In the realm of Fantasy literature, J. R. R. Tolkien is perhaps the most influential author of the last century. A world-renowned scholar of language history and its structure, Tolkien drew from his intelligence, keen imagination, and passion for mythology to create fictional history and invent languages, applying them to what the wider world knows as Middle-earth. An extraordinary achievement, Tolkien’s Middle-earth is the main continent of Arda (what we know as Earth) and became the central location for his most famous writings: 1937’s The Hobbit and his three-volume saga, The Lord of the Rings, published between 1954 and 1955.
Truly magnificent stories, each was immediately attractive to readers, and while others had written Fantasy prior, Tolkien’s work enticed audiences of all ages. Laying the groundwork for modern depictions of elves, dwarves, and orcs, Tolkien’s writing was so outstanding and detailed that you would have to imagine it making a perfect film series someday. However, because of its complexity, decades would pass before it was even attempted. Yes, in 1977, you had the animated TV special The Hobbit, followed by an animated theatrical film for The Lord of the Rings in 1978, and another animated TV film in 1980 for The Return of the King, but still no translation into a live-action project.
Leaving many to wonder if there would ever be a faithful adaptation of Tolkien’s stories, come the late 1990s, New Zealand Filmmaker Peter Jackson arrived set to make it happen. Manifested his passion for Tolkien’s novels into seeing the project through, after years of struggle (with studios rejecting the idea and complex rights issues), at last, in 2001, New Line Cinema released Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
A long road traveled by Jackson (much like the characters of the tale), The Fellowship of the Ring was to be part one of a trilogy of films, with The Two Towers following in 2002 and The Return of the King in 2003. While finally produced and ready for theaters, there were still uncertainties surrounding it, because Fantasy cinema was not very in vogue at the time. Match this: The Fellowship of the Ring was released on December 10, 2001, just three months prior to the September 11th Attacks, leaving you to wonder if people were emotionally ready to watch a Fantasy film with such a distinction of fight between good and evil.
Very interesting pieces to the saga behind The Fellowship of the Ring journey; all the agony leading up to it was worthwhile, because not only was the film a massive commercial success, but it was also executed with such finesse and detail that many would argue it is one of the greatest films ever made. Proving naysayers wrong, the film grossed nearly a billion dollars at the box office, sparking wider interest in the fandom with the follow-up films The Two Towers and The Return of the King, and paving the way for Jackson to create a Hobbit trilogy released between 2011 and 2014. All proof that if you have the fire and love, you should see our dreams through, 25 years later, we celebrate The Fellowship of the Ring with a massive theatrical re-release.
Thanks to a partnership between Warner Bros. and Fathom Entertainment, the extended edition of The Fellowship of the Ring (20 minutes longer than the theatrical edition) will be in all major theaters (such as AMC and Regal Cinemas) from January 16th through 29th. An experience fans will not want to miss, you get to see it on the big screen in remastered 4K Ultra HD, but also with the option to experience it in a D-BOX theater, where available (which transforms the film into a more intense experience with interactive seats making you feel like you are in the film).
Both great options to see The Fellowship of the Ring, compounding your theater-going experience, there is also a chance to pick up a Middle-earth Collectible Map Tin and Quest Magnet Set (at AMC locations) and a One Ring Popcorn Tin and Collector’s Cup (at Regal Cinema locations). Beyond this, there is also a roughly 10-minute recorded introduction from Peter Jackson himself, discussing the work that went into making all three films possible, while he graciously thanks the fans for coming out to see it once again.
Painting the scene: sitting in a dark theater with hundreds of others gazing up at a massive screen while multi-dimensional sound surrounds is something you will soon not forget. Even if you saw The Fellowship of the Ring in the theaters 25 years ago, this re-release gives you an opportunity to relive the magic once more, and most importantly, perhaps share it with someone who was too young or not even born yet at the point of the film’s initial release. For a brief moment, taking your eyes off the screen, you look over at the seat next to you and see the wide eyes of someone (no matter their age) riding the emotion of The Fellowship of the Ring, and realize, this is what a movie-going experience is all about.
Proving even after 25 years that The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is special, tickets at theaters are selling out swiftly. Furthermore, if you happened to already catch one of the first showings of The Fellowship of the Ring, you also have a chance to see the extended editions of The Two Towers and The Return of the King in theaters now through January 29th. So, do not miss out, you will not regret it, because Cryptic Rock gives Fathom Entertainment’s theatrical 25th anniversary re-release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 5 out of 5 stars.
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