"THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING"

SYNOPSIS: Gandalf the Grey returns to Hobbitown for the birthday celebration of his old friend, Bilbo Baggins. The festivities are marred by Gandalf's underlying, somber mission. This will be Bilbo's last night in the Shire, but it will mark a new beginning in the annals of Middle Earth.

Bilbo reluctantly gives his "Ring of Power", acquired during his previous adventures, chronicled in "There And Back Again", to his nephew, Frodo. Frodo, assisted by Sam, an eavesdropping friend, then embarks upon a perilous quest, to form a fellowship of allies, to accompany him on his journey to destroy the maelevalant power of the ring.

They encounter many challenges upon their way, including the relentless Ring Wraiths, the sinister Wizard Saruman, hundreds of horrible Orcs and the demonic Balrog. They also meet members of the House of Elrond and tour the now decrepit, Mines of Moiria.

The fellowship consisting of Frodo, his close friend Sam, two adventuresome Hobbits named Merry & Pippin, Aragorn the Ranger, Legolas the Elfin archer, Gimili the powerful axe-wielding dwarf, Boromir of Gondor and finally, the aforementioned Gandalf; is divided and side-tracked, highlighting each of the respective fellows' travails, until concluding this portion of the tale with several characters in jeopardy for their lives.

REVIEW: For many years, after reading and re-reading J.R.R. Tolkein's masterful "THE LORD OF THE RINGS" fantasy trilogy, I fantasized about casting a live-action version of the epic.

I pictured myself casting character actors such as Michael Dunn, Richard Kiel, Billy Barty, Michael Berryman, Michael Rappaport, Herve Villaicheve, Ted Cassidy, Linda Hunt, Crispin Glover, Sean Young, Brion James, Michael J. Pollard, Grace Jones, Robert Davi, David Bowie, Mako, David Carradine, Wilt Chamberlain, James Earl Jones, Max Von Sydow, Zelda Rubenstein, Rutger Hauer and the list goes on and on.

Many of my casting selections would unfortunately die over the years and the project seemed never to be realized. (Most importantly because, I am not a Casting Director!)

Ralph Bakshi made an effort with his disasterous animated blunder "The Lord of the Rings" in 1978. My enthusiasm for Tolkien dwindled beneath that embarassment.

When I finally learned of Peter Jackson's Herculean labours, a few years ago, I was bolstered with a newly revived dose of interest. Jackson, known primarily for his "off the wall" independent productions, initially seemed an odd choice for such a huge capital investment by normally fiscal-conservative financiers.

Once learning of Jackson's love for Tolkein's work and some of his early casting decisions, I felt confidently, he was a good choice for the job. As the screen trailers began to surface the last couple of years, I felt still more confidance in the work.

Jackson has made film history, by filming the entire three volumes of Tolkein's trilogy, simultaneously. This should expedite continuity and the casting decisions regarding the principles life spans. Mr. McKellan and Mr. Lee are getting up there, if you know what I mean.

I took my 9-year old stepson to view the film for Xmas. The length was a tad problematic for his short attention span and bladder, but he seemed to like the film well enough. He was somewhat familiar with Middle Earth, due to my reading of "The Hobbit" to him at bedtime for quite some time and the sword fights and magic, tickled his fancy, as was to be expected.

The first film is simply a work of art. Elijah Wood was born to play Frodo. Ian Holm's Bilbo is another peak, in this already celebrated, actor's career. Ian Mckellan as Gandalf the Grey and Christopher Lee as Saruman, are also excellent. Sean Bean's portrayal of Borimor, is well-balanced and natural, despite the character's divided loyalties and final heroic resurrection. The scene is but one, of several high points in the film's characterization.

Elrond, Galadrial, Legolas are beautiful. Handsome, dignified, and filled with strength and mystery. They reminded me of the alien "Mimbari", featured in the long running television show "Babylon-5".

The costumes and make-up for all is extraordinaryly well-suited and historically accurate. That's right, Jackson has managed to imbue this film with a sense of historical imagery, much as Tolkein himself, would tease the reader with a sense of familiarity, creating songs and maps of his wonderful mythic world.

The effects are marvelous and often overwhelming. However, for the most part, the story of Frodo's initiation and subsequent travails with the Fellowship, remains center stage.

The film is wonderfully true to the source material. The missing Tom Bombadil is a minor plaint, but perhaps in "Return of the King", we may yet see him. The stage is set well for the sequels, with slight and sometimes not to subtle references to the Ents, Eagles, Wolves and the essential Smeagal-Gollum and more. I suspect "THE TWO TOWERS" will open up the Gollum sub-plot to the max.

The film ends as Tolkein's first volume did, with the Fellowship divided and facing their respective trials and peril. Damn it! We've got to wait an entire year for the next chapter. Mordor's prime denizen, Sauron has struck again!

Unfortunately, most films today insult the film goers' intelligence. Fortunately, "THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING", is not one of those.

Exposition is prevalent, but does rely heavily on the viewers familiarity with Middle Earth. Jackson pre-supposes the audience is knowledgable about Tolkein's complex world. This might seem troublesome for the uninitiated, but I found this technique respectful of Tolkein fans. If one is a'fog with "The Lord of the Rings", then get thee to a bookstore!

I highly recommend this film to both fans and the uninitiated. Middle Earth is breathtakingly beautiful, frightening and awe-inspiring. This is not for the little ones, but once they finally learn to read, they will appreciate the wonders of Hobbitown, Isengard and Mordor.

Jackson's film may very well be the grandest project ever realized, by the world of film and it might also be the stimulus to millions of viewers to read, or re-read, the timeless classic, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS".