J.R.R. Tolkien: Master of the Rings (2001)
DVD from Eagle Media
Although endless books and "making of" productions
covering the Lord of the Rings trilogy have flooded the
market and airwaves over the past three years, there is comparatively
little that covers the author and books alone. This particular
production, made before the release of the films, thus proves
a refreshing look at J.R.R. Tolkien and his work. Even to someone
who has read all of Tolkien's Middle Earth books, the detail
and background of Tolkien's world remains astonishing, even staggering
(and unfortunately, barely glimpsed in Peter Jackson's films).
This documentary takes a look into the background of Tolkien's
life and work, providing insight into the man and the inspiration
behind The Lord of the Rings. Numerous critics and scholars
are interviewed, joined by brief comments from two of Tolkien's
children, Priscilla and John, along with BBC archival footage
of Tolkien himself.
At the outset, we are presented with a geographical cross-section
of Middle Earth (via 3D computer graphics) which covers the background
of all its major realms-the Shire, Rohan, Gondor, Mordor, and
the woodland strongholds of the elves. Modeled loosely on the
geography of Britain and Europe, Middle Earth was created by
Tolkien as an attempt to create a mythology for England. The
geographical overview is then followed by an examination of the
storyline, characters, and creatures of Middle Earth.
The production also looks at the life of Tolkien himself-how
his childhood that began as a rural idyll ended in urban squalor
was so traumatic, and how his experiences in the trenches during
the first world war informed his attitudes on war itself. His
professional life at Oxford is also covered, along with his friendship
with fellow author C.S. Lewis, whose encouragement was vital
to the completion of Lord of the Rings. What comes across
is that Tolkien's Middle Earth saga is a work of both colossal
scale and minute detail, of which The Lord of the Rings trilogy
is but a part (albeit a major one).
Throughout the production, the gorgeous illustrations by Greg
and Tim Hidlebrandt (first seen in the Tolkien calendars of the
1970s) provide a visual frame of reference to the discussions.
The DVD menu also includes the separate option to view the illustrations
on their own. Quite different from the dreary, visual style of
the feature films, the Hildebrandt paintings have a dreamlike,
fairytale quality, which, for the most part, better captures
the tone of Tolkien's work.
Admittedly, the presentation of this production is somewhat dry
and facile. Having seen more of the BBC interview with Tolkien
in other productions, I find it disappointing that some of his
most interesting statements were not included here. But there
is no denying that there is no denying that there is a wealth
of insight and informatio nimparted throughtout the 80 minutes
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Master of teh Rings.
Paul Andrew MacLean
© 2005
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