Customer Reviews

Tolkien 2001 Calendar With Poster: The Lord of the Rings

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Calendar for 2001 is almost as good as Nasmith's 2000 Silmarillion Calendar. Howe's excellent illustrations of scenes from The Lord of the rings are so realistic that it is almost like looking at a real-life photograph of an event in Tolkien's world. Howe's attention to details and realism are truly exceptional, and so as soon as I found out he was the featured author this year I just had to have it. Both Howe and Nasmith are in my opinion the best illustrators for Tolkien related works and at the bottom of every page is a different perspective on the larger feature picture of the month. If you love realism, don't miss this or any other calendar illustrated by Howe.

John Howe is universally considered to be the foremost Tolkien illustrator (along with Alan Lee, though I prefer Howe's style), and this release is a glimpse into his working process, as well as a grateful advance look at the art design used in the upcoming film trilogy.

These images have been culled from the conceptual work Howe has done for Peter Jackson's films, currently undergoing principal photography in New Zealand. We should consider ourselves enormously fortunate to be allowed such an opportunity, for Howe is both a brilliant artist, but also has a deeper understanding of Tolkien's world and Jackson's intention in recreating it than virtually anyone else on the planet at present.

Certainly these works are rough and unfinished, since they are essentially visual "sketches" for set and character design on the film project. However, Howe's style is smooth and lush, his use of color and mood evocative, and they stand on their own as powerful imagery.

Howe's other Tolkien artwork is considerably more "finished" and refined in appearance, with greater detail, but here we get a different and unique vision of Tolkien's world, and an idea of what to expect when the film trilogy hits the big screen next year. Each month leading up to the film your wall can be graced with an image that has inspired and shaped it. I for one am more excited than ever now that I have seen this collection.

Although I will always buy a Tolkien calendar I must say that this one leaves a lot to be desired. Having read the Lord of The Rings and The Silmarillion every summer for years uncounted, I find the depictions to be less than adequate. The black riders are not fearsome, the balrog is not frightful enough and Gandalf, being a Maiar, looks pathetic at best. Gimli, I thought, looked appropriate but Legolas - no way.

Gollum was not as was described in the books. He looks devilish instead of desperate and dangerous and silly.

The eagles were good but Sam was shown to be a child which certainly would not be correct in the context shown, fighting with Shelob.

I don't think that the illustrator truly understands the books. Last years were excellent.