It was already twenty years ago that The Fellowship of the Ring premiered around the globe (2001). In subsequent years, The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of the King (2003) were released. Despite the advancement of visual technologies since the release, I still believe it’s one of the greatest film series ever made. The appendices of the extended DVDs and several “making of” books of the trilogy amplified my interest in the film-making process of The Lord of the Rings movies.
In this article, I will share a selection of color-graded photos together with screenshots of the corresponding scenes. For more information and an overview of all the locations and GPS coordinates, you can visit my website.
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. owns the copyright of the screenshots.
More info: middle-earth.timeworx.nl
#21 Isengard - Near Glenorchy
A scale model of Isengard was superimposed onto this landscape.
25points
#22 Samwise Gamgee's Home - Hobbiton Movie Set
The trilogy ends with Sam returning from The Grey Havens and reuniting with his family back in Hobbiton. In the final shot, the camera zooms in to the yellow door of his house.
25points
#23 Orc Mound - Mavora Lakes Rd
In The Two Towers, we see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli finding the burnt Uruk-hai and Orcs who had been carrying Merry and Pippin towards Isengard. The area is not too far from North Mavora Lake.
24points
#24 The Green Dragon - Hobbiton Movie Set
After the quest Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin quietly enjoy their ale in The Green Dragon. The interior of The Green Dragon was shot in a studio in Wellington. A fully functional replica has been constructed at The Hobbiton Movie Set.
24points
#25 Dunharrow - Mt Victoria
The former quarry at the top end of Ellice Street in Wellington was one of the sites used as the Rohirrim camp at Dunharrow.
20points
#26 Rohirrim Refugees - Deer Park Heights
Scenes, where the Rohan refugees travel from Edoras to Helms Deep, were filmed at the Deer Park Heights. Their battle with the Wargs and Orcs was also filmed here. This photo was taken further away, but the backdrop with The Remarkables is very recognizable.
18points
#27 The Battle Of The Last Alliance - Whakapapa
In the prologue of The Fellowship of the Ring, you see a brief shot of Gil-galad fighting Orcs in the Battle of the Last Alliance. The background seen from this viewpoint can be recognized, but my photo is taken from a different angle.
17points