The forgotten Lord of the Rings film that Tolkien never wanted to see, FREE at this Buenos Aires cinema in November

The Forgotten Lord of the Rings Film Tolkien Never Wanted

Before Peter Jackson's famous adaptation, an animated version of The Lord of the Rings existed—one rejected by Tolkien himself. This rare film can be watched for free at a Buenos Aires cinema on November 14.

Early Attempts to Adapt Tolkien's Work

Many creators dreamed of bringing Tolkien's epic saga to the big screen due to its powerful story and rich characters. However, technological limitations in the 1970s made visualizing orcs, wizards, and the Rings of Power challenging.

Tolkien’s Resistance

Tolkien opposed the idea of an animated Lord of the Rings, which contributed to the film's obscurity among fans.

Notable Early Projects

Director John Boorman envisioned a mystical, dreamlike adaptation close to Tolkien’s approval.
Steven Spielberg also showed interest in adapting the saga during that era.

The Groundbreaking 1978 Animated Film

After Tolkien’s death in 1973, producer Saul Zaentz, who owned the rights, enlisted Ralph Bakshi to create the first animated version, using rotoscoping—filming real actors and tracing their movements to animation.

The film is intense, dark, and unconventional, notably bringing to life the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep with unprecedented realism for animation at that time.

"Ralph Bakshi proposed something revolutionary: filming real actors and then tracing them in animation, a technique called rotoscoping."

Author’s Summary

This pioneering animated Lord of the Rings film remains a bold, visually unique effort rarely seen but essential in adapting Tolkien’s complex world before modern technology made blockbuster sagas possible.

Would you prefer the style to be more formal or casual?

Buenos Aires Secreta — 2025-11-02