Go back to Fan News Archives


August 29, 2003 - September 25, 2003

Thursday, September 25, 2003
Snippet of ROTK Trailer on E! - maegwen @ 20:03 PST
Yes, that was a collective gasp of awe that just resounded throughout the US (and anyplace else that receives the E! channel) as the brief snippet of the ROTK trailer was played. All I know is that there was a high-five spanning the globe between myself on the US east-coast and Demosthenes on the Austrailian east-coast, when our theory of Elrond bringing the reforged sword to Aragorn in a tent in Rohan encampment was proved RIGHT!

Thanks to Ringer Scorpio and his swifty video skills, we have a version for you to download! [5.5MB Quicktime File]

The whole of the snippet included the following scenes:

  • Aragorn says that with each moment, Frodo is moving ever closing to Mordor. Gandalf wonders "How do we know Frodo is alive?"

  • Aragorn replies, "What does your heart tell you?"

  • The next scene is of Frodo climbing the cliffs above Minas Morgul - being led by Gollum. One of our quick-eyed Ringer spies pointed out, "If you look at the "The Art of the Two Towers" book, the color illustration at the very end previewing "The Return of the King" book is the same angle and view, so that's our first view of Minas Morgul since the brief snippet of the gates in FOTR!"

  • Gollum calls to Frodo, "Come Master."

  • As Gollum talks to Frodo, the ring is dangling in front of Gollum, and you can see the reflection of it in Gollum's eyes. "Come to Smeagol," he says with a chilling look on his face.

  • Cut to Arwen speaking to the camera, "It is time."

  • Brief shot of Narsil at the forge, and being plunged into the cooling bath.

  • Arwen off-camera, "Give him the sword of the king."

  • Elrond facing Aragorn within a tent, holding out Anduril, the sword reforged, to Aragorn.

  • Aragorn pulls it from its scabbard and holds it up in the air.

  • Close-up of Elrond: "Become who you were born to be," he says (SHIVERS!)


    To recap what we know so far:
    -- Trailer is now attached to showings of 'Underworld' at some cinemas in the UK.
    -- Trailer will be attached to showings of "Secondhand Lions" in *most* US markets beginning Sept. 26 (check with your local theater).
    -- AOL Members will get an early look at the trailer beginning midnight Sunday the 28th.
    -- The trailer will go into general release online at the official site on Monday.
    -- E! Live will also show the trailer on Monday.

    Tuesday, September 16, 2003
    Denver Public Library Tolkien Readings - Tehanu @ 20:00 PST
    These winter readings have been presented each year since 2000, when Mr. Rezabek read "The Hobbit". Each series has been carefully hand-abridged to fit the time alotted, with a focus on keeping Tolkien's details and presenting the many vivid scenes which differ between the book and film. The different characters are performed with voices, and space is provided for children who want to bring their sleeping-bags and draw sketches from a cozy place on the floor. Mr. Rezabek won a 'Westword Award' (a local weekly) in 2002 for his readings, and since then has performed them for schools and for the Denver Mayor's Office's "Phone-A-Story" program.

    Through October 7 when the readings begin, visitors to the Children's Library at the Central Library can see a Tolkien & LotR display case, housing artifacts and parchments detailing Tolkien's world, and a website showcasing some of the children's art that has been drawn during the Readings in prior years has been placed on the DPL website [More]

    Questions and inquiries may be directed to hrezabek@denver.lib.co.us Details of Heath's "Young Scholars" / Nesse Istyari program have also been submitted to TORN.net's upcoming "Teaching Tolkien" area.

    Friday, September 12, 2003
    Best of Both Worlds: LOTR Con in Australia - Tehanu @ 03:47 PST
    BOBAW co-ordinator Adele writes:

    Hello there,

    Well our guests are just about on their way, it IS getting quite exciting, and a bit nerve racking.

    The line up is absolutely terrific:

    Bruce Hopkins aka Gamling, Guardian of Helm's Deep (Two towers)

    Sarah McLeod aka Rosie Cotton

    Craig Parker aka Haldir, Guardian of Lothlorien

    David Weatherley aka Barliman Butterbur Innkeeper of The Prancing Pony

    Ben Wootten one of the Senior Designer WETA WORKSHOP LTD

    John Noble aka Denethor II, Steward of Gondor (Return of The King)


    The wrap party will now be a BBQ with a terrific menu, will look forward to your comments about it.

    There will be great door prizes each day, and some fantastic stuff in the auctions.

    We hope to be able to announce our guests for the 2004 LOTR event (yes, we are planning another one already!!). Advance bookings made this month for the 2004 LOTR event will save 10% off the price of Standard, Gold and VIP tickets.

    As we are just literally days away from our event all lay bys for BOBW 19 - LOTR must now be settled.

    If you still have not secured your spot/s there are still places available for each day and at the evening events.

    Talk to you soon,

    Adele

    Wednesday, September 10, 2003
    Autograph Scams: Be Aware! - Xoanon @ 20:54 PST
    Every week for almost 3 years I link to interesting eBay items that people may want to check out. Recently I've been adding this warning. Don't be a fool of a Took! DO NOT BID FOR 'AUTOGRAPHED' items! They can easily be fake! Since then I've received plenty of angry letters from fans as well as eBay sellers alike asking me why I've placed that warning online. Well here is one story that can answer that question for you. [More]

    Monday, September 08, 2003
    Italian Tolkien Society’s Hobbiton Gathering - maegwen @ 18:46 PST
    The Italian Tolkien Society’s tenth edition of Hobbiton was held in the medieval city of S. Daniele del Friuli this past weekend. It was a great three days spent milling around with hobbits, elves, lords and ladies, nazgul, warriors of all types and description, and the general happily curious public.

    Truly an opening between worlds where the reality or non, conjecture and meaning of Prof. Tolkiens works were discussed in conference (at times rather heatedly but always in good spirit) but also where you could lose yourself in a small corner of magic for a few hours time listening to music which stirred the soul, hearken to drum rolls announcing a pageant, medieval dance or beautifully costumed parade, hear the clang of swords in combat, or just settle back to enjoy the passing of time.

    Wandering through the beautiful tree filled setting and many booths which offered everything from an incredibly extensive array of Prof. Tolkiens books together with those of Mr. Christopher Tolkien and all other manner of biographies, commentaries, mythologies, etc., to beautifully fashioned handmade jewelry, worked leather goods, swords, dirks, and axes forged in the antique manner, fantastic face painting, and Beleg’s famous Dragons’ Blood draught and biscotti.

    If that wasn’t enough to warm the heart and stomach, then the food booths took over with meats and sausages, the famous local prosciutto, polenta and plenty of good beer to wash it all down.

    For me, the array of books for sale was wonderful to see; all the best editions of Prof. Tolkiens extended works, essays, biographies, etc. Nightime brought concerts, Gandalf’s astonishing fireworks and, the best night of all, The Hall of Fire where bits and pieces of poetry and prose from The Lord of the Rings and other works by Prof. Tolkien were read aloud by anyone who wished to participate and share this magical torchlit evening.

    All the peoples of this small corner of Middle Earth truly came together for an incredibly beautiful three days. The Italian Tolkien Society should be proud of their accomplishments. I look forward to next year’s meeting.

    See pictures from the event here.

    Bilbo's Birthday in San Francisco - Tehanu @ 07:42 PST
    The San Francisco Bay Area Ringers cordially invite you to attend a Birthday Dinner honoring Bilbo and Frodo.

    When:

    Saturday, September 27, 2003

    Where:

    Zephyr Caffe
    3643 Balboa Street (near 38th Avenue, across the street from the Balboa Theater)
    San Francisco
    415-221-6063

    Time:

    From 7:00 p.m. until the ale, soda, tea, and wine are gone (there will be cake and a toast to the birthday Hobbits at 7:30).

    Cost:

    Depends what you buy for dinner, plus a $1.00 per person (because we are bringing a cake to eat on the premises).

    Questions:

    Please write to NikkiTook@aol.com


    Sunday, September 07, 2003
    The Baggins Birthday Celebration in Virginia - Xoanon @ 12:55 PST
    LoTRchild writes: Come and join the District of Dark Whispers for their 2nd annual Baggins Birthday Party, held at the Prancing Pony-like Bilbo Baggins Cafe in lovely old town Alexandria!!

    You can stop in for just a pint with us, or stay around for a couple of hours hanging out with fellow ringers! What is planned for the party (everything is optional, if you don't want to participate, you don't have to): Like last year, as it went over so well, we are going to have our Secret Hobbit Gift Exchange (our version of Secret Santa, $10 max. on gift). PLUS, something new, we are doing an LoTR version of the classic TV game show 'Password!'

    Also, if you want you can bring something Hobbitish to read to the group (one page max.).

    Sunday, September 21st - 3:30pm - Bilbo Baggins Global Cafe - Alexandria, Virginia

    Please contact me by September 20th to let me know you can come (and any guests). You can email me at lotrchild@districtofdarkwhispers.net.

    ROTK in Wellington's Embassy Theatre - Tehanu @ 04:11 PST
    Kiwi Ringers, want to see ROTK as a group, at the famous and newly-restored Embassy Theatre?

    The Lions Club of Silverstream is taking registrations of interest in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King at Wellington's Embassy Theatre.

    Invoices will be sent out in October, and tickets forwarded on receipt of payment.

    At this stage they are taking bookings for any number of people, for the first session available to the public 12.01am on Thursday 18th December. At this stage, all other sessions on that day have been booked out, although the 9.45am session may become free again.

    For group bookings of 20 or more, they do have other sessions still available namely:

    Friday 19th: · 12.45am · 6.00am · 9.45am · 1.30pm

    For Saturday 20th to Monday 22nd they have the following sessions still available: · 12.45am · 6.00am · 9.45am · 1.30pm · 5.10pm · 8.55pm

    All of these times are approximate only, and are based on those for The Two Towers in 2002. They cannot be confirmed until such time as the length of this film is finalized.

    Tickets cost $30 each, with all profits being distributed to: · Life Flight Trust · Ronald McDonald House and · The Embassy Theatre Trust


    Please send your booking orders to Roy Peterson at roypete@globe.net.nz and he will register your interest, and send out your invoice during October. He can invoice by email or post, so please advise the appropriate details.

    If you have any further questions you can contact Roy Peterson (Lions Club of Silverstream) on (04) 802-8883.


    Friday, August 29, 2003
    Best Of Both Worlds Updates - Xoanon @ 20:10 PST
    News from BOBW in Australia. Adele writes: "As most of you would know, Brad Dourif cannot join us as he will be filming, we look forward to his company at our next LOTR event. "We were very lucky and were able to secure David Weatherley & Ben Wootten to complete our line up for our first LOTR event." [More]

    There is a new guest added to the Best of Both Worlds convention in Canberra, Australia - none other than John Noble, who will appear as Denethor in ROTK. [More]

    LOTR Reading Marathon in Cleveland - Xoanon @ 20:05 PST
    The folks from csuohio.edu write: We're very excited to let you know about our current plans for the upcoming 3rd ANNUAL J.R.R. TOLKIEN'S "LORD OF THE RINGS" MARATHON READING CELEBRATION @ Cleveland State University's historic MATHER MANSION, 2605 Euclid Ave, November 20-22, 2003, in Cleveland, Ohio. This event is a cooperative effort between The EDGE: Lutheran Campus Ministry & Art Gallery and the Cleveland State University English Department. All events are FREE and open to the public. [More]


    Go back to Fan News Archives