J.R.R. Tolkien And The Birth Of The Lord Of The Rings (2004)

Synopsis: While epic tale THE LORD OF THE RINGS became a tour de force in Hollywood cinema, the story of the college professor who originally penned it is largely unsung. This documentary explores the life... While epic tale THE LORD OF THE RINGS became a tour de force in Hollywood cinema, the story of the college professor who originally penned it is largely unsung. This documentary explores the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, the man behind the legend. The filmmakers visit key locations in the author's life such as the English countryside, the hallowed halls of Oxford, and the French battlefields of World War I to explore Tolkien's life and its relationship to his fiction. In particular, this program shares intriguing trivia about how the author created THE LORD OF THE RINGS. For example, Tolkien's original inspiration for the tale is reportedly based on Andrew Lang's THE RED FAIRY BOOK. A postcard of a bearded mountain spirit dressed in a hat and cloak was the model for the magnanimous character of Gandolph. A fascinating and probing portrait, J.R.R. TOLKIEN AND THE BIRTH OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS elucidates the life and imagination of a literary master. [More]