It's been said that you can't film The Lord of the Rings without cutting out huge parts of the narrative and many characters in order to please modern audiences who crave non-stop action. But is that really true? There are many Tolkien fans who will happily sit through a quiet nature documentary...or even a multi-hour class on comparative philology, if the presentation is engaging!
I created the above Tolkien student short film to chronicle the hobbits' journey from Bag End to Bree, being as faithful as I could to the way Tolkien (and the hobbits!) wrote the first chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring. Beloved characters such as Gildor Inglorion, Farmer Maggot and his wife, Tom Bombadil and Goldberry, are all there, to give a sense of the real journey taken by the hobbits, day by day, through fascinating places and a variety of experiences both cheerful and perilous. These chapters are how we get to know the hobbits, the Shire they sacrifice so much to save, and the lands just beyond the Shire's borders that make up the extent of their worldview before they set out on their famous adventure. We learn the map with them as they walk it, and we are immersed in Tolkien's sub-creation and delight in being there.
I know many fellow Tolkien readers for whom The Fellowship of the Ring is their favorite part of the book, and I sincerely hope you will enjoy the leisurely pace of this very humble film made with great regard and love for the Professor. Please, get yourself a cozy drink and come along with Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry from Bag End to Bree! If you enjoy the film, please share it with your friends, family, and fellow Tolkien fans. Thank you!