The Lord of the The Lord of the RingsRings

The book and the film which have the The book and the film which have the phenomenal reputationphenomenal reputation

The Story For All TimeThe Story For All Time

It is unlikely to find a person It is unlikely to find a person in the UK and in the USA who in the UK and in the USA who is not acquainted with the is not acquainted with the writings by the British author writings by the British author John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.

‘ ‘The Lord of the Rings’ was The Lord of the Rings’ was published in 1954, so the 50published in 1954, so the 50thth anniversary of this epic anniversary of this epic fantasy novel was celebrated fantasy novel was celebrated in 2004. in 2004.

Soon after its publication Soon after its publication the book became popular. It the book became popular. It was translated into 25 was translated into 25 languages. In 1965 American languages. In 1965 American paperback editions of ‘The Lord paperback editions of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ came out, and the of the Rings’ came out, and the campus cult of the novel began.campus cult of the novel began.

It was no wonder: the It was no wonder: the novel narrates about thrilling novel narrates about thrilling adventures, it contains detailed adventures, it contains detailed maps, poems, unusual names maps, poems, unusual names and several appendices which and several appendices which include genealogies, calendars include genealogies, calendars and even two alphabets created and even two alphabets created by the author. by the author.

New Line Cinema presents New Line Cinema presents The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings – – Peter Jackson’s motion Peter Jackson’s motion picture trilogy, an epic picture trilogy, an epic adventure of good against adventure of good against evil set in time of uncertainty evil set in time of uncertainty in the land of Middle-Earth.in the land of Middle-Earth.

The filming was started in The filming was started in New Zealand and continued New Zealand and continued for more than a year as all for more than a year as all three films were short three films were short consecutively.consecutively.

Main CastMain CastFrodo BagginsFrodo Baggins – – Elijah WoodElijah Wood

GandalfGandalf – – Ian McKellenIan McKellen

ArwenArwen – – Liv TylerLiv Tyler

AragonAragon – –

Viggo MortensenViggo Mortensen

PippinPippin – Billy – Billy BoydBoyd

SamSam – – Sean Sean AstinAstin

Galadriel Galadriel – –

Cate BlanchettCate Blanchett

LegolasLegolas – – Orlando BloomOrlando Bloom

Gimli Gimli – – John Rhys-DaviesJohn Rhys-Davies

The first film in the trilogy, The first film in the trilogy, The Fellowship The Fellowship of the Ringof the Ring, was released December 19, , was released December 19, 2001.2001.

Thanks to incredible media hype, innovative Thanks to incredible media hype, innovative computer generated graphics and great computer generated graphics and great acting, this film raked in truckloads of acting, this film raked in truckloads of money during its opening weekend.money during its opening weekend.

The film was nominated for 13 Academy The film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards and won four , including Best Visual Awards and won four , including Best Visual Effects for the groundbreaking techniques Effects for the groundbreaking techniques used by Jackson and visual effects team to used by Jackson and visual effects team to fully realize Tolkien’s universe. fully realize Tolkien’s universe.

““If you’ve never heard If you’ve never heard of J.R.R. Tolkien and of J.R.R. Tolkien and know absolutely nothing know absolutely nothing about his most famous about his most famous books “The Hobbit”, books “The Hobbit”, “The Lord of the Ring”, “The Lord of the Ring”, “The Silmarillion”, the “The Silmarillion”, the only possible only possible explanation is that you explanation is that you have spent your entire have spent your entire life living at the bottom life living at the bottom of a coal pit on the of a coal pit on the other end of the galaxy” other end of the galaxy”

David DayDavid Day‘‘A-Z of Tolkien’A-Z of Tolkien’

So, if you have never seen Peter So, if you have never seen Peter Jackson’s trilogy you’ve lost a lot.Jackson’s trilogy you’ve lost a lot.

These films are worth watching. You These films are worth watching. You are sure to appreciate them. are sure to appreciate them.

And What Do You And What Do You Think About It?Think About It?

1.1. Have you read Have you read The Lord of the The Lord of the RingsRings, or seen any of the films? , or seen any of the films? Do you know what the story is Do you know what the story is about?about?

2.2. Read the introductory paragraph on Read the introductory paragraph on page 108. Which three specific polls page 108. Which three specific polls did did The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings win at win at the turn of the millennium?the turn of the millennium?

Quickly read the text Quickly read the text A story for all A story for all timetime. Choose the best way to . Choose the best way to

complete the summary of the text.complete the summary of the text.

The Lord of the Rings is so popular because:The Lord of the Rings is so popular because:

a.a. It takes its readers into a fantastic world It takes its readers into a fantastic world completely different from their world.completely different from their world.

b.b. It is part of a literary tradition and can be It is part of a literary tradition and can be interpreted in a variety of ways.interpreted in a variety of ways.

c.c. Its readers can recognise aspects of Its readers can recognise aspects of modern history in its story.modern history in its story.

According to the text A story for all According to the text A story for all time, which of these themes can time, which of these themes can

be found be found The Lord of the Rings?The Lord of the Rings?

a.a. The father-son relationship.The father-son relationship.

b.b. An ordinary person goes on a quest.An ordinary person goes on a quest.

c.c. The battle between good and evil.The battle between good and evil.

d.d. The search for the right person to The search for the right person to love.love.

e.e. How dangerous it can be to have How dangerous it can be to have power.power.

f.f. What happens after you die.What happens after you die.

Answer these questions about Answer these questions about A Story A Story for All Timefor All Time..

1.1. When was When was The Lord of the RingsThe Lord of the Rings first first published?published?

2.2. Who is its author?Who is its author?3.3. How many languages has it been translated How many languages has it been translated

into?into?4.4. What is the name of its hero?What is the name of its hero?5.5. What must he do with the One Ring?What must he do with the One Ring?6.6. Which of Kings Arthur’s knights finds the Which of Kings Arthur’s knights finds the

Holy Grail?Holy Grail?7.7. Who are the main characters in Paradise Who are the main characters in Paradise

Lost?Lost?8.8. Which science fiction films have similarities Which science fiction films have similarities

with with The Lord of the Rings?The Lord of the Rings?

Read the extract from Read the extract from The Lord of The Lord of the Ringsthe Rings and answer the and answer the

questions.questions. 1.1. What does Frodo try, but fail, to do What does Frodo try, but fail, to do

with the Ring in the first paragraph?with the Ring in the first paragraph?

2.2. Could Gandalf destroy the Ring Could Gandalf destroy the Ring himself if he wanted to?himself if he wanted to?

3.3. How does Frodo feel about his How does Frodo feel about his quest?quest?

4.4. Why doesn’t Gandalf want the Ring?Why doesn’t Gandalf want the Ring?

Title:Title: _________________________________________ _________________________________________

Directed byDirected by:: __________________________________ __________________________________

Writing creditsWriting credits: ______________________________: ______________________________

GenreGenre: _______________________________________: _______________________________________

Main charactersMain characters: _____________________________: _____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

Leading actors:Leading actors: _______________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

Opening yearOpening year: _________________________________: _________________________________

Plot OutlinePlot Outline: : ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Complete the fact file of the film:Complete the fact file of the film:

Choose the correct answer:Choose the correct answer:

– The author of the book is … The author of the book is … (T.S. Eliot / Roald Dahl / J.R.R. Tolkien)(T.S. Eliot / Roald Dahl / J.R.R. Tolkien)– The book was published in … The book was published in … (1945 /1954 / 1950 )(1945 /1954 / 1950 )– How many volumes were written … How many volumes were written … (1 / 2 / 3)(1 / 2 / 3)– What people do Hobbits represent according to the writer? What people do Hobbits represent according to the writer?

(American cowboys / English country folk / Scandinavian Vikings)(American cowboys / English country folk / Scandinavian Vikings)– What language do the Elves speak? What language do the Elves speak? (English / Welsh / Elvish)(English / Welsh / Elvish)– The director of the film is … The director of the film is … (Steven Spielberg / Peter Jackson / Mel (Steven Spielberg / Peter Jackson / Mel

Gibson)Gibson)– Elijah Wood played the part of … Elijah Wood played the part of … (Bilbo Baggins / Frodo Baggins / (Bilbo Baggins / Frodo Baggins /

Boromir)Boromir)– The name of Elf archer who fights with Men is … The name of Elf archer who fights with Men is … (Eomer / Legolas (Eomer / Legolas

Greenleaf / Elrond)Greenleaf / Elrond)– The place of the film-making is … (The place of the film-making is … (Europe / Australia / New Zealand)Europe / Australia / New Zealand)– The action takes place in … The action takes place in … (Britain / Highland / Middle-earth)(Britain / Highland / Middle-earth)– The opening year of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is … The opening year of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is … (2000 / 2001 / 2003)(2000 / 2001 / 2003)– The film was nominated for … Academy Awards. The film was nominated for … Academy Awards. (13 / 10 / 12)(13 / 10 / 12)

Can you think of any more Can you think of any more fantasy books or films that fantasy books or films that have similar themes and have similar themes and characters to characters to The Lord of The Lord of the Ringsthe Rings??