"Ringers: Lord of the Fans" DVD Review

Go inside the phenomenon that is "Lord of the Rings" with "Ringers: Lord of the Fans," a comprehensive look at the history of Tolkien's popular fantasy.

From the initial release of Tolkien's work up to the hugely successful trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, "Ringers" allows fans the opportunity to learn new facts about Tolkien's creation of the world of hobbits, elves and wizards in a fan-friendly manner.

Interested in the history of J R R Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy? If so, then "Ringers: Lord of the Fans" is exactly what you're looking for. This informative documentary film touches on the most interesting aspects of Tolkien's fantasy classic, from how it was initially received by critics to how rock musicians have embraced the fantasy tale over the years to Peter Jackson's definitive film version of the saga.

Featuring interviews with experts on Tolkien's work, members of the cast of "Lord of the Rings," and self-proclaimed 'Ringers' ("Lord of the Rings" fanatics), "Ringers: Lord of the Fans" is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the lasting impact one man's work has had on millions of people worldwide.

Narrated by Dominic Monaghan ('Merry'), the first half of "Ringers" focuses on the books while the latter portion of the film shifts more to film interpretations of Tolkien's stories.

DVD Bonus Features

Frankly, a commentary track on this sort of film is a waste. The film itself has a narrative track and so additional commentary by the filmmakers is totally unnecessary.

The other bonus material isn't anything special, although it is interesting to speculate on why certain interviews were left out of the finished film.