At the start of August, we told you about NZ Post’s beautiful stamps which were being issued to…
Continue ReadingAt the start of August, we told you about NZ Post’s beautiful stamps which were being issued to celebrate 20 years since the release of Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring movie. Now NZ Post have shared with us EXCLUSIVE news about their next new release – a set of commemorative coins. Here’s what they tell us:
Welcome to part two of our tips for touring New Zealand as Middle-earth. In our first segment, we covered getting around NZ and the Top Ten Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit locations.
Today we’ll offer a few options for itineraries as well some helpful additional resources.
Continue reading “Can We Please Go There and Back Again? Touring New Zealand As Middle-earth (Part Two)”Twenty years. On December 19, 2000, a young TheOneRing.net was abuzz with news of LotR Christmas parties, a new spy photo of four battle-ready hobbits, and the big one: New Line Cinema was starting the countdown clock. Only 365 sleeps until The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring would make its long-awaited debut.
At the time, we hoped that the movie could live up to crushingly high expectations; that we would be transported, live-action style, into Tolkien’s Middle-earth. What many of us did not appreciate, though, was the thorough gob-smacking we would experience through Aotearoa – how completely transporting, impossibly immersive, and mind-bendingly beautiful this remote archipelago of New Zealand could be.
Now here we are, on the cusp of 2021 and a series of 20th anniversaries for movies that have never faded in their grandeur and emotional impact (not to mention meme generation power). And like Bilbo, pandemic or no, the heart stirs and we long to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains! And lakes, rivers, forests, fields, and fens. New Zealand is calling.
For the LotR-lover, this is mandatory bucket list territory. But did I mention remote? New Zealand is a long flight from literally everywhere. Even flying from Sydney to Auckland covers more than three hours and two time zones. One does not simply pop by. That means you need a plan, aspiring Kiwi-connoisseur. And TORn is at your service, with some thoughts on must-see filming destinations, an example itinerary or two, and some resources that might prove useful, should 2021 prove kinder than this last year to those itching to get out into the World again.
Note: This is the first part of a two part series. In this portion, we will review getting around NZ and the Top Ten Lord of the Rings / The Hobbit locations.
Continue reading “Can We Please Go There and Back Again? Touring New Zealand As Middle-earth (Part One)”
Our friends at Weta Workshop have a couple new additions for your growing Hobbiton Collection. A piece of Hobbiton that fans have been asking to be made for quite some time is now available to buy: the beautiful Hobbiton Mill and Bridge has arrived! Due out in November, fans can get this beautiful looking piece for $199. While this is an open edition piece, don’t wait too long to order or you could end up missing out. Additionally, the Hobbiton Mill and Bridge isn’t the only piece of Hobbiton to be announced: Hobbit Hole 31 Lakeside is designed to join the mill. You can purchase this Hobbit-hole for $49, with an arrival date of October of this year.
Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop’s Hobbiton Mill and Bridge”
One of the best artist out there Jerry Vanderstelt is back with a beautiful new landscape print capturing Bag End in such a fantastic way. Not only that but you get Gandalf and Frodo about to have what may be a very important conversation in the quiet of Hobbiton. This superb print is available in both Giclee for $80 and canvas for $225, with other options available at checkout. The cherry on top of this print is that it is in stock, so there is no wait to getting it. Make sure to grab this print, as Jerry’s work is among the best you will find when it comes to anything Middle-earth.
Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Vanderstelt Studio Bag End: Expect me when you see me Giclee”
Tonight our friends at Weta Workshop have a trio of new items that fans can add to their collections. These pre-orders cover multiple types of collectibles ranging from mini-statues to the very Hobbit Holes. The mini-statue is the King of the Dead as we saw him during The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. This one of course falls in the mini line of statues, but looking at the photos, it is packed with all kinds of details. Not only that, we get what appears to be a new clearish like resin used to create the ghostly look, that the King of the Dead had in the movies. The second item that fans can get is the first Hobbit Hole from The Lord of the Rings Trilogy in Farmer Maggot’s own house, which we got a brief look at early in the The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The final item comes The Hobbit Trilogy and is one of the very cool designed Erebor Royal Guard Helm. This helm is a limited piece at only 750 pieces so you will want to make sure you snag it soon. The King of the Dead and the Hobbit hole are shipping now. While the Dwarven Helm is shipping early in 2018.