This documentary examines the social and cultural underpinnings of the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, in an attempt to understand the work's phenomenal success and influence. The program looks for answers in the author's sources of inspiration, from the folk legends of Norway to the field of linguistics of which Tolkien was a lifelong student. It finds that the deep chord the story strikes owes its resonance to the author's use of archetypal imagery and language. Many examples of these recurrent themes and images are given, with readings from the work and other literature. Interviews with the book's illustrators, the brothers Hildebrandt, speak to the power of the imagery in the classic story. Scholars, Tolkien's children, and the author himself provide insight into the mythic themes and the spell they have cast over the vast readership of The Lord of the Rings.
Movie / 1978
Movie / 1977
Movie / 2023
Movie / 2013
Movie / 2002
Movie / 1974
Movie / 1990
Movie / 2008
Movie / 2003
Movie / 1997
Movie / 2009
Movie / 1991
Movie / 2002
Movie / 1977
Movie / 2021
Movie / 2014
Movie / 1993
Movie / 1999
Movie / 2001
Movie / 1999
This documentary examines the social and cultural underpinnings of the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, in an attempt to understand the work's phenomenal success and influence. The program looks for answers in the author's sources of inspiration, from the folk legends of Norway to the field of linguistics of which Tolkien was a lifelong student. It finds that the deep chord the story strikes owes its resonance to the author's use of archetypal imagery and language. Many examples of these recurrent themes and images are given, with readings from the work and other literature. Interviews with the book's illustrators, the brothers Hildebrandt, speak to the power of the imagery in the classic story. Scholars, Tolkien's children, and the author himself provide insight into the mythic themes and the spell they have cast over the vast readership of The Lord of the Rings.
Movie / 1978
Movie / 1977
Movie / 2023
Movie / 2013
Movie / 2002
Movie / 1974
Movie / 1990
Movie / 2008
Movie / 2003
Movie / 1997
Movie / 2009
Movie / 1991
Movie / 2002
Movie / 1977
Movie / 2021
Movie / 2014
Movie / 1993
Movie / 1999
Movie / 2001
Movie / 1999