A “very” sketchy analysis of the Lord of the Rings Amazon series interactive map

So Amazon just released an interactive map in what appears to be the beginning of a long and tantalising marketing campaign leading to the release of the secretively-termed “Lord of the Rings series”.

The interactivity of this map lies in the user’s ability to zoom in or out of the familiar layout of Middle-earth and scroll across the landscape features. Suffice to say, the map is quite bare – lacking any sort of geographical names or other details.

So what clues can we gather from this rather uncommunicative map. I decided to undertake a quick exercise to analyse the map, and avoid the hundreds of other fan theories most likely spawning out there on the internet.

What follows is my own, unbiased (most probably totally erroneous, but fun-making) analysis of what this map could mean …

Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth … looking back in wonder

No photography was allowed inside the actual exhibition space due to light-sensitive documents

As you walk up the steps of the Weston Library in the heart of Oxford, anticipation sets in at the sight of a large sign with the word Tolkien printed on it, and wrapped around one of the columns adorning the building’s facade. Heading inside, you find yourself in a large foyer, reminiscent of the British Library, and greeted by that same thought when visiting such places: “There is knowledge here that surpasses all earthly gold and treasure”.

Gandalf vs Balrog: A Diorama

So this happened over the last few months …

Using the Gandalf and Balrog model kits from the Games Workshop range, the above diorama was constructed based on the pivotal moment in The Fellowship of the Ring, that pits the two Maiar against each other in a fiery duel.

Obviously, numerous viewings of The Fellowship of the Ring film were necessary in order to use as reference for the model; not only the scene in question, but the whole film. So as to enter into that mind-frame and capture the essence of it within the diorama. 😉

I hope you enjoy!

The Tale of the Last Alliance

In Tolkien’s own words 

I have long wished to see a full account of the War of the Last Alliance as written by Tolkien for the history of Middle-earth. Unfortunately, much of what we know is scattered into fragments over numerous books.

Following the success of The Tale of the Dagor Dagorth post, I have attempted to do the same thing. Looking for every passage, sentence, footnote and scrap of information referencing the Last Alliance, I have tried to construct a full account using Tolkien’s own writings.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition – Review (Part II)

The reviewing continues …

Well, here it is. Almost two years later, here follows the continuation of the massive The Lord of the Rings review.

I’m ashamed to state it took me so long. But finally, here it is.

Mind you, this is only Part 2 of 3 of The Fellowship of the Ring, which I’m hoping won’t take as long to write. In the meantime, you’ve got much reading to do in this second part.

I hope you enjoy 🙂 …

Tolkien Week: Day 2

Questions Time!

I love Tolkien-related questionnaires. They’re always so difficult to respond and to pinpoint a specific character of text to like; but they’re fun and a great way to learn about yourself and your love for Middle-earth.

So, in honour of the second day of Tolkien Week, here’s a nice little set of questions put forward by fellow blogger, Hamlette on her blog.

TTRT: The Silmarillion – Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

In which these tales and this series come to an end

The fourth and final of the short works that make up The Silmarillion, deals primarily with the events taking place in the Third Age, most of which are recounted in The Lord of the Rings.

It’s fascinating to know that Tolkien wanted to include this work along with the others, thereby producing a book that stretched all the way from the beginning of Arda (in the Ainulindalë) right through the end of the Third Age.

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Music from Middle-earth – Shore’s Genius

The slow, but gradual, spine-tingling sensation slowly creeps up on you … your heart beats faster … adrenaline rushes through your system … a flood of emotions attempts to escape from your own being …. 

It might sound like something out of a raunchy novel, but that’s a pretty accurate physical description of what happens whilst listening to soundtracks … particular soundtracks for that matter.

Character Profiles: Dori, Nori, Ori

– Dori: Bilbo’s personal “out of trouble” carrier

My impression of  Dori has always been that “decent fellow” (as written by Tolkien), who risked a lot in an attempt to physically get Bilbo out of trouble – be it the escape from the Misty Mountains, or lending a helping hand up a tree to avoid being devoured by Wargs.

Discovering Middle-earth: Part I

The long”-ish” tale of how I began to admire and enjoy Tolkien

– It all begins with me and a particular dislike …

I’ll be outright and honest – I shunned fantasy. The very idea of fake prosthetic costumes glaring at defenceless mortal beings in some wacky skirmish (encompassed within even more phony sets) made me feel both uneasy and simply appalled.