The Forgotten Lord of the Rings Film Tolkien Never Wanted
Before Peter Jackson's famous adaptation, an animated version of The Lord of the Rings existed—one that J.R.R. Tolkien himself rejected. Despite Tolkien's strong dislike for animation, this lesser-known film brought his world to the screen in an unusual way. On November 14, this unique movie will be available to watch for free in Buenos Aires.
Early Attempts to Adapt The Lord of the Rings
The epic story of Tolkien’s characters has inspired many to bring it to cinema. Yet, one major barrier was the technology required to convincingly portray orcs, wizards, and the rings of power. The director John Boorman once envisioned a mystical and dreamlike version that came closest to gaining Tolkien’s approval. Later, filmmakers like Steven Spielberg expressed interest, but in the 1970s, the special effects were not advanced enough for such a fantasy world.
Bakshi’s Revolutionary Animation
After Tolkien died in 1973, producer Saul Zaentz, who owned the rights, hired director Ralph Bakshi to make an animated adaptation. Bakshi introduced a bold technique called rotoscoping, where live actors were filmed and their movements traced frame-by-frame in animation. The result was a dark, intense, and unconventional film, portraying epic battles like Helm’s Deep with a level of realism uncommon in animation at the time.
"The result was an intense, dark and strange film, where the epic battles of Helm’s Deep came to life with a realism never before seen in the genre."
Watch the Film Free in Buenos Aires
This rare animated film offers an alternative vision of Tolkien’s world, often overshadowed by later adaptations. It will be screened free on November 14, giving fans a chance to experience this unique artistic effort firsthand.
Author’s summary: This rare animated Lord of the Rings film, rejected by Tolkien but pioneering in technique, will be freely screened in Buenos Aires, showcasing a dark and realistic take on Tolkien’s epic.