LIFE celebrates the 20th anniversary of the groundbreaking film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings with this deluxe collector’s edition. Learn the true story behind the pioneering novels The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, all written by Oxford professor and WWI veteran J.R.R. Tolkien. Then go behind the scenes of all six of director Peter Jackson’s movies, with deep reporting and stunning images,

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Lord of the Rings began in earnest as a series of beloved novels that were read, re-read, and cultishly adored across several generations. Long thought unfilmable because of their vast scope, an eventual movie trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King—was finally brought to life starting in 2001 by New Zealand director Peter Jackson. Since then, fans have stood in awe at a whole second trilogy of films, multiple

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Based on a motion picture to be released in theaters Dec. 14, 2012, this is the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in a hole in the ground and accompanies Thorin Oakenshield and his band of dwarves on a quest to recover the gold stolen from them by the evil dragon Smaug. At journey's end, after facing trolls, goblins, giant spiders, and worse, Bilbo discovers his destiny.

Begin your journey into Middle-earth...

The inspiration for the upcoming original series on Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The Fellowship of the Ring is the first part of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure The Lord of the Rings.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

Sauron, the Dark

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The Companions of the Ring have become involved in separate adventures as the quest continues. Aragorn, revealed as the hidden heir of the ancient Kings of the West, joined with the Riders of Rohan against the forces of Isengard and took part in the desperate victory of the Hornburg. Merry and Pippin, captured by Orcs, escaped into Fangorn Forest and there encountered the Ents. Gandalf returned, miraculously, and defeated the evil wizard, Saruman....

Begin your journey into Middle-earth.

The inspiration for the upcoming original series on Prime Video, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The Return of the King is the third part of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure The Lord of the Rings.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.

The Dark Lord has risen,

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"The evil Saruman has been defeated by Gandalf, but in Mordor the battle for the Ruling Ring continues. Wounded by the giant spider, Shelob, Frodo has been captured by the dreaded orcs. Sam, alone and in possession of the Ring, must rescue his master if their mission, to find the cracks of Doom, and there destroy the Ring, is to continue. Meanwhile, the other Fellowship members are preparing for war against the armies of the Dark Lord, Sauron." --container....

The Fellowship divides to conquer, as Frodo and Sam, with the help and hindrance of Gollum, continue on their way to Mount Doom. Gandalf and Pippin ride to Minas Tirith to help defend Gondor, while Merry remains with Eowyn and the other Rohan fighters. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli seek aid from those that live in the Cursed Mountains. All these battles have one ultimate goal in mind: to distract the Eye of Sauron and buy Frodo as much time as possible...