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Ringing in an epic, beautifully
Scenes from "The Lord of the Ring'', now showing at cinema halls across Delhi.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS
(At PVR Priya and other Delhi theatres)
IT IS about the times you and I never got to see -- only got to read through J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring'', the first volume in his towering three-part epic, "The Lord of the Rings''. It is about the world you and I never got to live in -- and thank God for that! It is about the earth populated by hobbits, those creatures caught up in a war of mythic proportions in the Middle-Earth, a world of magic and mystery. And now, here is an opportunity to see what we have read, experience what we have dreamt about and comprehend what many have fantasised about.
New Zealand director Peter Jackson's film, "The Lord of the Rings'', which was screened at Hotel Taj Palace this past week and has opened to decent collections at cinema halls across Delhi, is about an ancient world of swords and sorcerers. And a not-so- brave hobbit named Frodo Baggins -- played by Elijah Wood. Frodo undertakes a perilous mission -- under the guidance of the wizard Gandalf -- Ian Mckellen in a polished performance which has put him in the fray for an Oscar -- he must return a powerful ring to the fires in which it was first forged before it can fall into the hands of Lord Sauron.
The film -- a long, almost unending saga which almost translates Tolkien's initial words, "this tale grew in telling'' to "this film journey grew with each destination'' -- is all about hobbits, all stout, bustling, hurtling creatures who dress like Robinhood, eat like gluttons and sleep like dead. But they are essentially people innocent without being heroic; and ironically heroic without being intrepid -- much like the age-old saying, the hour produces the hobbit here. They are pugnacious and plucky, yet cheeky little customers who need all the help from wizards and elfs, dwarfs and men. The film is all about the mountains hobbits have to climb, the valleys they have to conquer, the roads they to traverse and forts they have to penetrate. All for a ring, not a mere trinket but one full of magic, the panacea for many maladies, the dream possession of the dreaded. It is an instrument of absolute power that can allow Sauron, the Lord of Mordor, to rule the Middle-Earth. And enslave the inhabitants.
Gradually, it unfolds as the tale of Good Wizard and the Bad Wizard. Gradually, the viewer realises that here is a tale that relies heavily on visual narration, a film that combines the best of cinematography -- it has been nominated for an Oscar in this category along with 12 others, including best supporting actor, art direction, costume design, direction, music, make-up, sound, editing, adapted screenplay, visual effects and best picture -- with some haunting music score. The special effects are stunning initially, then amazing in their consistency. With some slick camerawork and amazing use of the cutting-edge technology, the film is a visual feast that should enthuse all those who like their cinema grand and glorious. However, its forte is also its enfeebling point. After a while, this quest for the best that the eyes can, well, eye, begins to jar. It is almost too beautiful to be true. Even in a fantasy. And even in an island where rings and not men have the power to make and mar man a fortune.
At another level, the films talks about the adventure tales you and I read about when quite young, stories we relished when in school. It talks of lores which became legends, and of legends which became a myth. And myth which veered close to history. It is an engrossing tale of good versus evil -- the kind we Bollywood fans have got hooked to all these years -- which comes cloaked as a story of the power of friendship and individual courage in front of heavy odds.
``The Lord of the Rings'' also marks the latest attempt to translate a literary success to the silver screen. We have had Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With The Wind'' in the past. And more recently, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone''. In India, the film may not be able to reproduce the magic it performed in shows across the world where it grossed in over 200 million dollars in the few days of screening. It is probably for this reason that it has not been dubbed into Hindi. Many, beyond the Capital's PVR- Chanakya circuit may not be mature enough to understand the Middle-Earth saga. But as long as it lasts, it impresses -- and it lasts more than three and a half hours!
ZIYA US SALAM
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