The Making of the Movie Trilogy (The Lord of the Rings) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Sir Ian McKellen (Foreword)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The official inside story on the making of the award-winning movie trilogy

The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy is a lavishly illustrated, behind-the-scenes, definitive account of the creation of an epic film experience. Hailed by critics worldwide, part one of the movie trilogy was a box-office smash, one of the most successful films of the decade. Peter Jackson's "fierce, imaginative movie takes high-flying risks and inspires with its power and scale," wrote Newsweek. "In every way this is moviemaking on a grand scale," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle, while Time proclaimed the "grandeur, moral heft and emotional depth" of the film, which received thirteen Academy Award(R) nominations.
Including more than 300 photographs from all three films, most unique to this book, and exclusive interviews with all the cast and crew, Brian Sibley's fascinating book takes every fan inside the process of adapting J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork for the screen. For the first time in history, three major movies were made at the same time, a triumphant and monumental undertaking that took the world by storm. Here can be found details about the hundreds of dedicated artists, craftspeople and cast and crew members who labored for years -- adding authenticity at every stage -- to bring one of the greatest stories ever told to an eager film audience. Sibley takes us inside the process of filmmaking to show us how the magic is made -- from the director, writers and actors to wardrobe, makeup, miniatures, music and digital special effects, it's all here.

"It was tiring, physically and mentally, but never dull. Three movies, one big story, and so much variety: one day shooting scenes of intimate heart-wrenching drama, the next, vast battle scenes involving hundreds of extras. Every day brought an opportunity to create something new on this enormous canvas that is The Lord of the Rings." -- Peter Jackson

About the Author

Brian Sibley is the author of The Map of Tolkien's Middle-earth, Chicken Run: Hatching the Movie, and The Land of Narnia: Exploring the World of C.S. Lewis. He lives in England.

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892. After serving in the First World War, he embarked upon a distinguished career as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He is the renowned creator of Middle-earth and author of the great modern classic, The Hobbit, the prelude to his epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. Other works by J.R.R. Tolkien include The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien died in 1973 at the age of 81.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (November 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618258000
• ISBN-13: 978-0618258000
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #283,844 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Making of the Movie: The Sequel", December 24, 2002

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

Don't get this book confused with Sibley's FIRST "Making of Lord of the Rings" book. The first book was restricted in what it showed the production of -- in other words, it showed production mainly of the first movie. This book includes stuff from the first AND second movies, a slew of new photos and information, and real-world reactions to the first movie.

The book starts with a description of what the stars did on the night of the movie's world premiere, then snaps back to when Peter Jackson first began the journey to create "Lord of the Rings." The parts on costumes, sets, locations and CGI have been expanded to include Two Towers as well (there's an entire chapter devoted to making Brad Dourif into Grima Wormtongue). There's information on dressing Eowyn, creating Treebeard, baking lembas, and -- of course -- the creation of CGI masterpiece Gollum. Even little details, such as the moth that Gandalf uses as a messenger, are dealt with.

There are dozens of pictures, ranging from the exquisite (pictures of people working on the "bigatures," Treebeard, and the intricate costumes) to the awkward (Legolas in mid-war-scream, Elijah Wood gnawing on his fingertip). The bonuses include quotes from the actors on their costars and a hilarious interview with Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd ("I need a hug!" "Not NOW!") in which they comment on the sexiness of their hobbit armor, the maturation of their characters, and Billy falling into a cactus. And actor Ian McKellen writes a brief but sprightly foreword in which he talks about Sibley's "Making of" guide and the making of the movie itself, and the impact it's had. (And it has a plug for his website!)

It's an entertaining and informative look behind-the-scenes for anyone who enjoyed the movie and wanted to know "How was that done? Who did that?" Fantastic read.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Behind The Rings, November 6, 2002

By	Matt Howe "outloud98" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy (Paperback)

Brian Sibley, the author of "The Making of The Movie Trilogy" has been connected to Tolkien-dom for many years -- he wrote the BBC radio dramatization. So it's no fluke that he was charged with creating this excellent behind-the-scenes account of the making of Peter Jackson's new LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy. With Part Two (THE TWO TOWERS) due in theaters in just a few weeks, the release of this book has excellent timing!

At almost 200 pages long with over 300 pictures, the book is thorough and entertaining all at once. The pictures, many never seen before, are excellent! Sibley's writings/chapters range from typical, glossy actor interviews to in-depth descriptions of movie-making. After one reading, there is more in the book for me to investigate!

Enjoy the book. It's a great companion to a (so far!) excellent film series.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Companion Piece for the DVDs, February 11, 2003

By	Michael Doyle (Largo, FL United States) - See all my reviews

If you're like me, and patiently went through all the documentaries, and every single still in the Extended cut of Fellowship of the Ring, than you should read this. Very little information is repeated, and it really gives a comprehensive look at the making of one of the greatest artistic achievements in the past decade.
This book, along with the DVDs, and the 'Art of Fellowship of the Ring' gives a whole new appreciation for Peter Jackson and his talented crew.