- 'Ringers: Lord of the Fans' is a feature-length documentary that explores how "The Lord of the Rings" has influenced Western popular culture over the past 50 years.
- Explores how "The Lord of the Rings" has influenced Western popular culture for the past 50 years. RINGERS explores the real foundations of Middle-earth; a community of true fans who share a common bond. Moving beyond "cult classic" and over several different generations, the film unearths countless people gathered under the banner of 'Ringer' -- academics, musicians, movie stars, authors, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies. Celebrity interviewees include Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Clive Barker, and David Carradine. RINGERS features a dynamic rock-driven score with musicians who were influenced by J.R.R. Tolkien. Several indie recording artists have provided new covers of songs from previous "Rings" adaptations. Produced in association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, RINGERS stands as the most comprehensive film document of the ongoing fandom of "The Lord of the Rings." Narrated by Dominic Monaghan, RINGERS traverses the hippie counter-culture and electronic age. From the Bakshi animated film to Jackson's epic trilogy; this documentary brings together extensive footage collected over 21 months -- across three continents. Our cameras have captured the most energetic "Lord of the Rings" events. What began as the private amusement of a tweedy Oxford professor has now become a new mythology for the 21st century. RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS shows how an adventure story published in 1954 has had dynamic ripple-effects through Western pop-culture. RINGERS carefully pulls away the veil between Tolkien's book and the creations of art, music, and community that have been inspired by it.
- Very funny yet often moving, RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS shows the hidden power behind J.R.R. Tolkien's stories - how after 50 years a single literary work continues to spark the minds and hearts of millions. This comedic documentary explores the real foundations of Middle-earth: a community of true fans who share a common bond. Moving past cult classic and through several generations, the most devoted Ringers have stepped forward to confess on camera: including legendary rock stars, authors, actors, academics, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies. RINGERS spent 16 months shooting on three continents and was produced in association with the popular Tolkien fan-site TheOneRing.net. RINGERS stands as the most comprehensive film document of "The Lord of the Rings'" ongoing fandom. Frodo Lives!
RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS opens with a fast-moving montage fueled by Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" -- easily the most Tolkien-filled classic rock song ever recorded. Here we introduce the concept of our 'Tolkien Confessional Booth' where fans privately reveal their adoration of all things Rings. This confessional footage is seen repeatedly throughout the film, allowing us many pivotal viewpoints from "common fans" juxtaposed with "the experts." We see many celebrities from Peter Jackson's films as featured in RINGERS -- and a glimpse of the multi-faceted fandom that is about to unfold before the audience.
The board is set. The pieces are moving. As we explore the pop legacy of "The Lord of the Rings" (fifty years worth!) we must begin at the beginning:
The Lord of the Rings in the 50s shows the genesis of a true phenomenon, including Terry Gilliam-style animated segments condensing the publishing history of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," and also how critics lambasted (and praised) J.R.R. Tolkien. Forry Ackerman was the man who created the term Sci-Fi -- but he was also the first Hollywood denizen with the foresight to imagine a "Rings" feature film. Uncle Forry fondly remembers how he approached Professor Tolkien with the first movie option for his yet-to-be-a-classic book.
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By what name was Ringers: Lord of the Fans (2005) officially released in Canada in English?
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