This Sunday I’m thankful for the 25th anniversary theater release of the Lord of the Rings Extended Editions.
I was lucky enough to get the last seat in the house Friday night for The Fellowship of the Ring.
Yesterday I watched The Two Towers.
Today I’ve got The Return of the King lined up.
I saw all three theatrical versions at their midnight release showings in ’01, ’02 and ’03. And I’ve watched all three of the extendeds a number of times over the years of course, usually back-to-back. They’re like spending a day with an old friend. I’ll put them on and make dinner and paint or work up something in Photoshop.
But I haven’t seen them on the big screen since those early aughts.
One thing that struck me last night is how many shots looked like they were torn straight out of 1970s and ’80s Brothers Hildebrandt Middle Earth calendars.
I’ve never done a deep dive on it before so I took a quick look this morning and figured out why that is.
Turns out one of the chief concept artists for the films — John Howe — was inspired greatly by those very same calendars. Couple that with the brilliant work of the movies’ cinematographer — Andrew Lesnie — and you get those incredible shots, frames, stills and scenes one after another. Banger after banger!
It really has been an amazing experience. And, as the man says,:
