Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring opens in the way Tolkien would have wanted--Elvish narration over a panoramic "final battle" and a swift précis of The Hobbit--briefly summarising the entire history of Middle Earth before we get to the earthy, childlike hobbit heroes and the quixotically wise Gandalf (Ian McKellen). In a year overrun with screen wizards, it took more than a pointy hat and a big beard to make an impression and McKellen's Gandalf is credible as a figure of all-knowing rectitude, yet not so towering that he can't take second prize in a magical pikestaff duel with a magnificently corrupt Saruman (Christopher Lee).

Despite Tolkien's original being effectively strip-mined by other fantasy films, Fellowship doesn't imitate them: instead there's a hint of Akira Kurosawa in the warrior business, some Ray Harryhausen in the monster scenes and a real sense that this film's peers are Lawrence of Arabia and Apocalypse Now rather than Star Wars and Legend. The inevitable problem with the film is that, good as it is and (at three hours) long as it is, this is only part of the story. A final judgment on the project may have to be left until all three films have been released. However, if Peter Jackson can keep up the level of imagination and craftsmanship for the long haul, JRR Tolkien's trilogy will be as well served by its film version as any cornerstone of popular literature has been since The Wizard of Oz. --Kim Newman

DVD Description:
(To Be Confirmed) Disc One
Theatrical Cut of film (178 minutes)
5.1 Dolby Digital Ex Surround Sound
2.0 Stereo Surround Sound

Disc Two:
DVD Special Features (To Be Confirmed): (158 Minutes)
Houghton Mifflin Welcomes You to Middle-Earth
Quest For The Ring: Fox Network TV Special
The Path to Middle-Earth: Sci-Fi Channel TV Special
Internet Documentary Shorts
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots (TBC)
Music Video for 'May It Be' by Enya
EA Video Game Preview (3 mins)
Extended Cut DVD Preview (3 mins)
Two Towers Preview (10 minutes)