The Lord of the Rings (1978) - Blu-ray Evaluation

      The Lord of the Rings, 1978.

      Directed by Ralph Bakshi.

      Featuring the voice talents of Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt, Simon Chandler, Dominic Guard, Michael Graham Cox, Anthony Daniels, and David Buck.

      SYNOPSIS:

      This new Blu-ray release of Ralph Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings from Warner Bros. is labeled “Remastered Deluxe Edition,” but it appears to be the same disc that was released in 2010. Unfortunately, it does not feature a remastered print of the film, although it is still watchable and visually acceptable. Also included is a 30-minute featurette about Bakshi that was part of the previous disc.

      I have always had a fondness for Ralph Bakshi’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. Yes, it has its flaws, but it also has a lot of heart, and I genuinely enjoy the rotoscoped animation and the vibrant scenery. It was quite an accomplishment for its time, and I’ve always respected Bakshi for his unique approach to animation. (I also have a fondness for his subsequent film, American Pop, among others.)

      Bakshi’s adaptation covers approximately the first half of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic, concluding with the battle at Helm’s Deep and the suggestion of a sequel. Since the follow-up was never made, Bakshi went back and changed the final line of the film to provide a stronger sense of closure. I do wish he had corrected the inconsistency regarding the name Aruman/Saruman, but it is what it is.

      John Hurt (Aragorn) and Anthony Daniels (Legolas) are the most recognizable cast members in this production, although the other voice actors also perform well. As noted, there is a naming inconsistency with Saruman, likely due to concerns about its similarity to Sauron’s name, but it seems those concerns were not consistently applied.

      The animation remains impressive even after many years, although this is the same disc Warner Bros. released in 2010, and despite the “Remastered Deluxe Edition” label, we do not actually receive a proper remaster here. It has its share of flaws, but I’m not sure if those overseeing the home video budget for this title are willing to invest in a true remaster. Perhaps if this disc sells well, they may consider it.

      The only extra included is the 30-minute Forging Through the Darkness, which was also part of the 2010 release. It’s a nice documentary providing an overview of Bakshi’s life and discussing his films up to, but not beyond, The Lord of the Rings. It’s disappointing that there isn’t a more comprehensive documentary about him and his works, as he is such a fascinating figure, and his output is notably diverse.

      A couple of Bakshi’s children appear in the documentary, along with several collaborators from his films. There are also clips of Bakshi discussing his book Unfiltered from the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. It seems Peter Jackson is among many prominent creatives who value Bakshi’s contributions, so it’s unfortunate that none of them are included to provide an outside perspective.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Brad Cook