10. Mai 2014: The Lord of the Rings 1-3 (Triple Feature, OV)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

USA/Neuseeland (2001)


Zum Trailer
ab 16 Dolby Digital CinemaScope
Regie: Peter Jackson
Schauspieler: Elijah Wood, Ian MyKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
228 Minuten
The Journey begins.

Young Frodo Baggins, who had an untroubled childhood in the Shire, is given a ring by his leaving uncle Bilbo. The ring, however, is no ordinary ring, it is the One Ring, the ring that Sauron the Dark Lord himself forged at the dawn of time. It is the Master Ring which rules all the other rings of power, with the ability to enslave all of Middle-Earth.

Gandalf the Grey sends Frodo out on an epic quest to destroy the Ring, which can only be achieved at its origin, the fires of Mount Doom in the land of Mordor, kingdom of Sauron. The future of Middle-Earth rests on Frodo's shoulders, but he does not have to make the journey on his own. His unlikely companions include a wizard, an elf, a dwarf, two humans and three other hobbits.

Through mountains, snow, darkness, forests, rivers and plains the Fellowship of the Ring makes its way, facing evil and danger at every corner as well as the undermining influence of the Ring itself.

This isn't some happy, kid-friendly adventure – it's the story of how an entire world is plunged into war. (Total Film)

A stunning adventure story realized with genuine artistic flair. (Film4)

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

USA/Neu-Seeland (2002)


Zum Trailer
ab 12 Dolby Digital CinemaScope
Regie: Peter Jackson
Schauspieler: Elijah Wood, Ian MyKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
235 Minuten
The Journey continues.

Frodo and Sam, the leftover heroes of the Fellowship of the Ring, continue on their way towards Mordor where they hope to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. In the Dead Marshes they have a fateful encounter with Gollum, who used to possess the One Ring before it fell into Bilbo's hands.

Meanwhile Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are in pursuit of the party of Orcs and Uruk-Hai that have kidnapped Merry and Pippin. The two hobbits, however, are able to free themselves and escape into Fangorn Forest, where they team up with a representative of an ancient race of Middle-Earth, which might be of help in the fight against Saruman.

After meeting an old friend, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli continue to Rohan, in hope of finding allies against the Dark Lord. But Saruman has invaded Rohan and controls the mind of the King Theoden. After breaking the spell, Theoden leads his people to the stronghold of Helm's Deep. Saruman's army is headed the same way – the battle for Middle-Earth begins.

Spectacular entertainment. (The Movie Report)

To say that this is a great movie would be an understatement. (Cinema Crazed)

A pitch-perfect second act, full of dark wonder and the slow, pounding pulse of Aragorn's unflagging hope. (Metro Times)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

USA/Neu-Seeland (2003)


Zum Trailer
ab 12
Regie: Peter Jackson
Schauspieler: Elijah Wood, Ian MyKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen
263 Minuten
The journey comes to an end.

Sauron launches the final battle to conquer Middle-earth. Gondor's capital, Minas Tirith, is about to fall, the once mighty kingdom is on the edge of destruction. Even though Théoden and the brave warriors of Rohan come to the aid, the human forces – among them Eowyn and Merry – stand little chance against the ferocious onslaught of the Dark Lord's forces. Elrond, who is concerned about his daughter's health, helps Aragorn reclaim his rightful heritage and get assistance from an unusual army.

The companions fight the battle of their lives – united by a single goal: distract Sauron just long enough for Frodo to fulfil his mission, the destruction of the One Ring.

Meanwhile, on his way through Mordor, Frodo has to rely more and more on Sam and Gollum, while the Ring gains more and more power over him and puts his strengh and determination to the test...

A worthy conclusion to a modern epic. Don't worry that your expectations will be too high – Return Of The King will exceed them all. (Total Film)

An absolutely absorbing finale which establishes the trilogy as perhaps the best mythic fable ever brought to the big screen. (Princeton Town Topics)

Yes, the running time is long, and yes, those many endings in a slow, dreamy coda left me feeling spent – better spent than I can ever remember. (Wall Street Journal)