John Howe

A behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of 2001's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Created by filmmaker Costa Botes, personally selected by director Peter Jackson, this documentary uses raw footage to reveal the inside story on how the greatest adventure film franchise was born.

A documentary about the influences on Tolkien, covering in brief his childhood and how he detested the onslaught of industry through the idyllic countryside, moving on to describe his fighting experience from WWI, and closing with a look at the Finnish inspiration for the scholar's self-invented languages of Elfish. In between are interviews with the cast of the films and some clips, by far the most from "The Fellowship of the Ring", but a few glimpses of Rohan riders (from "The Two Towers") are provided. Also, there are interviews with a range of the filmmakers.

The making of Peter Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's classic work.

Peter Jackson, Jude Fisher, Philippa Boyens, a few Tolkien experts (such as Tom Shippey), and others tell the narrative of J.R.R. Tolkien's friendship with C.S. Lewis, their experience in World War I, Tolkien's inspirations from the war, the creative process and composition of The Lord of the Rings, its impact and reception when published, conflicting worldviews represented in The Two Towers, and the relationship between Frodo and Sam.

This documentary introduces Wētā Workshop (and its design crew of sculptors and set-designers), renowned artists Alan Lee and John Howe who were brought on to join them in conceptual design, and costume designer Ngila Dickson. Topics covered include the design of Middle-earth cultures portrayed in the film, the making of props and settings for Hobbiton, Rivendell, the Orthanc interior, and Caras Galadhon, and the complexity of prosthetics.

"Lord of the Brush" details the artist John Howe's history and passion for J.R.R. Tolkien's works. John's story is brought to life with over 100 of his beautiful illustrations, which have had a major impact on the fans and readers of the world about how J.R.R. Tolkien's work is envisioned in images.

A behind-the-scenes documentary from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring that traces J.R.R. Tolkien's early life, the conception, success, and cultural phenomenon of The Lord of the Rings, and explores its central themes and underlying struggles.