Beyond the Movie ~ The Lord of the Rings

Today on Far Future Horizons we present the National Geographic Channel’s documentary Beyond the Movie - The Lord of the Rings.

 

J.R.R. Tolkien

This documentary explores the myriad inspirations for J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth fantasy saga, beginning with the influence of Tolkien's idyllic childhood in rural England, which served as the model for Tolkien's threatened Hobbit paradise.

Map of Middle Earth by Pauline Baynes, 1970

Equally fascinating are the influence of Tolkien's experience in World War I, the "evil" of industrial development, and especially the influence of Anglo-Saxon poetry (notably Beowulf) and the mythology of the Finnish Kalevala, which formed the basis of Tolkien's elfish culture. 

Tolkien's passion for nature conservancy and cultural preservation is what ultimately serves the National Geographic agenda, but eloquent testimonials by archaeologists, anthropologists, and filmmakers make this  52 minute documentary an extraordinary journey to the far corners of the globe and back into time to explore the impact of cultural forces that inspired the epic motion picture.

Beyond the Movie - The Lord of the Rings is available on DVD from Amazon.com.

National Geographic Beyond the Movie ~ The Lord of the Rings

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