation for all subsequent fantasy works.
Hobbits
A small race, standing about one meter tall, has thick soles on their feet, goes barefoot, and has hairy feet. Peace-loving and gentle in nature, they enjoy farming and good food and are not fond of adventure. They live in the Shire. The protagonist, Frodo, is also of this race.
Men
Humans are the most common race in Middle-earth. They have short lives but show great willpower and courage. They can be tempted by both good and evil, and Sauron can influence them. Aragorn and Boromir are well-known human characters.
Elves
A beautiful, immortal race that possesses long ears, exceptional wisdom, and formidable combat skills. Many are master archers, living in harmony with nature. Legolas, Arwen, and Galadriel are representative Elf characters.
Dwarves
A sturdy, short-statured race that dwells deep within the mountains, mining ore and crafting exceptional weapons and armor as master smiths. Known for their stubbornness and pride, they have historically been at odds with the Elves. Gimli is a representative Dwarf.
Orcs
An evil race serving Sauron and Saruman. They possess hideous forms and favor darkness. They are believed to have originated as Elves corrupted and transformed through torture and degradation. Uruk-hai are enhanced warrior versions of Orcs.
Tolkien’s influence is enormous—terms like “Tolkienian” and “Tolkienesque” are now in the Oxford English Dictionary. The Lord of the Rings helped turn fantasy from a children’s genre into serious literature, thanks to its detailed world and history.
The fictional world called Middle-earth features a detailed history spanning the First Age to the Third Age, complete with elaborately crafted language systems for its various races. In 1954, no other fantasy work possessed such an intricate world-building framework. This “detailed world-building” became the standard for all subsequent fantasy works.
Overwhelming visual splendor. A grand battle scene that captivates from the very beginning
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring pulls you in from the very beginning with its impressive visuals. The prologue shows the “Battle of the Last Alliance,” where Men and Elves fight Sauron’s army—a truly breathtaking scene.
Thousands of soldiers fill the battlefield, the clash of swords echoing across the land. Elf archers release their arrows in unison, blanketing the sky. The sheer power and scale of this battle scene rank among cinema’s most memorable moments.
When Sauron appears on the battlefield in heavy armor, swinging his mace and striking down soldiers, the sense of fear is intense. This opening alone convinced me that The Lord of the Rings is a true epic.
After the opening, the story moves to the Shire, where Frodo lives. The filmmakers used real locations in New Zealand to bring this world to life.
Crossing mountains, traversing forests, crossing rivers. Each of these landscapes possesses a realism that makes Middle-earth feel as though it truly exists. Moreover, director Jackson avoided over-reliance on CGI, instead building massive sets and meticulously crafted miniatures to achieve a tactile, authentic visual quality.
The round doors of the Shire, the elegant buildings of Rivendell, and the dark tunnels of Moria were all built as real sets. The actors performed in these spaces, which made the world feel even more believable.
The cinematography was also superb and memorable. Particularly in the scene where the Fellowship crosses the mountains together, the camera captures tiny figures advancing through vast, majestic landscapes, visually conveying both the journey’s hardship and their courage. When Howard Shore’s grand score swelled in that moment, it gave me goosebumps.
Weta Digital’s Revolutionary VFX: A Historic Achievement That Changed Visual Effects
When discussing the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the groundbreaking visual effects by Weta Digital (now Wētā FX) are indispensable.
Weta Digital, co-founded by director Peter Jackson in 1993, started small, making effects for The Feast of the Gods (1994) with just one computer. Thanks to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, they became one of the top VFX studios in the world.
What made their work revolutionary was combining motion capture and keyframe animation with new CG technology called “subsurface scattering,” which makes skin look more realistic. It lets digital characters appear naturally alongside real actors.
Each film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy won the Academy Award for Visual Effects. Weta Digital later won the same award for King Kong (2005) and Avatar (2009), joining the ranks of top VFX studios like ILM and Digital Domain.
The Epic Battle Against the Ancient Demon Balrog
The dramatic “Battle Against the Balrog” in the Mines of Moria is a key moment in The Fellowship of the Ring.
The Balrog is an ancient demon who once served Morgoth, Sauron’s master, in the First Age. It was initially a Maia, a kind of angelic being, but turned evil and became a terrifying creature of fire and shadow, armed with a flaming sword and whip. Like dragons, it was one of the most feared monsters, needing great strength and courage to defeat.
Reference: Balrog – Wikipedia / Durin’s Bane – Tolkien Gateway
The Balrog in the films is called “Durin’s Bane.” After surviving the wars of the First Age, it hid under the Misty Mountains for over 5,000 years. In the year 1980 of the Third Age, dwarves mining for mithril in Khazad-dûm (later called Moria) woke it up.
The Balrog confronts Frodo and his friends as they escape through Moria’s tunnels. Gandalf faces it on the bridge of Khazad-dûm, shouting, “You cannot pass!” and breaking the bridge with his staff. The Balrog falls, but its whip grabs Gandalf, pulling him down too. He leaves them with the words, “Fly, you fools!”
This scene alone convinced me that The Lord of the Rings is a fantastic film. Gandalf is genuinely one of the most impressive characters in the series.
Casting that perfectly fits the world.
Director Peter Jackson picked a cast that fit the roles perfectly.
Frodo Baggins: Elijah Wood’s delicate performance
Elijah Wood’s performance as Frodo felt so real that it seemed like Frodo himself was on screen.
His carefree attitude, sharp looks, and the pain he shows under the Ring’s burden were all spot on. The way he looked at the Ring, especially, showed his struggle between wanting it and trying to resist.
To make Elijah Wood look like a 122 cm tall hobbit, filmmakers used tricks like forced perspective and scale doubles. Still, it was his acting that made the character believable.
Gandalf: Ian McKellen’s Dignity and Kindness
Ian McKellen played Gandalf as a wise and dependable mentor, much like Obi-Wan Kenobi from Star Wars.
With his long white beard and staff, he truly looked and acted like Gandalf from the books—wise and powerful. But Ian McKellen also showed Gandalf’s kindness to the Hobbits and warmth toward his friends.
The “You shall not pass!” scene is legendary, in which he slams his staff down and faces the Balrog; you feel his power and his willingness to sacrifice himself for his friends.
Aragorn: Viggo Mortensen’s Wildness and Nobility
Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn is simply cool. The Lord of the Rings made him a star worldwide, and it’s easy to see why.
Aragorn travels as the Ranger Strider, but he’s really the heir to Gondor’s throne. Viggo Mortensen shows both his wild side and his royal nobility perfectly.
His fighting scenes are incredible. The way he uses his sword, defeats enemies, and protects his friends all show what makes Aragorn special.
Legolas: Orlando Bloom’s Elven Beauty
Orlando Bloom’s Legolas won over fans with his good looks and incredible fighting skills.
His long blond hair, blue eyes, and pointed ears fit the classic elf image. But Legolas is more than looks—his graceful archery in battle is almost like art.
This role was a turning point for Orlando Bloom, who later starred in Pirates of the Caribbean and became a Hollywood star.
Most of the work is done on a boat, so it was exhilarating to watch and feel like I was sailing along at a good pace.
Gimli: John Rhys-Davies’ comical and brave dwarf
The dwarf warrior Gimli, played by John Rhys-Davies, is the most comical member of the fellowship, but at the same time, one of the bravest warriors.
He shows Gimli’s stubbornness and pride funnily and charmingly, especially in his interactions with Legolas, which are some of the trilogy’s highlights.
Other Charismatic Cast Members
The rest of the cast also stand out. Liv Tyler’s Arwen is beautiful and looks just like an elf should. The scene where she rides to protect Frodo is especially memorable. Her romance with Aragorn adds depth to the story.
Cate Blanchett’s Galadriel is even more stunning, with a mystical presence that’s truly captivating. In the scene where the Ring tempts her, she shows both its danger and Galadriel’s strong will.
Sean Astin is excellent as Sam, Frodo’s loyal friend. His devotion and moments of bravery make his character deeply moving throughout the trilogy.
Sean Bean plays Boromir, showing both his struggle with the Ring’s temptation and his courage to redeem himself. His story highlights the complexity of human nature.
In this way, every cast member was perfectly cast, breathing life into their respective characters.
The courage to gather companions and embark on a journey, and an exciting story
The story of The Fellowship of the Ring is simple but powerful. It’s about small heroes facing a great evil.
The peaceful Hobbits avoid conflict, but when the other races argue about who should take the Ring, Frodo stands up and says, “I will go!” This moment is so moving, it gave me goosebumps.
Frodo’s companions—Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, and the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam—form the Fellowship. Nine people from diverse backgrounds come together for a common goal. Seeing them unite is genuinely heartwarming.
They keep going, even as Orcs and Uruk-hai attack them. But the Ring’s power starts to cause problems within the group. The moment when Boromir almost gives in to the Ring shows human weakness and inner struggle.
In the end, the Fellowship splits up, and Frodo and Sam decide to continue the quest alone. This choice is another key moment that shows Frodo’s growth and bravery.
Howard Shore’s Music and Enya’s Masterpiece – Melodies That Stir the Soul
Howard Shore’s powerful and beautiful music lifts The Fellowship of the Ring even higher. The central theme is unforgettable and perfectly matches the epic feel of Middle-earth and the excitement of the adventure.
Enya’s “May It Be” plays during the end credits and is truly unforgettable. After the long adventure, hearing this song gave me goosebumps.
Enya’s unmistakable voice and the gentle harp sound like real elven music, ending the film on a magical note. When I’m tired or need to relax, this song is very soothing.
The power of music to amplify a film’s emotions is truly immeasurable. Howard Shore’s score and Enya’s “May It Be” are indispensable elements of the Lord of the Rings cinematic experience.
A monumental achievement etched into film history. Academy Awards and global box office success
The Lord of the Rings trilogy achieved the remarkable feat of receiving 30 Academy Award nominations and winning 17.
The Fellowship of the Ring:
- Nominations: 13 categories
- Wins: 4 categories (Cinematography, Original Score, Makeup, Visual Effects)
- Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $871 million
The Two Towers:
- Nominations: 6 categories
- Wins: 2 (Visual Effects, Sound Editing)
- Worldwide Box Office: Approximately $926 million
The Return of the King:
- Nominations: 11 categories
- Wins: 11 categories (The remarkable feat of winning every category it was nominated in!)
- Worldwide box office: Approximately $1.19 billion (The second film in history to surpass $1 billion, following Titanic)
The Return of the King, in particular, won all 11 categories in which it was nominated, tying the record for most Academy Awards won by a single film with Ben-Hur and Titanic. It also broke the long-standing “jinx” that fantasy films could not win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
However, in the acting categories, Ian McKellen was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for The Fellowship of the Ring but did not win. It is often attributed to the sheer number of characters, though the entire cast delivered outstanding performances.
At the box office, the trilogy achieved phenomenal success, grossing approximately $3 billion combined. It stands as a monumental achievement in film history, both commercially and artistically.
The Ever-Expanding World of Middle-earth: Sequels, Prequels, and Extended Editions
The Trilogy and Extended Editions
Besides the original versions, I strongly recommend watching the Extended Editions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Theatrical cut 178 min / Extended Edition 228 min (approx. 30 min additional)
- The Two Towers: Theatrical cut 179 min / Extended Edition 235 min (approx. 56 min additional)
- The Return of the King: Theatrical cut 201 min / Extended Edition 263 min (approx. 62 minutes added)
The Extended Editions add scenes cut from theaters, providing more background on the characters and the story. These extra scenes include essential details, like Boromir’s relationship with his father and the group’s time with the Elves. If you have time, it’s worth watching these versions to experience Middle-earth fully.
The Hobbit Trilogy: Prequels
Following the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the prequel trilogy The Hobbit was released from 2012 to 2014.
Middle-earth Expands Further
Furthermore, starting in 2022, the drama series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power began streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This prequel series is set thousands of years before The Lord of the Rings, during the Second Age of Middle-earth. With a production budget of $100 million to $150 million per season, totaling over $1 billion, it is said to be the most expensive television series in history.
Then, in December 2024, the animated film The Lord of the Rings: The Battle of Rohan, directed by Kenji Kamiyama, was released. This work depicts events approximately 260 years before The Lord of the Rings.
Thus, the world of The Lord of the Rings continues to expand. In 2027, the film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (working title), directed by and starring Andy Serkis as Gollum, is also scheduled for release.
Summary: An immortal masterpiece for all fantasy fans, destined to remain in cinematic history
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is truly a masterpiece that will always be remembered in film history. It’s more than just a fantasy movie—it’s a story that explores big questions about movies, adventure, and friendship.
Director Peter Jackson, the cast, and the crew set out to make something special—and they did. New Zealand’s fantastic scenery, real sets and miniatures, and Weta Digital’s visual effects all came together to bring Middle-earth to life.
Above all, it presents the worldview created by author J.R.R. Tolkien—a world that could be called the origin of all fantasy. Elves, dwarves, hobbits, orcs—it all began here. Japanese RPGs like Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, and The Legend of Zelda all trace their roots back to The Lord of the Rings.
This film is for every fantasy fan, adventure lover, and movie enthusiast. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it on VOD. If you can, try watching the whole trilogy at once—you’ll be drawn into Middle-earth too.
