“The Hunt for Gollum” is an impressive indie film, released in May 2009, which should be viewed by all fans of “The Lord of the Rings” except for those purists who cannot abide anything beyond the literal word-for-word Tolkien text. To all other fans of Tolkien, this independent film, produced and directed by fans for fans, does a surprising job of capturing the mood, feel and texture of Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth. Filmed in North Wales, Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath, the scenery is compatible with Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth. This film offers a smooth segue into a new but familiar chapter of the history of the One Ring.
An important back story which overlaps that period in “The Fellowship of the Rings” seventeen years after Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday party and just before Frodo Baggins is forced to leave the Shire, “The Hunt for Gollum” is the story of Aragorn’s quest to find Gollum. Gandalf has grown increasingly concerned that Bilbo revealed too much during “Riddles in the Dark,” and he fears Sauron will find out from Gollum where the One Ring is. When Gandalf shares his concerns with Strider, the courageous Ranger offers to go track Gollum.
“The Hunt for Gollum” provides a plausible story line based upon Tolkien’s books. The movie is beautifully shot and exciting enough to hold a viewer’s attention for the 40 minute short film. There are new but familiar vistas of Middle Earth, elves, orcs, rangers, and black riders, as well as characters like Gandalf, Aragorn, Arwen, and Gollum. The costumes, sets, dialogue, maps, music and even characters are closely matched with their Jackson counterparts. Especially noteworthy are Patrick O’Connor as Gandalf the Grey and Adrian Webster as Aragorn.
“The Hunt for Gollum” is a satisfying, complimentary additional chapter in “The Lord of the Rings” saga. If you watch it expecting a Peter Jackson movie, you will be slightly disappointed. If you watch it expecting a low-budget home movie made by Tolkien fans, you will be pleasantly surprised. “The Hunt for Gollum” was released as a free download on May 3, 2009 and is available at www.thehuntforgollum.com.
‘The Hunt for Gollum’ Movie Review is an excerpt of a longer review which will appear in the 2009 issue of Silver Leaves.
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