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Of all the documentaries devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy classic, Ringers: Lord of the Fans is the first and only one to respectfully honor the good-natured depth and breadth of Lord of the Rings ... read more read more...fandom. Like Peter Jackson with his phenomenal Lord of the Rings film trilogy, director Carlene Cordova and cowriter Cliff Broadway (cofounders of theonering.net, the definitive LOTR fan site) were the perfect team to create this wildly entertaining tribute. The film's globetrotting ambition is constantly impressive, but Ringers remains keenly focused on its lively exploration of Rings fan devotion, presented here with a flawless combination of informative objectivity and insider enthusiasm. From the inspiration behind Tolkien's Middle-earth and the immediate success of The Hobbit upon its 1937 publication, to the hippie embrace of Rings mythology in the late 1960s and the revival of fandom in the wake of Jackson's trilogy, Ringers (the accepted nickname of devotees) has it all: Influential authors such as Clive Barker, Terry Pratchett, and Terry Brooks offer their Rings-related insights along with such Tolkien-inspired musicians as Rush's Geddy Lee and Motorhead's Lenny Kilmister, and literally hundreds of fans provide affectionate testimonials to the source of their devotion. Peter Jackson and most of the LOTR trilogy's primary cast are also included in the constant flow of interviews.

Dedicated to Tolkien as a valentine by smart and dedicated fans, the film generates its own infectious goodwill; it's so fun to watch that even non-fans will concede (to borrow a phrase from another world of fandom) that resistance is futile. (Oh, and speaking of Star Trek, the vintage clip of Leonard Nimoy singing his novelty hit "Bilbo Baggins" is absolutely priceless.) Actor Dominic Monaghan ("Merry" from Jackson's trilogy, before joining the ensemble cast of Lost) perfectly delivers the film's eloquent narration, which runs the LOTR gamut from intellectual appreciation to the hilarious eccentricities of über-fan obsession. Unfailingly noble in spirit and delightfully comprehensive, Ringers is a collector's gift that can proudly stand alongside Tolkien's books and Jackson's timeless movie trilogy. --Jeff Shannon

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2,232 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Carlene Cordova

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DVD Release Date: November 22, 2005

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Flixster Reviews (145)

  • superclerk25
    April 19, 2008
    superclerk25
    A pretty good doc about the LoTR through the ages. It's not really about the movies but more about the cultural impact the books have had on the world since first being published.
    I learned a lot about the journey to the big screen and recommend this to people who are fans of th... read moree movies or the books.
  • CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    October 19, 2010
    CHILIcheeseDONUTSwithTUNAonTOP
    From the days of Tolkein telling the stories to his children to the Peter Jackson films, this documentary really covers the gamut. The hippie fascination and the modern-day fans are covered. Some stupid interstitial stuff like the interviewer who thinks he's funny and the hippie ... read moreskits (just an excuse to have a Black person in this?) should have been cut. A variety of folks such as Terry Pratchet and David Carradine along with Peter Jackson and many of the actors from the films are featured; Elija Wood states that the trilogy is very metal and Blind Guardian are also mentioned. Geddy Lee and Lemmy Kilmister are interviewed for this documentary. Worth a watch!
  • SapphireSky
    January 25, 2010
    SapphireSky
    it wasn't that bad for a doc. I liked seeing all the slightly crazy people in their costumes. I liked the interviews with the stars of the movies. the only thing I really disliked is the "groovy transitions" for each decade they were talking about...
    This doc made me feel like a... read more very mild fan compared to most of the people in this movie! :)
  • theturdkingofohio
    October 30, 2008
    theturdkingofohio
    I just wanted to see uber-dorks dressed up like Gandolf the Gay, speaking elvish, and neglecting the ever present reality that everyone else lives in, but I got a documentary on how Tolkien's work has worked its way into modern pop-culture. Boring....
  • gms1yygy
    February 17, 2008
    gms1yygy
    An uneven tale of the books and movies and the impact they have had and do have on society. Parts were quite good; parts were very slow and frivolous.
  • leeguess2005
    December 31, 2007
    leeguess2005
    Documenting the zeal of Tolkien fans. Generally entertaining but a rather middling Middle Earth excursion.
  • HiMyNameIsSteve
    July 15, 2007
    HiMyNameIsSteve
    Uneven production values and a heavy reliance on slideshow visuals bog down this documentary on the LOTR phenomenon. There is a fascinating film in there somewhere, but it goes about 5 MPH below the speed limit without a map.
  • TheMovieNerd
    July 6, 2007
    TheMovieNerd
    For a documentary it's okay, but only semi interesting. The music is pretty good, but it moves at a slow pace. One scene, where their listing various collectibles, is just very weird and pointless. The narration is good, and interviews show insight into the ultimate fan's mind. S... read moretill it's main problem is it's slow and not very attention grabbing. But if like documentries, LOTR, and the history about hopw the books came to be and what inmpact they've had on society then go ahead and watch this.
  • Galeocerdo
    June 22, 2006
    Galeocerdo
    Tolkien fan that I am, I enjoyed the documentary's comprehensive appreciation for the history of the material it honors, and the joy with which it was made.

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