LOTR - Bakshi's folly

HurricaneElaine

Does anyone remember Ralph Bakshi's version of The Lord of the Rings (1978)? Mixed critical reviews, but it actually was a financial success - it grossed $30 million on a $4 million budget. The animation was a mixed bag, you really didn't know what you were looking at half the time. The story, forget it, characters disappeared left and right, or were left out entirely. Mistakes abounded.

Bakshi ended the movie about two-thirds of the way through the trilogy. At the Battle of Isengard, Gandalf flings his sword into the air, and the narrator declares that the forces of darkness were driven forever from the face of Middle-Earth.

You should have seen the reaction from the audience, including me, who practically screamed at the screen. "WTF" did not exist at the time. The words that were said, I can't repeat here. Many of us stormed out and demanded our money back (no go, btw).

Anyone?

WinnerVictorious

yes. there was also another installment done just for TV by Rankin-Bass. not only did they do the animated version of "The Hobbit", they also did a "Return of the King" film as well.

http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/The_Return_of_the_King_(animated)

HurricaneElaine

Any more thoughts, opinions?

Cat1094

Oh my! Never heard of that version... I would've been ticked!!!

junodog1

I believe that version was the one where they filmed live action and then animated over it - or something like that.

It was cutting edge animation. Sound familiar? If that’s the one, my father (God rest his soul) was fascinated with the process but disappointed with the movie.

junodog1

Here it is:

The film is notable for its extensive use of rotoscoping, a technique in which scenes are first shot in live-action, then traced onto animation cels.