The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide (Hardcover)

~ (Author), J.R.R. Tolkien (Author) "It would be tempting to liken Peter Jackson to a powerful wizard, conjuring up movie magic, if his build was not more suggestive of a..." (more)
Key Phrases: other hobbits, film trilogy, New Zealand, Sir Ian, John Howe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's one of the most anticipated movies ever, and now you can see for yourself how the magic of Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece was created on screen in The Lord of the Rings: Official Movie Guide. Brian Sibley's straightforward approach takes the reader from the initial conception of the movie as it was developed and passed around studios (it initially started life as a two-hour condensed version of the three novels) to the months of complicated special-effects work necessary to do justice to Tolkien's extraordinary imagination. The book features interviews with all the key cast and production members and is liberally decorated with full-color photographs and behind-the-scenes images from the film itself. Sibley manages to document perfectly the filmmakers' painstaking attention to detail, much of which will be missed by many moviegoers, but he also captures a sense of camaraderie from all involved who wanted to make the best movie possible.

If it's facts and background trivia you are after, then this is the best place to be--the perfect starting point for those new to Tolkien or eager to find out more about how epic movies are put together. Dedicated Lord of the Rings fans who have been following the epic moviemaking process via the Internet won't find anything here they didn't already know, but this is still a very good companion no matter what level of knowledge or understanding you have of the greatest work of fantastic fiction ever written. --Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

A behind-the-scenes look at bringing the book to the screen that is chock-full of pics from the flick. If the film is as big as predicted (think Star Wars big!), you might want to buy a few copies of this and the Visual Companion volume.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 120 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (November 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618154027
• ISBN-13: 978-0618154029
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #817,380 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive book about an impressive movie project, November 7, 2001

By	"tegilbor" (Irving, Texas, United States) - See all my reviews

This book gives great insight into the amazing detail that has gone into the production of the "Lord of the Rings" movies, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's bestselling novels. It conveys the incredible dedication, enthusiasm and even fanaticism of all people who have been involved in this project.

Many aspects of the movie-making process are covered, from the script writing to the creation of the costumes, and the reader gets an impression of the unbelievable detail in the design of the many many movie props which were created for the movie. It also describes how many distinguished actors and artists became involved in this project and how even those few who were initially reluctant (like John Howe, who was not sure if such a huge project could succeed) were engulfed by the enthusiasm of the film crew. The book gives the reader a very good feeling of the size of this movie project and what it means to film three movies of epic proportions at the same time. Also, anyone who reads this book will develop a deep respect for Peter Jackson, a director who still cares about the character development, the story line and the actors and who is able to coordinate such a huge project.

This book can only enhance the experience that the Lord of the Rings movies are probably going to be, as it not only gives the reader a "behind-the-scenes" look, but it also shows a lot of detail which the movie-goers will most likely not notice consciously, but which was instrumental in creating a realistic atmosphere.

My only criticism is that the book is too short, as I may have expected even more detailed descriptions of different aspects of the filming process. However, many of these issues are probably better described in making-of specials on TV or on the DVD.

I would recommend this book to any Tolkien enthusiast who is already looking forward to the movies (or later to those who have seen the movies and liked them) and who wants to get more information about the filming process. The many high-quality pictures (which are often funny, for example when you see Peter Jackson next to Gandalf and Saruman) are already worth the price of the book. To those who do not know Tolkien's world yet, I would probably rather recommend the "Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion", though sooner or later you will want to buy this book as well.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute treat for Lord of the Rings fans!!, November 6, 2001

By	Marcy Gomez (Kansas City, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide (Paperback)

As a long time fan of Tolkien's magnificent novel and as one highly anticipating the upcoming Peter Jackson trilogy, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. And, I would have to say, I was not disappointed! This amazing book offers an extensive and informative background to the making of the trilogy - with specific emphasis on the first film, "The Fellowship of the Ring."

Brian Sibley's book has 120 glossy pages and includes beautiful colored pictures that gives us behind-the-scenes glimpses as well as shots from the film itself. The many topics covered include: "From Book to Script" which covers the process of adapting the complex novel into a series of 3 films; "Speaking the Languages of Middle Earth" - incorporating Tolkien's different languages in the film; "From the Director's Chair" - Peter Jackson's perspective; "The One Ring" and "Of Wizard Beards and Elf Ears" - a look at the props and costumes; "A Workshop of the Fantastic" - WETA's special effects role; "Seeing Tolkien`s World" and "Fantasy to Reality" - artists Alan Lee and John Howe's significant contributions to the film visuals, characters and sets as well as the role of the art department; and, most significantly, "The Fellowship, Friends and Foes" - casting info and an introduction to the principal actors of the first film.

I do have to point out that Tolkien's notable creatures - such as the Balrog and Gollum - are not shown anywhere in the book. I'm sure they were purposely (understandably) omitted to preserve the element of surprise for the first film. It also appears that this book may just be the first of a series by Brian Sibley, primarily since it only covers topics relevant to the first film (for instance, pictures of Bernard Hill who plays "Theoden," Miranda Otto who plays "Eowyn" and other actors and locations from the 2nd and 3rd books are absent in this book). Though it is not explicitly mentioned, I would have to assume that there will be similar movie guides released in 2002 and 2003.

These points noted, I have to stress that this is a thoroughly enjoyable and informative book and I could not recommend it highly enough. This is a book that any Lord of the Rings or film fan should be without!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent source of movie info, February 11, 2002

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Perhaps the best movie I've ever seen is the movie adaptation of "Lord of the Rings." This book by Brian Sibley is a gold mine of info on the production and background of the movie -- and the exquisite care taken with every part of it.

The book begins with background information on, well, "Lord of the Rings" the novel; it then proceeds to the events leading up to Peter Jackson getting the budget and green light to make a movie trilogy - the bulk of which was shot in one big lump, not spaced a few years apart. Then a chapter on the choosing of New Zealand as an ideal shooting country, and the artists they hired to help them; then to the cast of characters and how they were hired. (Elijah Wood's story is particularly memorable)

We then have a one-page brief bio, filmography, and clips of interviews for each cast member (even Marton Csokas, even though he has one line in the whole movie). Then it's an extended talk on the stunning special effects -- including how they shrunk 5'6" actors down to child-size, and Orlando Bloom's memorable description of fighting a CGI troll; about how they made Hobbiton and the Shire look like hobbits had lived there for hundreds of years; the weaponry and armor of Middle-Earth, including the stunning Elf plate armor; costuming, why Frodo's outfit is different from the other hobbits, the nightmares of costuming Gandalf, and why Legolas and Gimli are polar opposites; the effects of wizard beards and hobbit feet, and a great deal more!

There are utterly delightful pictures sprinkled throughout it -- some never made it to the screen, though (Galadriel lecturing Arwen in Lothlorien, hobbits herding sheep, and Frodo sitting in a tree with a pipe). Most of the best pictures include Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortenson and, of course, the man at the helm. One particularly memorable pic has Jackson sprawled in front of the four laughing hobbits.

This is overall a warm and insightful movie guide, a must-read to know anything about what happened behind the scenes!