Exploring Middle Earth

We watched each of the three Lord of the Rings films with a bit less enthusiasm than our children and grandchildren at the time they were released and shown in theaters.  It was intriguing to see the spectacular scenery that formed the backdrops to the films and wonder if one day we might visit this enchanted land called Middle Earth.  Today we wished that we had paid better attention to the films or that our grandchildren might have been here with us to satisfy their hunger for Lord of the Rings things.

Briefly, there were three films in the trilogy:  Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King.  The films are based on books of the same name by J. R. Tolkien.  In the late '90s screenplays were written and Peter Jackson was hired to direct the films.  Filming took place in New Zealand, Jackson's home and the entire cast and support crews were Kiwis.  All three of the films were filmed simultaneously but released in sequence.  There were elaborate costumes, sets, special effects and the usual of digital imagery helping the films to win numerous awards for direction, cinematography, and art work.  You can read a better history elsewhere.

The films had a great impact on tourism here in New Zealand.  More recently, filming continues on two films billed as "prequels" to the LOTR trilogy focusing on the Hobbits and Hobbiton.  A trailer has been released and the first of the films is to be released in December, 2012.  The second will follow a year later.  There's more here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit_(2012_film)

Today we booked an excursion to visit Middle Earth and more specifically see some of the locations in and around Queenstown where filming took place back in 1999.  Our guide was Dean Morganty of Southern Lakes Sightseeing.  Dean was an extra in the movies, play the part of one of the Rangers and also several of the other evil creatures who attacked members of the Fellowship.  He's had other parts in other films that originated here in New Zealand.  He drove the two of us and we were joined by Kenneth, a resident of Winnepeg, whom we were happy to have with us because of his knowledge of the films, the books and the various locations.

There is much competition and interest in LOTR locations.  Books have been written and films produced just on these topics.  There are several tour companies in this area competing for customers and other sites in other locations have similar organizations.  The new films will only heighten interest and create positive benefits for New Zealand.

Dean had laminated photos clipped from the movies which he used to show the exact locations of filming.  The sites are popular and Dean had some "extra" places which only he knew about.  He also had a great repertoire of stories, personal accounts and insights to share.  We enjoyed a great lunch at a Queenstown restaurant and he shared copies of the 3 film scripts, a movie calendar from the WETA workshop where props for the film were produced and more photos of film locations.

After lunch we drove to several more sites including Arrowtown and the river near the famous A.J. Hackett bungie jump where a river scene was filmed and where members of the cast and crew tried out the jump into the river from a bungie cord.  We concluded the day at a nearby park where Dean dressed us in costume and showed us some of the weaponry used in the films.

It was a fun day.  Sandra and I are now intent in watching the trilogy of film with a great deal more attention to detail.

Enjoy the photos.  Click on any of them to enlarge.