Lord of the Rings (animated)
LORD OF THE RINGS (PG)
D: Ralph Bakshi
United Artists (Saul Zaentz)
US 1978
133 mins
Animated
W: Chris Conkling & Peter S. Beagle [based on the
books by J. R. R. Tolkien]
Mus: Leonard Rosenman
voices of: Christopher Guard (Frodo), John Hurt (Aragorn),
William Squire (Gandalf), Michael Scholes (Sam)
At the time of it's release, the rotoscoping animated
techniques utilised to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's "unfilmable" story to life were considered groundbreaking and revolutionary. However, the film is left incomplete and without a generous enough box
office return to complete it, we are only left with half the story.
It's regrettable that this was the case, leaving a cliffhanger
ending and a conclusion hanging in limbo.
It's worth watching for historical interest, but the
techniques may well look rather daft considering how far animation and visual effects have come in the thirty-plus years hence.
If anything, it's a testament to the excellent job Peter
Jackson did bringing a live action version to the screen in 2001.
4/10
