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National Film Vault

OFFICIAL FILM AUTHENTICATION BY CROWN GRADING
A
AUTHENTIC
CROWN CERTIFIED
Film cell NFV-000001802 Tap to enlarge
MOVIEThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Movie Trailer
SCENEAragorn
FILM FORMAT35mm
YEAR2001
CERTIFICATE IDNFV-000001802

FILM NOTES

FILM NOTES

New Line Cinema staked its future on Peter Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy, releasing The Fellowship of the Ring in December 2001 as the opening chapter of an unprecedented theatrical undertaking. Filmed entirely in New Zealand and shepherded by a studio that had never attempted anything of this scale, the picture reset expectations for fantasy filmmaking and became a defining release of its decade, launching a franchise that would sweep award ceremonies and box offices alike.

This cell comes from the trailer materials, the promotional reel cut to introduce audiences to the world before the film's release. It preserves Aragorn, the ranger and rightful heir whose journey anchors the fellowship's story, a character whose slow reveal as king made him one of the trilogy's most sought-after figures among collectors. Trailer cells like this hold a particular appeal, capturing the character as he was first presented to the public.

Authentication Findings 8 checks

Consistent with a 35mm positive trailer print from the Lord of the Rings theatrical trailer series

Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds three frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and appearing cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes
Soundtrack
Not visible in this capture
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to slightly warm; dye image shows strong colour saturation with no visible fading
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks or cue marks are visible in this capture
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be the same or near-identical shot, consistent with a trailer title card rather than action footage; the text reads 'THE RETURN OF THE KING' and 'CHRISTMAS 2003', which is a sequel date card consistent with a Lord of the Rings trailer reel
Era check
A 2003 release-date card for The Return of the King on a positive 35mm colour print is consistent with a Lord of the Rings theatrical trailer reel circulating from 2001 onward, as trailers routinely closed with sequel title cards
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063662
Original Film Capture As received
The film strip as photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size