10 interesting details in "The Lord of the Rings" movie that even sharp-eyed viewers did not notice

10 interesting details that even eagle-eyed viewers missed in "The Lord of the Rings"

Even though it has been more than 20 years since the trilogy was filmed, fans continue to rewatch the movie and discover new nuances in it. Director Peter Jackson skillfully used unusual cameos and allusions in this film based on the work of J.R.R. Tolkien.

Like Alfred Hitchcock, Eldar Ryazanov, and other directors, Peter Jackson also liked making appearances in his own films. He played the lead role in his debut film "Bad Taste", and later confined himself to episodic roles. Since "The Lord of the Rings" is a trilogy, the director appeared in it three times. In "The Fellowship of the Ring", he appears as a villager chewing a carrot; in "The Two Towers", as a soldier throwing a spear at the enemy; and in "The Return of the King", as one of the Corsairs of Umbar.

Relatives of the actors and the film's technical staff were also cast in such minor roles. Such episodes gave the cinema a unique charm and a warm atmosphere.

Today, the most famous screen adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings" is considered to be Jackson's film. But before it, a television play based on the same work was staged in the USSR. In addition, there is an animated film made in an American-British collaboration in 1978; although there are various debates about it, Jackson used certain scenes in the trilogy as a tribute to them.

For example, the director depicted the scene where Frodo hides under a tree with his friends just like in the cartoon.

Gandalf is a character who sends others on dangerous journeys. It is because of him that Bilbo and Frodo's adventures begin. He is depicted not only as a powerful wizard, but also as a person who enjoys life and likes to sit in the lap of nature smoking a pipe. His staff even has a special place for his pipe.

The events following the defeat of Sauron are shown in the finale of the film. Frodo's loyal friend Sam returns to his homeland, starts a family, and has a daughter.

A happy hobbit who always strived for the bosom of his family is depicted in the frame. To make the image come out natural and believable, the director suggested Sean Astin star together with his daughter Alexandra. The shots featuring the father and daughter turned out very natural and beautiful.

McKellen has wonderful pronunciation, as he played in British theatre for years. But in "The Lord of the Rings", his character speaks with an unusual accent. The fact is that the actor Ian McKellen tried to copy the speech of the author of the work, Tolkien.

There are many similar shots between "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the classic American film "The Wizard of Oz". The most famous of them is the scene at the end of the second film where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum reach the gate of Mordor and plan their entry. This is very similar to the scene in "The Wizard of Oz" involving the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. In both cases, the characters try to disguise themselves by stealing guards' clothes to get inside.

The Nazgûl are the scariest characters in the trilogy. The appearance of the former kings, who submitted to Sauron's rule and roam Middle-earth in search of the ring, resembles death itself. A terrifying shriek heralds their approach. But if not for Peter Jackson's wife's illness and her sense of humor, this shriek might not have existed.

During the work on the film, the sound directors tried various versions of the shriek, but none of them turned out scary enough. Then Peter Jackson suggested listening to the voice of his wife — screenwriter Fran Walsh. At that time, she had just suffered a throat infection, and her voice sounded unusual. Indeed, when Walsh screamed with all her strength, this sound turned out terrifying enough and fit the spirit of the film very well. Fortunately, she was not offended that her husband suggested giving her voice to the scariest and most dangerous creatures.

Peter Jackson's trilogy lasts a total of 12 hours. But this time could not fit the entire plot of Tolkien's massive work. Therefore, the directors were forced to cut out certain plots and characters. Remarkably, they managed to pay homage to the characters not included in the film.

Treebeard the Ent makes reference to some characters from the book. He resembles Quickbeam, a strong and brave representative of the clan who was among the first to agree to go to war with Saruman. But even more interesting, the Ent repeats the words and actions of Tom Bombadil.

Peter Jackson is praised for his ability to visualize Tolkien's fantasy world. But the director has never hidden the existence of his sources of inspiration — the works of illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe, who depicted Middle-earth in various editions of "The Lord of the Rings". When Jackson began the screen adaptation, he invited these artists to create the design of the world.

As a gesture of gratitude, Lee and Howe not only received a mention in the credits and corresponding royalties, but were also added to the film itself. At the beginning of the first picture, the kings who received the rings are shown. The ones on the extreme left and right sides are precisely these artists.