Sideshow/Weta Collectibles just sent out notice that the following items are about to sell out. It seems some of the more popular pieces will be retired very shortly, so we thought we’d alert you to the situation. Here is the list:
And on the bad news front, the Uruk-Hai Berserker Bust, from Series 2 The Two Towers is completely sold out.
Sideshow/Weta Collectibles is our official sponsor, so any purchases you do make through these links will help pay for our bandwidth and other expenses as we get closer to ROTK. Thank you in advance for your generous support!
Nexus to publish “The Lord of the Rings – The War of the Ring” boardgame worldwide
Camaiore, Italy June 23rd, 2003
Nexus Editrice is proud to announce the acquisition of the boardgame rights from Tolkien Enterprise/Sophisticated Games to publish worldwide a wargame based on “The Lord of the Rings”.
“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien has sold millions of copies worldwide and has been acclaimed as one of the best literary achievements in the XX Century.
Sophisticated Games has been publishing a series of “The Lord of the Rings” boardgames since 2001, which have been exceptionally successful. The most successful game in “The Lord of the Rings” series, created by Reiner Knizia, sold over 1 million copies worldwide. None of the games previously published, however, enabled players to simulate the grandeur of the battles raging across Middle Earth narrated in the Trilogy.
Sophisticated Games entrusted Nexus with the production and worldwide distribution of the “War of the Ring” boardgame after examining a series of project on the same theme presented by some of the top boardgame companies in the world.
“‘The War of the Ring’ will be the game that Tolkien’s fans all around the world have been waiting for,” commented Roberto Di Meglio, CEO of Nexus Editrice. “The players will have a wide choice of strategical options, and at the same time the game is very faithful to its background and Tolkien’s vision of Middle Earth.”
Robert Hyde, Sophisticated Games’ founder and CEO, declared: “Our decision to license this game to Nexus was based upon a careful analysis of the various LOTR wargames that were proposed to us. The Nexus game seemed to us to lead the field in every way, with its perfect combination of Middle Earth atmosphere and exciting wargaming mechanism. We have worked together with Nexus on other Tolkien games and have every confidence that the company will make this game a huge success worldwide.”
“The Lord of the Rings – The War of the Ring” will allow for a re-enactment of the events in the book from the departure of the Fellowship from Rivendell up to the battles between Mordor and Gondor and the (possible) destruction of the Ring.
The boardgame will also be exceptionally rich in content, with hundreds of playing pieces, a huge color map of Middle Earth, and more than 120 cards, to display on the gaming table the full scope of Tolkien’s epic tale.
Nexus Editrice, now celebrating 10 years in the gaming industry, is one of the leading game publishers in Italy. Nexus produces board games, role playing games, card games, miniature games, publishes magazines devoted to games, with original products and licensed editions of major international brands. Nexus games, like the award-winning X-BUGS series, have been licensed all around the world and Nexus’ plastic figure range, ATLANTIC, is distributed in four continents.
Sophisticated Games, based in Cambridge, England, is a developer of high quality boardgames based upon recognised and respected literary properties. Although the company is only five years old they have published games based upon Sophie’s World, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings which have been critically acclaimed international bestsellers in 16 languages.
Contact Information
Roberto Di Meglio – demiurgo@nexusgames.com WWW: http://www.nexusgames.com VIA CALAGRANDE 9 – 55040 – CAPEZZANO P. (ITALY)
Greetings Unto All Ringers attending Comic Con in San Diego this year
There will be 2 Moots for Ringers to meet at Comic Con Both will take place at The Field Irish Pub and Restaurant two blocks north of the Convention Center, 544 5th Ave . The Field is a wonderful Irish Pub with a great atmosphere. (they have Guinness Stout on tap) *Please note the room we will be in is on the second floor and there is NO Elevator. *
Their web site is Web site http://www.thefield.com. If you have any questions please contact me at eridana@cox.net and not the restaurant
The first Moot will be a Welcome to Comic Con Moot following preview night July 16 from 9PM to midnight. The Wed July 16 will be a buffet and the cost will be $20 not including drinks (except Iced Tea). The limit is approximately 75 people for the buffet.
We will have a raffle of donated items (we have some good things already promised, if you have a mathom to contribute, please bring it along)
The buffet menu consists of Vegetable tray Salad Shepard’s Pie Fish and Chips Rasher and Cheese boxty (potato pancake with bacon and cheese) Vegetable Boxty (vegetarian) Iced Tea
The Sunday Goodbye Moot will be from 1PM -3 PM with a limited menu for $16. They have live music and dancers that we are welcome to stay for, but we will need to share the upstairs room after 4PM. The estimate for this Moot is 50 people.
The limited Sun menu consists of Vegetable tray (for everyone) Chicken sage boxty Corned beef sandwich Marinated chicken sandwich Veggie Burger (vegetarian) Iced tea
If you have any food questions please contact me at eridana@cox.net
Let me know off list if you wish to attend and I will send you my mailing address. I would appreciate a check by July 10 ($36 for both Wed and Sun).
This year’s highlights include: Professor Jane Chance of Rice University will present a paper on “Tolkien’s Women (and Men): The Film and the Book”
Regia Anglorum, the Anglo-Saxon Re-enactment Society, will be giving weapon demonstrations and living history displays
Dr. Theodore J. Sherman (Editor of Mythlore) giving his paper on “Tolkien and the Fairy-Story essay and its application to Tolkien’s own fiction.”
Caspar Reiff of the Tolkien Ensemble, (noted creator of the CDs “An Evening’, ‘A Night’ and ‘At Dawn’ in Rivendell”) will be giving a talk on the ensemble’s musical interpretation of the poems from “The Lord of the Rings.”
Dr Lynn Forest-Hill (TS Education Officer) and Marella Sands (American author) will present seminars for writers.
Merry & Pippin’s Dance Workshop (Back by popular demand!) Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. They will show folks of any size how to perform the Springle-Ring and other dances that the denizens of Middle-earth would ‘probably’ enjoy. Perfect performances not required: come along and participate for fun.
Alex Lewis (co-author of the book ‘The Uncharted Realms of Tolkien’) will give a talk on ‘Tolkien and the Physical Universe’
Welcome Dinner on Friday night (featuring Lothlórien Terrine, Bucklebury Tart, Gondorian Fowl, Yavanna’s Passion Pastry with Ælfwine Sauce). Party and costume masquerade on Saturday night
Colin Duriez will be talking about his new book “Tolkien and CS Lewis” due out in December.
Richard J. Finn “Arthur & Aragorn: Arthurian Influence in the Lord of the Rings.”
Tolkien Quiz. Quizmistress Angie Gardner (writer of The Tolkien Trivia Game). Brace yourselves for an action-packed two hours! Attendance for the full event is by no means compulsory – but you may feel inwardly compelled as the tension mounts
Sales Room featuring Tolkien Society Trading, Daeron’s Books, Rene Van Rossenberg and the Book Wyrm. Register Online here
Registration and Accommodation Information:
The Bookings Officer (Oxonmoot), 28 Loverock Crescent, Rugby, CV21 4AR, United Kingdom or
e-mail bookings@tolkiensociety.org
Media Contact
Oxonmoot Publicity, 26 Loverock Crescent, Rugby, CV21 4AR, United Kingdom or e-mail osc.publicity@tolkiensociety.org
What is Oxonmoot?
Oxonmoot is the Tolkien Society’s major social event, providing both our members and the public with the opportunity to gather together and celebrate Tolkien’s life. Originating as an informal gathering of friends to pay their respects at the grave of the late Professor Tolkien, it is now one of the country’s longest established events of its kind. Held annually on the weekend closest to the fictional birthday of Bilbo Baggins, the event traditionally takes place in central Oxford because Tolkien spent much of his professional life here and his grave is nearby. The venue this year is St. Hugh’s College, Oxford, as we have had to move to a larger college venue to fit in the expected numbers attending this extended event.
What happens at an oxonmoot?
This year’s weekend actually starts on Thursday, but either way, usually people arrive at the college in the afternoon to settle in, greet old friends or make some new ones, and if time allows fit in some sightseeing. In the evening, there’s an informal meal at the college, where those new to Oxonmoot can get to know the regulars, and of course chat in the bar. Events, papers and talks begin on Friday morning. To allow for many attendees having work commitments the ‘Welcome Dinner’ will be on Friday evening and some items such as ‘Merry & Pippin’s workshop’ will run twice. Many of the events are listed above, but in addition to these there will be an art show open displaying the works of both amateur and professional artists such as renowned fan artist Anke Eissman and Tolkien illustrator Ted Nasmith. There is also a sales room with several dealers offering a wide variety of Tolkien related items, ranging from collectors’ editions of Tolkien’s works to merchandise from Peter Jackson’s film adaptation, plus our own Tolkien Society products. On Sunday there is Enyalië, a ceremony of remembrance at Tolkien’s graveside.
Who are we?
The Tolkien Society is an independent educational charity devoted to furthering interest in the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Founded in 1969 membership has grown to in excess of 1,200. The majority of our members are based in the UK, but many can be found as far afield as Australia and Latin America, and we enjoy close ties with other Tolkien Societies around the globe.
Tolkien 2005:
The Ring Goes Ever On
Aston University, Birmingham UK, 11 – 15 August 2005
Any queries regarding this Press Release should be addressed to:
Clay Harper and everyone at Houghton Mifflin sends a hearty thanks to the fans who participated in the poll to pick the cover for the special edition which will be included in the Book and Bookends Set. Rivendell was a clear winner with 43% percent of the 13,500 votes cast — a percentage that stayed remarkably constant from the very first hours the poll was open. Entries are being tabulated and the ten random winners of the set will be announced on July 15th.
Meanwhile, check out the latest movie tie-in one-volume edition of The Lord of the Rings which starts shipping this week! Houghton Mifflin has sent us these exclusive images for your browsing pleasure. They’ve pulled out all the stops to make this edition as handsome as they possibly could. The cover features Sauron’s gloved hand in glorious detail with an embossed Ring and logo (The LotR actually ON the LotR? What an innovation!). The paperback has flaps with a color gallery of seven characters, a color photo of JRR Tolkien, and the flaps fold-out to reveal color versions of the original maps on the inside. It also has a color frontispiece with the full Ring Legend and Tolkien’s monogram. The hardcover edition has the color maps on the inside of the cover, too. And from what we understand, you should look for displays featuring Eowyn to land in stores in just a few days.
If you would like to pre-order this edition from Amazon.com, click here!
One of the most moving moments in “The Lord Of The Rings – The Two Towers” is the death of the Elves Warlord / Leader of an Army (?!) Haldir, who catches a last glimpse of his fallen people while dying. Fear, horror and sadness mirror equally in his face – the immortal people, slain. Haldirs death became a symbolic act for director Peter Jackson.
“That’s definitely the biggest movie, I ever participated in”, tells Craig Parker in an interview with SPACE VIEW. “I was already involved in the early stages of the process and back then I was totally enthusiastic about the concept and Peter Jackson’s vision, to make this movie.”
When the New Zealand actor Craig Parker tells about his experiences at the shooting of “The Lord Of The Rings”, his eyes start to glow and the 32-year-old is becoming a little boy again.
Perhaps, it’s precisely this natural charm, but perhaps it’s also his teasing look, which since a short time melts away some woman-hearts, cause since his big-screen appearance in the fantasy epic “The Lord of the Rings” the open-minded New Zealander faces big popularity among the fans.
“Peter Jackson’s vision is simply unbelievable.”
Craig Parker was involved in the mammoth production since the beginning and felt the energy and passion, with which this story was filmed, from the first hour on. Craig Parker spoke the Hobbit Frodo, his personal favorite, in the early animated storyboards. But to be involved in the shooting, he would have done anything, according to himself, even cooked coffee on the set.
It should not come to cooking coffee – Craig got the role of the elves march-warden Haldir.
In the novel “The Lord Of The Rings” Haldir greets the fellowship at the edge of the Elf wood of Lothlórien und leads them blindfolded – under the protest of the Dwarf Gimli – to Lady Galadriel, the Lady of the wood.
Actually that would have been the end of his appearance, but director Peter Jackson had something special in mind for Haldir: The ordinary march-warden became the warlord / leader of an army Haldir and in contrast to the novel of the second part Haldir leads an Elf-army to the endangered fortress of Helm’s Deep to help the Men of Rohan there and battle against the terrible Uruk-hai.
And even if the most followers of the Tolkien-epic look very critical at most of the changes, Haldir’s death at Helm’s Deep is one of the successful ones. “To all the fans who like the books, it’s good that the basic intention of the novel was preserved in the movie.”, tells Craig Parker in the SPACE VIEW interview. “Naturally some of the story arcs were changed and some of the characters do not appear, but the basic intention did survive. And I believe that’s why the movie is accepted by the fans. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (script) and Phillipa Boyens (script) were aware, that the basic idea must remain. They love the story, too.”
“A Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen”
For the role of the noble Elf Craig did not only have to learn some sentences in the Elfish language of Sindarin, but also undergo some sword training and wait up to three hours per day in the make-up, cause not only the pointy ears were naturally not real, but the long blond hair was real neither.
In spite of the hardship he likes to remember that time: “The filming was great fun, we had to fight hard often. We filmed once for an entire month in the winter out in the rain when we had to fight against the Uruk-hai. That was truly wonderful: You go to work and fight against men who are 2, 10 m tall [~ 6.9]. And you kick their butts. That’s very exciting, but very hard, too.”
It seems to be thanks to director Peter Jackson that everyone on set worked with unconditional passion and enthusiasm on this no matter the hard circumstances. “Peter Jackson knew the entire time exactly what he wanted. He always sat surrounded by at least three monitors, which sew him via satellite the pictures of other sets. A he always knew exactly, how he wanted the shots. And he always stayed calm. It was great fun to work with him.”
“The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark.” As Haldir Craig does not seem to be always so sympathy on screen, yet he is never the less fascinating. Haldir symbolizes in the movie the superiority of the Elves that seems to Men, Hobbits and Dwarves often like arrogance. Thus, the Fellowship is not welcomed friendly, but with drawn weapons and only after long negotiations and some quarrel they are brought to Galadriel. Haldir always seems reserved and condescendingly. “The Elves with their arrogance remind me of the British colonials in India. Perhaps it’s good that they leave Middle-Earth.”, describes Craig his interpretation of the role.
“Haldir for President”
In the past, Craig was mostly seen on New Zealand TV-screens, for example in the daily-soap “Shortland Street” or in the show “City Life”. But fantasy-fans could already admire Craig’s guest appearances in the shows “Xena” and “Young Hercules”.
But “The Lord Of The Rings” brought the break-through. Since then Craig receives daily fan-mail from all around the world and tries to answer as many letters as possible. At conventions like the Ring*Con in Bonn he’s admired by fans, who wear t-shirts with the inscription “Haldir For President”, and even in the internet the name “Craig Parker” has become a common search-term. But the countless websites make Craig a little nervous: “I avoid watching the fan-sites about me, because as you can read really nice things there about yourself, you can also discover really terrible things. The best thing is, if I don’t know too much about what people do behind my back.”
Imagining that his face appears on collectable cards or that there’s a Haldir-tin figure for a table-top-strategy-game is a little bizarre to Craig. He’s humble and hopes that he’s not recognized too often in public. Yet, he’s open to his fans and finds them according to his own statement “wonderful” [I find it odd, that they would quote a single word, even if it fits to please the fans … but I thought that perhaps he said it in German, since he learned some German words before visiting Ring*Con].
Unfortunately, he’s not in the third part of the Ring-legend, that’s why all the Haldir-Fans hope that in the Special Extended Edition DVD of the second movie (will be released in November 2003) will be more of Haldir, as it was in the first movie.
“Originally the film took five to six hours. And there were loads of scenes that got cut out”, he reveals, “and of course many members of the crew are disappointed, when a scene is cut into which they put a lot of work. But that’s why DVDs are something beautiful.”
At this time Craig is shooting for the new season if the New Zealand TV-show “Mercy Peak”, where he will most likely move as doctor son Alistair Kingsley some other woman-hearts.
