The Forgotten Lord of the Rings Film Tolkien Never Wanted
Before Peter Jackson’s acclaimed adaptation, an animated version of The Lord of the Rings existed, which Tolkien himself rejected. This overlooked film can be viewed for free on November 14 in a Buenos Aires cinema.
Early Attempts to Adapt Tolkien’s Epic
Many filmmakers aspired to bring Tolkien’s story to the big screen, captivated by its characters and epic narrative. However, technological limitations in the 1970s hindered efforts to realistically portray orcs, wizards, and the Rings of Power.
Projects That Nearly Came to Life
- Director John Boorman envisioned a mystical and dreamlike adaptation with Tolkien’s approval.
- Steven Spielberg also showed interest but the technology was insufficient for the task at the time.
The Animated Film by Ralph Bakshi
After Tolkien’s death in 1973, rights owner Saul Zaentz commissioned Ralph Bakshi to create the film. Bakshi used a groundbreaking technique called rotoscoping, which involved filming live actors and tracing over the footage to create animation.
The film was "an intense, dark and strange" portrayal where the epic battles of Helm’s Deep displayed a new level of realism previously unseen in animation.
Legacy and Availability
This animated adaptation remains a unique and daring interpretation of Tolkien’s work, representing an important predecessor to later cinematic versions.