Cover Photo: Facebook/Rings Of Power
Photo: Facebook/Rings Of Power
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Love it or hate it, the new fantasy television series based on Tolkien’s best-selling novel The Lord of the Rings just dropped on Amazon Prime
Let’s face it. Peter Jackson’s take on The Lord of the Rings goes unparalleled when it comes to cinematography and soundtrack. The trilogy, with its first movie released in 2001, has since amassed millions of fans worldwide. The cast has also remained household names in the film industry, including Cate Blanchett (as Galadriel), Hugo Weaving (as Elrond), Viggo Mortensen (as Aragorn), Elijah Wood (as Frodo), and Ian McKellen (as Gandalf).
After two decades, the one ring to rule them all returns with the likes of powerful elven sorceress Galadriel and Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell. The US$715 million budget of the series is guaranteed to immerse viewers with stunning sets and costumes.
Released today (September 2) on Amazon Prime, The Rings of Power has drawn mixed reviews from fans and critics. That said, here’s what you can expect from the most expensive fantasy book series to film.
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1. It is not exactly a prequel to the trilogy
Set thousands of years before the events of Tolkien’s novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the Second Age of Middle-earth history will be discovered. However, the series is a loose adaptation of the books as Amazon Prime could not get the rights and permission to create a film adaptation of The Silmarillion, Tolkien’s prequel novel before the ring fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins. Instead, the series’ producers turned to the appendices in The Lord of the Rings novels.
The appendices contain sufficient notes by Tolkien about Middle-earth history, which also include a concise summary of the events in The Silmarillion. This move left many Tolkien fans apprehensive about the series remaining true to the source material.
2. It features familiar sets
Those who’ve watched The Lord of the Rings will remember the famed Dwarven dwelling of Khazad-dûm, or Moria, and remember the bone-chilling discovery the fellowship made inside. The desolate tomb littered with skeletons where the smell of death lingered is literally brought to life as a bustling kingdom. Restored to its former glory, Khazad-dûm is filled with greenery and grand waterfalls.
Although it is not Rivendell, fans of elven kingdoms see Lindon as reminiscent of that of the elven dwelling of Elrond and Arwen in the trilogy. Filled with warm light and nature, see the western part of Middle-earth come to life in the series.
3. Your favourite characters are back on screen
Two popular characters from The Lord of the Rings will be having more significant roles in the series: Galadriel and Elrond. In the movies, the two elven rulers prioritise their own kingdoms as their power sustains the realms that they inhabit. In the series, viewers see the two as younger, more carefree figures in the series: Galadriel as a young warrior commander and Elrond, a young elf, seeking to gain recognition through politics.
The rest of the characters have either been mentioned in the movies or are taken from the name drops in the novel and its appendices.
4. You don’t need to watch The Lord of the Rings to follow the plot
It is definitely not necessary to familiarise yourself with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings before watching The Rings of Power. Jump right in and enjoy the show. Similarly if you’ve seen the movies, read the books, or even had a go at The Silmarillion, there’s much more to unpack with the new series.
Set to have a total run of five seasons, the first season will feature eight episodes.
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