National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

New Line Cinema released Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in December 2001, adapting the first volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved trilogy. The film marked a turning point in epic fantasy filmmaking, earning widespread critical acclaim and launching one of cinema's most celebrated trilogies. Its promotional materials generated enormous anticipation worldwide.

This cell, titled Gandalf, captures three consecutive 35mm frames from the theatrical trailer, presenting an extreme close-up of Ian McKellen as Gandalf — his face rotated, hair wild, expression fierce against a dark background. The tight framing and dramatic angle reflect the trailer's urgent, atmospheric tone, making this a striking piece of early promotional material from the production.