The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition, the Science Museum’s exhibition exposing the secrets behind the making of the hit film trilogy, has welcomed its 100,000th visitor – just seven weeks after opening.
The exhibition, which contains over 600 props from the films, has attracted fans young and old from all over Europe. Visitors enjoy an up-close-and-personal encounter with props, costumes and sets from the films before the final instalment of the film trilogy The Return of the King hits UK cinemas on December 18.
The Science Museum is the only European venue to host the priceless exhibits. Visitors also have a chance to see the first two films of the trilogy at the Science Museum’s cinema.
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition had already sold more advance tickets than any previous exhibition at the Science Museum.
Opening hours have been extended to cope with demand and although some tickets are available at the door, advanced booking is the only way to guarantee entry.
Head of the Science Museum, Jon Tucker, said: “We are delighted that the exhibition has been such a hit. We had record numbers of visitors during the half term holidays and our research shows that exhibitions like The Lord of the Rings are introducing a whole new audience to what the Museum has to offer.”
To prevent the advanced filmmaking technology displayed in the exhibition from being copied, the use of cameras and mobile phones is prohibited.
The fascinating exhibition includes:
- Demonstrations of special effects, including the combining of ‘real’ and ‘digital’ action and CGI (computer-generated-image technology).
- A scaling interactive explaining one way that the filmmakers managed to make characters seem different heights, and which allows visitors to become Hobbit sized in a scene from The Fellowship of the Ring – and then buy a print of themselves.
- A display on the prosthetics which transformed actors, including Hobbit hands and feet.
- Weapons belonging to Arwen, Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn.
Outfits including Arwen’s riding costume, Galadriel’s stunning dress and Gandalf’s robes.
The exhibition culminates with a face-to-face encounter with the central icon from the films – The One Ring.
Tickets can be pre-booked on 0870 906 3890 24 hours (booking fee applies) or at www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.
The Science Museum will be running a series events during the Christmas holidays investigating traditional and state-of-the-art filmmaking techniques.
Exhibition 16 September 2003 to 11 January 2004
Ticket Prices Monday – Friday: Adults £9.95, Children/Concessions £6.95
Saturday – Sunday: Adults £11.95, Children/Concessions £8.95
Public information and booking line 0870 906 3890 (booking fee applies)
The Museum has extended the weekend opening hours for this exhibition
Friday – Saturday 10am – 9pm Sunday 10am – 7pm
The exhibition will be open Monday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
For more information and images visit The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition media centre at: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/press.
