Rating: 
Summary: Worth a look for sentimental value...
Review: The reviewer below is wrong about this version being pan and scan. It IS in widescreen (16:9 format). However, on the box is states that there is a trailer on the disk. This is wrong, there is no trailer. As for the film, not bad I suppose. I bought it purely for sentimental value and watched it wearing extremely thick rose-tinted spectacles. For die hard fans of this version only.
Rating: 
Summary: Ignore my previous review!
Review: I retract my previous review, as Warner Bros. have now succumbed to fan pressure and have announced that a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen print of the film will be included on this disc, along with the previously announced pan-and-scan edition. This is wonderful news, Warner's have listened to the concerns of the consumer and reacted promptly. Good work!!
Rating: 
Summary: Read the books FIRST! I cannot stress this enough!
Review: You may notice that many of the positive reviews on this site are written by people who state right off that they saw this film before they read the books. There are no words to describe what an incredible mistake this is. Please, please read the books before you see this film or any LOTR films. Don't let your imagination be strangled by the images one man has decided to attribute to Tolkien's characters. It's bad enough that future generations will forever associate Elijah Wood's visage with Frodo's as they read the books.One more time: Get to your local bookstore or library and read these books before you see a film adaption of ANY KIND!! As for Bakshi's version, the animation is indeed poor and it ends too abrubtly. If he ever made part 2 then maybe the two together would earn a higher rating, but this is nothing more than an incomplete portion of a story that REQUIRES a THOROUGH telling! The orcs are represented especially poorly and too much of the source material is left out to leave the viewer with anything other than a poorly aged curiosity in the soon-to-be inundated market of LOTR merchandise. Save your money for an action figure - your kids will have a better time.
Rating: 
Summary: Thanks Warner Bros, for ruining what I have waited years for
Review: Let me start by saying, this movie may have it's problems, but as far as I am concerned, this is the best thing to happen to Lord of the Ring's since the books themselves.... I had read Lord of the Ring's 13 times before I ever saw this movie, and my older brother it was who got me into Tolkien in the first place, told me this is what I needed to see if I REALLY liked the books.... Needless to say, Bakshi's version of this movie is what REALLY turned me into the Tolkien nut I am today.... When I read the books, I see BAKSHI's characters.... I understand completely why loyalists (I am one...) find flaws (or changes) from Tolkiens work, but I think this will hold closer to the books than the new Trilogy that is coming out.... I mean, if your read about Peter Jackson's new Trilogy, (trust me... I WANT IT) you will find almost EVERYTHING has been changed... Some things a little, some things alot.... Needless to say, this movie has it's flaws, but it also holds a place close to my heart, close as the books themselves... If you hate this movie because of changes from the books.... Get ready to be really PO'ed when the new Trilogy comes out!!! This movie is enough for me, it compliments Tolkien's vision more fully than I think any movie ever could... NOT counting the ones I havent seen !!!! :)Thanks, and enjoy the movie, I sure did....and will...on VHS...
Rating:
Summary: The Lord Of The Rings CLASSIC
Review: This Lord Of The Rings film has only one problem. Many people are just pure blind to how amazing it really is. It's a crime that the second part of this cartoon was never finished. There are so many people who critisize it, but I believe it's about time it is just accepted as a master piece and has it's rightful place in The Lord Of The Rings HISTORY. This brilliant cartoon shows how a book can be translated to a film possitively. You would be a fool not to enjoy this sacred part of history which now belongs in The Lord Of The Rings World.
Rating:
Summary: Warner Bros do not respect the consumer...
Review: This is a great little film, not a succesful adaption of Tolkien's work, but a good effort. HOWEVER, this is a pan-an-scan only release. NO WIDESCREEN. The movie was made in 1.85:1 ratio, so you are losing some of the picture. This may not concern non-widescreen fans, but with no extras on the disc WB could have provided widescreen and pan-and-scan on the same disc. In other words, they could have provided a CHOICE but instead are forcing the consumer to buy an inferior product. It's a shame, I really wanted to buy this and was looking forward to it. But I will not support WB's policy of pan-and-scan only on family releases. (But go ahead and buy The Hobbit and The Return of The king if you want, they were made in 4:1).
Rating:
Summary: Bakshi's LOTR: a "Tolkein" of appreciation...
Review: Before seeing Ralph Bakshi's "Lord of the Rings" upon its initial release, I had never heard of J.R.R. Tolkein or Lord of the Rings or any of the many other works by Tolkien, so I didn't go into the film with any kind of preconceived ideas about what should happen. After seeing it, I just HAD to know more about this fantastic world which Tolkien had created. Though I can understand why some Tolkien purists were upset at the way the film turned out, I say remember...this was 1978, and the studio was taking a great risk in trying to adapt such a lengthy and complicated story to the screen. Bakshi HAD to leave many characters and incidents out in order not to wind up with a nine-hour animated film. Though the film IS a bit choppy in retrospect, it is still a vastly entertaining one, and an excellent introduction to Tolkien's work for any novice. Bakshi's decision to rotoscope the film was, I think, a wise one. By first filming live actors and then animating over them, he manages to give the film a unique look that actually enhances the story. The film's tone is very dark (as are the books) and I'm particularly impressed that he didn't attempt to lighten it up the way Disney most assuredly would have had they obtained the rights. The way the characters look and sound is just dead-on perfect. The relationship between Frodo and his good friend Sam is quite humorous and even touching at times, and the interaction between all of the characters in general is very believable. The musical score is rich and wonderful too. All-in-all, The Lord of the Rings is a much under-appreciated film, and though it certainly has a few faults, especially for those who are die-hard Tolkien fans, it is still a very worthy effort, full of grand adventure for anyone who seeks to experience middle-earth for themselves. I would definitely recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Still good, but digitaly deinhanced.
Review: Geeks with didgital tech. leave our classic alone! I loved this movie when I rented the Republic Pictures release with its low erie sound and gloomy animation that was a head of its time and how the ending left the story open for the TV sequil "Return of the King" But Warner Bros. got a hold of it for this relese and digitaly deinhanced it. Gone is the gloom and the erie atmosphire that kept me on the edge of my seat and made my skin crawl. Replaced by bright colors some obviously repainted by computer and even thought now you can here what the Ocs are saying the sound is not as creepy as it was. The final insult to the origional was they change the naration at the end from somting like "Thus ends the first part of the story of the War of the Ring." (which leads you into 1979's TV movie Return of the King) to "The forces of evil were vanqished and they all live happily ever after" or some garbage like that. What's left is a good story exciting battle seens. All in all its still worth watching, but I recomend you seek out the older verion.
Rating:
Summary: THE ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL
Review: I admite that there are problems for this picture:the half live action sceens look odd and out of sorts,the dull animation, and the music is blaring at times.there are however some good things about it: the general story,the nazgul,the charitures,and so on. i have read and enjoyed the books, and find that this work stays mostly near the story told by tolkien. all in all I dont think this movie is a total loss. its good for those who like tolkien, not as good as the books but still not bad. to get a full story of all these events you have to read the books. to see what happens to our heros on the tv screen after the events of this film you'll just have to see THE RETURN OF THE KING animated movie. ( i cant wait till the live action movie comes out.)this movie is good, espesily for tokien fans shuch as myself.
Rating:
Summary: Breath Taking
Review: Ever since i was shown the film by my father, about 12 years. i entered into a world that i had only seen in my dreams. I am now 18 and awaiting the release of Peter Jacksons version. I first saw this film, I was in a dream state just amazed at what was going on, I found the story so interesting. I was also scared by it, but it did'nt stop me. Since seeing the film, i have read the Trilogy, The Hobitt, And some of the follow up books about the history behind the tale. I have tried to get a copy of this film on VHS, but was unable due to it being a deleted video. It was only about six months ago that i finally tracked down a copy. Unfortunatly it was badly worn, it did'nt stop me. Once again i was in or, sucked into the intensity of the story. Any fathers out there, should really show this film to their sons or daughters. Now this DVD is coming it is all starting again, this will be a great lead up for the release to this Christmas's Blockbuster.
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