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Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Ian Holm, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean ... see more see more... , Sean Astin , John Rhys-Davies , Billy Boyd , Cate Blanchett , Orlando Bloom , Liv Tyler , Hugo Weaving , Christopher Lee , Dominic Monaghan , Andy Serkis , Marton Csokas , Craig Parker , Lawrence Makoare , Brian Sergent , Sala Baker , Peter Corrigan

New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson fulfills his lifelong dream of transforming author J.R.R. Tolkien's best-selling fantasy epic into a three-part motion picture that begins with this holiday 2001 re... read more read more...lease. Elijah Wood stars as Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit resident of the medieval "Middle-earth" who discovers that a ring bequeathed to him by beloved relative and benefactor Bilbo (Ian Holm) is in fact the "One Ring," a device that will allow its master to manipulate dark powers and enslave the world. Frodo is charged by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to return the ring to Mount Doom, the evil site where it was forged millennia ago and the only place where it can be destroyed. Accompanying Frodo is a fellowship of eight others: his Hobbit friends Sam (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monaghan), and Pippin (Billy Boyd); plus Gandalf; the human warriors Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Boromir (Sean Bean); Elf archer Legolas (Orlando Bloom); and Dwarf soldier Gimli (John Rhys-Davies). The band's odyssey to the dreaded land of Mordor, where Mount Doom lies, takes them through the Elfish domain of Rivendell and the forest of Lothlorien, where they receive aid and comfort from the Elf princess Arwen (Liv Tyler), her father, Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett). In pursuit of the travelers and their ring are Saruman (Christopher Lee) -- a traitorous wizard and kin, of sorts, to Gandalf -- and the Dark Riders, under the control of the evil, mysterious Sauron (Sala Baker). The Fellowship must also do battle with a troll, flying spies, Orcs, and other deadly obstacles both natural and otherwise as they draw closer to Mordor. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) was filmed in Jackson's native New Zealand, closely followed by its pair of sequels, The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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PG-13, 2 hr. 45 min.

Directed by: Peter Jackson

Release Date: December 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: August 6, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (78,365)

  • fb100002384654145
    February 18, 2012
    fb100002384654145
    Great start to one of the greatest film trilogies of all time.
  • spielberg00
    February 10, 2012
    spielberg00
    THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is an OK, boring, seemingly-interminable start to Peter Jackson's interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantastical world, THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Unfortunately, you won't at all understand THE TWO TOWERS or THE RETURN OF THE KING without watching this bef... read moreorehand...
  • fb100000257973100
    November 25, 2011
    fb100000257973100
    Before I get to the meat of this review, I must confess: Peter Jackson has balls. I am just saying. i mean, to attempt a film of this magnitude, and to continue through two more while editing these films down to a reasonable time-frame for cinemas, he had guts and courage to do s... read moreo. But, what he ended up creating is, one of the greatest fantasy's of all time. How ever, this is only based on part one extended cut that I was fortunate enough to catch on TV one night a few months ago.

    If you are wondering why it took me so long to write this review, it is due to me trying to figure out my emotions for this film. On the request of a friend of mine, I decided to buy the original trilogy of novels and reading through them I did. With me having the rich idea of the novels in mind, plus hearing so much about the films, I was curious as to how they would be on the screen. Plus, I had seen the animated film version that comprised of The Fellowship Of The Ring and The Two Towers. So, let's say that, while I tried not to, I had high expectations. Now, where they met? Read on.

    The first thing that accrued to me was just how much love and care was put into this film. It was once said by the late Gene Siskel that you can tell how much a director loves people is by the care he shows his film. Jackson must adore people and the fans of these novels because this is an impressive film to look at. From the opening battle scenes that serve as the prologue to the cliff hanger at the end, this film is still mind numbing to me due to me wondering how they were able to afford this film's production.

    Then you have the actors. While I will admit that these people did become these characters, there is only one man I want to talk about: Ian McKellen as Gandelf the Gray. Like a lot of people, this wise old sage is my favorite character the entire series due to his wisdom, his sacrifices me makes, plus him just being one of the most spectacular wizard on screen. He was the one I was mostly looking forward to seeing brought to life, and McKellen does so with justice. I heard that he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Watching this performance, I am disappointed that he did not win. He is phenomenal.

    Just to make this fast, I will write about Elijah Wood's performance when I review The Return of the King.

    With only one things left to say about my reaction to this film, I will say that I am still a little surprise at how much was shoved into the script for the theatrical print. Even more shocked was how much was filmed, but then re-released for the Extended Print (much recommended. more so then the Theatrical). While watching this film, I can imagine how thick the script was and how heart broken Jackson was when he had to chop out some sections that had to be for filmed. Even more on the editing floor for this film's theatrical run. Just, this film flows very smoothly, even though it is ass numbing long (but nothing compared to the epic length of The Return Of The King).

    I know I am late with reviewing this film, even more late when seeing this film. But, I think personally it is a good thing I have waited this long. In my life time as of now, I have seen countless fantasy films and I am able to judge how grand a film this is. Now, is this as grand as my all time favorite fantasy film 'Pan's Labyrinth'? No. But, in terms of being a classic, this is the best modern classic and a perfect start for the Battle of Middle Earth.
  • TomBowler
    September 17, 2011
    TomBowler
    When I was seven years old, my dad decided to begin reading a book to my sister and I. It was a big book and we didn't expect to be finishing it anytime soon, but my dad persevered and continued reading night after night, chapter after chapter. The creatures and characters which ... read morewere conjured up in my mind as my dad read The Fellowship of the Ring, complete with voices and gestures, will remain with me forever.

    This is the challenge Peter Jackson was left with in creating the first in his Lord of the Rings trilogy: the collective imagination of literally millions of fans, each one filled with different intricacies and opinions concerning characters, settings, basically everything involved in production design and being a director in general. With such a burden weighing on Jackson's shoulders, no one would have blamed him if he simply curled into the foetal position and sobbed when he actually bagged the role of director. But I'm sure I speak for fans, critics and the entire world when I say that I'm so glad that he didn't.

    The first in the sweeping epic of the Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring begins with the origin of the one ring; an object created by the dark lord Sauron in order to take over Middle Earth. After a battle sequence or two, we join up with our hero of the piece; Frodo Baggins, a Hobbit from the Shire. After finding out that his Uncle Bilbo's magic ring is in fact the ring in question, Frodo is forced to undertake a journey to Mordor in order to destroy the ring once and for all. A fellowship of nine warriors is formed in order to help Frodo on his journey and the quest begins.

    Even the synopsis above comes laden with backstory and explanation. What is a Hobbit? What is a Sauron? What is a Frodo? All these questions can mean that the film can become bogged down with explaining what the exact properties of Hobbit's feet are that they are able to never wear shoes or how exactly the Ringwraiths are able to survive at all. It is a credit to the script that none of this is explained, nor does it feel necessary to be explained. Even for a newcomer to Middle Earth, the escapist factor of the world onscreen is enough to dismiss any disbelief or need to find out how exactly shadow and flame combine to be a Balrog. Not only this, but the script also does a fantastic job of cutting out everything unnecessary in order to keep the storytelling lean. It also manages, while trimming the extra weight (in the form of things like Tom Bombadil), to keep the feeling of wonder that the books are so renknowned for. Many book adaptations can end up being driven by the story alone, allowing no time for the more emotional moments between characters and forgetting entirely to establish connections between them. Not so here, as every member of the fellowship is allowed their moment on the screen, from Boromir to Gimli, and all of them have their own distinct personality.

    This personality distinction can also be attributed to the perfectly cast ensemble. Every single character has their perfect corresponding actor to play their onscreen counterpart. J.R.R Tolkien, the books' author, actually endorsed Christopher Lee to be Gandalf (the two were good friends up until Tolkien's death), but despite this glowing reference, Ian McKellen was cast instead, Christopher Lee playing the part of Saruman. Looking at the finished product it's impossible to imagine the roles being reversed as the two are so perfect for their respective parts. The actors themselves do brilliantly. Viggo Mortensen is almost Eastwood-like in his understated effiency as Aragorn, John Rhys-Davies and Orlando Bloom make up one of the great double-acts of the pieces, the other being the hilarious Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd as Merry and Pippin. In this we even get to see a little more range from Elijah Wood which is not as evident in the sequels, mainly due to his character's role later on. The standouts, despite the entire ensemble performing fantastically, are Sean Bean as Boromir who displays more talent than National Treasure would give him credit for and Ian McKellen as Gandalf. His performance is the rock that the film can stand on and he seems as though he's not so much visiting Middle Earth as he's been living there his whole life. The gravitas he holds and the empathy he evokes is simply astounding and it's not until repeat viewings that this can really be seen.

    After having made limited successes like Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners, Peter Jackson stepped up to the plate in a major way in directing the Fellowship of the Ring. As mentioned before, the strain could easily have proved too much but from the very first scene it's obvious that Jackson is more than adept at handling a sweeping epic such as this. As he deftly move through the opening battle sequences and into the beauty and serenity of Hobbiton, Jackson's camera is rarely still, sweeping through the incredible locations and swirling around his characters in a beautifully choreographed dance. Every single shot counts for something and the bare minimum is obviously never enough in Jackson's mind. This is the more beautifully photographed of the three, despite the grandeur and spectacle of the Return of the King. Rohan storming the armies of Mordor is all very well but it's scenes like the Wraiths attacking the four all but helpless Hobbits on Weathertop which leave the most lasting impressions. Jackson's versatility is also on full display here as he moves through the autumn shades of Rivendell to the cold stone of Moria to the eerie blue-green of Lothlorien, every setting is perfectly captured by Jackson's lens. And does he know how to bring the fight scenes. Mr. Bay could take a few pointers in terms of how to shoot a battle scene, whether in the dark of Balin's tomb or the leafy surrounds of Parth Galen, every moment counts and every movement is felt, rather than the mindless slugging out of giant robots.

    The score of Shore also deserves a lot of the credit for fully immersing the audience in the onscreen world. Howard Shore's unmistakable tune is applied liberally throughout the film but it works perfectly every time. The themes and motifs which he includes according to character or even species is astounding. The nostalgia of Hobbiton is beautifully underscored with one of the more subdued peices of the soundtrack but the thundering main theme is as powerful and overwhelming as you would hope it would be and then some. It's no surprise that one of the four Oscars the first film won was for Shore's score (teehee).

    It's the complete immersion in the world of Middle Earth which makes this film so incredible. Despite the film's runtime being close to 3 hours long, even longer in the extended version, it never feels taxing to sit and soak up the breathtaking surrounds. Where some films can feel like a chore at two hours, it's almost impossible to keep from loading the next film instantly after finishing the first one thanks to the incredible power to entrance the film holds. The combination of flawless production design from props to locations along with the beautifully crafted story and faultless direction makes this film one of the greatest of all time.

    Defining Scene:
    The attack on Weathertop. Despite being comprised of far fewer parties than many other battles in the series, the terrifying Ringwraiths more than make up for it.

    Quotes:
    Are you frightened?
    Yes.
    Not nearly frightened enough.

    One Ring to Rule Them All. One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All and In The Darkness Bind Them

    Nobody tosses a dwarf.

    If you want him come and claim him.

    You shall not pass!

    What did you hear? Speak!
    N-nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, and a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world, but... Please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anything... unnatural.
  • 3niR
    August 29, 2011
    3niR
    Nice.
  • fb100001493964409
    August 28, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    Some day, I'll take the time to review this, but today is not that day (because when it comes, it's going to be a LOOOONG review). Same goes for the other 2.
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    August 21, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Power can be held in the smallest of things...

    Saw it again! Long time since I first saw this film, it really felt like the first time because I didn't remember a lot of things, it was epic, fantastic film! Awesome story, greatly directed by Peter Jackson and fantastic cast, one... read more of the best ever ensemble. This movie won 4 Oscars and well deserved. Highly recommended!

    The prologue, spoken by Galadriel, shows the Dark Lord Sauron forging the One Ring which he can use to conquer the lands of Middle-earth through his enslavement of the bearers of the Rings of Power powerful magical rings given to individuals from the races of Elves, Dwarves and Men. A Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed to counter Sauron and his forces at the foot of Mount Doom, but Sauron himself appears to kill Elendil, the High King of Arnor and Gondor, and Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor. Just afterward, Isildur grabs his father's broken sword Narsil, and slashes at Sauron's hand. The stroke cuts off Sauron's fingers, separating him from the Ring and vanquishing his army. However, because Sauron's life is bound in the Ring, he is not completely defeated until the Ring itself is destroyed. Isildur takes the Ring and succumbs to its temptation, refusing to destroy it, but he is later ambushed and killed by orcs and the Ring is lost in the river into which Isildur fell.

    The Ring is found two-and-a-half millennia later, and eventually it comes to the creature Gollum, who takes it underground for five centuries, giving Gollum "unnaturally long life." The Ring leaves him however, and is found by the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, much to the grief of Gollum. Bilbo returns to his home in the Shire with the Ring, and the story jumps forward in time sixty years. At his 111th birthday, Bilbo leaves the Ring to his nephew and adopted heir Frodo Baggins. The Wizard Gandalf soon learns it is the One Ring, and sends him to Bree with Sam, with plans to meet him there after Gandalf goes to Isengard to meet the head of his order, Saruman. Saruman reveals that the Nazgűl, or Ringwraiths, have left Mordor to capture the Ring and kill whoever carries it; having already turned to Sauron's cause, he then imprisons Gandalf atop Orthanc. Frodo and Sam are soon joined by fellow hobbits Merry and Pippin. After encountering a Ringwraith on the road, they manage to reach Bree, and there they meet a Man called Strider, who agrees to lead them to Rivendell. They agree only because Gandalf isn't there to guide them. After some travelling, they spend the night on the hill of Weathertop, where they are attacked by the Nazgűl at night. Strider fights off the Ringwraiths, but Frodo is grievously wounded with a morgul blade, and they must quickly get him to Rivendell for healing. While chased by the Nazgűl, Frodo is taken by the elf Arwen to the elvish haven of Rivendell, and healed by her father, Elrond.

    In Rivendell Frodo meets Gandalf, who explains why he didn't meet them at Bree as planned. In the meantime, there are many meetings between various peoples, and Elrond calls a council to decide what should be done with the Ring. The Ring can only be destroyed by throwing it into the fires (that is, lava) of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Mount Doom is located in Mordor, near Sauron's fortress of Barad-dűr, and will be an incredibly dangerous journey. Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mount Doom as all the others argue about who should or shouldn't take it. He is accompanied by his hobbit friends and Gandalf, as well as Strider, who is revealed to be Aragorn, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. Also travelling with them are the Elf Legolas, the Dwarf Gimli and Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor. Together they comprise the Fellowship of the Ring. The Fellowship set out and try to pass the mountain Caradhras, but they are stopped by Saruman's wizardry. They are forced to travel under the mountain through the Mines of Moria. After journeying partway through the Mines, Pippin accidentally gives away their presence to a band of orcs. The Fellowship then encounter a Balrog, an ancient demon of fire and shadow, at the Bridge of Khazad-dűm. Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the bridge, allowing the others to escape the mines, while he falls with the creature into the abyss below.

    The group flees to the elvish realm of Lothlórien, where they are sheltered by its rulers, Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. After resting, they decide to travel on the River Anduin towards Parth Galen. Before they leave, Galadriel gives Frodo the Phial of Galadriel. After landing at Parth Galen, Boromir tries to take the Ring from Frodo, who manages to escape by putting the Ring on his finger and vanishing. Knowing that the Ring's temptation will be too strong for the Fellowship, Frodo decides to leave them and go to Mordor alone. Meanwhile, the rest of the Fellowship are attacked by Uruk-hai. Merry and Pippin, realizing that Frodo is leaving, distract the orcs, allowing Frodo to escape. Boromir rushes to the aid of the two hobbits but is mortally wounded by the orc commander Lurtz, and Merry and Pippin are captured. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli find Boromir, who regrets attempting to steal the Ring and dies. They decide to pursue the orcs and rescue the hobbits, leaving Frodo to his fate. Sam joins Frodo before he leaves, and together the two head to Mordor.
  • fb729949618
    August 1, 2011
    fb729949618
    The beginning to arguably one of the best trilogies/franchises of all time.
  • riverdale237
    July 27, 2011
    riverdale237
    Easily the best movie of 2001 and one of the best all time. Lord of The Rings is absolutley the best fantasy epic of all time. Great acting, fantastic special affects, masterful script, pretty much one of the 5 most perfect movies I've ever seen.

    First of all, the acting was r... read moreeally amazing. Elijah Wood had an amazing performance and before this movie, his only other good performance was in "The Good Son". He took enormous steps in this movie. Viggo Mortensen and Ian McKellan also pulled of fantastic performances.

    The battle scenes were really good too. Normally, I like to shy away from this subject so I don't sound like a 9 year old, but they were really well choreographed.

    The script was amazing as well as the directing. Peter Jackson is my 3rd favorite director, and he was practically flawless taking the reigns of this franchise. And to think this was originally going to be one movie.

    I can go on for tons of paragraphs about this movie, but everyone knows how great it is. If you haven;t seen it, it is highly reccomended by me!
  • sergioogarcia
    July 6, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    Sam and Frodo's journey begins. The Nazgul are right behind them but they aren't alone. The classic novel of J.R.R. Tolkien get rid of those songs to become one of the best trilogies of all time.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
March 5, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

It's full of scenic splendors with a fine sense of scale, but its narrative thrust seems relatively pro forma, and I was bored by the battle scenes. Full Review

Peter Rainer
January 22, 2002
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

Tolkien completists won't find any of this overkill, but for those uninitiates among us, less is more is still a dictum worth heeding. Full Review

Richard Roeper
December 27, 2001
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[I]t goes on forever. Full Review

Claudia Puig
December 21, 2001
Claudia Puig, USA Today

The production design is a marvel, and the special effects are dazzling. Full Review

Peter Travers
December 21, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The real deal, a movie epic that pops your eyes out, piles on thrills and fun, and yet stays intimately attuned to character.

Susan Stark
December 21, 2001
Susan Stark, Detroit News

McKellen plays Gandalf and, truth be told, his performance is worth more to the success of the film than all the effects, visual and aural, combined.

Joel Siegel
December 21, 2001
Joel Siegel, ABCNEWS.COM

Maybe by his second year in Hogwarts, Harry Potter will learn the trick to making a movie this good but don't bet on it. It's one of the best films of the year.

Desson Thomson
December 21, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

You can get gloriously lost in this.

David Edelstein
December 20, 2001
David Edelstein, Slate

I left exhausted, happy, intoxicated. Full Review

Richard Corliss
December 20, 2001
Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine

An excellent film and a ripping yarn of a movie. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Gandalf: All you have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you.
    • Gandalf: YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
    • Elrond: Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the fellowship of the ring.
    • Pippin: Great! Where are we going?
    • Boromir: One does not simply walk into Mordor..
    • Gandalf: All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.
    • Frodo Baggins: You're late
    • Gandalf: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early; he arrives precisely when he means to.
Submit a Fact | View All

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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Trivia

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellow... Trivia

  • Out of the three Lord of the Rings movies, which one can you see a vehicle accidently driving around in the background?  Answer »
  • Which Lord of the Rings movie does the following quote come from and which character said it? "I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone"  Answer »
  • what lord of the rings movie did borimir die in?  Answer »
  • "It began with the forging of the Great Rings" Wich movie is it?  Answer »
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