Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29422 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-11-21
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Dubbed, Full Screen, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
• Dubbed in: French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 97 minutes

Synopsis
J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy trilogy has played an enormous role in the popular culture of the last 50 years from the 1960s counterculture (several Gandalfs showed up at Woodstock) to today's largely Internet-based supporters of Peter Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS films. Since their publication, the books have inspired the kind of intensely personal devotion usually associated with cult classics but it's a passion shared by too many millions of people to really be considered cultish. Directed and produced by Carlene Cordova, in association with online mega-fansite TheOneRing.net, the documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS takes a look at the long tentacles of influence sent out by a book that began its life as a tweedy, erudite Oxford professor's attempt to amuse himself. Hundreds of fantasy authors owe a large debt to Tolkien's work, rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Rush have referenced Middle Earth in their songs, and a plethora of failed attempts to bring the story to the big screen culminated in the massive global success of Jackson's epic adaptation. Tolkien's largely benevolent army of devotees represents an amazing range of genders, ages, and cultures. Narrated by hobbit-portrayer Dominic Monaghan, this affectionate look at a cultural phenomenon has time for the insights and opinions of everyday fans of the books, as well as of better-known Ringers like David Carradine, Terry Pratchett, Cameron Crowe, Clive Barker, Peter Jackson, and much of his films' casts.

Customer Reviews

The Road Goes Ever On...
Almost a year after Peter Jackson's Special DVD Release of The Return of the King, I didn’t expect such an ambitious independent project to be released. I say “ambitious” because it is really something that fans (of the books or movies or both) will almost immediately buy and be able to live up to the expectations is a great thing.

Of course “Ringers” did great. This release not only follows the novel “The Lord of the Rings”, but begins with “The Hobbit” and ends with “The Silmarillion”. This DVD provides not only background (tracing the impact LOTR had on all artistic levels), but also the respectable confessions of the Tolkien fans along with interviews of the cast and crew of the movie and other stars.

All these adventures coupled with some good laughs you will get from watching this DVD makes “Ringers: Lord of the Fans” an indispensable piece for your collection of Middle-earth.

Bless them all, Bless them all, the long & the short & the t
I have always had a thing about fanzines, you know the magazine written by fans for fans which sometimes grows into something more like Relix, for instance. To the uninitiated it is a way into another world so that you no longer feel like an outsider. I really liked the movie tie-dyed for that reason alone although in my case it was an exploration into a US phenomenom which had not crossed the Atlantic except when American Deadheads did!

Having been one of those people, although i will not say which, who read the Lord of the Rings in the 1960's/'70's, I could relate to much of this celebration. There is much within which is a joy to watch including the segments of actor interviews although to some extent I mourn the absence of others in the cast, and there is much amusement too.

i would have preferred not to have to see the re-enactment of 60's and 70's grooviness but it is a harmless distraction. The camerawork is sometimes cliched but at other times somewhat amateurishly fresh but despite those things there is an honesty and sincerity which shines throughout.

This is a labour of love which brings some insight into the mysterious world of the Ringers, their revitalisation through the movies, gives some marvellous views of some of the settings in New Zealand and some quirky though absolutely adorable antics of the Ringers, shall we say, on tour.

This is one of those movies you can watch in all honesty to yourself. It has no pretensions other than to let us into their world. A world of characters as individual as the ones they are interested in. Whether young or old there is a lot for you in this movie. I wish I knew where my old , well worn paperback omnibus (British) edition is now and whose possession it might be in.

On a personal note, it was the Fellowship of the Ring and the first Harry Potter movie which galvanised my youngest son into reading, something which he has continued to do voluntarily to this day. This movie has shown him a different side to the novel and made him aware of the broader enthusiasm in the world for the books so much so that after watching it he began a web search on Rings issues.

This is a great piece of fun for all the family. It made me laugh it made me cry with a twinkle in my eye and for that alone I heartily, without reservation commend it to the readers.

dont bother
This is the americans trying to get on the band wagon. The books & films are great & most people obsess over them in the privacy of there homes or with friends. The Americans have to go OTT & make it there own. The book was written in the UK by an englishman & the films were made in New Zealand. This documentary is about americans & how wacky & wild they are I dont get it. If you want a documentary then get the DVDs & watch some good ones. This is DVD is crap & I was very disappointed with it.