The film begins in the peaceful Shire, where hobbit Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) lives a quiet life. His uncle, Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm), plans to leave the Shire and passes on a mysterious ring to Frodo. Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) discovers that this ring is the One Ring, a powerful artifact created by the Dark Lord Sauron to conquer Middle-earth.
The Journey Begins
Gandalf instructs Frodo to leave the Shire and take the ring to Rivendell for safekeeping. Frodo is joined by his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), and they are soon accompanied by fellow hobbits Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd). They face immediate danger from the Ringwraiths, Sauron’s terrifying servants, but find temporary refuge in Bree.
Strider and the Flight to Rivendell
In Bree, the hobbits meet Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), a ranger who becomes their protector. Together, they journey toward Rivendell, pursued relentlessly by the Ringwraiths. Frodo is gravely injured but is saved by the Elf Arwen (Liv Tyler), who brings him to Rivendell.
The Council of Elrond
In Rivendell, a council is held to decide the fate of the One Ring. Representatives from different races attend, including Legolas (Orlando Bloom) the elf, Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) the dwarf, and Boromir (Sean Bean) from Gondor. It is decided that the ring must be destroyed by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor. A fellowship is formed, consisting of Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Gandalf.
The Fellowship’s Journey
The fellowship sets out on their perilous journey. They attempt to cross the Misty Mountains but are forced to enter the Mines of Moria due to a blizzard. Inside Moria, they face numerous dangers, including an army of orcs and a cave troll. In a climactic battle, they encounter the Balrog, a powerful ancient demon. Gandalf confronts the Balrog, sacrificing himself to allow the others to escape.
Lothlórien and Galadriel’s Gift
The remaining fellowship members seek refuge in the Elven realm of Lothlórien, where they are welcomed by Lady Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) and Lord Celeborn (Marton Csokas). Galadriel provides them with gifts to aid in their quest and offers prophetic glimpses into their potential futures.
The Breaking of the Fellowship
The fellowship travels by river to the borders of Gondor, where internal conflict arises. Boromir succumbs to the ring’s temptation and attempts to take it from Frodo. Realizing the danger he poses to his friends, Frodo decides to continue the journey to Mordor alone. Sam, however, refuses to leave Frodo, and the two set off together. Meanwhile, Merry and Pippin are captured by orcs, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the orcs to rescue them.
The film ends with Frodo and Sam continuing their journey to Mordor, determined to destroy the One Ring. The fellowship is broken, but their mission endures, setting the stage for the epic battles and adventures to come in the subsequent films.
Post-Credits Scene
There are no post-credits scenes in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
Type of Movie
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an epic fantasy adventure film, rich with themes of friendship, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil.
Cast
Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
Ian McKellen as Gandalf
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn
Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee
Orlando Bloom as Legolas
John Rhys-Davies as Gimli
Sean Bean as Boromir
Billy Boyd as Pippin Took
Dominic Monaghan as Merry Brandybuck
Liv Tyler as Arwen
Cate Blanchett as Galadriel
Hugo Weaving as Elrond
Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins
Christopher Lee as Saruman
Film Music and Composer
The music for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was composed by Howard Shore, whose sweeping, epic score is integral to the film’s atmosphere and emotional depth.
Filming Locations
New Zealand: The film was shot in various breathtaking locations across New Zealand, which provided the perfect setting for Middle-earth. Key locations include Matamata (Hobbiton), Tongariro National Park (Mordor), and Fiordland National Park (Lothlórien).
The diverse landscapes of New Zealand were essential in bringing the vast and varied world of Middle-earth to life.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring won several awards, including:
Academy Awards: Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects
BAFTA Awards: Best Film, Best Director (Peter Jackson), Best Special Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Hair, Best Sound
Behind the Scenes Insights
Peter Jackson and his team shot the entire trilogy simultaneously over a period of 438 days.
Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn, was not the original actor cast for the role and joined the production late.
Many of the actors performed their own stunts, and extensive use of practical effects and miniatures added to the film’s authenticity.
Inspirations and References
The film is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, inspired by mythology, ancient history, and Tolkien’s own experiences in World War I.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The extended edition of the film includes additional scenes that provide more background on characters and events, such as more interactions in Lothlórien and additional battles in Moria.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While the film stays true to the spirit of Tolkien’s novel, some events and characters are condensed or altered for cinematic pacing. For example, the character of Tom Bombadil, who appears in the book, is omitted from the film.
The battle in the Mines of Moria and Gandalf’s fall
The encounter with Galadriel in Lothlórien
The final stand against the orcs at Amon Hen
Iconic Quotes
“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” – Galadriel
“You shall not pass!” – Gandalf
“I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.” – Frodo
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” – Gandalf
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
Peter Jackson makes a cameo as a carrot-eating citizen of Bree.
The script incorporates direct lines from Tolkien’s text, maintaining the literary feel of the story.
The design of the Shire was heavily influenced by Tolkien’s descriptions and illustrations.
Trivia
The film’s budget was around $93 million, but it grossed over $870 million worldwide.
Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Elijah Wood (Frodo) did not film any scenes together, despite their characters’ close relationship.
The prosthetic feet worn by the hobbit actors took over an hour to apply each day.
Why Watch?
The Fellowship of the Ring is a masterful blend of storytelling, visual effects, and character development. It’s a must-watch for fans of epic fantasy and anyone who appreciates groundbreaking cinema.
