I worked on the movie painting acetate cells, drawing some horses, drew over the photography pics of orcs....and I was disappointed that we wouldn't go on to finish it. Gosh, I was about 25 at the time.
.. You have my pity, Bookmouse - But why did you have to make ARAGORN a Numenorian into someone native-american? .. Or deciding on making Gollums 'Look' so radically different than the Hobbit animation..? It wasnt ''Subtle,'' You know.. He COULDNT have changed from looking like a human-frog to someone just rubbed all over with mud mixed with dung and portrayed as if a different actor was told to 'Act like Gollum,' And in addition to that, Other things like it..? Galaxy Express 999's director didnt have these problems, Hell BARNEY the dinosaur the tv-show had SEASONS-worth of content and seemingly never had these problems like in that lord of the rings animated-trilogy and it ended up being ALL people had to watch from Tolkein who didnt have the books yet, And every time i did watch this it felt like a fever was coming on out of nowhere despite being healthy..! With animated problems that were never addressed or fixed in any way ever again after this, Dialogue which really truly left everyone pronouncing Sarumans name as lispy 'Aroman,' Animation-errors that look like the mandela-effect occured in specific places, A Jibbering samwise (Although thats easier to look past) A monumental failure to properly c o m m u n i c a t e on release that this was meant to be a trilogy with two more parts to come over time, Fight-scenes that kind of clearly went out control before being rotoscoped, And not seeking more money from elsewhere so that this could have been better funded.. WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING?? ..??.. Are we ever going to get an answer to this, Please..??
Yeah this was great growing up watching these animation would watch reruns around the Thanksgiving Holidays in the 80s and 90s ... these animation where million times better then anything Amazon could dream of doing with Tolkien work .
There's something so unique about this film. It's more like a moving illustration than conventional animation. The rotoscope really adds an ethereal quality.
Wow! I couldn't have said that any better. I've never really been able to describe it to people in a way they would understand. It's almost as though certain parts, for instance the black riders and their horses, the orcs, the river with that tiny tsunami of beautiful horses, there where times like those where it looked...I guess real is how I would put it. Almost real. It was almost spooky how well it was done. I think for me that's what made it so magical. I've turned so many people on to that movie and will continue to do so. That movie actually kind of helped to mold me into the nerd girl I am today. 😂 I wish there was a nerd emote.
Growing up watching this and the Hobbit would air in Thanksgiving Holidays.... these Animation where a bazillion times better then Amazon crappy none canon show ...
I have this on VHS. Taped of the TV at Xmas in 87. Great watching all those old Xmas ads. Defo the best version of LOTR. Such a shame this never carried on with the story as this cartoon. I was always so upset as a kid when this cartoon finished. I always wanted to see more.
I watched this as a young boy when it was first shown on TV in the early 80's. It scared the heck out of me because of the unearthly style of animation, particularly the orcs. I had no idea why it looked so real, yet was a cartoon. As an adult I've done hand drawn animation, some rotoscoping, and 3D animation. The skill and relentless dedication required for hand drawn animation, including rotoscoping is just insane. Nothing is automated, there were no computers, every cell is a labour of love, every composition and layer is someone's manual toil. I'm so pleased I stumbled across this channel - thank you for reminding me how amazing this little remembered epic film is.
When I was seven years old I found this VHS in the bottom drawer of the entertainment set. My life changed forever when I watched this movie. This was my introduction to Tolkien's world and it captured my imagination ever since.
.. ;3 Then i pity you, Because The Hobbit animated movie wasnt perfect either but it was FAR more worth an introduction to this than this hair-brained sequel..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 You are probably right. I'll counter by saying even if this strange rendition didn't hide the excellence of Tolkien, then nothing can. Except rings of power of course, but that wasn't him anyway.
I saw this movie over a dozen times in theaters during its initial theatrical release. I was so taken by it, that I snuck a shoebox audio cassette recorder under my bulky Winter coat and recorded the audio. LOL The entire mines of Moria sequence still feels intense. After all of these years, I'm still a fan.
Oh man o man I have never forgotten this version of LOTR I am 46 years young and watched this many years ago and for a long time it had left a huge impression on me the Nasgul absolutely terrified me 😂 that scream and amination infiltrated my dreams many times over lolz.
This is what got me into The Lord of the Rings. I saw this in the theater and was hooked immediately. I went back to see it three times. Then I read the book. =Livelong love🥰
Joel Haver's LotR lol It was pretty good, I just watched it a few weeks ago. Crazy that the ring wraith stabbing empty beds scene was in Peter Jackson's film as well without being in the books. The scenes are even similar, with the wraiths slowly walking into the room and all raising their blades at the same time to the sound of dramatic music.
I saw this movie 🎬 almost 40 years ago and its still great.From the opening scene tithe close and thae soundtrack still sends shivers up my spine ! Later saw the animated version of " The Hobbit " and two others based on the books. The cartoon versions were by done Rankin-Bass Studios ; some of the key animations were done by a Japanese animation company. Still a classic fantasy film to me !
The narrator states that the scene where the ring wraiths try to kill the hobbits in their beds in the inn at Bree is not in the book. This is technically correct. However, in the chapter titled 'A Knife in the Dark' we learn that the black riders have come to Bree and they have trashed the room where the Hobbits were staying, including slashing the bedding. The hobbits had left their bedrooms at Strider's recommendation at the end of the previous chapter and were camped on the floor of the inn's parlor. Mr. Butterbur's man, Nob, had placed bolsters in their beds to look like bodies and gave them fake heads as well. The book only tells us of the forensic evidence of the trashing and slashing of the rooms that took place. Bakshi chose to show an event that we know occurred, but which is not described in real time in the book.
The narrator also states that Saraman is 'of many colours' in the book and 'the white' in the movie, which is wrong, he's stated as 'the white' and transitions to being 'of many colours' in both media.
As a kid watching the movie, i didn't appreciate how it was animated. Now i definitely do appreciate it and it's a very cherished movie of mine! Thanks for the recap and history on the animation. ❤
The great shame is that Bakshi never got to make the complete movie. I read the books not long after that movie was made. It was like a right of passage for teenage nerds, and this was the only visualization we had. The “Return of the King” animation that came out a little later was done by the same group that did the 1977 cartoon version of “The Hobbit.” Both were ridiculous, and little more than children’s cartoons. Ralph Bakshi, on the other hand, crafted a form of animation that specifically designed to appeal to more adult audiences. Though there are notable diversions in “The Lord of the Rings,” and it was incomplete, the Tolkien fans at the time mostly appreciated the film, and for a while anyway, patiently awaited the second part to complete the tale. Once again, it was all we had.
Before PJ's trilogy, Rankin/Bass's The Hobbit, Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings, and R/B's The Return of the King were the Tolkien Film Trilogy. They had their flaws but they captured the spirit of Tolkien as best they could (unlike ROP).
Agreed, Ronin Dave...and I feel the same about RoP, which should never have been made as I feel the liberties taken violates Tolkien's work. (Even more than the Hobbit did...!)
The most damaging part of this movie was being forced to cut out and alter so much for time. But I still love it. Fantasy stuff like this is way better animated than with live action if the animation is good. This movie was gorgeous.
I saw this at the theatre with my older brother and didn’t understand what I was seeing, but was blown away by the animation and the orcs freaked me out. Subsequent viewings bring the love and appreciation for what was made.
I loved how Bakshi portrayed Lady Gadriel and the fountain. The mines of moria were done well. Loved the movie as a kid. That and the Rankin Bass productions.
We haven't forgotten it. I first saw it as a kid in the theaters (double feature with Wizards - 1977). It was great and I saw a bunch more times later on. Always disappointed that there wasn't more. The "where there's a whip there's a way" song is still somewhat stuck in my head from when I first saw it 46 years ago.
as a child watching this in the late 70's early 80's it scared the crap out of me with the liveaction/animation. it was also the first cartoon/animation i saw as a kid that had blood in it when a character like Boramier gets killed.
Although not specifically described in the book the scene with black riders slashing the beds in the prancing pony is certainly implied "...the beds were tossed about, and the bolsters slashed and flung upon the floor...".
I saw this movie right after I had finished reading the books in 1978 and loved it, despite its flaws. And I daresay it followed the original source material more closely than PJ's version. And who doesn't like the harsh singing of the Orcs as they approach Helm's Deep?!
I absolutely love this Bakshi version, and have my whole life. I saw this in the Theater in 1979 as a 7 year old kid, and it instantly became and remains a highlight in my life. Thank you Bakshi et al., and to Dear JRR Tolkien.
OMG, I just watched the scene where the hobbits meet "Strider" in the Prancing Pony. The dialogue seemed pretty much word-for-word, and the voice-acting was superb. HTF could I have not seen this before? Even in--especially in?--the late 70's when I was becoming a Tolkienista, lol! I have a slight suspicion/memory that my friends and I were "agin it" for some reason. And/or I may have seen it, but have forgotten doing so. Crazy, either way. Anyhow, no offense, but I won't watch THIS until I've seen IT, which is probably going to be tonight! Even if only half the story was made! Oh, goody, goody! Something Tolkien to look forward to after Amazon betrayed us all, lol! Thanks for promoting this!
This was very ambitious. They were really swinging for the gates. It was a serious adult film with great moments. Both this and Wizards and Fire and Ice, American Pop, and Cool World are classics in a long and imaginative career. The films have some flaws but nobody in the US would come close to doing this type of work. I would go and say this was a precursor to Robert Zemeckis's attempts at doing serious films for adults in animation. Zemeckis would also attempt films for younger audiences.
Wow. I remember watching this as a child (I'm 42) it appeared unbelievably special to me in its cinematography and sound. Now I know why. GREAT CONTENT!! hope to see more
I also watched this many many times as a kid and have always considered this version my favorite. The animation is some of the best I've ever seen still to this day.
At the age of ten, having read Lord of the Rings i waited in anticipation for this movie.. I could not have been more excited to see it. I even painted the “screen shot” of the dark riders attacking the Hobbits in their beds. I have a vivid memory of every brush stroke. I cant express how much this book and this film meant to me.. How I wished they would film the other two books at the time.
I just love this so much, it was my very introduction to Tolkienverse when I first watched it in the movie theater in 1979, I was 16 then, hehehe, but I was totally captured by that story telling, animation and the beautifull music score, and i'm grateful that was done, despite all the problems and delays in the production.. Thanks for remind me of such nice treat... kudos!
I was 10 years old when this came out. My mother had read The Hobbit but not LOTR and was excited to take me and my 6-year-old brother to see it at the movies. She thought it was going to be a cute cartoon about hobbits and was horrified at how scary it was. Of course, we loved it.
Watched this when I was a kid while being sick and feverish. The rotoscoped figures and faces scared the hell out of me. Still do tbh, it feels uncanny.
I went out of my way to purchase a DVD copy of this. It is so beautiful, so epic looking, and even when it's not, one has to admit the uniqueness of the animation. I love this film, it's amazing.
.. It seriously needed some editing-fixes, Which if im reading your dialogue right.. No one ever bothered to fix any of the numerous problems with this particular animated film even after being slapped on a DVD..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 Still though, you have to admit not that many animated films look like this and it brought a whole new style to the lord of the rings franchise.
@@elder-woodsilverstein7716 Yeah.. The kind of style drugs do.. It brings viewers hopes WAY up.. Beefore rolling down a hill on the other-side at max speed down that steep slope. And at the end of it at the bottom of a deep, Dark-ravine i always have to ask wishing no one had to: Why couldnt it just have been as good all-around as the hobbit animation..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 I remember the Hobbit, yeah that was good too. It might actually be better, sense it is consistent, but the Ralph Bakshi animation is still unique to look at.
Saw this a few years after it came out, when VHS was becoming very popular. I was still a kid, and the scene where the hobbits hide from the Ringwraith on the road terrified me so much that I ran away and hid, and didn't finish the movie until a re-watch about a year later. Still get chills at that scene... it's a combination of the visuals and the really creepy moaning and sniffing that the ringwraith does... the same scene in Peter Jackson's film doesn't hit me in anywhere near the same way, despite looking much better.
That movie is a legend. I loved that P.J. took so much inspiration from it paying homage to this movie. It was o evocative back in the days. Without it I doubt I would ever have gotten into LotR - which makes me shudder to think I could have missed it. Must have read it at least 30 times since then.
If you grew up as a kid in he 80's, then this is likely how you were introduced to LoTR. It's not forgetten by those who have seen it. It's still my go to soundtrack when ever playing the War of the Ring boardgame. John Hurt as Aragorn gave such a good performace that in comparison, Viggo Mortensen seems thin and weedy, and I just couldn't buy into him as 'the King'. If you watch the scene in the Mines of Moria where Frodo's mythril shirt saves him from an orcish spear, and compare it to the same passage in the book, it is word for word, beat for beat, exactly the same.
I still have my original vinyl soundtrack (and a calendar - wishing I had never marked it up), which was a go-to as well. I also have a couple of mixed cassette tapes that includes 'Mithrandir' on through to the climax (I'm playing it now in a separate tab as I type this). The books were my introduction when I was 12. I then waited for almost a decade yearning for a live-action movie. Thus, I was partially disappointed although I did enjoy it. I appreciate it much more now, having got over the initial disappointment.
I'm actually happy that you made this video because it sheds light on this classic. The way the media makes it seem like everyone hates this classic is baffling to me. I know many many people that have said that they atleast like this film and I also find it funny that "film critics" rate it lower than what the general public rate this film. I animate and it is very tiring especially doing frame by frame which you do not see much of at all today and me personally I find animation without rotorscoping is way easier as I have tried rotorscoping before and well it is alot harder hence why I appreciate the effort bakshi went through for his adaption , I don't think people realise how much work goes into it! That said I also don't get why people can't just like the lotr adaptions as a whole (from what it seems like on the Internet anyway as again many people I have spoken to about lotr love both bakshis and PJs.) And if it is that you just don't like bakshis then why are you bothering to look at it and put negative things in the first place and like I have said many times before I stay away from things I dislike and maybe even hate because I wouldnt want to ruin it for other people that love/like it.
This watches this movie when I was 13, on the period where I started playing the LOTR role game, it was such a big inspiration. Watching the movie feels like an actually campaign.
I grew up with this version in the late 70's, and actually got to thank Mr. Bakshi at the 2008 SDCC for making this. He was really cool and we got to chat for about 10 minutes. Thank you for covering this, got a new sub here :). Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much! This movie is an absolute classic but people can't give the clunky nature of the film a break. And it's not because of nostalgia. I saw LOTR more than a decade ago. I saw this film only 2 years ago and I've rewatched it so many times since. One of my favorite films of all time
I have seen The Hobbit from 1977 a hundred times through the 80s and I had no idea this movie was ever made! Now it's time to find it. Thanks for the content.
This was my introduction to Lord of the Rings and I'll forever love it for that reason! Usually give it a rewatch between the PJ films. Very hyped for War of the Rohirrim because I've always wanted more animated Middle Earth films since the originals introduced me to Middle Earth itself
Thank you for doing a video on a criminally underrated film and besides the BBC 1981 radio version by Brian Sibley, remains the BEST adaption of LOTR ever!!
I learned about that movie in part of another TH-cam video! It looks like a great movie! I didn't know it came out in 1978. I want to watch it with my sibling and friend on one of my birthdays!
Remember being terrified watching this for the 1st time, was only 5 yrs old when released. Couldn't wait to read the books, a few yrs later. Excellent...
I’ve always hoped a kickstarter would get started to help Bakshi finish the ROTK portion of the film. I’m sure it would’ve gained a lot of support, but no doubt the rights are too much of a mess these days.
This is absolutely superb on every level and criminal it didn't get finished The graphics even now is awesome and way way way ahead of its time the way the animation changes with different scenes like the awks and there animation different to when its gandalf, legalos, and the hobbits etc and when the two types of animation merges when there together in a scene Truly magical
I have to disagree.. the most underrated version of the book is the BBC Radio series from 1981. It is 13 hours long and the most faithful adaptation of Tolkien's work we have. It has the most accurate Saruman (which has always been annoying to me that he was never done to his potential) and it has a great cast including Ian Holm, Michael Hordern and many other greats of the era. Like everyone else's, this version omits the Tom Bombadil section which, to be fair is probably a logical edit anyway. You could animate it, add some extra sound effects and music and it would be the ultra mega mega version. In my mind at least. i still have a massive soft spot for Bakshi's LOTR though.. especially the music and rotoscoping. It was the version that began my obsession 35 years ago.
Your not wrong dude, And while its a shame that radio series wasnt a visual-medium.. At least it didnt make anyone sick like this thing did..! It was as if there was.. Something wrong embedded into this animated film, It was garish.. Sickly-making, Unwell.. Like something photosensitive but subtle had been DOUSED on every frame of this during production and it made me nauseous from watching it too long.. I swear to god it seemed like i got fevers/Flu-transmissions JUST from watching this on occassions.. -What were they thinking???!?!
I know everyone loves Peter Jackson's adaptation but I personally think this animated version better captures the raw and wild post-Roman/early Medieval fantasy world that Tolkien wanted to depict in Middle Earth.
They needed to reign-in their horses on this quite a bit more before even thinking of releasing it into movie theaters.. And didnt do that and look what happened.. ''Better''-nothing, I can only thank-god no one has to grow up with this film with no choice anymore, Jackson fixed what Bakshi-studios-dont after all.. Christ..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 You have left many comments voicing your displeasure and fortunately, as I think Bakshi's work is a classic, comments like yours are in the vast minority. Seriously...do you have skin in the game or are you just some young twit who wasn't a kid like the rest of us who loved this film when it first came out? Because it sure seems like you have something vested here with as much effort you have spent with your various negative comments. Haven't you heard the old saying, "If you don't have anything positive to say then don't say anything at all." ^^ How about following that and keeping your vitriol to yourself...the rest of us don't wanna read/hear it. We actually LOVE it and have fond memories of it.
@@BrotherPatriot And despite that it was actually mid and fair-weathered criticism of something that is genuinely imperfect (Imperfect doesnt ''Always'' mean 'Displeasing' though) And as youve given NO supporting-reason why you think this sequel to the Rankin Bass Hobbit who made many many amazing productions that didnt have half the problems the animated LOTR's did.. Its pretty obvious that i can do what you did only much easier which is to rope-together everything youve said without much thought, And condemn it, Only i dont personally like to live shallow like that so its just mirroring someone else. I know your likely only another person though like everyone else, And that it begs the question of what you consider to be ''Good,'' Is it the timeless like 'The Seventh Seal,' Or is it horrendous cultural-erroding nightmare garbage like 'Alita,' 'Tangled,' 'Mother,' 'My little pony' or anything else that terrible that borders on insulting not just of mankind, But of thought and even god himself? It is so easy to have criticism but also self-awareness for people, But given the way youve blithely and hardly put any effort into anything youve said.. What skeletons are in YOUR closet in particular, My freind? Theyre iiin there you know, No matter if you admit them to anyone or not, And knowing that you know damn well what they are more than any other person.. Ill just point out that i wouldnt wish liking such filth-encrusted garbage on my worst-enemy, Wouldnt want to see them in my worst-nightmares because while bakshi's lord of the rings animation is flawed.. Your flaws are ones of pandering to where theres no-return from, Fakeccine-tolerance and of pure evil that cooked up that scheme to begin with, And absolute godless, Thoughtless love of humiliating, Total-trash in either media, Socially or spiritually. .. And someone like that doesnt ''Speak for the majority,'' So kindly stuff it up there where it doesnt shine, Bend-over and keep taking evil from behind with at least a little dignity through silence instead of trying to act ''Aware'' with what borders on plant-sentience instead of real awareness, Touch some grass, Get good and maybe youl realize that your one of those who use vitriol, With a poor excuse for a soul. Maybe. I wouldnt bet on it actually happening despite that some can surprise despite saying rreeallly bone-headed things like you have. Juust the absolute most year-two-thousiand early-youtuber most poorly-executed understanding of others possible just because you like something without a single second-thought about it..
In my early Genx days,they played this version in the theater room at school,i still remember, thinking this is the greatest adventure I've ever scene.
I grew up warching The Hobbit [Rankin-Bass] and then TROK of the same style... adter reading all the books, i happened upon this version. Its a trip and a half.😊
Yeah, I know, you should've heard the audience reaction to the end, and by the way, he that's why Disney made the movie " the Black Caldron", because mid evil themes were getting popular
I saw the film in the theater when it first came out. Unfortunately the pre-release advertising didn’t make it clear that this movie was only the first part of the story which was frustrating especially because Bakshi never got to make the second part. I admired the adaptation of the story for the screenplay, but the rotoscoping and, especially the live action scenes which were just tinted and darkened gave the movie and “uncanny valley” effect that I have never cared for. Rankin and Bass made a kind of sequel for TV using limited cartoon animation and designs that look like those in the TV Hobbit which was OK for a kid’s TV show but didn’t have the maturity of the story telling and character development that Bakshi achieved.
I really loved this film as a child, watched it when it came out at the cinema then recorded it on TV and watched it countless times. It wasn't perfect but I still thought it was a great film
Saw it once back in 1988 when I was a kid.It was amazing and inspired me to read the books. The characters were so realistic and blended in with the lighter animation and surroundings
I saw this movie once on cable TV when I was young. Dont know what channel but I loved it and always remembered it. Then I heard of the lord of the rings movies and I was like hey I remember that cartoon. Didn't even know they had books back then. How time flies.
I saw this in the theater when I was 8 or 9 and I never forgot certain scenes--such as when Sam and Frodo met up with Gandalf. We had never heard of LOTR or the Hobbit or even Tolkien, but we were living overseas (military) and had no TV so we went to every English language movie that came to the base. This was my introduction to Tolkien...and I've been a huge fan ever since. I never saw this version again, but it has always had a special place in my heart.
We saw this animated movie in the theaters when it came out. I recalled back then drawing the characters from the posters created for the movie. The had 2 different posters to go along with LOTR’s back then. Being an artist in my early childhood, I found the animation fascinating. Even though I have seen the Peter Jackson LOTR version I still love the 1st version in animation. I have owned this version for a very long time and sometimes watch it periodically.
Well, the list of similarities is not complete... PJ has made a series of hommages to both Bakshi and Rankin/Bass, be it scenes, storytelling or simple shots and camera movement. And I love that!
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I worked on the movie painting acetate cells, drawing some horses, drew over the photography pics of orcs....and I was disappointed that we wouldn't go on to finish it. Gosh, I was about 25 at the time.
Such a wonderful movie. How cool that you got to work on it!
Shame they didn't do part 2 😪
.. You have my pity, Bookmouse - But why did you have to make ARAGORN a Numenorian into someone native-american? .. Or deciding on making Gollums 'Look' so radically different than the Hobbit animation..? It wasnt ''Subtle,'' You know.. He COULDNT have changed from looking like a human-frog to someone just rubbed all over with mud mixed with dung and portrayed as if a different actor was told to 'Act like Gollum,' And in addition to that, Other things like it..?
Galaxy Express 999's director didnt have these problems, Hell BARNEY the dinosaur the tv-show had SEASONS-worth of content and seemingly never had these problems like in that lord of the rings animated-trilogy and it ended up being ALL people had to watch from Tolkein who didnt have the books yet, And every time i did watch this it felt like a fever was coming on out of nowhere despite being healthy..!
With animated problems that were never addressed or fixed in any way ever again after this, Dialogue which really truly left everyone pronouncing Sarumans name as lispy 'Aroman,' Animation-errors that look like the mandela-effect occured in specific places, A Jibbering samwise (Although thats easier to look past) A monumental failure to properly c o m m u n i c a t e on release that this was meant to be a trilogy with two more parts to come over time, Fight-scenes that kind of clearly went out control before being rotoscoped, And not seeking more money from elsewhere so that this could have been better funded..
WHAT ON EARTH
WERE YOU THINKING??
..??.. Are we ever going to get an answer to this, Please..??
@@onojioboardwalk9748 I was an employee of the creators and had no say....by the way, can you draw?
@@JosephEGlaser Well, we have Peter Jackson's movies 🙂
I watched this so many times as a kid hoping they would eventually finish it. Inspired me to read the books.
Same here loved it
@@xile79 My uncle who has unfortunately passed used to do the smeagal impressions.
Yeah this was great growing up watching these animation would watch reruns around the Thanksgiving Holidays in the 80s and 90s ... these animation where million times better then anything Amazon could dream of doing with Tolkien work .
@@joezar33 remember watching this and flight of dragons.
@@fistimusmaximus6576 I'm sorry for your loss 😔
I grew up watching this movie and it is the best animation ever and a beloved classic
There's something so unique about this film. It's more like a moving illustration than conventional animation. The rotoscope really adds an ethereal quality.
Wow! I couldn't have said that any better. I've never really been able to describe it to people in a way they would understand. It's almost as though certain parts, for instance the black riders and their horses, the orcs, the river with that tiny tsunami of beautiful horses, there where times like those where it looked...I guess real is how I would put it. Almost real. It was almost spooky how well it was done. I think for me that's what made it so magical. I've turned so many people on to that movie and will continue to do so. That movie actually kind of helped to mold me into the nerd girl I am today. 😂 I wish there was a nerd emote.
@@BongfullyAccused🤓
@@BongfullyAccusedThe Ringwraiths at Weathertop and chasing Frodo are probably my favorite sections of the film. So weird and creepy.
Lord of the rings 1978 is one of my favorite animated movies
Not just animated movies
Growing up watching this and the Hobbit would air in Thanksgiving Holidays.... these Animation where a bazillion times better then Amazon crappy none canon show ...
Loved this. I red Tolkien in primary school. This remains the most leal adaptation. Still love it today, will be able to always re-watch it.
I have this on VHS. Taped of the TV at Xmas in 87. Great watching all those old Xmas ads. Defo the best version of LOTR. Such a shame this never carried on with the story as this cartoon. I was always so upset as a kid when this cartoon finished. I always wanted to see more.
I watched this as a young boy when it was first shown on TV in the early 80's. It scared the heck out of me because of the unearthly style of animation, particularly the orcs. I had no idea why it looked so real, yet was a cartoon. As an adult I've done hand drawn animation, some rotoscoping, and 3D animation. The skill and relentless dedication required for hand drawn animation, including rotoscoping is just insane. Nothing is automated, there were no computers, every cell is a labour of love, every composition and layer is someone's manual toil. I'm so pleased I stumbled across this channel - thank you for reminding me how amazing this little remembered epic film is.
When I was seven years old I found this VHS in the bottom drawer of the entertainment set. My life changed forever when I watched this movie. This was my introduction to Tolkien's world and it captured my imagination ever since.
.. ;3 Then i pity you, Because The Hobbit animated movie wasnt perfect either but it was FAR more worth an introduction to this than this hair-brained sequel..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 You are probably right. I'll counter by saying even if this strange rendition didn't hide the excellence of Tolkien, then nothing can. Except rings of power of course, but that wasn't him anyway.
@@jeffscheurkogel ;3 Fair enough.
Funny how the modern movies look so much like the cartoon…in details!
I saw this movie over a dozen times in theaters during its initial theatrical release. I was so taken by it, that I snuck a shoebox audio cassette recorder under my bulky Winter coat and recorded the audio. LOL The entire mines of Moria sequence still feels intense. After all of these years, I'm still a fan.
Oh man o man I have never forgotten this version of LOTR I am 46 years young and watched this many years ago and for a long time it had left a huge impression on me the Nasgul absolutely terrified me 😂 that scream and amination infiltrated my dreams many times over lolz.
This is what got me into The Lord of the Rings. I saw this in the theater and was hooked immediately. I went back to see it three times. Then I read the book. =Livelong love🥰
Joel Haver's LotR lol
It was pretty good, I just watched it a few weeks ago. Crazy that the ring wraith stabbing empty beds scene was in Peter Jackson's film as well without being in the books.
The scenes are even similar, with the wraiths slowly walking into the room and all raising their blades at the same time to the sound of dramatic music.
Loved this version! wish that they had done the same method with Return of the King
I saw this movie 🎬 almost 40 years ago and its still great.From the opening scene tithe close and thae soundtrack still sends shivers up my spine ! Later saw the animated version of " The Hobbit " and two others based on the books. The cartoon versions were by done Rankin-Bass Studios ; some of the key animations were done by a Japanese animation company. Still a classic fantasy film to me !
The narrator states that the scene where the ring wraiths try to kill the hobbits in their beds in the inn at Bree is not in the book. This is technically correct. However, in the chapter titled 'A Knife in the Dark' we learn that the black riders have come to Bree and they have trashed the room where the Hobbits were staying, including slashing the bedding. The hobbits had left their bedrooms at Strider's recommendation at the end of the previous chapter and were camped on the floor of the inn's parlor. Mr. Butterbur's man, Nob, had placed bolsters in their beds to look like bodies and gave them fake heads as well. The book only tells us of the forensic evidence of the trashing and slashing of the rooms that took place. Bakshi chose to show an event that we know occurred, but which is not described in real time in the book.
The narrator also states that Saraman is 'of many colours' in the book and 'the white' in the movie, which is wrong, he's stated as 'the white' and transitions to being 'of many colours' in both media.
Thank you 👍😊
And ironically, it was a good choice to add since it was such a good scene even PJ borrowed the idea
As a kid watching the movie, i didn't appreciate how it was animated. Now i definitely do appreciate it and it's a very cherished movie of mine!
Thanks for the recap and history on the animation. ❤
The great shame is that Bakshi never got to make the complete movie. I read the books not long after that movie was made. It was like a right of passage for teenage nerds, and this was the only visualization we had. The “Return of the King” animation that came out a little later was done by the same group that did the 1977 cartoon version of “The Hobbit.” Both were ridiculous, and little more than children’s cartoons. Ralph Bakshi, on the other hand, crafted a form of animation that specifically designed to appeal to more adult audiences. Though there are notable diversions in “The Lord of the Rings,” and it was incomplete, the Tolkien fans at the time mostly appreciated the film, and for a while anyway, patiently awaited the second part to complete the tale. Once again, it was all we had.
I remember watching it back in 7th grade one night around 2 weeks before christmas .
It was just great and full of wonder.
Before PJ's trilogy, Rankin/Bass's The Hobbit, Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings, and R/B's The Return of the King were the Tolkien Film Trilogy. They had their flaws but they captured the spirit of Tolkien as best they could (unlike ROP).
I love Rings of Power. And all the other film adaptions of Tolkien's works.
Agreed, Ronin Dave...and I feel the same about RoP, which should never have been made as I feel the liberties taken violates Tolkien's work.
(Even more than the Hobbit did...!)
My grade 6 teacher had a special movie day and showed it to the class for the first time. Thank you Mr McGowan for being a tough but fair teacher.
The most damaging part of this movie was being forced to cut out and alter so much for time. But I still love it. Fantasy stuff like this is way better animated than with live action if the animation is good. This movie was gorgeous.
I saw this at the theatre with my older brother and didn’t understand what I was seeing, but was blown away by the animation and the orcs freaked me out. Subsequent viewings bring the love and appreciation for what was made.
I loved how Bakshi portrayed Lady Gadriel and the fountain. The mines of moria were done well. Loved the movie as a kid. That and the Rankin Bass productions.
We haven't forgotten it. I first saw it as a kid in the theaters (double feature with Wizards - 1977).
It was great and I saw a bunch more times later on.
Always disappointed that there wasn't more.
The "where there's a whip there's a way" song is still somewhat stuck in my head from when I first saw it 46 years ago.
I seem to recall that Part 1 was supposed to make enough profit for Part 2 to be made, but it never happened.
Damn, that’s a hell of a double feature seeing that and Wizards. Can only imagine how fun that was.
As a kid in the 70’s saw this in the theatre upon release
Loved it own a copy on dvd
Watch it many times over
Wizards is a great watch as well❤🇨🇦
as a child watching this in the late 70's early 80's it scared the crap out of me with the liveaction/animation. it was also the first cartoon/animation i saw as a kid that had blood in it when a character like Boramier gets killed.
loved how legolas’s bow changes shape scene to scene ❤️
Forgotten? This movie is a classic!😯
Click bait title to trigger everyone who still remebers and loves this version.
@@EmperorSmith But it has been largely forgotten outside the Tolkien fanbase.
yep including the fight between gandalf and the lion headed balrog that morphed.
Although not specifically described in the book the scene with black riders slashing the beds in the prancing pony is certainly implied "...the beds were tossed about, and the bolsters slashed and flung upon the floor...".
I saw this movie right after I had finished reading the books in 1978 and loved it, despite its flaws. And I daresay it followed the original source material more closely than PJ's version. And who doesn't like the harsh singing of the Orcs as they approach Helm's Deep?!
Saw this in the theaters in Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri. When I was young. Loved every minute of it. 👍😀
I absolutely love this Bakshi version, and have my whole life. I saw this in the Theater in 1979 as a 7 year old kid, and it instantly became and remains a highlight in my life. Thank you Bakshi et al., and to Dear JRR Tolkien.
OMG, I just watched the scene where the hobbits meet "Strider" in the Prancing Pony. The dialogue seemed pretty much word-for-word, and the voice-acting was superb. HTF could I have not seen this before? Even in--especially in?--the late 70's when I was becoming a Tolkienista, lol! I have a slight suspicion/memory that my friends and I were "agin it" for some reason. And/or I may have seen it, but have forgotten doing so. Crazy, either way. Anyhow, no offense, but I won't watch THIS until I've seen IT, which is probably going to be tonight! Even if only half the story was made! Oh, goody, goody! Something Tolkien to look forward to after Amazon betrayed us all, lol! Thanks for promoting this!
This was very ambitious. They were really swinging for the gates. It was a serious adult film with great moments. Both this and Wizards and Fire and Ice, American Pop, and Cool World are classics in a long and imaginative career. The films have some flaws but nobody in the US would come close to doing this type of work. I would go and say this was a precursor to Robert Zemeckis's attempts at doing serious films for adults in animation. Zemeckis would also attempt films for younger audiences.
I've been meaning to watch Ralph Bakshi's films, including this one. I've heard interesting things about his films.
Wow. I remember watching this as a child (I'm 42) it appeared unbelievably special to me in its cinematography and sound. Now I know why. GREAT CONTENT!! hope to see more
I also watched this many many times as a kid and have always considered this version my favorite. The animation is some of the best I've ever seen still to this day.
At the age of ten, having read Lord of the Rings i waited in anticipation for this movie.. I could not have been more excited to see it. I even painted the “screen shot” of the dark riders attacking the Hobbits in their beds. I have a vivid memory of every brush stroke. I cant express how much this book and this film meant to me.. How I wished they would film the other two books at the time.
I didn't know this was underrated. This is objectively the best version of the books.
I just love this so much, it was my very introduction to Tolkienverse when I first watched it in the movie theater in 1979, I was 16 then, hehehe, but I was totally captured by that story telling, animation and the beautifull music score, and i'm grateful that was done, despite all the problems and delays in the production.. Thanks for remind me of such nice treat... kudos!
I was 10 years old when this came out. My mother had read The Hobbit but not LOTR and was excited to take me and my 6-year-old brother to see it at the movies. She thought it was going to be a cute cartoon about hobbits and was horrified at how scary it was. Of course, we loved it.
Watched this when I was a kid while being sick and feverish. The rotoscoped figures and faces scared the hell out of me. Still do tbh, it feels uncanny.
I went out of my way to purchase a DVD copy of this. It is so beautiful, so epic looking, and even when it's not, one has to admit the uniqueness of the animation. I love this film, it's amazing.
.. It seriously needed some editing-fixes, Which if im reading your dialogue right.. No one ever bothered to fix any of the numerous problems with this particular animated film even after being slapped on a DVD..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 Still though, you have to admit not that many animated films look like this and it brought a whole new style to the lord of the rings franchise.
@@elder-woodsilverstein7716 Yeah.. The kind of style drugs do.. It brings viewers hopes WAY up.. Beefore rolling down a hill on the other-side at max speed down that steep slope.
And at the end of it at the bottom of a deep, Dark-ravine i always have to ask wishing no one had to: Why couldnt it just have been as good all-around as the hobbit animation..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 I remember the Hobbit, yeah that was good too. It might actually be better, sense it is consistent, but the Ralph Bakshi animation is still unique to look at.
@@elder-woodsilverstein7716 .. More than fair-enough, What you said. ;3
I saw this masterpiece in a theater in Washington DC. Never forget it!
Saw this a few years after it came out, when VHS was becoming very popular. I was still a kid, and the scene where the hobbits hide from the Ringwraith on the road terrified me so much that I ran away and hid, and didn't finish the movie until a re-watch about a year later. Still get chills at that scene... it's a combination of the visuals and the really creepy moaning and sniffing that the ringwraith does... the same scene in Peter Jackson's film doesn't hit me in anywhere near the same way, despite looking much better.
Same..I've seen that scene being 8 years old. Scared me incredibly, but loved the Film and still do to the present day
My mum re-found it for me on vhs a couple years ago, loved it as a kid & it’s still just as good
Saw this as kid in theater. Loved everything about it then and now, except it ends too soon. Best Gollum of all adaptions as well.
In the 1980's this would occasionally play at an "art film" theater in my town. I NEVER missed it! So epic!!!!
This was amazing. The graphics were so well done. Loved the Nazgul , they moved like cripples.
That movie is a legend. I loved that P.J. took so much inspiration from it paying homage to this movie. It was o evocative back in the days. Without it I doubt I would ever have gotten into LotR - which makes me shudder to think I could have missed it. Must have read it at least 30 times since then.
Beautiful film and soundtrack. Darker and more appropriate. Lov❤ this film.
If you grew up as a kid in he 80's, then this is likely how you were introduced to LoTR. It's not forgetten by those who have seen it.
It's still my go to soundtrack when ever playing the War of the Ring boardgame.
John Hurt as Aragorn gave such a good performace that in comparison, Viggo Mortensen seems thin and weedy, and I just couldn't buy into him as 'the King'.
If you watch the scene in the Mines of Moria where Frodo's mythril shirt saves him from an orcish spear, and compare it to the same passage in the book, it is word for word, beat for beat, exactly the same.
When there's a whip, there's a way
@@aquariandawn4750 That song was not in this movie, it was in a completely different movie.
@@bigguy130 I did not say it was in this movie, but, it is related. Are you giving out citations or something?
I still have my original vinyl soundtrack (and a calendar - wishing I had never marked it up), which was a go-to as well. I also have a couple of mixed cassette tapes that includes 'Mithrandir' on through to the climax (I'm playing it now in a separate tab as I type this).
The books were my introduction when I was 12. I then waited for almost a decade yearning for a live-action movie. Thus, I was partially disappointed although I did enjoy it. I appreciate it much more now, having got over the initial disappointment.
I'm actually happy that you made this video because it sheds light on this classic. The way the media makes it seem like everyone hates this classic is baffling to me. I know many many people that have said that they atleast like this film and I also find it funny that "film critics" rate it lower than what the general public rate this film. I animate and it is very tiring especially doing frame by frame which you do not see much of at all today and me personally I find animation without rotorscoping is way easier as I have tried rotorscoping before and well it is alot harder hence why I appreciate the effort bakshi went through for his adaption , I don't think people realise how much work goes into it! That said I also don't get why people can't just like the lotr adaptions as a whole (from what it seems like on the Internet anyway as again many people I have spoken to about lotr love both bakshis and PJs.) And if it is that you just don't like bakshis then why are you bothering to look at it and put negative things in the first place and like I have said many times before I stay away from things I dislike and maybe even hate because I wouldnt want to ruin it for other people that love/like it.
Still get a food few viewings of this version in every year I love the music it has to
This watches this movie when I was 13, on the period where I started playing the LOTR role game, it was such a big inspiration. Watching the movie feels like an actually campaign.
I grew up with this version in the late 70's, and actually got to thank Mr. Bakshi at the 2008 SDCC for making this. He was really cool and we got to chat for about 10 minutes.
Thank you for covering this, got a new sub here :). Have a great weekend!
Thank you so much! This movie is an absolute classic but people can't give the clunky nature of the film a break.
And it's not because of nostalgia. I saw LOTR more than a decade ago. I saw this film only 2 years ago and I've rewatched it so many times since.
One of my favorite films of all time
I haven't forgotten, I watched it last week! I remember watching this in the theater when I was a kid!
I have seen The Hobbit from 1977 a hundred times through the 80s and I had no idea this movie was ever made! Now it's time to find it. Thanks for the content.
This was my introduction to Lord of the Rings and I'll forever love it for that reason! Usually give it a rewatch between the PJ films. Very hyped for War of the Rohirrim because I've always wanted more animated Middle Earth films since the originals introduced me to Middle Earth itself
Thank you for doing a video on a criminally underrated film and besides the BBC 1981 radio version by Brian Sibley, remains the BEST adaption of LOTR ever!!
I learned about that movie in part of another TH-cam video! It looks like a great movie! I didn't know it came out in 1978. I want to watch it with my sibling and friend on one of my birthdays!
Remember being terrified watching this for the 1st time, was only 5 yrs old when released. Couldn't wait to read the books, a few yrs later. Excellent...
I’ve always hoped a kickstarter would get started to help Bakshi finish the ROTK portion of the film. I’m sure it would’ve gained a lot of support, but no doubt the rights are too much of a mess these days.
This is absolutely superb on every level and criminal it didn't get finished
The graphics even now is awesome and way way way ahead of its time the way the animation changes with different scenes like the awks and there animation different to when its gandalf, legalos, and the hobbits etc and when the two types of animation merges when there together in a scene
Truly magical
I have to disagree.. the most underrated version of the book is the BBC Radio series from 1981. It is 13 hours long and the most faithful adaptation of Tolkien's work we have. It has the most accurate Saruman (which has always been annoying to me that he was never done to his potential) and it has a great cast including Ian Holm, Michael Hordern and many other greats of the era. Like everyone else's, this version omits the Tom Bombadil section which, to be fair is probably a logical edit anyway. You could animate it, add some extra sound effects and music and it would be the ultra mega mega version. In my mind at least. i still have a massive soft spot for Bakshi's LOTR though.. especially the music and rotoscoping. It was the version that began my obsession 35 years ago.
You're not wrong about that. The radio version is my favorite adaptation and I listen to it several times a year.
@@Philbert-s2c right on
Your not wrong dude, And while its a shame that radio series wasnt a visual-medium.. At least it didnt make anyone sick like this thing did..! It was as if there was.. Something wrong embedded into this animated film, It was garish.. Sickly-making, Unwell.. Like something photosensitive but subtle had been DOUSED on every frame of this during production and it made me nauseous from watching it too long.. I swear to god it seemed like i got fevers/Flu-transmissions JUST from watching this on occassions..
-What were they thinking???!?!
This guy 👌🏻
What about the 1955 and 1956 BBC series?
Apparently no recordings of that survive, so it may well be the most underrated (and unknown) version.
I know everyone loves Peter Jackson's adaptation but I personally think this animated version better captures the raw and wild post-Roman/early Medieval fantasy world that Tolkien wanted to depict in Middle Earth.
They needed to reign-in their horses on this quite a bit more before even thinking of releasing it into movie theaters.. And didnt do that and look what happened..
''Better''-nothing, I can only thank-god no one has to grow up with this film with no choice anymore, Jackson fixed what Bakshi-studios-dont after all.. Christ..
@@onojioboardwalk9748 You have left many comments voicing your displeasure and fortunately, as I think Bakshi's work is a classic, comments like yours are in the vast minority.
Seriously...do you have skin in the game or are you just some young twit who wasn't a kid like the rest of us who loved this film when it first came out?
Because it sure seems like you have something vested here with as much effort you have spent with your various negative comments.
Haven't you heard the old saying, "If you don't have anything positive to say then don't say anything at all."
^^ How about following that and keeping your vitriol to yourself...the rest of us don't wanna read/hear it. We actually LOVE it and have fond memories of it.
@@BrotherPatriot And despite that it was actually mid and fair-weathered criticism of something that is genuinely imperfect (Imperfect doesnt ''Always'' mean 'Displeasing' though) And as youve given NO supporting-reason why you think this sequel to the Rankin Bass Hobbit who made many many amazing productions that didnt have half the problems the animated LOTR's did..
Its pretty obvious that i can do what you did only much easier which is to rope-together everything youve said without much thought, And condemn it, Only i dont personally like to live shallow like that so its just mirroring someone else.
I know your likely only another person though like everyone else, And that it begs the question of what you consider to be ''Good,'' Is it the timeless like 'The Seventh Seal,' Or is it horrendous cultural-erroding nightmare garbage like 'Alita,' 'Tangled,' 'Mother,' 'My little pony' or anything else that terrible that borders on insulting not just of mankind, But of thought and even god himself? It is so easy to have criticism but also self-awareness for people, But given the way youve blithely and hardly put any effort into anything youve said.. What skeletons are in YOUR closet in particular, My freind?
Theyre iiin there you know, No matter if you admit them to anyone or not, And knowing that you know damn well what they are more than any other person.. Ill just point out that i wouldnt wish liking such filth-encrusted garbage on my worst-enemy, Wouldnt want to see them in my worst-nightmares because while bakshi's lord of the rings animation is flawed.. Your flaws are ones of pandering to where theres no-return from, Fakeccine-tolerance and of pure evil that cooked up that scheme to begin with, And absolute godless, Thoughtless love of humiliating, Total-trash in either media, Socially or spiritually.
.. And someone like that doesnt ''Speak for the majority,'' So kindly stuff it up there where it doesnt shine, Bend-over and keep taking evil from behind with at least a little dignity through silence instead of trying to act ''Aware'' with what borders on plant-sentience instead of real awareness, Touch some grass, Get good and maybe youl realize that your one of those who use vitriol, With a poor excuse for a soul. Maybe. I wouldnt bet on it actually happening despite that some can surprise despite saying rreeallly bone-headed things like you have. Juust the absolute most year-two-thousiand early-youtuber most poorly-executed understanding of others possible just because you like something without a single second-thought about it..
Saw this on VHS in the 90's. Bought it on dvd 3 weeks ago. Great movie!
I enjoy the movie and it is still refreshing after many times watching unlike a lot of modern movies now.
Did see it in cinemas way back when and loved it. Still have it on VHS … Loved Jacksons homage to this version in LOtR
In my early Genx days,they played this version in the theater room at school,i still remember, thinking this is the greatest adventure I've ever scene.
Saw it in a theatre in 1978 and it's one of my all time favorite animated movies.
My favorite version
I grew up warching The Hobbit [Rankin-Bass] and then TROK of the same style... adter reading all the books, i happened upon this version.
Its a trip and a half.😊
I have watched this 100s of times. My favorite LOTR movie of all time.
I still love this version. Wish Bakshi had been allowed to complete his vision.
Yeah, I know, you should've heard the audience reaction to the end, and by the way, he that's why Disney made the movie " the Black Caldron", because mid evil themes were getting popular
I saw the film in the theater when it first came out. Unfortunately the pre-release advertising didn’t make it clear that this movie was only the first part of the story which was frustrating especially because Bakshi never got to make the second part. I admired the adaptation of the story for the screenplay, but the rotoscoping and, especially the live action scenes which were just tinted and darkened gave the movie and “uncanny valley” effect that I have never cared for. Rankin and Bass made a kind of sequel for TV using limited cartoon animation and designs that look like those in the TV Hobbit which was OK for a kid’s TV show but didn’t have the maturity of the story telling and character development that Bakshi achieved.
I was 12 when I saw this. I remember the day like it was yesterday, made me fall in love with all things Tolkien and I still do to this day.
I had these on VHS!
Cool! I've never seen it though, but learned about it in another TH-cam video! I want to watch it with my sibling and friend on one of my birthdays!
It's interesting to see how Peter Jackson was inspired by this movie, to change some things from the book the same way!
This movie was the reason my step father bought a VCR. I don't care if people don't like it, I love it!
I really loved this film as a child, watched it when it came out at the cinema then recorded it on TV and watched it countless times. It wasn't perfect but I still thought it was a great film
A theatrical poster for this movie was hung up in my parents' bathroom for YEARS.
Whoa! Cool!
Saw it once back in 1988 when I was a kid.It was amazing and inspired me to read the books. The characters were so realistic and blended in with the lighter animation and surroundings
I remember seeing this when it first came out. I'm still unhappy he never finished it.
I saw this when it first came out in theaters and it was a great experience watching it with Dolby stereo at the Ziegfeld theater in NY
I really loved this version of the story. I was just disappointed that they never made a second.
I remember watching this as a kid and fell absolutely in love with it.
I saw this as a child, at least ten times, in theatres. I loved this movie.
I saw this movie once on cable TV when I was young. Dont know what channel but I loved it and always remembered it. Then I heard of the lord of the rings movies and I was like hey I remember that cartoon. Didn't even know they had books back then. How time flies.
I saw this in the theater when I was 8 or 9 and I never forgot certain scenes--such as when Sam and Frodo met up with Gandalf. We had never heard of LOTR or the Hobbit or even Tolkien, but we were living overseas (military) and had no TV so we went to every English language movie that came to the base. This was my introduction to Tolkien...and I've been a huge fan ever since. I never saw this version again, but it has always had a special place in my heart.
I have watched this movie over 100 times! It totally blows away anime! I just wish that they would have finished it.
We saw this animated movie in the theaters when it came out. I recalled back then drawing the characters from the posters created for the movie. The had 2 different posters to go along with LOTR’s back then. Being an artist in my early childhood, I found the animation fascinating. Even though I have seen the Peter Jackson LOTR version I still love the 1st version in animation. I have owned this version for a very long time and sometimes watch it periodically.
I was 8 when this came out. This movie launched me into dnd, fantasy and tabletop games.
I loved this movie.
That's the version I grew up with. Inspired me to read the books. Good stuff
Saw this when I was 8... Amazing!
I wish part 2 would have been made. I have 2 animation cels from this movie; one I purchased from Ralph, which he signed.
Well, the list of similarities is not complete... PJ has made a series of hommages to both Bakshi and Rankin/Bass, be it scenes, storytelling or simple shots and camera movement. And I love that!
He also made hommages to the BBC radio series, like the ending with Frodo's voice over and casting Ian Holm (Frodo) as Bilbo.
This film has always been a guilty pleasure for me. It's the reason why I read The Hobbit and the books.
Second ever DVD i bought (Excalibur first), was fortunate enough to see this on the big screen at a film festival in Wales years ago....epic.