Why ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ is the Best in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy by Emily Pearce

Simply put, Peter Jackson’s Lord of The Rings film trilogy is the best in the fantasy genre. Not only is it an example of impeccable filmmaking and a faithful adaptation of Tolkien’s influential book series, but Lord of The Rings has paved the way for other high fantasy series and films, including Amazon’s The Wheel of Time (2021-present), Stardust (2007), and Game of Thrones (2011-2019) and was instrumental in popularising the fantasy genre. Amassing numerous accolades and nominations– most notably Best Picture for Return of the King at the 2003 Academy Awards – as well as the fervent approval of critics and Tolkien nerds alike, there’s no denying this film series is nothing short of perfection. Despite the brilliance of the trilogy as a whole, there is one film that stands out above the rest for me: The Fellowship of The Ring. 

Released in 2001, this first offering to the Lord of The Rings trilogy sees Frodo Baggins and the eponymous ‘fellowship’ – comprised of several hobbits, two men, an elf and a dwarf – embark on an epic quest to destroy the sinister ‘One Ring’, forged by the evil Dark Lord Sauron. The film, particularly the first half-hour, is an excellent introduction to the complex fictionalised world of Middle Earth; Galadriel’s expositional monologue within the opening sequence was an astute filmmaking decision on Jackson’s part, with her explaining the lore and history that accompanies this mythical One Ring. Middle Earth’s mythology is drip-fed to audiences as they watch in a simultaneously subtle and perceptible manner, allowing them to grasp the history of this fantastical realm without feeling overwhelmed with information. Jackson does a great job of simplifying and transforming Tolkien’s dense prose, constructing an on-screen fantasy realm that is both enticing and accessible for those who did not read the original book series.

Whilst its lengthy run time of 178 minutes (or 228 if you’re watching the extended edition!) may seem daunting to new viewers, I can assure you that not a second of Jackson’s screenplay is wasted. The film is paced perfectly, with sufficient attention given to every central character and plot line without it ever dragging. Certain extraneous aspects of Tolkien’s trilogy, such as the character of Tom Bombadil (sorry to the Bombadil fans out there!), were cut from Jackson’s adaptation, allowing room for more important elements to be explored and character arcs to be elevated. For example, the female elves, Arwen and Galadriel, are barely afforded dialogue in Tolkien’s original text, yet Jackson provides them with more fleshed out, integral roles here. Moreover, the noble ranger Aragorn, who I found to be arrogant and dull in the book series, is much more well-rounded and likeable on screen. 

Aside from stellar characterisation, Jackson navigates several key areas within Tolkien’s fictional topography throughout the movie, including the Shire in which hobbits reside, the formerly dwarf-inhabited Mines of Moria, and the elven realms of Lothlorien and Rivendell. Considering this movie was made almost 25 years ago, the special effects hold up perfectly and the immersive nature of Jackson’s filmmaking makes these fantastical places seem real and tangible. The sublimity and grandeur of this mythical realm can be attributed to the real-life beauty of New Zealand, the country in which the trilogy is filmed. The commercial success of The Fellowship of The Ring sparked a global interest in tourism “down under” in the early 2000s; as a major fan of this fantasy world, it’s certainly on my travel bucket list!

Whilst I understand it may be controversial to claim that I prefer The Fellowship to the trilogy’s other entries – The Two Towers (2002) and The Return of The King (2003) – I have several solid reasons for this opinion. Personally, I find the ‘quest’ structure of the film is what sets it apart as more exciting and gripping than the succeeding films. With a clear goal in mind – destroying the one ring – the film feels as if there is an underlying, pressing purpose throughout, whereas the other two grapple with too many plotlines. The Two Towers especially is bogged down by overly long battle sequences and a plethora of uninteresting, often irrelevant characters. The separation of the ‘fellowship’ in the second and third additions also means that my favourite characters in the series– Samwise Gamgee and Frodo – are given less screen time as the films progress, despite their significant mission to destroy the ring. The way in which Jackson presents the love and friendship within the fellowship’s dynamic makes for a touching display of healthy masculinity, a strength of the first film that I feel is not sustained as heavily later in the series when the fellowship disbands. From Boromir’s jealousy and temptation, Aragorn’s indecision over his destiny as the rightful King of Gondor, Legolas and Gimli overcoming their prejudices against each other, to the close-knit bond between the group of hobbits, The Fellowship of The Ring does a much better job in terms of character development than the plot-centric films that follow. 

Although this film is a mere third of a wider story, The Fellowship of The Ring is the only one of the three that I find myself itching to rewatch frequently. That said, I absolutely adore this trilogy as a whole; it is comforting, nostalgic, emotional and incredibly scored and directed. If you’ve yet to enjoy the wonders of Middle Earth, make binge-watching this epic series your 2025 resolution!