Sambrook writes: Been reading the site for a while – congratulations first of all for putting together such an excellent online resource!
Right, ass-kissing aside… I work for UGC Cinemas in the UK and our site received an email yesterday about screenings of the theatrical editions of Fellowship and Two Towers – FOTR will be shown in some UGC’s on Wednesday 3rd December, TTT on Wednesday 10th – and we all know what happens a week later.
All well and good, but the email then went on to mention that some key UGC cinemas were not due to get these screenings. Why? Because “Entertainment are considering releasing 10 prints of the four-hour extended editions of FOTR and TTT” – the key sites not getting the theatrical editions would then get the extended editions.
However, the email did not list dates, nor did it say whether 10 prints means ’10 prints in the entire country’ or ’10 prints for UGC’. If there are only 10 prints being released in the UK that would mean an extremely limited release for the Extended Editions.
So there you have it – not the most conclusive of news but at least it confirms that Entertainment are considering relasing the Extended Editions, albiet on a limited scale. So fingers crossed…
Hope this is of some use! At least we finally know the UK isn’t being ignored.
Los Angeles, CA, September 23, 2003 – New Line Cinema will debut the new trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in theaters around the world on Friday, September 26.
In North America, the 2 min., 30 sec. trailer will play exclusively with New Line’s Secondhand Lions, now in its second weekend of release. It will be in theaters throughout the weekend and will then debut online at www.lordoftherings.net on Monday, September 29.
On December 17, the Journey ends. Co-writer/director/producer Peter Jackson’s adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s revered trilogy concludes with the worldwide release of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. With intimate, emotional stories set against an epic backdrop, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King tells the dramatic final story of these men, their relationships and rivalries, and how through courage, commitment, and determination even the least of us can change the world.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King stars (in alphabetical order) Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, and Elijah Wood. The third film in the highly acclaimed trilogy is produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Fran Walsh and Jackson. The screenplay is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Jackson based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien.
LA Ringers got together on Sunday, Sept. 21, to celebrate the combined Bilbo and Frodo Baggins’ birthday party. The location was set at Griffith Park in the middle of Los Angeles. We moved from the more remote location of last year, to a central spot right next to the Merry-go-Round. The caliope music proved a bit maddening at times, but it did make it easy to find us.
MARIACHIS
Things started around 11am, with the Rohan tent being set up, including a net to help keep bugs out. In fact, a small BBQ was set up next to the tent with the sole purpose of smoking and keeping the bees from attacking the food. One of the trees was turned into an Ent, complete with Hobbits in the branches. Ice was brought and food laid out, and everything was set for fun.
The first event was at 1pm with Trivia Questions from Two Towers being asked. We had prizes, some were books, pencil tins, SeriousUSA’s cool little CD cardz, and Sideshow statues. We had three winners in the Trivia contest, which proved to be much too short. We then got an impromptu serenade by a wandering Mariachi band. I dare any of the other Tolkien celebrations going on this weekend to be able to boast the same thing.
MERRY-GO-ROUND
The costume contest was due up next, and since I was entering in it, I needed to get changed at this time. My costume is quite heavy and very warm to wear, so I chose to be relaxed in the beginning and then put it on at the park. Since I wear armor, I actually needed help getting into everything. No wonder Knights had squires, there is no way anyone could do this on their own, even if it was every day wear for them.
There were several really good costumes on display, including a fabulous Arwen with painted silver designs on her dress, an incredible Frodo portrayed by Primmy, a young Ringwraith with a voice distorter, and a really beautiful Eowyn in the white dress. My own costume was that of Dernhelm, and I won’t elaborate on the costume any more for those who don’t want to be spoiled for ROTK. Suffice it to say that Dernhelm is a Rider of Rohan that you have not really met yet. And guess what, I won, woohoo. It was probably all that armor, it was a very hot day and LOTR costumes can be hot, but armor is heavy as well as hot. I got a Sideshow/WETA bust, the one of the High Elven in armour, the First Alliance armour.
After the costume contest, I started peeling out of the armour, but didn’t take it back to the car yet. Too heavy, so it sat next to me and I showed the shield, helmut and sword to all the kids. It was at this time that Calisuri decided it would be cool for all the costumers to ride on the Merry-go-Round. So, I had to get put back into all that armour and climb onto a Carousel horse. At least being a Rider of Rohan, I looked right at home. Gandalf was right behind me, with a Ringwraith on his tail, and Frodo was in front of me. It was a rather surreal moment, to say the least. Giddyup.
MAYHEM
I finally got to peel out of all the armour, and change, and then we had our imperonation contest. This was very popular last year, and proved to be so again this year. Basically, you get up on the table in front of everyone and recite a favorite line, or enact a bit of a scene. There were some very creative impersonations, but the trio of Gollum/Smeagol, Frodo and Sam were the obvious winners. They enacted the scene where Gollum first sneaks up on sleeping Frodo and Sam, complete with the fight, then transitioned to Smeagol/Gollum’s inner debate with the two hobbits sleeping in the background. We also had Aragorn and Theoden riding out of Helm’s Deep together, including coconut horse clip clops. Oh, and not to be outdone, there was a duo performing Merry and Pippin’s rendition of the Hobbit Drinking Song. Those were our three winners, but I must say that there were several other fine performances, but only three prizes remained for us to give out.
The end of the day included the eating of the Frodo and Bilbo birthday cake, and giving Sarumann a going away present. He received a Sideshow/WETA Saruman statue, how cool is that? Yes, it’s true, our very own Sarumann is driving away to the East. But, never fear, for he will be back out here for the Oscar party. Oh, and he’s moving to the Philadelphia area, so those in that area, look for a new Line Party leader soon.
As the sun began to disappear behind the hills, food and supplies were cleaned up and the good folk of LA Tolkien fandom faded into the distance. All in all, a wonderful day in Los Angeles, if a bit surreal at times.
Shelob writes: Many brazilian fans have been celebrating Bilbo and Frodo’s Birthday this Sunday, September 21st. The Smial Sao Paulo, one of 14 Smials that belong to the Conselho Branco (White Council Tolkien Society), had its Second Hobbit Party as part of the festivities.
In the largest city of Brazil, many Hobbits, Elves, Dwarves, Dúnadan, Rohirrim, Nazgûl, Istari and Valar – even Spiders as myself! – got together to honor the two beloved Hobbits. You can see some of our pictures here…
The Party lasted all day, featuring our tradicional Costumes Contest (won by Nimloth the ElvenMaid and Elda Minyagon the Warrior Elf), the “House of Vairë” Storytelling (our audience heard the “Cuyviényarna” and “The Fall of Gondolin” tales), Role Playing Games set in Middle Earth, a great campaign to collect toys for an orphanage, and, of course, lots of food (it was a Hobbit Party, after all). Well, the party is over and all we can do now is wait until December comes, when we are planning to celebrate PJ’s Return of the King… with more hobbit food, I guess!
NEW EDITION OF BESTSELLING ‘THE LORD OF THE RINGS LOCATION GUIDE BOOK’ TO FEATURE TRILOGY
When The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook by Ian Brodie was released in November 2002, to coincide with the worldwide film release of The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers, it went straight onto the bestseller chart, and sold an astounding 75,000 copies in New Zealand and Australia alone in its first five months. The book enjoyed 18 weeks at No 1 on the New Zealand Bestseller List and by September 2003 has sold a phenomenal 90,000 copies.
Now publishers HarperCollins Publishers (NZ) are delighted to announce that on Friday 7 November the much awaited The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook New Edition will be launched in New Zealand. The New Edition contains images and details of not only the first two movies, but also the also the third and final movie, The Return of the King. The new edition contains an extra 32 pages and in addition to the new locations there are features written by Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, Alan Lee and Barrie Osborne. The Two Towers locations have also been rewritten to accurately reflect the final film.
In addition to new location information and new interviews with key cast and crew, author Ian Brodie has added new location photographs and movie images from the third movie, along with the touring information, GPS references and local directions which helped make the first edition such a success.
English language rights have been sold for the book, and as well as being sold in Australasia, The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook New Edition will be available for sale in the UK, Europe, South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore from December or in some cases, early 2004. Distribution in the US and Canada is currently under discussion, but the New Edition can be ordered on www.lordoftheringslocations.com.
Managing Director of HarperCollins Publishers (NZ), Tony Fisk, says “We are thrilled to be associated with the Lord of the Rings Locations Guidebook which has given a new dimension to the enjoyment of The Lord of the Rings books and films to many thousands of fans and visitors to New Zealand Availability of the first edition was limited to New Zealand and Australia and we are delighted that readers in other parts of the world will now be able to read about the stunning locations which Peter Jackson transformed into Middle Earth”.
About the Author: Ian Brodie is director of the NZ Fighter Pilots Museum in Wanaka, and a successful aviation writer. He is also a dedicated Tolkien fan, with a passion for and local knowledge of many of the locations used in making the movie trilogy.
Ian met fellow aviation enthusiast Peter Jackson at an air show, and not long after that, the idea was born to write a guide for fans to the locations used in filming Peter’s masterpiece. Ian set out with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the books and movies, a GPS and a ton of enthusiasm and compiled the ultimate fan’s tribute to the moviemakers and the host of locals who contributed to the movie trilogy.
Release Date: 7 November 2003 Launch Location: Glenorchy, New Zealand Recommended retail price: NZ $24.99
Starfish writes: Some time ago, TORN posted a blurb about a two-man play called “Into the Ring,” in which the actors play dozens of characters obsessed with Tolkien’s works. I attended the one-night-only performance, and I had to share:
If you love Tolkien, you need to see this play.
It centers around two brothers trying to collaborate on a film about Tolkien. One is a sincere purist–(“You make wonderful movies that nobody wants to see…”)–and the other, a Hollywood type who, in one scene, talks on no fewer then five cellphones at a time. In the course of making this movie, the actors morph so seamlessly into their characters that one has to struggle to remember that there are only, ever, two people on stage. Add to this a few great gymnastic stunts, inside jokes, dead-on characterizations of every type of LotR-geekdom, and a compelling plot, and what you have is simultaneously a treat, a tease, and a sincere homage.
But you really want to see it for their 9-minute version of Lord of the Rings. That’s right: 3 minutes per book. Once they started, I didn’t get a chance to catch my breath. It was, simply put, the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. I would have gone back the next night–if there had been a next night–just to see them do it again.
The co-creators and actors, Rick Miller and Dawson Nichols, have a website (http://intothering.com/) and a show in Fort Worth, TX next weekend. I urge all Tolkien-lovers in the vicinity to get out there and see the show: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll always kinda think of Merry and Pippin as talking hands.
