From Powerhouse Museum:

Experience the fantastic world of Middle-earth when the international blockbuster The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition comes to the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney this summer.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes of the hugely successful film trilogy and see costumes, jewellery, weapons, props and film footage, as well as discover the secrets behind the trilogy’s Academy Award-winning special effects.

Developed over two years by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in conjunction with New Line Cinema, the producers of the film trilogy, this extraordinary exhibition has been seen by more than 800,000 people worldwide in Wellington, London, Singapore and Boston, and now comes to Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum – the only Australian venue.

The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition explores both the thematic and technological aspects of the films. Visitors are transported to the world of Middle-earth where they are met by the films’ main characters including Frodo and his hobbit companions, the wizards and other magical creatures, the Black Riders, and the monstrous creations of evil, all dressed in the actual costumes used in the films.

Visitors can experience the film trilogy’s cutting-edge technology and special effects through interactive demonstrations. Discover how the filmmakers made actors appear hobbit or wizard-sized using an ingenious mix of trick photography, forced perspective sets and props made at different scales. Find out for yourself by being photographed hobbit-sized in a set from the film. Or see the life-like prosthetics which transformed the actors into character, including hobbit hands and feet and gruesome orc masks.

See an extraordinary array of costumes including Arwen’s riding outfit, Galadriel’s stunning dress and Gandalf’s robes plus weaponry and armour belonging to Aragorn, King Theoden, Gandalf, and Frodo. There are also exclusive interviews with the cast, crew and director Peter Jackson.

The exhibition culminates in an immersive encounter with The One Ring. In the middle of a dark, atmospheric space is the central icon of the films. Visitors will see and hear faces and voices of the story’s main characters urging Frodo to use or destroy The One Ring.

The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition opens at the Powerhouse Museum on 26 December 2004.

Avoid the queues and book your tickets now. Admission will be through two timed sessions daily: Morning (9.00am – 1.00pm) and Afternoon (1.00pm – 5.00pm). Tickets are available through Ticketmaster7 on 136 100 or www.powerhousemuseum.com.

During the January school holidays families can also experience The Shire Play Space. Kids can play as hobbits for a day in a space as magical as The Shire with rolling hills and miniature doorways. Dress up like a hobbit, elf or wizard, create your own prop to take home, enjoy a magic show or participate in story-telling and quizzes. Open 3 January – 31 March, 11.00am – 4.00pm (weekends & school holidays). Free with The Lord of the Rings exhibition entry.

On View:

The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition 26 December 2004 – 31 March 2005

Address:
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney

Telephone:
(02) 9217 0111 or infoline (02) 9217 0444

Website:
www.powerhousemuseum.com

Hours:
Exhibition hours 9.00am to 5.00pm
General museum hours 10.00am to 5.00pm

Admission:
Adult $19.50, Child $9.50, Concession $12, Seniors $10,
Family $48 (includes general admission)