Tom Bombadil has always been the most enigmatic of characters in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. When he didn’t make the cut in the movies, despite not being central to the plot, many fans objected and wondered why. The answer is revealed below at last from the Brotherhood Workshop!

Tolkien wrote a few times about his character, especially in letters to those who asked. In one such letter to Peter Hastings he says in part,

“I don’t think Tom needs philosophizing about, and is not improved by it. But many have found him an odd or indeed discordant ingredient. In historical fact I put him in because I had already ‘invented’ him independently (he first appeared in the Oxford Magazine) and wanted an ‘adventure’ on the way. But I kept him in, and as he was, because he represents certain things otherwise left out. I do not mean him to be an allegory – or I should not have given him so particular, individual, and ridiculous a name – but ‘allegory’ is the only mode of exhibiting certain functions: he is then an ‘allegory’, or an exemplar, a particular embodying of pure (real) natural science: the spirit that desires knowledge of other things, their history and nature, because they are ‘other’ and wholly independent of the enquiring mind, a spirit coeval with the rational mind, and entirely unconcerned with ‘doing’ anything with the knowledge: Zoology and Botany not Cattle-breeding or Agriculture . Even the Elves hardly show this : they are primarily artists. Also T.B. exhibits another point in his attitude to the Ring, and its failure to affect him. You must concentrate on some pan, probably relatively small, of the World (Universe), whether to tell a tale, however long, or to learn anything however fundamental – and therefore much will from that ‘point of view’ be left out, distorted on the circumference, or seem a discordant oddity. The power of the Ring over all concerned, even the Wizards or Emissaries, is not a delusion – but it is not the whole picture, even of the then state and content of that pan of the Universe.”

To those wishing to read further, we recommend the “Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien”. Also, check out some great LOTR LEGO sets. A couple of our favorites are The Mines of Moria and The Battle For Helm’s Deep.

UC2928 Orcrist Sword on Display_smDuring the month of July we teamed up with our friends at United Cutlery and BudK to give away one replica of Orcrist, as designed for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. After weeks of entries we’re pleased to announce the winner who will be adding this amazing item to their collection. The winner is Clara G. of Cannes France! Congratulations Clara on your prize and thank you to everyone who took the time to enter this contest. Also, thank you to United Cutlery and BudK for allowing us to give away this great prize!

As a surprise for all of you, we were sent this little teaser from our friends at United Cutlery and BudK, it’s an image of the Orcrist Scabbard coming out this fall. We hope you enjoy this teaser.

The-One-Ring-Giveaway-at-Comic-Con-02During Comic-Con 2013, Sideshow Collectibles was kind enough to give us a Dark Rider of Mordor Premium Format Figure as a giveaway. We are now happy to announce the winner:

Richard E. Jr.

Richard, you will be contacted shortly via email! If you didn’t win, consider owning this impressive piece. The Dark Rider of Mordor Premium format figure may be a bit pricey, but if you have ever seen this monstrous piece in person, it is well worth it. And heck, Sideshow has a FLEXPay option for no cost. [Click here]

 

HobbitEE Ringer Alan lets us know that MovieStop, a movie store in Atlanta, Georgia, has this fantastic in-depth look at what we fans can expect from the Extended Editions of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Let’s dive right in and look at the goodies that are going to be on the discs. Continue reading “An in-depth first look at the AUJ EE contents”

HobbitEELate last night Amazon.com added a price and the option to pre-order the The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Gift Set. This gift set comes with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 3D Blu-Ray, 2D, appendicies disc, and like The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Gift Sets, a special statue. This statue captures ‘The Riddles in the Dark’ sequence of the film featuring Gollum coming over a rock while Bilbo stands a bit scared of what is going on around him. The statue has been created by the amazing folks at Weta Workshop and was sculpted by Gary Hunt.You can get this set from Amazon for only $69.99 which is a great deal considering the regular 5-disc set is $38.99. [Gift Set] [Blu-Ray 3D + Blu-Ray + Ultraviolet] [Blu-Ray + Ultraviolet]

Continue reading “Pre-order The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition Gift Set and More!”