Movie Info
Movie Name: The Lord of the Rings
Studio: Fantasy Films
Genre(s): Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Animation
Release Date(s): November 15, 1978
MPAA Rating: PG
Animated or live action…this was always terrifying
The One Ring has surfaced in the Shire, and it is up to Frodo Baggins to take the ring to Mount Doom to be destroyed. With the help of Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Frodo leaves the Shire at Gandalf’s orders and heads to meet with the elves. With Sauron’s forces moving in, the mission is getting more and more dangerous. A fellowship is forced but can even a fellowship be strong enough to stop Sauron’s forces.
Directed by Ralph Bakshi, The Lord of the Rings is a partial animated adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1954 novel. The film was released to strong box office returns but mixed reviews from critics.
Growing up, I loved the Rankin-Bass version of The Hobbit from 1977. The movie (and the book) were very kid friendly…when I saw the Bakshi version of The Hobbit’s sequel, I remember being rather frightened by the odd film.
Wow…bet this would be cool if it weren’t so dark…
What stands out about the film is the bizarre Bakshi Rotoscope style. Sometimes the animation appears traditional (especially among the main characters), but then it will enter this very film like Rotoscope animation (with the orcs especially). This gives the movie definite stylized look that is something you will either like or hate. The problem with the traditional animation, is that it isn’t very good. The problem with the Rotoscope animation is that it is too abstract with no happy medium and much of the movie in general is too dark.
With such a stylized production, it feels like some of the voice acting was rushed and not developed enough. The acting of the characters is all over the place. While many characters who are supposed to be humorous characters are played seriously, characters that are humorous are way overdone. The two best examples of this are Sam and Gimli who never can decide if they are serious or not. Other characters like Merry and Pippin really get sidelined in this film with most of the attention paid to Frodo’s party and Aragorn’s party.
Ta-da!!! Tide with Bleach keeps your whites whiter!!!
What is the biggest shame of the movie is that the sequel was never completed. There were plans to adapt The Return of the King, but it never happened. The Lord of the Rings just collects The Fellowship of the Rings and The Two Towers (partially)…this leaves so many plotlines up in the air. Rankin/Bass’ The Return of the King kind of covers the last part of the movie, but it isn’t the same since it is in the style of their version of The Hobbit.
The Lord of the Rings almost feels like an art film especially since it isn’t very friendly for those who don’t know the story. People who are fans of the Peter Jackson films might like to see this to see how different sequences are handled (especially since they already know the story and know how it ends). Fans of animation should check it out to see its unique style, and of course if you are a Ralph Bakshi fan, it is a must.
Related Links:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
