"Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”(The Lord of the Rings. The fellowship of the ring) - the first part of the literary trilogy of the writer J. R. R. Tolkien. We can say about all three parts of the novel that they are one of the most popular literary masterpieces of our time in the fantasy genre. The first publication of the novel dates back to 1954-1955. Then the London publishing house Allen & Unwin divided the work into three volumes (The Fellowship of the Ring, Two Fortresses, The Return of the King) without the consent of the author. Tolkien was extremely dissatisfied with such arbitrariness on the part of the publisher. But he succeeded in combining all three parts of the novel into one book only in 1968. The author made several major changes to this publication.
The author’s creation before the film adaptation was very popular among lovers of this literary genre. The novel is translated into 38 languages. It is known that Tolkien, being an expert in the field of philology, often personally participated in checking the quality of translations. The publication in Russian first appeared in 1976, the author of the translation is A. A. Gruzberg.
Plot: prologue
The plot of the entire trilogy continues the action that took place in the story "The Hobbit". The film “Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”is the first part of the famous trilogy.
From the prologue we learn about the events preceding the film. The dark lord Sauron forged magic rings, which he handed over to the rulers of the elves, gnomes and people. But that was just a ruse. For himself, the insidious Sauron forged the Ring of omnipotence, which is able to subjugate everyone. When the armies of elves and humans approached his stronghold in Mordor, a terrible battle took place. Then, in battle, Isildur cuts off the finger of the dark lord along with the ring. Isildur did not possess it for long, because, having been ambushed by the orcs, he dropped the ring to the bottom of the river. After many centuries, Gollum finds him, who, under the influence of this magical decoration, turns into a monster. Having become a "captive" of the ring, Gollum forever locks himself in the caves of the Misty Mountains. It was there that the hobbit Bilbo Baggins picked him up.
When the prologue ends, we learn that Bilbo was never able to part with the ring and still holds it, periodically falling under his influence. Magician Gandalf persuades the 111-year-old hobbit to hand over the mysterious thing to his nephew - 33-year-old Frodo. Bilbo hears the persuasion of an old friend and leaves Frodo's ring, and he leaves his native Shire.
Wise by experience Gandalf, guessing the true intentions of the creator of the ring, finds evidence that this jewelry is gradually "enslaving" its owner. Then we find out that Sauron, who did not lose hope of finding the ring, learns from Gollum that the coveted little thing is located at a certain Baggins in the Shire. In his search, the dark lord sends the Black Riders - the Nazguls.
Plot: Frodo and the ring
Frodo, who did not yet know about the purpose of the ring, begins to feel an irresistible urge to put it on. Failing to fulfill his desire, he enables the Black Riders to locate the location of the magical ornament. All this turns out that Frodo is seriously injured in the battle with the Nazguls. And it is only thanks to the elves who healed his wound that he remains alive.
The Council convened in Rivendell decides to destroy the ill-fated ring. There is only one way to do this: throw in the hellish flames of the Doom Mountain in Mordor. This difficult mission rests on the shoulders of the brave Frodo. On a long journey, he is accompanied by hobbit friends, the elf Legolas, the magician Gandalf, the dwarf Gimli, as well as the people of Boromir and Aragorn. This squad forms the so-called Brotherhood of the Ring.
Further, the heroes encounter in their path many obstacles posed by Sauron. It is not enough to talk about them. They must be seen. The entire depth of the characters' characters, the dynamics of events, the brightness of key moments are perfectly conveyed by the creators of the film “The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring ”Cast, with amazing accuracy, embodied the images of their heroes, demonstrating a talented realistic game.
On the way to the movie ...
The company United Artists bought the rights to the film adaptation back in 1968, having paid 104,000 pounds for them. There were rumors that the protagonists of the cult four The Beatles will play the main characters of the novel. They even talked about their preferences regarding the characters: Lennon dreamed of playing Gollum, Paul McCartney - Frodo, Ringo Starr - Sam, and George Harrison wanted to transform into Gandalf himself. The film was supposed to be directed by Stanley Kubrick. It was he who later stated that it was simply impossible to film the novel. The ideas of the Beatles were not destined to come true. The company, having not fulfilled the obligation to shoot the film, was forced to return the rights to the owner.
Further, the director John Burman and producer Saul Zaenets created the script for the film, but for unknown reasons they never started shooting.
Only a few years later, in 1976, the rights of Tolkien’s descendants were bought by the same Saul Saenz, who, having devoted a lot of time to studying the novel, apparently realized that in the future it could be well enriched. The producer paid at the same time no less than 15 million dollars. Saenz owns the rights to this day. And I must say, has long recouped its costs.
The process of creating the film “Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring"
This movie was released on the big screens on December 19, 2001, becoming the first part of the movie trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. The film received four Oscars, as well as 68 other awards in the film industry. The shooting of the first part of the trilogy lasted almost a year and a half, and then another year went into the post-production process
When Peter Jackson began work on the movie Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring ”, the actors planned completely different. For example, he offered the role of Gandalf to Sean Connery. But ex-James Bond was rejected. The actor, firstly, was not happy with the duration of the filming process, and secondly, according to Connery himself, he did not understand the script.
In the course of painstaking work, the filmmakers made many different notes and notes in Tolkien’s books, literally “decorating” and even tearing pages out of them. According to one of the authors, while the script was being created, 27 copies of the novel “suffered”.
Thanks to the film, the economy of New Zealand has become richer by two hundred million dollars. During the filming process, the New Zealand government even established the position of Minister for the Affairs of The Lord of the Rings, who resolved all emerging economic issues.
Noteworthy is the fact that the actors of the movie “Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring, which played key roles, was not so popular before the film. This was the director’s idea: to hire little-known artists. Having been rejected by some of the cinema figures that he had originally planned for the role, he radically changed the approach to choosing a team. And he was not mistaken: in many respects thanks to the color of the cast, the film turned out to be so bright. At the end of the filming, most of the artists gained worldwide popularity and received many successful offers. In total, the number of the film crew amounted to almost 3,000 people.
Most viewers after watching admire the picture. But it is worth noting that in addition to the fans of this film, there are people who consider it ambiguous, incomprehensible and controversial. Analyzing the negative reviews about the movie “Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”, we can say that those who did not like the film explain this with an overloaded plot, which makes it difficult to trace events, as well as excessive fabulousness and too long a duration.
Director Peter Jackson: A Brief Biography
The future director was born and raised in a small town. Life there was calm and measured. For the first time, picking up the camera that his father’s friend had given him, Peter realized that his future life would be inextricably linked with cinema. At first he took pictures of nature, studied the possibilities of special effects, some of which he invented experimentally. Understanding the basics of directing, P. Jackson began to take an active part in various festivals and competitions. His debut film in the arena of world cinema was the picture "In bad taste." I must say that, given the very modest budget of this film, it can be safely called successful, because in 1987 in Cannes 12 countries acquired the right to show it, and in 1990 the film won the audience award at the festival of science fiction films, which was held in Rome
His next directorial work was also successful. This is "Living carrion", and "Heavenly creatures." But of course, the peak of his popularity is the time when three films “The Lord of the Rings” were released year after year. The Brotherhood of the Ring, whose actors have maintained friendly relations after more than 10 years, have not forgotten their director. The whole company periodically gets together and has fun.
In 2005, the director, already known to the whole world, decided to show the viewer his vision of the story about King Kong. And here Peter was waiting for success. The audience took the picture "with a bang!"
Peter Jackson is married to Fren Walsh, who was one of the members of the scriptwriting team in all parts of the trilogy as well as in King Kong. The couple has two children - son Billy Jackson (born in 1995) and daughter Katie Jackson (born in 1996).
"Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring". Actors and roles: Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)
Elijah Wood was born on 01/28/1981. Place of birth - Iowa, USA. At the beginning of his career, he often worked as a model and model, taking part in fashion shows of local designers, as well as in commercials. In 1988, the family moved to Los Angeles. There, the boy starred in many cult films, playing a large number of children's roles. As a child, he received such fees that he could afford to buy a Ferrari.
In his youth, the actor starred in the video of the singer Paula Abdul. Then Elijah played several episodic roles in such famous films as “Back to the Future 2”, Internal Affairs, “Avalon”. The first big adult role in the film "Paradise" paved the way for reaching further heights.
Sean Astin (Sam Gamgee)
Date of birth - January 25, 1971. Place of birth - Santa Monica, California. His parents are famous actors John Astin and Patty Duke. The first major role was played by him in childhood, when together with his mother, he starred in the film "Do not hurt me, mother." At the moment, is not only a successful actor, but also a producer and director. His short film “Kangaroo Yard” was among the Oscar nominees in 1995.
His wife - Kristina Astin, who was his co-producer in the above picture, in 1995 gave the artist a daughter. This, currently an adult girl, is called Alexandra Louise.
Ian Mack Kelen (Gandalf)
The actor was born on a spring day on May 25, 1939. The first success came to him in 1964, when he was awarded the Dervent Prize for his role in his first performance, “The Fragrance of Flowers”. After that, for several years he was an artist of the National Theater Company.
Being one of the most honored theatrical figures of our time, Ian McKelen didn’t act in films too often. However, playing one of the key roles in the movie “Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring, whose actors, for the most part, were known only in narrow circles before the shootings, became popular all over the world.
Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)
Despite the fact that Viggo Mortensen is half Dane by nationality, he was born in New York (1959). Then for several years he lived with his parents in South America (until 1971). In his youth he wrote poems, which is why he became famous. But once I decided to try myself in the acting field. The roles played not too much, but approached each of them with scrupulous responsibility. The heroes (The Lord of the Rings) and the actors who played them, including Viggo Mortensen, became famous after the release of the first part of the tape.
The actor has been fond of photography for many years. His works are exhibited at the Robert Maine Gallery in New York.
Orlando Bloom (Legolas)
The artist was born on 01/13/1977, and from childhood became interested in theater, music, languages ​​and equestrian sports. However, Orlando had many difficulties in communicating with his peers, because he had a severe speech impairment (dyslexia), because of which the boy often became the object of ridicule.
Having played many roles in the theater and starred in several films, until 2000 he was not known to the general public. He began to be recognized after he took part in the series “Purely English Murder”. But even then only lovers of this genre saw a star in it. However, when Bloom played the role of Legolas, he woke up famous, like all the actors in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The actors of the film, without exception, have gained worldwide popularity. Orlando subsequently began to receive many successful offers from other directors, took part in such famous films as The Fall of the Black Hawk, Pirates of the Caribbean, and The Kingdom of Heaven.
During the filming of The Fellowship of the Ring, an unpleasant incident occurred with Bloom: he fell from his horse and broke a rib.
The actor is married to model Miranda Kerr, who was born in Australia. The couple has a son Flynn (b. 2011)
John Rhys-Davis (Gimli)
Born in England 05/05/1944, the actor spent the first years of his life there. Then he lived in Africa and Wales. For a long time he was content with episodic roles. He became famous after he played the Indian friend of Indiana Jones, the Egyptian Sallah, in films about this hero, shot by Stephen Spielberg.
John Rhys-Davis never dreamed of anything more. He could not have thought that deafening success and incredible popularity would come to him at the age of 57. This is exactly what happened when he took part in the movie “Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring". The actors and the description of the images that they recreated in the film became their hallmark. Rhys-Davis, unlike the partners in the film, was not enthusiastic about the role of the gnome. And now, although he admits that he became truly popular precisely after playing the role of a gloomy but fair Gimli, he believes that there are more iconic works in his film career. Perhaps that is why he is the only one of the 9 actors of the "brotherhood" did not begin to make a symbolic tattoo.
Dominic Monaghan (Merry Brandyback)
Born December 8, 1976. He decided to become an actor when he watched a movie about Star Wars. In his youth, starred in children's television shows.
According to the director of the film, Peter Jackson, the highlight of the film “The Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”- actors. The actors, the plot, the grandiose script for the sensational books - all this led to the resounding success of the trilogy.
Dominica, like many others, the role in the film opened the door to Hollywood. After The Lord of the Rings, he played key roles in projects such as Lost, X-Men, etc.
Sean Bean (Boromir)
Sean's family had nothing to do with the acting profession. Father was a welder, he had his own workshop, which brought quite a stable income. Bean for a long time could not decide on the future, he was looking for himself. Only at the age of 19, having decided to become an artist, he entered the Royal Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
The actor played many supporting roles in a large number of films and series, such as “Purely English Murder”, “One Screen”, “Clarissa”, an adaptation of historical novels about Richard Sharpe, etc.
Having played Boromir in The Lord of the Rings, he finally proved to the world his acting talent.
Sean got married three times. His third wife, with whom they have been together to this day, actress Abigail Kruttenden, was his cinematic wife in films about Sharpe. The couple has a daughter. Also, the artist has two daughters from previous marriages.
Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)
Kate was born in Australia on 05/14/1969. First appeared on the stage, participating in the productions of the school theater. She studied at the Australian National Institute of Dramatic Arts, where she was one of the best students. She graduated in 1992.
It gained worldwide popularity when it played a major role in the film "Elizabeth" (1998). In such films as “The Talented Mr. Ripley”, “The Man Who Cried”, “Gift”, “Aviator”, “Robin Hood”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”, Cate Blanchett played no less vivid roles. The creators of the movie “Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”, in which the actress played the role of Galadriel, noted her particular trepidation and responsibility when working on the image of her heroine.
Married to actor Andrew Upton.
Hugo Weaving (Elrond)
Hugo was born and spent his childhood in Africa, where the family lived because of the work of his father, who was a programmer. Then the Weaving moved to Australia, where Hugo still lives. The desire to become an actor appeared in his school years, so, having settled in Australia, he entered the National Institute of Dramatic Arts. Waiting for fame for a very long time, she came to him gradually. There was a time when roles were neither in the theater nor in the cinema at all. But Hugo did not lose heart and was waiting for his finest hour. And he came when the actor played the role of agent Smith in the cult film "The Matrix" (1998).
His success was entrenched when he embodied the image of the elf Erlond in The Lord of the Rings.
Liv Tyler (Arwen)
One of the most beautiful actresses of our time, Liv Tyler is the daughter of Stephen Tyler (leader of the Aerosmith group). The girl did not know her real father until the age of 16, considering the dad another man.
She became world famous after the premiere of the film “Escaping Beauty”, in which she played a major role. And then the Elven Princess Arwen performed by Liv won the hearts of the audience.
Now actively starring in many films, is considered one of the most successful young women in cinema.
Interesting Facts
- The shooting of the final scene took place in an unbearable heat. Many of the actors who played Urukhai received heatstrokes, and some were carried away from the set in an unconscious state.
- A very interesting story is the creation of portraits of the parents of Bilbo Beggins, who hung above the mantelpiece in his hole. They copied with the director Peter Jackson himself, as well as with one of the members of the scriptwriting team - Fran Walsh, who is Jackson's wife.
- When filming was completed, Peter Jackson made an unexpected purchase: he bought a "hobbit hole." According to the director, while it is stored in a warehouse, but one day the day will come - and he will certainly erect this dwelling on the slope of some picturesque hill.
- In the movie “The Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring ”actors, all but one, were filming in wigs. Only young Billy Jackson, the director’s son, according to Peter, had hair that was perfect for the hobbit.
- In each part of the trilogy, not only the director’s children appeared, but he himself. In particular, in the "Fellowship of the Ring" he "lit up" in the role of a man chewing carrots.
- During the filming, more than 1800 pairs of “hobbit legs” were “used”. New pairs for the characters were made every shooting day. This took about an hour, and the entire process of “shoes” the actor had to stand so that the position of the “false legs” was not distorted, and they looked natural.
- All the actors who performed the roles of members of the fraternity, except for one (John Rhys-Davis), made symbolic tattoos reminiscent of work on this grandiose film. All tattoos depict the same thing - the elven symbol "9". Elijah Wood captures this symbol in the lower abdomen, Orlando Bloom on the forearm. Two artists tattooed on their ankles, and four others on their shoulders.
- The film crew of The Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”consists of a huge number of actors, most of whom, thanks to their participation in the adaptation of Tolkien’s novels, have gained worldwide popularity. This article provides short biographies of artists who performed key roles in the trilogy.
It is difficult to formulate a review about the film “Lord of the Rings. The Brotherhood of the Ring ”in a few words. In this picture, the director seemed to have put together all the elements of a large puzzle: and the grandiose work on which the events of the film are based; and amazing cast; and thought out to the smallest detail scenario; and the scale of special effects. Each participant in the filming process put a piece of his soul into the work, which led to such a stunning success of the film.