It's one of the most anticipated movies ever, and now you can see for yourself how the magic of Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece was created on screen in The Lord of the Rings: Official Movie Guide. Brian Sibley's straightforward approach takes the reader from the initial conception of the movie as it was developed and passed around studios (it initially started life as a two-hour condensed version of the three novels) to the months of complicated special-effects work necessary to do justice to Tolkien's extraordinary imagination. The book features interviews with all the key cast and production members and is liberally decorated with full-color photographs and behind-the-scenes images from the film itself. Sibley manages to document perfectly the filmmakers' painstaking attention to detail, much of which will be missed by many moviegoers, but he also captures a sense of camaraderie from all involved who wanted to make the best movie possible.

If it's facts and background trivia you are after, then this is the best place to be--the perfect starting point for those new to Tolkien or eager to find out more about how epic movies are put together. Dedicated Lord of the Rings fans who have been following the epic moviemaking process via the Internet won't find anything here they didn't already know, but this is still a very good companion no matter what level of knowledge or understanding you have of the greatest work of fantastic fiction ever written. --Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk

From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A complete behind-the-scenes look at the making of the trilogy and the cast and production crew who worked on the films. There are full-color photos of the sets, cast, costumes, and the New Zealand locations where the films were shot. This movie guide is a good place to get an overview of the stories and how this talented group of people worked to bring them to life. The book begins with an interesting interview and biography of writer/producer/director Peter Jackson. Interviews with the principal cast members and crew are also included. A book for students interested in moviemaking, fantasy, and J. R. R. Tolkien's work.Patricia White-Williams, Kings Park Library, Fairfax County, VACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
A behind-the-scenes look at bringing the book to the screen that is chock-full of pics from the flick. If the film is as big as predicted (think Star Wars big!), you might want to buy a few copies of this and the Visual Companion volume. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
An introduction to the talented actors and filmmakers who have labored for years to bring Tolkien's work to the screen.For several years, a huge team of dedicated moviemakers has been transforming the exotic landscapes of New Zealand into the Middle-earth of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic masterwork, The Lord of the Rings. It is a massive production by fans of Tolkien's work for fans of Tolkien's work. This fully authorized Official Movie Guide is the perfect introduction to the total immersion in Tolkien's world that filmgoers will experience. In full color throughout, including lavish, full-bleed production stills, and with exclusive biographies of the stars and filmmakers, this book gives readers a privileged access to behind-the-scenes material found nowhere else. Featuring color photos of the cast, locations, sets, costumes, and creatures of the films, the book also includes an entertaining overview of the conception, design, and logistical challenges of a film project of this epic scale and grandeur.

About the Author
J.R.R. Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892. After serving in the First World War, he embarked upon a distinguished career as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford University. He is the renowned creator of Middle-earth and author of the great modern classic, The Hobbit, the prelude to his epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. Other works by J.R.R. Tolkien include The Silmarillion. J.R.R. Tolkien died in 1973 at the age of 81.

FROM OUR EDITORS

This official movie guide is your all-access backstage pass to the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Featuring stunning photographs of the cast, sets, and costumes, plus background info on the stars of the movie, this beautifully illustrated volume takes readers into the heart of the film's production. The book showcases the monumental task of building the sets, which transformed New Zealand into Tolkien's magical realm of Middle-earth, a feat that took several years.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Designed as a celebration of the films, The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide is a lavishly illustrated behind-the-scenes guide which includes full-color photos of the cast, locations, sets, monsters and costumes, together with exclusive interviews with Peter Jackson and all the principal cast. It also features an entertaining overview of the conception, design and filming of the trilogy over the last five years, which will give the reader a privileged insight into the making of the most important movie trilogy of the decade.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal

A behind-the-scenes look at bringing the book to the screen that is chock-full of pics from the flick. If the film is as big as predicted (think Star Wars big!), you might want to buy a few copies of this and the Visual Companion volume. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal