Why The Fellowship Of The Ring Is The Best Lord Of The Rings Film

Making expert use of New Zealand's beautiful mountains, fields and forests, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is as much an advert to visit this delightful country as it is an exciting, epic fantasy story. Nowhere is this more true than in the depiction of The Shire. Tolkien described the shire in his novels like the country villages of the England he knew and loved, far away from the urban sprawl of the industrialised cities (industrialistion is a big a villain in the novels and films as Sauron himself).

The Shire that Jackson and his production team created is one that would make the late author proud. Wheat fields, gentle, meandering streams, friendly woods, farm animals and 'hobbit holes' aplenty, The Shire is a comforting place that we are given ample time to explore in The Fellowship of the Ring. We see the joy of its inhabitants, simple people living simple lives. It is a utopia of sorts and one that we, along with the four hobbits, wish to return to.

There is a reason the film opens with Gandalf visiting the Shire, as it is the audience's introduction into Tolkien's perfect world. The fact that we are allowed to spend so much time there in The Fellowship makes it the most enjoyable movie of the series.